The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1996-02-21, Page 22 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, F.bruary 21, 1994 Close-up Huron County Council What to do with Huron's waste? IIY MONA IK11IN SSP News Stals After an' extensive debate. Huron County councillors voted 44 to 14 in a recorded •s vote recently.to call in an Oakville iengineering . company for a "parallel - study" on alternative methods of waste disposal for Huron County. 1n fact, council members authorized two -such. studies. Gore & Storrie, the North York engineering • "firrn currently working on a landfill site for the county,. • and R. Cave & Associates Frnginecring Ltd.. of Oakville, will each do a study. ' A local group, the Concerned .Citizens of Ashfield and Area (CCAA). have asked county council several times to authorize this type of study.'CCAA had also asked that Gore & Storrie not he. hired to conduct .the study _. because Gore & Storrh disregards 'small_ capacity incineration - • systems.'. accordiAg to a letter from CCAA that was read into the • minutes by Don MacNay. •chairman or the ('CAA Alternatives Committee. The .CCAA recommended R. Cave • & Associates forlhc study. _ "Thin is what ivc, hoped would happen." said CCAA president Aubrey Weir. but added that he was still Surprised. The CCAA is a citizens' group 'that has ,repeatedly voiced concerns• about the. possibility of a landfill site- in Ashfield Twp. .At prcgcnt. that is thc'only site that appears to meet currclnl ' Criteria, according to the ongoing research doi(e by Gore & Slarrie:• - Thc CCAA' has no further .plans al this -time. Weir added.. -"We'll just wait to see what the allernativesiarc." Thc cost of each study must not cxeecd- approximately ;$25,(XX),'plus`Ci T,'tor •aiYival lof $9(t,09(l+frlits4ISTIrtn gel 1. interview -after the meeting waste management program co-ordinator Craig Metzger said the parallel_ studics.will. focus on how much Waste' Huron produces. The -studies will examine both landfilling - the waste and exporting it to another landfill or incinerator. That part of the study is expected to. he done by early' *March. if ()dither solution seems practical. the coinpanics will "then look at the feasibility of building an incinerator in Huron. Metzger said. Examining all three alternatives from the .start would "cost •more and take longer,. he added. Earlier in Thursday's meeting. Coun. Bob Hallam (West Wawanosh) said council has "played deaf cars" to Ashfield Twp. residents' concerns. 1 publicly apologize for my part. because I didn't know this was going on." - Hallam said. referring to the Stare 2D Draft Summary Report by Gore & Storrie. The Stage 2D report includes agricultural' and social impact studies. hydrogeological reports and tests of selected wells in the site arca. "I'm not a hydrologist Cin just an old farther." Hallam said. "But this !the information in the rcportl isn't anywhere near the criteria we. set out as councillors when we started._' In a telephone interview after the meeting. Hallam said the consultants "haven't proven to ate 1the site is] Entertaining farm speaker returns An entertaining expert and speaker returns to Huron ('oun- ty March 2 to present his workshop on "How to Thrive As A Family Farm". Dr. Ron Hanson of the University of Nebraska shares his knowledge obtained through his research, teaching and experiences as a farm family counsellor. Last year he gave workshops in Brussels and Holmesvillc. This year's workshop is scheduled For the Exeter Legion Hall. For more details or,, to register you can call the Huron County Health Unit al 482- 3416 or I -8(10-20-5184. "I'm not a hydrologist - I'm an old farmer," Hallam said. 1, safe." The initial Waste Management Master Plan committee members told arca residents there would he 15 metres of clay underneath the .site. said Hallam. Most :of the soil -beneath the Ashfield Twp. site is clay — some of it more than 'twice the . depth committee members agreed to —.but seams..of sand, gravel • and stones also run beneath the site, he said. • • Some of the sand is extremely fine, he added. and would probably -not present a problem with leachate. As for 'the rest, "1 don't think an engineer.1froin tlic..Ontario Ministry of Agriculture] would put a seal of approval - on that site for liquid manure - (storagcl." Also, he said the water- table varies quite a bit_ -in-the-arca. which -might .add to leachate problems. "What's the gocxl Of a social impact study if the site fails in the long run?" he asked. , 'At the recent meeting, Hallam told council he had worked hard at the start to convince residents in his arca that council's first priority 'was a safe site (al the start, -Mie 'of the potential sites was:in West " Wawanosh "The residents were so •happy! they asked me to_• leave." he said. "They called me gutless andspineless. 