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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-06-12, Page 2• 2 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesda , June 12, 2013 • • ALL CHEVROLET, GMC AND BUICK MODELS Illlt;t PAY(.1tNl lit 1)(It'114)N.`,t)Nout; .1tvAli()ttINNINk, t WI ('1" EXCLUSIVETO HMP A S1,000 EARN 1000 AIR WITH GAS CARD WITH THE PURCHASE THE PURCHASE OF A OF A ?vie/ BRAND NEW 2013 GMAC SIERRA NEVADA EDITION 2WD CREW CAB • 4,81 V8 engine, • Chrome ac • Bluatoolh •Loc • HD trailer plc „ $92 wt'ckly payment' 3 including NST term; O% interact et!: Wile C. 1 x1 1 F I1.('l)nq 519.235-0363 (I I .I •a• MAIN ST. EXETER 1.800.265.3476 A',, ,' 1qA111' r.i 1 t�ilr, VIEW OUR ENTIRE INVENTORY ONLINE Al WWW.HMPEXETER.COM • Oakwood group will work with South Huron regarding trunk line CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 1 environmentally sound ways of meeting the needs of South iluron taxpayers today and into the future. While you have approved monies to conduct a design study of a trunk line up highway 21, we still encourage our council to talk to Liunbton Shores' Council about shar- ing costs and continuing to share and expand the present trunk line, Just as you share all other parts of the sewage collection and treatment infrastructure. It is our hope that both Municipalities exercise their political will to find an eco- nomically viable solution for both Municipalities and taxpayers, thus avoiding the expense and maintenance of duplicate infrastructures," said Deb 1)ie Kirkwood (:hair of the Oakwood Park Environmental Committee in a Tetter to South Macon. Don Giberson, Environmental Serv- ices Director for South l luron recom- mended to council that they accept the proposal from Gamsby and Mannerrow 1.td. For professional services associated with the Grand Bend Area Sewer'I'reat- rnent Plant Project (Pump Stiction 2 to Indian Road Oakwood Park) at the cost of $42,150 plus 1 IST. Giberson presented a report at the May 27th meeting that provided addi- tional information regarding proceeding with this engineering design. 1 Ie listed ten items that began with completion of the final design of the first phase of the GBA1'SS is consistent with their strategic priority to protect the lakeshore at its most vulnerable point, which is the same priority as the residents in the area. • Completion of the design at this time ensures our readiness for unexpected or catastrophic events of senior govern- ment regulations anywhere along the lakeshore. •'this demonstrates to Provincial and Federal funders that we are committed to the phased use of the new Grand Bend Area S'l'I'. •'Ihe trunk sewer would satisfy South I luron's commitment to installing a per - sanitary outlet for the Oakwood Links condo rather than continuing indefinitely with a "temporary" connec- tion. (This temporary connection is doc- umented in the approved ESR.) • South I luron currently has an agree- ment in place with 1.itlnhton Shores that would allow and ensure construction of the trunk sewer along their Ontario Street to the mutually slimed PS2. There is a risk that in the future 1.ambton Shores may have an alternative use for the space on Ontario Street that is desig- nated now for the sewer route. •Proceeding now with final design would facilitate the conclusion Of nego- tiations with the Mtmicipallty of Illuewa- ter to (confirm their commitment to par- ticipate in the project and their financial contribution. •Without sanitary sewer outlet on the South Huron section of the Bluewater Highway (Iiighway 21) there is no chance of economic development to the lakeshore amt. •Completing the engineering and obtaining MOI: approvals this year, would allow the municipality to tender and construct the sewer the following year. Completion of the sewer construc- tion by the end of 2014 is co-ordinated with the construction of the Grand Bend Area STE •there is a very real concern regarding the sewage system at the Grand Cove Estates and the trunk sewer would be an opportunity for a more efficient way for their sewage conveyance. This would also provide servicing enhancements by transferring capacity from the sanitary sewer n I lighway tl l to the I lighway 21 trunk sewer and allow financial contri- bution to the trunk sewer by Grand Cove. 