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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-05-27, Page 22 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 27, IISM Senior Games - In a blur of motion Druisilla Leitch hits the ball in Senior Game golf action Friday at the Seaforth Golf and Country Club. HILGENDORFF PHOTO Rain makes it better Soybeans were planted in soil too dry but Monday's rain should help them out FROM Page 1 The dry conditions were some cause for concern for soybean crops and the spread of weeds that take hold better in warm, dry conditions. But rain fell in time to activate herbicides that would have been sprayed on corn fields earlier this year that will now kill those weeds. On Monday, Hall said that if three-quarters of an inch of rain fell, it would be "a million dollar rain." The rain will help increase the wheat crop yield and will help the soybeans that went into dry soil earlier this season. Ideally, Hall said soil should be moist when soybeans arc planted. Until Monday's rainfall, Lorne Glanville, who farms about seven miles north of Seaforth, was getting concerned by this spring's weather. "I don't think I've ever seen one this hot and dry," he said. "The rain is sure making me feel Netter." He has planted both corn and soybeans and has farmed for 30 years. "The_corn stands really look excellent now," said Hall. Corn was planted early this year as were the soybeans. "We had a phenomenally warm, dry spring; just an exceptional spring for getting planting done this year," he said. Child Find case remains open Case won't close until police or parents ask to have it shut FROM Page article announced the latest turn in the police investigation. the media's initial "lukewarm" response about covering the truck campaign changed. she said. Child Find continues its search for a missing child until he/she is found. or Mistie Murray the parents or police want the case closed. explained Chapman. In Mistie's case. neither the police nor the parents have asked to close the case, she said. Since Mistie's disappearance nearly three years ago, there have been dozens of reported sightings, said Chapman. When Child Find receives such tips, the organization waits for police to verify the information before passing it to the parents of the missing child, she said. Parents are not given the name and address of the person who called with the tip because confidentiality. is promised on Child Find's toll-free tip line (1- 800-387-7962), she said. In a London Free Press article on May 21, Mistie's adoptive mother, Anne Murray said she wanted those who report sightings to be asked if they would permit the family of a missing child to see their name and address. Chapman said. although parents do not ask for more information very often, she would he able to give that to the Murrays with the permission of the caller. She said she talks with Anne .Murray on "regular basis" and Anne has helped get the names of other companies to participate in the truck poster campaign. Last year. a jury acquitted.Mistie's adoptive father, Steven Murray of the second-degree murder of the missing teen. The Murray family could not he reached for comment. Memory Lane has been established costs are not reflected in the tree price." "Memorial trees can be purchased for $250," notes an information sheet from Town Hall, and will only be planted in the spring" by the local works department. "Seaforth Memory Lane has been established so that our loved ones can live on in a memorial tree garden that will bring pleasure to those who have been left behind." ,ierferth has established a arboretum." "Memory -Lane" on land just south of "The price of the trees has been the tennis courts at the local high calculated based on replacement cost if a tree is damaged or dies, pruning costs and the cost of the entrance sign." "The public works department will carry out all the work in the memorial garden and the price reflects these costs," the superintendent's report continues. "Outside contractors and labour school. Works Superintendent John Forrest told council's May 5 meeting that final plans are complete. "A specific planting design has been established with 25 different tree species, all native to this area," he reported. "Not only will it serve as a memorial area, but also as an SDHS needs Grade 8s FROM Page 1 cooperative education proSeaforth has 82 students taking .part in work placements throughout the community tbis year that give students work experience and course credit. In Clinton, Parr said involvement in the program is about half. "Seaforth is the place to come for co-op," said Parr. It's also the only school offering an OAC French Literature class next year. It's close to the after school jobs many students will be looking for as they enter high school. At the same time, the community is also being invited in honor of its role in supporting the school during the past several months. Town