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Times-Advocate, 1982-12-15, Page 1Hensull water nitrate level Grounds water speciaData with the ministry of the en- vironment have been Monitoring the two wells sup• plying water to Hensall and checking the surrounding agricultural area to deter- mine the source of aq above - normal nitrate level in one of the village's welts, Too high a concentration of nitrates in drinking water can affect • babies up to three months of age, in some cases causing a condition known to doctors,as methox yhaemolobinemia, meaning the oxygen uptake of the blood bas been impaired. The layman's term is "blue baby." Hensall is supplied. with water from two wells, one on King Street and the other on York. The amount of nitrate in the King Street weU has shover a gradual, in- finitesimal but steady rias in the past decade, according to Willard Page, environment officer in the municipal and private abatement section of the district office of the ministry of the environment in Owen Sound, which takes in the Hensel! area. The recommended safe level is no more than 10 milligrams per litre. In 1972 the King Street well had a reading of 4.7. By 1974, the nitrate level had risen to 7.0. No further results are available until 1979, when the nitrate level had changed by a tuiniscule four -tenths of a point. The amount of nitrate has risen steadily in the past two years, from 13.9 in 1980 to 9.4 In 1981. A routine chemical analysis in early 1982 disclos- ed a reading of 10.4, climbing to 12.6 in September. As soon as the reading pass- ed the critical mark, the ministry of the environment, the health ministry and the Hensall authorities took ap- propriate action. The water from the offending well is us- ed only as necessary, and mixed ih the tower with York Street well water. Monitoring is now done monthly} or more often, and the most recent reading on the blended water coming frau Hensall taps showed a very safe 4.2 nitrate -content. Dr. Karry Cieslar, MOH for Huron County, met with municipal officials, and his staff checked on families liv- ing near the King Street well. None had small infants. Dr. Cieslar said em- - phatically, "I'm here to see the 'population has,,a healthy water supply. There is no danger as long as the present process continues. h e been Hen- sall water Supply safe and. will continue to be safe; most water is pumped from the other well, and the King Street well is only used when necessary, and mixed with the other•avater. Meanwhile,on-based ground water 4ealuators with the ministry of the environ- ment are trying to track down the source of the nitrate con- tamination. They are monitoring the area around the wells, drainage ditches, manure piles and fertilizer application in the neighbour- ing agricultural community. The nitrate problem is not peculiar to Neilsall. Geologist Saul Essop explained that agricultural practices in many areas of Ontario have had a detrimiental effect on shallow aquifiers or water - bearing zones. Nitrate, the end product of nitrogen, can come from fertilizer or decomposing organic matter. Hydrogeologist Dan Brown, in charge of the investigation, expects to, bave a report ready by the end of the year. He predicts the findings will not pinpoint. any, specific source, but conclude the high romptS monitoring nitrate level is the result of general use of chemical and animal fertilizers. \ When all pertinent data have been compiled and evaulated, the ministry of the environment will suggest fur- ther action to the Hensall • authorities. To allay farmers' fears of a fertilizer ban, Brown said he can't think of any case where the use of fertilizer hasbeen prohibited. "More likely, if water con- tinues to be unacceptable, 7 advise the town to seek an alternate supply," he added. Hensall PUC manager Lorne Archer has cooperated fully with the ministries of en- vironment and health since the critical nitrate level was first detected in the King Street well, and said all ministry recommendations would be. implemented. "We are not going to do anything to harm anybody," he said. "We are as much con- cerned with thf quality of the water as anyone else." . PRESENT ARTHRITIS FUNDS — More than $1,400 was raised this year in the area annual Arthritis Association campaign sponsored by students of Centralia College of Agricultural