'Ibis would be Tess expensive than replacing their private sanitary pumping station. •It would satisfy the mandate of the Source Water Protection association with lake iluron water supply system. OAKWOOD PARK Representing the Oakwood Park Envi- ronmental Board at the June 3rd South Huron meeting, Jennifer Mosso') explained why they did not need this trunk line. "Initially, Oakwood Park was investi- gated as to whether or not sewers were needed or wanted. Residents felt if there was an environmental need for theist, then we should do that. The Ganlesby and Mannerow study showed 110 envi- ronmental need, as there is no negative impact from the present septic systems and no indication that there is a prob- lem. Additionally, further investigation showed that trying to install a central- ized sewer grid into the neighbourhood of sand dunes and little Lane ways would cause Armageddon Alley as one engi- neer called it. It would devastate the area and would pose a more serious threat to the shoreline. Sewers need a 10 to 20 -metre road allowance. Our roads are mostly a car width or so wide and our lots are non -conforming - officially at least one road cuts through a cot- tage. Thousands of mature trees, shrubs, plants, habitat for wildlife including spe- cies at risk, fences, stone retaining walls and carports which sit on our non con- forming Tots beside our wiggly tittle lane ways would 'Meth he ripped out. In the off-season there are only about a couple of dozen or so year round households, many of whom are away. So the system would then have to he flushed with freshwater to keep it functional. And if the there were a break in the pipe you'd have a potentially serious spill to the shoreline, as opposed to a septic or two than can be easily fixed. Privately owned, sewage systems, like septics, and ever improving green technologies are far safer, much more functionally appro- priate and effective, and way nlor(' cost effective. And,110 burden to the munici- pality. Oakwood Residents held a regis- tered vote, 124 of 131 eligible ballots were returned representing 94.7% eligi- ble voter participation. 'lie results of the ballots returned were: Yes to sewers - t1 ballots (6.5%) No to sewers - 115 ballots (92.7%) Incomplete - 1 ballot. (0.8%)" ':..We were asking Council not to go ahead with the design of a second sewer pipeline up highway 21. South I luron wants its own pipe, but we suggested they continue to share the existing pipe with 1.ambton Shores and share the cost of expanding and upgrading that one as needed, and save taxpayers of both municipalities some money. Everything else with the sewage system is being shared - the plant and pumping sta - tions. The present trunk line was appar- ently its oversight in the original sharing agreement. Also, we felt it was prema- ture to do the design without really knowing what the future need is. Blue - water is out and there is no real develop- ment demand or money. It's a good tiling Bluewater is out, because a pipe- line all the wiry up the highway adjacent to the lake poses a great risk. If that eve broke the potential spill could be devas toting. Just Google sewage spills in water. I found over half a dozen in the last few weeks with huge costs. Munici- palities everywhere are having problems with failing water and sewage infrastruc- ture because Of breakages and age, and having trouble finding the money to pay for the huge replacement cost (infra- structure is not a one time cost, it's for- ever). We suggested Council not move ahead with anything until there was a real need, and to continue to share and upgrade the present line, as needed. We are encouraging careful consideration before committing to costs that will have to be carried by tax weary citizens now, and by those not even born yet:' "We favour mandatory septic inspec- tions, which are low cost and keep eve- ryone responsible and accountable, and the continued use of appropriate and environmentally sound technologies along the shoreline?' She explained in the conclusion of her letter after the sleeting, Kirkwood asked that they hold off on the design study until, they know what Bluewater plans to do, "ani per- haps also the needs of Grand Cove. This would give you a better sense of what the real needs might be, and a better idea of what to design." "We also know that there is a need to protect the Great takes waters from con •- tamination and over use. While central ized sewer collection systems may still' be the answer for some areas, we know that there are newer and better -decen- tralized, green technologies that are more effective in protecting the environ- ment and cost far less money. We wish to continue to work with you to ensure the health of the shoreline," she said. Giberson told the Lakeshore Advance that, "The Motion passed and council authorized the award of an engineering services contract to Gamsby and Man- nerow Engineers (executed lune 5th). Accordingly, the detailed design will proceed for phase one of the trunk sewer (PS -2 to Indian Road). After conclusion of discussions with our partner munici- palities and other stakeholders, the design will be finalized, approvals will be obtained 1111(1 the necessary docu mentation will be prepared for a future tender. Council will decide when they wish to proceed with tendering and con- struction, as part of next years' budget deliberations."