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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-02-23, Page 24Page 24 Times -Advocate, February 23, 1994 COMMUNITY Water and sewage are big concerns for GB By Fred Groves T -A staff GRAND BEND - h seems as though the Public Utilities Com- mission and the council in Grand Bend can't reach a decision over water meters. Monday night, council decided to ask that representatives from the PUC attend the next council meet- ing on March 14 to straighten out a few points of interest. Among the confusion is why all residential water customers in the village would remain on a flat rate until January 1, 1996 even though some of those customers may he getting the meters as early as this year. "We should go back and reg iew this carefully with the PUC: sa;d councillor Ed Fluter. Mayor Tom Lawson showed a great deal of concern over the plans of the PUC especially since council is also making some major deci- sions on the sewage treatment plant. Lawson said the two go hand-in- hand and he wanted to know why the PUC would not begin conser% - ing water, which is the whole poet St. Patrick's school was busy last Tuesday celebrating their own version of the Winter Olympics. Above, Nigel Gatt gives Jeff Vanhie a piggy- back iggyback ride to other events, while below, Laura Seliske digs in for a tug- of-war ugofwar competition. 'War ABCA defines role as "We deliver" EXETER - While the many practical programs and services delivered by the Ausahle-Bayfield Conservation Authority cover a broad range of categories, they all share a single characteristic: Each program is undertaken for the long-term benefit of the watershed's residents and future generations. Whether it's promoting stewardship and wise use of land and resources to school children or helping local landowners with erosion control, flood proofing or water quality improvement, ABCA programs fulfill the goal of sound conservation activities with effective, lasting results across the Conservation Authority's 1,000 - square -mile jurisdiction. "Our strength is in the delivery of environmental programs," says Tom Prout, General Manager of the ABCA. "For example, this Authority receives 25 percent of the province's $5 million budget for CURB (Clean Up Rural Beaches program). We receive 25 percent because we've shown we can utilize it locally. We're accountable, accessible and efficient." Accountable "For every dollar of municipal levy, we add S7. That means we're spending $8 locally for the benefit of our watershed residents. For every dollar of provincial funding, we add $2 - and that translates to 53 for the benefit of everyone in Ontario. We're accountable because our board of directors is made up of local individuals appointed by each municipality in this watershed." Accessible "Because we're local, we are responsive to community needs; residents of this watershed don't have to go chasing all the way to Toronto when they have a question or problem or need help with an application for any of the provincial programs we administer. We also co-operate - and work well with -- our 32 member municipalities." Efficient "One of the programs we deliver in co-operation with the municipalities is related to floodplain management. Because of our floodplain management policies, we have prevented the number of people living in the floodplain from doubling in the past eight years -- and by protecting watershed residents from the hazards of flooding and erosion, we're providing a service that's of long- term benefit. In the long term, prevention is more effective and Tess expensive than remedial work. "There are times when evidence of our work is not immediately visible. Much of our conservation work is establishing small forests; in other areas, windbreaks may not become visible for five years. These activities are of gradual and long-term benefit to the public and to the environment. "Our efficiency also relates back to our return for every dollar invested in the Conservation Authority as well as to our delivery of programs." Public encouraged to show support With one-quarter of MOEE's 55 million CURB budget administered right here in this watershed, there's an important reason why the ABCA has been able to show a local need for those funds. "Part of the credit goes to our local residents." says Tom. "We like to credit the public for their high environmental morals. CURB is a voluntary program -- voluntary. not mandatory -- and there's been a good response from local residents participating in this program to improve waste quality by restricting livestock access to waterways, providing adequate manure storage and proper discharge of milkhouse waste water, and upgrading or repairing faulty septic systems." In order that such programs continue, watershed residents should declare their support to both provincial and local government. Tom adds. "In 1993, our transfer payments from the province were cut back by 22 percent. In '94 we're anticipating another 10-20 percent cutback. Implications could be a slower turnaround time for service to the public, reduction in the number of trees planted, and perhaps even the elimination of programs. Over the hitt four years, our staff numbers have been reduced by attrition. Further attrition will take place and layoffs may be required. Currently, our board is struggling with the preliminary '94 budget; specific information will be available by year-end. "If members of the public view the Authority as delivering worthwhile programs, they should definitely let the municipal and provincial governments know," adds Tom. "We've shown that our strength is in delivering programs. We're promoting a one -window approach to assist the public in gaining services -- that's why we need their support, to make the system better." of meters, until 1996 when they have much earlier plans to install the meters. "I don't think our PUC is address- ing conservation," said Lawson. Later in the meeting he added, "this is a radical departure for the PUC from their normal operation." He also questioned which group, council or PUC, is responsibile for setting the water rates in the vil- lage. Currently customers pay a flat rate of 59 per month. Councillor Bill Uniac questioned why they would be putting the me- ters in beginning this year but won't begin to collect any money until 1996. In a document sent to council from the PUC, it stated that cus- tomers will pay for the installation only and that will come within 30 days of the billing date. The PUC would pay for the meter, fittings, backflow preventer and A.R.B. Re- mote Reader. No capacity: Lawson pointed out Monday night that while the PUC is responsible for the water, council is