The Huron Expositor, 1996-09-18, Page 7No funding for
Seaforth lagoon study
The town may be "left
holding the bag for about
$70,000" because grants
assumed forthcoming for
touch -needed improvements
at the local sewage lagoons
appear to have been lost to
provincial government down-
sizing, Administrator Jim
Crocker told Seaforth
Council Tuesday.
Midge flies and offensive
odours emanating from the
lagoons, just south of
Harpurhey in Tuckersmith
Township, were a perennial
problem both in Seaforth,
particularly when the wind
was right, and neighbouring
municipalities until the
upgrade was initiated about a
year ago.
Ponds at the lagoons were
stocked with fish to eat the
larvae, trees were planted and
an ultra -violet filtering appa-
ratus installed, among other
improvements, by Seaforth
working in conjunction with
Ontario's Clean Water
Agency.
Problems diminished, most
notably on hot summer days
when before it had been on
occasion next to impossible
to enjoy "fresh" air outside,
and complaints were far
fewer.
Seaforth ho
involved in
Ontario's health ministry
has set a hospital study dead-
line of next January 31 for
the Huron Perth District
Health Council (DHC), so
that hospitals can incorporate
recommendations into their
operating plans ,for the next
fiscal year.
Eight hospitals in the two
counties are participating,
including Seaforth's. Price.
Waterhouse Management
Consultants has been hired to
provide technical assistance.
"The study is for-
Ward,.ys,ry qui ays
' Tanetok, Chair of the
local rOHC task force made
up of volunteers from the
communities and hospitals
overseeing it. "It will be
important that Huron Perth
residents participate in the
opportunities for input that
are made available to them."
"Opportunities for commu-
nity input will include ran-
dom telephone surveys, focus
groups, requests for written
submissions and open hous-
es," a DHC press release
states.
"All possible options, such
as hospital role changes,
mergers and closures will be
ESMENT DEAL
he original agreement
an assessment was required
of the town after the first
year, monitoring such devel-
opments as the status of the
predator fish population,
requiring biological exper-
tise.
Now the ministry has
informed Seaforth that
because of restructuring and
downsizing it can't carry out
this assessment, originally
estimated to cost about
$3,200, and the town must
find its own experts. The
lowest bid so far from a pri-
vate lab is for $3,900.
The town has also been told
Ontario Works funding grants
for other improvements, for
instance the ultra -violet sys-
tem, won't be forthcoming.
Crocker said it might end
all adding up to the $70,000
figure but the town has
money previously set aside
for the project.
"We have an investment
there," the clerk/administra-
tor commented. "It is all
coming too quick. There are
a lot of things to sort out."
Council decided that since
there is no grant any assess-
ment can wait until spring.
spital
DHC study
considered by the task force
as it seeks ways to streamline
the hospital system," states
the area health council's
executive director, Fraser
Bell.
The press release says the
Huron -Perth DHC is commit-
ted to ensuring its recommen-
dations to the province's
health minister "will result in
a hospital system that best
meets the health care needs
of Huron -Perth residents,
despite impending cutbacks
to local hospitals."
Sheila Dolmage and Bill
Thibert are the two voting
members from Seaforth on
the hospital task force. Other
members are: Bev Skinner,
Exeter; Marg Makins,
Bayfield; Annc Lake,
Fullarton; Pat Pietrek,
Wingham; Kim . Tilbe,
Goderich; Roberta Anlent,
Listowel; Henry de Young,
St. Marys; Susan Tamblyn;
Stratford; Bill Anderson,
Stratford; Paul Dunseith, St.
Marys; David Sparling,
Blyth; Mary "Lou" Hyde,
Hensall; Marlene Price,
Mitchell; Joseph Ennett,
Stratford; Hook (Chair),
Stratford; Linda Knight,
Belgrave; and John McLeod,
Listowel.
Acting engineer gets job
By BLAKE PATTIRSON
Signal -Star Staff
Huron County has a new
engineer, but the decision did
not come easy.
The county's Agriculture
and Public Works committee
received 76 applications for
the position and selected act-
ing county engineer Sandra
Lawson to fill the position.
On Sept. 5, the motion to
offer the job to, Lawson was
read to Huron County Council
and quickly approved.
Coun. Tom Cunningham of
Hullett Twp., however,
thought the decision was
made a bit too quickly..
"There was absolutely no
opportunity given for ques-
tions to be asked," said
Cunningham. "I've never seen
anything go through so fast,
Mr. Warden."
At the county council meet-
ing in July, discussion had
centred on the decision by the
Agriculture and Public Works
Pay approved
Seaforth Council. approved
the following pay for August
meeting attendance at last'
Tuesday night's meeting:
Mayor Irwin Johnston, $220
(four events attended but not
charged); Reeve William
Bennett, $105; Deputy -Reeve
William Teall, $90; Couns.
John Ball, $105; Brian
Ferguson, $105; Michael
Hak, $195; Heather Robinct,
$195.
1
committee to delay advertis-
ing for a new county engineer
after Dennis Merrill resigned
to take a similar position in
Middlesex County -- a delay
which had made it appear as if
Lawson was being fast-
tfacked for the job. Several
councillors wanted to know
the reasons for the delay, but
the discussion ended abruptly
when clerk -administrator
Lynn. Murray tersely informed
council the job posting notices
would be sent out the next
day.
Coun. Mason Bailey of
Blyth agreed with
Cunningham and said he
wants to know why the county
even needs an engineer.
"It seems to me that whep
we really need an engineer we
can go down the street.
There's lots of engineers out
there when we need them,"
said Bailey.
Cunningham requested that
the council either discuss the
matter further in closed ses-
sion or have a recorded vote
to decide Lawson's fate.
The issue was taken into
closed session for 40 minutes
and thereafter approved.
More details
CONTINUED tram page 3
can't see this (proposed bud-
get) is reasonable."
Council decided to ask
ABCA for more detailed fig-
ures. Consensus was Seaforth
is looking for a "0 per cent
increase on the whole."
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, S.pt.mb.r 18, 1988-7
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Huron County Library Board
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