1 did _all that in good faith. and 1'm, deeply hurt." Hallam went on.. - "I feel I've hecn used because - 1 si od up towriends on behalf of the county." - - '.Council agreed to have • representatives -froth Gorc & Storrie explain what some; • councillors .sec as `►'dlsteier tries- in the` rc`piort.' Coun. Bill Weber. (Stephen Twp.) made. the motion to . have Gore & Storrie-report to ' the next Waste Management ('omtnitTec meeting, and it was -.seconded by . Coun. William Bcnnc11(:Seaforth). MacNay also said Ashfield - residents have not received satisfactory answers `to 'questions they have asked .Several limes, which Coun. Thomas ('unninghani (Hullett Twp.) suggested was a good reason to have the parallel study done. "If this was happening in Hulled. my ratepayers would he where the Ashfield residents are. now." Cunningham said. adding council "owes.it to the public" to do the parallel studies.. "We' may not he able to satisfy them totally, but at lease we'll have tried to satisfy their concerns. I'd feel much more comfortable if we did . the study. with another company." said Cunningham. - "This hashcen on the go since 1987." said Coun. Brian McBurney.(Turnbcrry Twp.). ' "And the rules have changed so much. We should definitely look -at alternatives. Maybe there's nothing wrong with Gorc & Storrie, but maybe it wouldn't hurt to give ,anothcr company an opportunity to-do a report. "Gore _ & Storrie has a vested interest in this. They've been on it for nine years. and human nature being what it is. they might not want to gel off." "Is there any price on this. or are we just handing out more money?" Hallam asked. 'Why not- open it up to tendert" Metzger said it's a matter of savingtiinc. "Gore & Storrie can start immediately," Metzger said. "II' we tender. (the study] would start later." If council selects a second company without tendering — which is what .happened — that company could start' in a week or two. Metzger said. And, he added. there's a : $55.000. Ministry of the Environment grant riding on the timeline. 'If we're not on • time. (with a"decision]; we'll "We've taken higgers• chances on. more money -for less important. things." McBurney replied. - "That's a small part of a lig budget." he added. "If the two reports match, maybe people will be convinced. If not. we could he in a hell of a spot.- But- if people Piave no faith in the consultant. the cost of the report -Might as well he $5" for alt the_goodit will do. "-Let's he brave and• get a second opinion. At least we'll have peace of mind.", ' The'Ministrys fiscal year ; ends Apr. 1., in an interview after the meeting, Metzger said - the Ministry of the Environment-approveda plan a year ago that did not include 'an alternative -waste disposal study. - Nor did it include: "pnuch.allowance for slow- downs or difficulties," Metzger said. But the Waste Managemcnl'Master Plan "had continued to lake longer than planned, and the Ministry hais'saill, 'If tiin1e. lin1e..s. ..'y1ou W'mops YOU' 'ilorer .loreget the money' Metzger also' said a discussion.. held in 1995. about hiring another consultant. to _study the work. 'Gorc & Slorric has already done, was put on hold. It may still be -done. if the public• disagrees with council's final decision. Those who voted in favour were: Bennett, Down, Hallam. Vanstonc.- Cunningham, McBurpey, Coun. Norman Fair1es (Howick Twp.), Coun. 'Dwayne LaPorte (Zurich). Coun. Bill Mickle (Exeter), Coun. (3rucc Machan (Wingham), Coun. 'Laurie. Cox (Goderich Twp.).Coun. Donald Schultz , (EaSt Wawanosh Twp.). Coun. J. Gordon Workman (Brussels)•. Coun. M. Keys (Hay Twp.). . Coun. Mason Bailey (Blyth), • Coun. Leona • -Armstrong (Grey Twp.), Coun. Patricia Carrier (Bayfield), Coun. R.B.". Elliott (Morris Twp.), and Coun. Carol Mitchell (Clinton).- Those who voted against .were: Weber, Coun. Jack Coleman (Stanley Twp.). Coun. C.J.