Technology. Above, CCAT student council reps Heather Pond and Bill Benning present the cheque to Western Ontario Arthritis Association representative Lou Vince who also presented the students with a plaque. At the right is Mike Mueller of the College staff. za:<% Serving Sojlath Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Tenth Year Some- rec members A BIG BOWLING PARTY Members of the. South Huron Big Brothers Association enjoyed bowling Wednesday night as part of their annual Christmas Party. Shown above are Mel Mellick with Danny McKinley and: Big Sister Kathy Sleoford with Michelle Northcott . T -A photo 4 Stephen gets dog catcher At the inaugural meeting of Stephen •township council, Jim McLeod of Huron Park was named dog catcher for the municipality. McLeod will be carrying out regular patrols in Huron Park and Centralia and will be on call for the balance of the municipality. Taking the oath of office were newly elected reeve Alan Walper, deputy -reeve Ralph Weber and councillors Ken McCann, Ruth Miller and •Tom Tomes. Three tile drain loan ap- plications totalling $8,600. were approved. Drainage commissioner Ken Pickering was instructed to . repair the Parsons municipal drain at Lot 17, Concession 2. A land severance applica- tion from Jim Rolph for Plan 11, south of Exeter was not given approval; The following appointments were made: Stephen Township Com- . munity Centre Board - Erma Krueger, John Stewart. than Preszcator, Roy Gibson. Cliff Kenney, Mary Kenney, Earl Neil, Kenneth McCann. Ruth Miller and a Lions club rep. • Stephen Township Recrea- tion Committee -. Jack O'Neill; Fred Bowers, Jack Schade, Alan Walper, Eric Finkbeiner. Tony Jones, Harvey Ratz, Andrew Robert- son, Wayne .Ratz. Ralph Weber and .Tom Tomes. Stephen Township Arena Board - Kenneth. McCann, Tom Tomes. Roy Wilson. Tom Sommerville, Mike Cronyn, Herman Wulterkens, Kenneth Campbell, Mike Glavin and Jack O'Neill. Huron Park Recreation and Community Centre Board - Tom Tomes, Alan' Walper, Mrs. Alice Watson, Mrs. . Irene Theander. Mrs. Margaret Lowe. Jack O'Neill, Eugene Glavin. Robert Lawrence and Tony Jones. Dashwood Athletic Field Board - Kenneth Rader. John Elder, Kenneth McCann. Robert Boogemans. Robert • Hoffman. Joe.Arnold and Jim Dietrich. ` • Dashwood ('othmunity ('en- • tre Board . t iarold Schroeder, Kenneth Baker, Mrs. Maude Hoffman,.Mrs. Iiilda Rader, Nancy Rader, John Elder and Ralph Weber. • Centralia Centennial ('en- tre Board - Mr. and Mrs.. Frank. Hicks, Wm. Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Cronyn. Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Ilirt- zel, Kenneth McCann and Tom Tomes. Crediton Community Park Please turn to page 3 - LOOKING FOR SNOW -- Sharon Gloor found the sled- of the Peace Gerd Ferris. ding rather difficult as she pulled Andrew and Julie He was charged after his Hern on a tobo4gan along Exeter's Main Street Satur- vehicle was found in theditch day morning. T -A photo in Osborne Township on Some members of the South Huron rec centre board of management are unhappy with the recommetufationsin the salary, benefit and organizational study prepared for. the town Per- sonnel • Management - Ass iatesers are. . unhappy use they didn't get copies aary iKngham, wno said he opposed most of the reports recommendations regarding recreation and the staff, wanted the board to goy on record in advising council where they stood on the items. "It's hard todtscuss it when some of us haven't read it," replied Usborne represen- • tative Ann Prout. She said members should have been given a copy of the report because it affects their employees. "1 don't think that's right," she said in reference to the • fact members had not per- • sonally been given copies, in- chiding chairman John Pym. Those who had read it had borrowed copies given to EXETER, ONTARIO, December 15 1982 fed they didn't get copies of study with sug estions. Price Per Copy 50 Cents ha some of the iinployees. • Birminghatt said he was opposed to all but one of the recommendations made regarding recreation depart- ment staff. With the exception of the suggestion the rec department take over maintenance . of the pat•ks again, Birmingham saidhe couldn't see any validity in the other recommendations that pertained to the board. Hill Race Men,, mpmtwrof council now, said there were a lot of things in the report