can't save enough by controlling own sewage BY GREGOR CAMPBELL Expositor Staff The way things stand now, it looks like Seaforth couldn't save enough money operating the town's sewage treatment facilities on its own to make it worthwhile. The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) currently runs the "class II" system, under contract with this municipality. That five-year agreement effective at the start of 1996 will cost Seaforth $153,316 in 1998, and next year is the first the town can opt out of it, provided it gives six - months notice. Council recently authorized an engineer's report to see if local control would cost less. Steve Burns of B.M. Ross and Associates provided a preliminary report and evaluation to councillors at their May 12 meeting. "A prelitninary budget for municipal operation totals $151,000, including a five per cent contingency," he reported. "There is not a great deal of opportunity to operate at less cost than now," he commented. The system includes the lagoons to the west of town, south of Harpurhey; the pumping station on Oak Street and the force mains connecting the two. In the preliminary budget the engineers presented. salaries and benefits (42 per cent), electricity (32 per cent), lab testing (seven per cent) and chemicals (three per cent) accounted for 84 per cent of operations. DIRECT LIABILITY More direct observation and control of costs would be a potential benefit of municipal control, Burns reported, but on the flip side the town would assume "direct liability for plant performance" and would have to "acquire trained, licensed staff to operate the facilities and provide off - hours support." "There are no big savings on a stand-alone basis," Seaforth cierk/administrator Jim Crocker commented on the report, although perhaps in future council might wish to proceed as a joint venture with other municipalities. Coun. Michael Hak said saving a couple of thousand dollars and going through the steps that would be required by the end of June to terminate the OCWA agreement would not appear to be worth it, especially considering Seaforth's ongoing amalgamation discussions with other Huron County municipalities. Council referred the report to the first meeting of next month. OCWA advised the town's engineers that the rated average »ydraulic capacity (1,900 m /d) of the Seaforth system was exceeded by 19 per cent (2,255 m}}/d) during 1997, and that the year before tlt. average flow was 2,532 m which is 133 per cent of the rated capacity. Burns told council this has not affected performance but is a concern, difficult to isolate and explain without a more elaborate metre for measurement, that would cost in the range of from 510,000 to $15,000. "The plant has consistently met all its treatment objectives and OCWA has recommended, in the 1997 annual operations report, that the town 'apply to the Ministry of the Environment for a re -rating of the hydraulic capacity for the plant'," notes the engineer's report notes. This is one of the earliest seasons that Glanville has had his crops planted. Normally, he wouldn't have started until about May 2( t by that time this ye s crops had bee' r' d. 1ty concern at the moment comes with this week's rain. Powdery mildew and septoria, which could damage the crop. can take hold in the wet weather. Farmers arc advised to continuing scouting each field for signs of the diseases. Glanville said a hot, dry summer is predicted but he's hoping that doesn't turn out to he the cast. Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Exeter, Ontario NOM 191 (Established in 1876) Provides Full Insurance Coverage for Farm Properties New Applications Are Welcomed DIRECTORS 8 ADJUSTORS Joe Che'. 5lithe: 348-970.5 Ron Feeney. R R 2DuMn Larry Gamine R R 2 Stafla Jack Fbd9ert. R P 1 Krldor Mtdtae' 0 Shea R P. 3 Granan Mars News R R 2 S: Pain AGENTS Wayne Maw. bete - David Moan. DW►n Batu Wdrdea-Dfbtr. JP Drew Mahe. 345-2360 345-2678 229-6152 225-2600 393-6548 235-1915 3452512 345277? 348-9012 Head Office Exeter 235-035C A refund from surplus was declared for all policy hold- ers who qualify, are on record and in good standing as at December 31, 1997. Sale Sat; Hurls Jurtc I 1491; All In Stock WEDDING GOWNS All Order BRIDESMAID GOWNS 25 OFF All Mother-of-the-Bride/Groom SUITS 5064 OFF STRATFORI) LOCATION ONLY! 78 Ontano Street STRATFORI) 272-2772 SEAFORTH 1 PUBLIC UTILITY - COMMISSION *NOTICE* Due to the FLUSHING OF HYDRANTS within the Town of Seaforth THE WEEK OF JUNE 1ST. customers could experience some discoloured water. This will clear, but before doing laundry, PLEASE check to see that it is clear. If you have any questions, please call 527-0530 YVVVVWVVVVVL. New Deadline The Huron Expositor. has moved their deadline for news, letters, classifieds and advertising to 1:00 PM MONDAYS (except for holidays) ,We appreciate your anticipated co-operation "Your Community Newpaper" 527-0240 4, 100 Main St. Seaforth AAAA" 5