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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-03-02, Page 22 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, March 2, 2011 Tri -municipal leaders want councils to make decisions Lynda Hillman-Rapley Lakeshore Advance It has been five months since the last tri -municipal meeting for the Sanitary Treatment Facility (STF) project, bringing more of an attendance than usual to the February 18 meeting in Crediton, hosted by South 1 iuron. 1)r. i,ouis Tasfi of Dillon Consulting explained the history and process of the project. Mayors Bill Dow - son, George Roberson and Bill Weber have been part of this committee for the past term of office. Many of those at Friday's sleeting were new councilors- and this session was information from Dillon. CAOs John Byrne, Roy Hardie and Lori Wolf have also been part of the process for the past four years. The plaster plan, which looks at future needs for the next 20 years has been agreed upon. The next sleeting is sched- uled for March 18 in Crediton. Tasfi provided the back- ground information on the Environmental Study Report including the evaluation of alternative treatment solu- tions and treatment plant upgrade options, such as the New Hamburg and Mechanical Plant. Ile explained the existing conditions of the Grand Bend lagoons such as the near capacity of the existing lagoon system, maximum monthly flow, where the seasonal discharge of efflu- ent goes and the constraints to the expansion. Ile also commented that the New 1lamburg system, new to Zurich's lagoon, would not be able to handle all the sewage needs. He stated the regulations from 1979, the year the Grand Bend- Mollard Line lagoons were put in- were far different than they are today- having no limits, no perimeters. "We could not build like that now,"he said adding the current lagoons are nearing capacity. Tasfi cited projected pop- ulation statistics and sani- tary sewage flows of .the study area for 2031 and the projected yearly average daily flow for all three par- ticipants being Lannbton Shores at 33% growth, Blue - water at 21% and South Huron being at 22% growth. Ile also provided informa- tion on the Ministry of Envi- ronment's effluent criteria. 1.anlbton Shores conn. Ruth Inman asked about the population numbers and Tasfi explained how popula- tion projections for the next 20 years were used in deter- mining the need for a new treatment plant. He explained, using up-to-date Census data the area in the rod' wi►ere+�eryou are, we awe there to pr's coring support to seniors and to of* rewarding volunteer assignments that fit rut West)* Training provided. Help is needed now in these areas: Exeter Meds on Wheels Drivers Grund Bend Diner assistants Exeter Diner Drivers and assistants Zurich Exercise -in -the -Home Program Hensel Social Program Assistant Exeter Group Ekercise While You Sit Leader Zurich Group Exercise White You Sit Leader Moab on Wheels 1 Dining Programs 1 Ftdendiy visiting Wellrlass Activities j Transportation Call Grace today at 1-877-502-8277 =scare krpoll Lary, n. 1p /..,mNy�,..r. tiu6purt !Matto aat1Itrwdlaw sit ttsods, «ulMprdNNJlx►erur , plant's catchment area has a population of about 8,000 now, with a projection of approximately 11,000 in 2031. He said they took the economic downturn of the past couple of years into account. Tasfi said doing nothing was not an option because the lagoon system is close to capacity. 'There is earmarked space for Grand Bend but zero capacity for South 1luron's growth. lllman said Lamhton Shores council was chal- lenged by a rate payer stat- ing the mechanical system did not have the highest capabilities for taking out effluent. The doctor said he would like to see that docu- mentation and stated he is aware of smaller systems may fall into that thought process but for the size of system proposed the efflu- ent capabilities are the best. The doctor said the New Hamburg process doesn't meet Ministry of the Envi- ronment effluent quality guidelines for the area and that the city of New ham- burg have upgraded to a mechanical system. Tasfi noted other issues that would stern from using other systems such as wetland - too small and effluent is an issue and no setbacks for New Htunburg.'Ihe mechan- ical system is more expen- sive but can he built in modular stages and be expanded in the future. Operating costs are also part of the mechanical system. Bluewater Deputy mayor Paul Klopp asked about the feasibility of a smaller plant costing $21 million instead of $26 million and 'leash said they would have to upgrade within 10-15 years. Tasfi also noted the actual cost of the plant won't be known until the chosen contractor comes back with a price. Klopp said he was "just looking out for the taxpayers" Bluewater i lay West Ward Conn. John Gillespie said Bluewater is committed to $2.4 million for the project and wondered what would happen if they (Bluewater) pulled out. Tasfi said he was not the one to answer that question but said it would affect flow rates for the facility. "Does it kill the project altogether?" Gillespie asked. "1 don't know,"Tasfi said. South Huron Deputy Mayor Jim Dietrich said he is concerned about the operat- ing costs of the proposed plant and said he is worried about who is going to pay for it until the three municipali- ties get more flow going into the plant. "We need to grow first," Dietrich said. Inman told the doctor some ratepayers would like to see a peer review done. "What would that set us back?" She asked. 