in charge of the sewer system. Currently the village has no more capacity in its existing sewage sys- tem but that does not seem to be a major concern because as council said, Grand Bend does not have a lot more room to expand. It is expected that cost of a new mechanical sewage treatment plant for Grand Bend and surrounding area would cost $10.4 million. Of that, local taxpayers would have to come up with 20 per cent. • "Regardless of the grant, 510.4 million. who is going to pay for that?," asked Lawson. Council received a Class Envi- ronment Assessment Report which cost $8.000 to complete. Neigh- bouring Stephen Township is also involved in the report. "If we want to build in the next five years. this report is done," said Grand Bend Administrator Paul Turnbull. Bosanquet Township has not be- come involved in the possible sew- age treatment expansion because they'll only become interested when their municipality begins to show signs of growth. Lawson made it clear that undet.. no circumstance is the village being told they have to build a new sys- tem. OPP report thefts and hit-and-run EXETER - The Exeter OPP re- ported a residential break-in oc- curred last Monday in Hay Town- ship. The back door of Mary Totten's home was broken into after the door was forced off it's hinges. Several items were stolen. On Sunday, February 11 a hit- and-run car accident occurred at Oakwood Park near Grand Bend. Police are looking for a yellowish dodge Ram pickup with a white capper. Also on Sunday. a multi-stich brown leather coat was stolen from Trivitt Memorial Church in Exeter. This theft took place while persons were at service. If anyone has information about these crimes please contact the Ex- eter OPP at 235-1300. The OPP are still cracking down on persons driving snowmobiles without insurance and those not wearing proper equipment. A num- ber of charges for no helmet and no registration numbers have been laid. Pancake supper Fred Mommersteet prepares pancakes for the gang at Trivitt Memorial Church last Tuesday. Lucan lowers offer to buy abandoned CN right-of-way LUCAN - At the February 15 meeting. council passed a resolu- tion which would decrease the offer made to Canadian National Rail- ways for purchase of the right-of- way along the abandoned rail lines in the village. The original offer on behalf of adjoining property owners to C.N. was $27,000, but the counter offer will be for 520,000. Reeve Tom McLaughlin reported from a recent meeting of concerned property owners that they decided not to do an environmental study and reimburse C.N. for their legal fees up to $3,000. At the same time the owners agreed that if they assume environ- mental risks, the proposed purchase price should be dropped to $20,000. This would be about 12 cents a square foot. week ago w. most ,1{ It'e /l"er5 had paid a 10 percent deposit in trust to the village. Council has de- cided not to sign the offer until all monies needed to close the transac- tion are deposited with the village in trust. Councillor Bryan Smith has been appointed as the village representa- tive on the Bluewater Recycling Association. Council has signed an agreement with Bluewater to have that organization pick up all recy- cling items in Lucan. Clerk Ron Reymer said Monday he hoped Bluewater would begin their service in the village in early April and council would be trying to have Friday remain as the day for weekly pickups. Lucan will be represented on a Middlesex county library commit- tee by deputy reeve Harry Wraith. The committee will investigate the viability of a joint library facility in Lucan with the Middlesex Board of Education. The village traffic and parking bylaw has been updated with a new tine structure. The current parking fine rates of $15 and $10 for early payment will be increased to 525 and 515. respectively. McLaughlin reported that the Middlesex county budget would be ready by March 8 and he would like the clerk and treasurer to set a budget meeting before the next ses- sion of council. An item regarding sale of wa- ter to farmers and pool owners from the base of the water tower was deferred until it can be dis- cussed with public works superin- tendent Doug Johnston. McLaughlin said the question was brought up by Lucan Hydro chairman Andy VanGeel. Deputy reeve Wraith said Lucan did sell water from the old tower. but the practice was discontinued when water restrictions were imposed and the required equipment was h,,rn1'irt7P(t n feu, r,mp. Van Geel said Lucan Hydro is also receiving numerous com- plaints regarding the increase in the sewer surcharge. He also noted that there is a problem in collecting from renters who leave without a forwarding address. Councillor Rob Brady reported on his attendance at the R.O.M.A. conference in Toronto and noted that nothing had been mentioned about possible supplementary fund- ing for roads in 1994. Animal control officer Howard Currie made his annual report to council and said he has not experi- enced any problems in the perfor- mance of his duties. Currie tours the village twice a day looking for stray dogs. Council asked the clerk to clarify with the county of Middlesex whether the village has to assume whatever name the county assigns to county road 13 as a result of the county wide addressing plan. The new addressing is needed in order to implement an enhanced 911 emergency system. Government jobs Steckle announces student summer employment GODERICH - Last week Paul Steckle, member of parliament for Huron -Bruce announced employment opportunities available with the government for stu- dents. "Once again this summer the Federal Government is offering summer employment for students at the post -secondary level," Steckle said. "Student seeking career -oriented employment with the Government of Canada may do so through the Career -Oriented Summer Employment Pro- gram." The criteria for taking part in the program is that students must be registered full time at a university. community college, CEGEP or technical institute and must be planning to return to school full time in the fall. But students must act fast because the deadline for applications is February 28 and more than 50,000 applicants each year try for the approximate- ly 5.000 jobs. Opportunities are available in every province and territory. Students interested in participate can get appli- cations at the student placement o ice in the post- secondary scool or by contacting any Canada Em- ployment Centre. For a listing of Canada Employment Centres in Huro-'ir-Bruce, students are asked to call Paul Steck- le's constituency office at 1-800-465-1726. "1 encourage all students to take this opportunity for employment through the COSEP program," Steckle said.