that had to be resolved by council and said he hoped the board would ask for a meeting with council to discuss the report rather than send a resolution opposing the recommendations out .of hand. "There should be some in- put from the groups with knowledge in the various areas,' Birmingham com- mented, saying he was can- cerned to hear that council Speeder pays '264 penalty A fine of $503 was imposed on an Exeter man after he pleaded guilty in court Tues- day, to driving a vehicle whout proof of insurance. The sentence against Joseph Gregory Ford. 459 Main, was imposed by Justice Roads in Osborne December 4. The accused was given 90 days in which to pay. A fine of $264 was levied against John J. Hardick, Sar- are ar- are under budget ria' whodrivingat a pleadedspeedof guilty167 to in an 80 km. zone on November 25. At the first meeting of the Tax collector Harry Strang Ferris _told the accused he 1983 Usborne township coun- • reported that 94 percent of the could lose his licence for driv- cit road superintendent John 1982 tax roll had been paid. A ing at- such a high rate of Batten reported -that the t bylaw was passed setting the speed. engineering field work for the- interest rate on fax arrears in Ile too was given 90 days in Etheringtom bridge has been 1983 at 15 percent or one and a Inch to pay. completed. • a quarter percent per month. , Batten also said•he expects A total of 815,000 was SCRAP TOURNAMENT transferred from the Webber to complete 1982 somewhat under his allocated road Farm Reserve Fund to offset At a meeting, Thursday, the budget and he was instructed the 4.425 mills reduction on • Exeter Minor Hockey the 1982 tax rate. . • Association agreed to scrap to prepare a reduced load RoyWestcott was reap -this year's novice tournament roaadsds for next oforihe tar and chips poit,teto represent Usborne due to a lack of entries. ' . rspring. on the Ausable-Bayfield Con- The tournament has been The tile drainage inspector servation Authority as was staged for about a dozen reported two new loan ap- Ken Duncan to the Upper years over Boxing day and. plications for 1983 for a total ThanesConservation the following day. • of $21,6(10 and a debenture for Authority. , ty. Only seven teams 830,100 was approved. Deputy reeve Margaret registered for this year's • Building inspector Herman . Herr and councillor Ross event. and facilities. Osborne eon- Exeter, 11 145► from Van Wieren reported issuing ' Ballantyne were named to the EMHA. president Bob tributed 7.01 percent ($6,0001, Exeter.percent (15►tom four building permits in Ausable-Bayfield Conserve- •Whiteford said a novice tour- Stephen- 1.4 percent ($1,x) from Osborne. 8.3 and cpercent. (109) November fora total value of tion • Osborne building nament being inaugurated in and Hay .5f percent ($4401. fro► Hay. d6.6 a percent of •Oakrid a Acres had taken From a calculation of the other frommunRes made up inspects He made 24 committee. g inspections. At the beginning of the several of the teams which . percentage of participants in 6 8 percent 189► of the total.. • The drain commissioner's meeting, the new council was normally come to Exeter. the various programs, Exeter Programs yet to be report indicated field work on installed by the clerk. The lie indicated the EMIIA clearly paid more than its tabulated include soccer, the Kerslake drain has been council includes reeve Gerald. would attempt to hold the share of the financial needs. minor ted in and bsoccer, completed, a start has been Profit, deputy -reeve tournament next year and in- • Residents of the town made men and ladies' recreation ll. made on the Cooke drain and Margaret Hern and coun- vestigation is underway in an up as little a'z50 percent of the ball ce league cockey: complaints are being in- cillors Ross Ballantyne, Brian attempt to have a numbers involved in some Junior Hawks, Mohawks. vestigated on the Kinte and I1-ardeman and Donald henseleaguetournament this Toar. wnships • of while the Cornish drains. Kerslake. Y 1_ JR. FARMERS HELP NURSERY — The South Huron Junior Farmers recently mode a donation to the Exeter Sunshine. Kids Nursery School. The money will -be used for school equipment and for one needy child to attend the school for three months. Above, Junior Farmers Michelle Regier, left and Robin Preece, right present the cheque to Doris Tomasik. Students