1)r. 'leash replied "$75-125,000. I.ambton Shores Coun. Martin Underwood asked I)r. Tasfi what he knew of future regulations. "What stakes you think the regula- tions will be stringent in the future?" Ile asked. "i wish knew what the government will do," I)r. 'lash said nitrates are now under review with deadlines and beyond that more and more requirements are cooling clown the pike. "it's a fact of life," he said. Goan. Lorrie Scott asked how many cities and towns are currently on this system. Tasfi said more and more municipalities are growing towards this system and she could go to Tilbury to see a mechanical system -smaller but much the same that is being proposed here. "'Phis is the basic trend expecta- tions," he said. A S'1'1' tour was planned for last Friday. The media and public at large were not made aware of the tour and none of the three ('AOs were privy as to who organized it. Lamhton Shores CA() John Byrne said the sewer board needs to reconvene as soon as possible, "it is near- ing the end of the EA for all systems and we need to decide where we are going. Bluewater CA() Lori Wolf concurred stating they have worked hard to conte up with an agreement and South Huron's CA() Roy 1lardy also concurred stat- ing they (South Huron) are in a little different situatii'' as this treatment plant is opportunity for them rathe than a requirement. lie said there is a Targe project on highway 21 and this facility only makes sense. !lardy was referring to a planned MT() reconstruction of Highway 21 between the north end of the village up into Bluewater, which is in the early planning stages. "It appeal's we have an excel- lent opportunity to coordi- nate the highway recon- struction with the construction of the neces- sary trunk sewer through South !Ilium between lilac water anti the new sewage treatment plant, to the mutual benefit of all three municipalities," i tardie told the Lakeshore Advance, Weber noted'1'asfi and 1)il lion Consulting have pro posed the plant the three municipalities have asked for. Ile said now it's up to the three councils to discuss the situation further and come back to a future hoard meet- ing and make some decisions. South Huron mayor George Robertson agreed, saying the meeting was set up for the three councils to gather information. Dirty Dogs score with council CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 1 "What was detrimental was the fact that we were assured we would he in the arena at some point and that any place that we would be playing would be only temporary. When we booked our rescheduled game 00 September 25, in Parkhill, both Parkhill and Watford were willing to take us on as a host for the year or until the Legacy Center was available for use. 'ibis would have been ideal for us as both centers are not that far away and a majority of our fans would still be willing to attend. After being reassured we would be in the Leg- acy center October 1, 2010, we gratefully declined the offers and anxiously awaited the completion of the Legacy Center. After receiving notice that the arena was again being pushed hack to November 1, 2010, our Club immedi- ately contacted Parkhill and Watford to seek their original offer. Unfortunately, the ice Was not available any more and our Club had to seek ice elsewhere," explained Dickey. The closest centre was Exeter, 45 min- utes away. "If Lambton Shores would have been up front with their deadlines, we could have had a closer venue thus creating a chance for our fans to attend and then in turn creating more revenue," he said. Dickey said they realize this Club has had its share of financial disappoint- ments with 1.ambton Shores and realize they still have an outstanding balance with the municipality. Ile said it would have been paid, but needed the funds they had to cover their shortfalls in Exeter. "As a Municipality, you have been more than a help when trying to create solutions for financial woes and for that, we sincerely thank you. What we need now is assistance to (continue so that we can get back to Medford and enjoy the Legacy Center;" said Dickey It is the belief of the Club's executive and ownership that it' the team can sur vive to next year, they would he able to regain the fans and sponsorship and again start to flourish in such a competi- tive league. Conn. Ruth lllman said this was a dif- ficult situation and they needed to work together to make it work. Coun. John Russell said he under- stood their pain and desire to move for ward. "You are our most important ten- ant (at the Legacy Centre) and there are economic benefits for both, Ile said he would like to see a business partners!'' ) plan. Dickey reminded council they a non-profit organization. Russell asked this request go to budget and to the stra- tegic p1t111. Mayor Bill Weber said it report from staff will come before the budget proc- ess is over.