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Lakeshore Advance, 2011-10-12, Page 11Wednesday, October 12, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 11 HURON COUNTY COUNCIL Director pegs asbestos cleanup at Si SOkIweek Weekly pricetag for the county courthouse's asbestos cleanup campaign is $150,000. Cheryl Heath QMI Agency While the final tally of damage from the Aug. 21 tornado is not yet known, Huron County Council is now aware the weekly pri- cetag for the county courthouse's asbestos cleanup campaign is $150,000. "Wow," said Councillor Paul Klopp (Blue - water) while addressing cost -related issues with asbestos cleanup at the Oct. 5 session of Huron County Council. Social Services director Dave Overboe reports county officials are in the "very very preliminary discussions" with the restoration company, Balfour, which is the contractor for both the asbestos cleanup project and the facility's overall rehabilitation. One of the main problems facing the county is asbestos cleanup is not covered by insurance, meaning the whole pricetag will be picked up by the county unless the province chooses to allow the county's request for Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP) funding, which was not originally applied for because asbestos was not found inside the building until after the two-week deadline to apply for ODRAP sta- tus had expired. Though no deal is finalized, Overboe says a less expensive hourly rate has been negoti- ated with the restoration company. The asbestos cleanup is anticipated to take six weeks while the restoration process will take three to four weeks and cost $60,000 per week. ii This is just wrong. If it was your personal house you would be arguing with your insurance company. We're talking a lot of money here and that is just wrong." — Coun. Paul Klopp "We have a pretty good idea where we're at as far as that is concerned," says Overboe, noting the key is now ascertaining how best to pick up the pricetag. Coun. Deb Shewfelt (Goderich) says given the county conducted an asbestos cleanup of the courthouse in 1995, it should be the insur- ance company's job to pick up the cost. "You have documents that show the court- house was cleared out years ago," he said. "I'm not a lawyer but I'd certainly get one" Coun. Klopp agreed with Shewfelt's assertion, "'This is just wrong. If it was your personal house you would be arguing with your insur- ance company. We're talking a lot of money here and that is just wrong." Chief Administrative Officer Larry Adams says one of the key issues is though a cleanup was conducted, it is unclear whether the asbestos was removed or abated, meaning contained. lie notes a 2008 investigation at the courthouse failed to detect any asbestos in the building and that is why county offi- cials believe the asbestos was blown in by the tornado. Coun. Bill Siemon (Huron East) says con- sidering what is known, it would be prudent to contact an insurance lawyer for advice. County Warden Neil Vincent (North Huron) said regardless of whether a lawyer is contracted, county council is acting prudently in passing a motion calling for ODRAP assist- ance prior to the Oct. 6 Flection I)ay. Test your smoke alarms once a meth and ChM*" the batterls at lost NAL IRE EVENT Grit a grip on winter driving. Ail With Total Tire Care from Ford, my car Is ready for winter and 1 didn't even get my hands dirty.!! 4144 ORKS Fuel Economy Package* Winter preparation that can save you up to $350• a year on gas I 99, INCLUOSI UP TO IMPOINTINT1p� PIIuI OILAID MIN N CIw sr AND 1 M 1lomiioN. TOTALTIRE CARE We won't be undersold on tires!" Up to $1 0 In Manufacturer Mall -In Rebates.tt Si, your Service Advisor tor details. Steel wheels starthd horn $5999 stealwMel) Upgrade to aluminum wheels. UP t° O/O 60 OFF° BRAKE PADS ORWlt nn For added convenience, let us store your summer tires.' Available at particp■ locations. Dealer may sell tor lesa With Llfetinw ASK ABOUT OUR WINTER SAFETY PACKAGE Help prepare for winter with select brand name tires. wheels and the pressure monitoring system designed by Ford for your Ford. a N. 411110 THE DIESEL WORKS Fuel Economy Packages Enjoy the stops along the way. Never buy another set of Motorcraft" brake pads or shoes with our lifetime warranty! • ANO RECEIVE NO -CHARGE Full service winter preparation for your diesel engine. Trust the experts who know your Ford best: Ford Trained Technicians. The National Tire Event ends December l4th, 2011, so visit your Ford Store or ford.ca today. FREE BOTTLE OF "5 SHOT" ANTI -GEL & PERFORMANCE IMPROVER" WITH THIS SERVICE 511 MMALER POP PACKAoe PRMCI& Service