-Pepper (Hensall), Coun. Ron Murray (McKillop Twp.). and 'Warden Bill Clifford (Goderich). Ontario dump rules to change The Ontario government is planning to dumps some regulations pertaining to dumps, according to it leaked Ministry of Environment and Energy document published last Wednesday by II:e Globe wul Mail. . According 10 this document, _which concedes the .move might not sit well with cnvirim mentalists, the province is considering:a couple of options the granting of full excmptihns for dump from Ontario's tough Environmental Assessment Act or. exccutpting those proposed dumps Irur)t key provisions of - that act. These proilsions include providing- a Full description of their plans, `the reasons for thein and possible alternatives. Environeentalists have used this act to modify or kill wade proposal plans in the past. . As an alternative, according to the Toronto ucwsi►.: ix•r. Ontario 'nuts to develop a compensation plan lar Iain downers whose prig►erty values Kill because of a dulup. The authors of phi leaked govenintcnt document cciucedc dump exemptions "w ill be viewed by the environmental sector and some public -interest groups as• govcrnnicnl tinder- mining the environmental as- sessment process.' The newspaper says this document is scheduled, 10 he presented hi • the powerful policy quid priorities I card of -the Ontario cabinet ilii. Heck. ARE YOUR DEBTS II KEEPING YOU AWAKE? We can help you with your financial difficulties. We- provide services in personal and business bankruptcy, financial and credit - counselling, and consumer and corporate debt restructuring. Call us for a free confidential consultation and let us send you our free personal financial solutions brochure. Day or evening appointments are -available.. Please call 519-527-1331 or 1-800-417-7088 Ask for Darren Crocker Or Don Allen, Trustee Deloitte & Touche Inc, 64 Main Street. Seaforth ON NOK 1 WO Main Office: 633 Coiborne St . London Deloitte & Touche 4-H News .Joint meeting The Huron ('oui►ly 4-11 .. Machinery Club and the Ilion 4-11 Sodhirsh'rs Club will hold a joint orgar'irational an;l - first 'meeting at - :Vincent Farm l:quipnienl, one' mile nirrlh'of Seaforth On Huron County Road • 12 • "at 7:10 - pin, Thursday, • Felt. 22. All iiilerestcel youth 10 to 21 years of age as of Jan. I, 1906, are invited. For thither information contact: Allan !laugh J1-.522-0248 or Chris Maloney at 345-2125. Chinchilla club meets BY .JOHN STOREY - Tltc 4-11 Chirac_ hillit Club meeting on.F b. 3 begun with . receiving..two chinchillas. We talked, about a chccklist-for our health and safety. it is lir when we go -on a field trip. • They talked about dust bathing, and other things we had to know about chinchillas.. Then tliey got a numer. If your number was called, you went and got your chinchillas. After getting our chinchillas vic canis hack in the house. We got cupcakes. Good Food club elects executive BY MIKE VAN .IBAKEL The first meeting of 'Good Food Fast' was opened with the pledge on Mon. Feb. 5. Enrolment cards were filled out at 7 pin and the tnccting got underway. Elections were held and It_ was decided that our new president would be Crista Vanden Hoven, Denise Crcutzwiscr - vice president, Melissa Van Bakel - secretary and --Mike Van Bake' - press reporter. We went over the objectives for the course and hada first quiz on food. We talked about the importance of breakfast, including cereals, and then we talked about snacks and had a snack • survey. Spicy' apple muffins were enjoyed. - DAVID SCOTT PHOTO NUMBER CRUNCHING - Seaforth Community Hospital board member and past chairman Marlen Vincent, CEO Bill Thibert and CFO Rick Cooper review possible options for the distribution of more than $25,000 recently received in a campaign for the Seaforth Community Hospital Foundation. Donations were received from residents of Seaforth and surrounding communities including Brussels, Staffa, Dublin, Kippen, Mitchell and Bornholm. There were even donations from as far away as Hamilton. The funds will be used to purchase new equipment for the hospital in the near future. Organizers are "very pleased" with the results. 5. The Longer the Term of the R.R.S.P. i And Compare - Our R.R.S.P. Loan Rates! The Lower the Interest Rate onthe RR'SP. Loan R.R.S.P. Loans As Low As Below Prime CLINTON COMMUNITY 1 , , -CREDIT UNION " - 48 Ontario Street ' 118 Main Strop! North CLINTON 482-3467 • EXETER 235 0640 OPEN: MON to THURS 9:00 a In - 5:00 p m rRI 9.00 n m 1100 p m SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1952 ►�iTI1 0II R • N cc w a. • . ► i ' : uIiITIsii • HAIR CUTS • PERMS • COLOUR • MAKE UP • A Safe Sun Tan One Scssion...s6.00 Five Sessions...s2S:00 Ten Sessions...40.00 Experience an intense, clean tan that creates the results you want. . Don't forget your- first ourfirst session is - FREE Children's Cuts (10 yrs. & udder) Everyday Low ,Price $6.00 + G.S.T. + (,.S.T. PERMS *32-'42-'52 *cut extra Every Wednesday is SENIORS' DAY Seniors Save 10% OFF On All Services "Gift Certificates & our Pamper Packages sire always available. " We are now open 3 evenings to serve you better! TOTAL IMAGE II 65 MAIN ST, SEAFORTII 527-0780 • MANICURES • THERAPEUTIC WAX BATH • OTNIINUTAE • :-y >I•III� I�iT >� I= i�Al= I i�l;L • aI►�:1�L�it l�Li�l��' •