in the picture are Jennifer McNeilly, photdo Gilfillon and Katherine Tomasik. More township use than funding Use study backs ar un e.n t • During budget delibera- Stephen and Hay • had as wrestling and ballet and tap tions 'last spring, Exeter many\as 25 percent of the dancing. Mayor Bruce Shaw called for participants. neighboring townships to pay A total of 15 programs were a greater financial .share in evaluated in the first portion recreation programs and of the. report. These included facilities operated in Exeter 'ringette clinic. ringette team. for all area residents. minor hockey. figure skating. In an effort to support the precision skating team. gym- ' contention that greater sup- nasties. dance fit, ladies port should be forthcoming, 'volleyball. ski clinic. swimm- council asked for a participa: ing pool lessons and swini tion survey which would show . team. summer playground. the number of people involy- men's and ladies' fastball ed in programs and their teams. • . municipality of origin. in the mean average of par - Part of that report was ticipants in all these pro• released this week by rec grams. Exeter residents con - director Lynne Farquhar and stituted 65.13 percent. Ttiere the statistics indicate that Ex- were 12.67 percent from eter council has a case, for Usborne, 8.93 percent from seeking greater financial aid Stephen and 7.63 percent from from the neighboring flay. Another 5.63 percent townships. came from municipalities Based on the 1982 budget, other than the four. Exeter provided 91.08 percent A total of 1,317 people par: (stamen .tor the operating urinated in the various pro= • deficit for the South Huron rec grans considered in the first: centre board of management - half of the report.' Of those which administer prpgrarns 67.4 percent (887) were from sponges puck hockey, men's members were meeting in - camera to discuss the report. His reference was to a notice given by council last week that they would hold a closed session with staff members this week to discuss the Personnel Management Associates report. Rose said the reason that -meeting was being held was due to the fact Mayor Bruce Shaw had received a letter from the employees asking for such a meeting. Birmingham said he was concerned that council didn't appear to have a plan on,how to deal with the report. "Is there a plan?" he asked, without getting an answer. He indicated some concerns as well that council members . appeared to be granting a hearing only to those groups which asked for one. "If you don't ask. you don't get a hearing?" -he questioned. • He concluded by saying the board had decisions 10 be made immediately and he. didn't want to see them put in limbo similar to the situa- tion that arose last year when council put a wage freeze on employees that -stayed in ef- fect most of the year. Black Thursday for area drivers The Ex&ter OPP in- vestigated five collisions in • the area this week, with four of those occurring on: Thurs- day morning. Two drivers suffered minor injuries. The Thursday crash list • started with a single vehicle crash on Canada Ave. in Huron Park when a vehicle driven by Elizabeth Mac- . Pherson. Willowdale, slid.off the roadway and struck a guy. wire pole. • The drvier suffered minor injuries and damage was listed at 8750. • Vehicles driven. by Linda Crerar, Hensall, and David Soudant, Exeter, collided at the Highway 4 and 84' in- . tersection at Hensall. Damage in that one was set at 8470. • David Cooper, Exeter. sus' tained minor .injuries when the car he was drivingwas in collision with a vehicle operated by Timothy Farewell. Zurich. The colli- sion took place on concession 2-3 of Stephen. north of Sideroad 15. Damage was 81,200. • \ • The final Thursday morn- ing collision involved a vehi- cle driven .by Karren King, RR 3 Newmarket. Her vehicle went out of control on conces-' Sion 2-3 of Stephen south of Highway 83 and ended up.in the ditch. Damage was 81;200. The other collision of the week occurred on Saturday when a vehicle owned by Daniel Hew•ood. Exeter. was struck by an unknown vehicle while parked at 116 Empress Ave. in Huron Park. Damage to the Heywood vehicle was $1.200. r THE HUNTED OR HUNTER -- Mary Moser in prehistoric garb, Anne Raeburn trying to keep the rain away and Debbie Curtislookingfor game appeared in Sunday T A photo Carmel CWl fashions show.