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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-01-15, Page 24Page 24 Times -Advocate, January 15, 1997L! NTT Y Lucan Council turns down request for additional .sump pump labor costs By Chris Skalkos T -A Reporter • LUCAN - Lucan council turned down a request from six families on Nicbline Avenue who demanded compensation for labor costs they incurred during the installation of sump pumps on their properties. After many properties suffered flooding from a heavy rainfall in September, the village enacted a sump pump subsidy policy a month later urging home- owners to disconnect their foundation drains from the sanitary sewer system and install sump pumps. - Doug Johnston, public works superintendent, ex- plained the flooding occurred because of an in- filtration problem due to run-off water and the sewer system needed to be modified by disconnecting foun- dation drains and installing sump pumps to separate raw sewage and storm water. Although the Village subsidized the project by pro- viding homeowners with a grant of up to $1,500; council didn't specify what type of sump pumps homeowners should install. Some feel the $1,500 grant from the village wasn't enough and others chose to install their own sump pump systems, saying it suit- ed their specific situations and would alleviate costs associated with the policy by reducing contracted fees. "The resulting work encompassed a minimum of four full days of labor during poor weather conditions and a significant amount of damage to the land- scaping," stated a letter written by the six families. "We ask that Council reconsider...fair compensation comparable to the labor charges levied by the contrac- tors for homeowners (who) performed the work them- selves." The letter suggested the amount of $700-$900 should have been granted for labor instead of $300 la- bor costs contained within the grant. However, Johnston reminded council that families in question chose to install outdoor shtmp pumps that DHC asks for savings LISTOWEL - Reductions of 12 to 18 per cent are now the aim of the Hospital and Related Health Services Study Task Force "Because other areas of the prov- ince have been able to find much higher savings through utilization improvements, the task force has determined it would be unreason- able for Huron Perth to reduce hos- pital spending by more than 18 per cent," the task force announced last week. "As •a result, the task force has indicated a savings range of 12-18 per cent would be -reasonable. The three preliminary options costed by the task force to date would result in operating savings in the range of 10-18 per cent." Savings of $3.7 million from consolidating administration and support services are among the conclusions Price Waterhouse has presented to the task force. It ex- pects a further $3.8 million can be saved through improvements in how the eight hospitals in Perth and Huron counties are used. Schedule The task force will select its fi- nal, 'preferred restructuring option on Jan. 21. This option will be re- leased to the public only after de- tailed costing is completed. (One of the criticisms of the three prelimi- nary options presented in Novem- ber was that they included no cost- ing information.) "At this point the task force has considerable information to assist it in its decision-making process," said the group's statement. "If the preferred option differs substantial- ly from the three options costed to date, further cost analyses will be required." If no further costing is required, or if it moves along quickly, infor- mation sessions will be held in early February to present the pre- ferred option to the public, address questions and hear concerns. On this date as .well, at 4 p.m., the eight hospitals will have an op- portunity to respond to task force questions about the option they presented to the task force yester- day, Jan. 14. The task force said it has been looking forward to receiving the hospital's jointly prepared option. Its members will consider the hos- pital's advice before selecting a preferred restructuring option dur- ing the evening of Jan. 21. The task force applied for and re- ceived a 60 -day extension on its deadline for reporting to the Onta- rio Hospital Restructuring Com- mission. It will make its final rec- ommendation for restructured health care by March 31. This additional time will be used for more costing, for consulting with the communities in the two counties, and for establishing im- plementation pteiidgres and gov- ernance plans. =111, • required much more labor than indoor systems. Councillor Harry Wraith was opposed to the request. "I think we have to say no. The Village has been very generous, but these families want more," he said. Reeve Rob Brady agreed. "I don't think we were off the mark with that grant," he said, adding the average cost for installing a sump pump system ranges from $1,000 -$1,200. Village Administrator Ron Reynner claims some families have paid as much as $2,100 out of -their own pockets to install the pumps due to particular obstacles or the unique layout of their properties, adding when the Village enacted the policy it was trying to be fair to everyone. "We had to make a policy -that applied to most home- owners but we knew it would nut apply to everyone," he said. "We really can't change the rules at this stage of the game." Johnston reported 35 foundation drains have been disconnected and sump pumps installed to date with another 11 applications received. In other business, Council passed a bylaw to enter into a three-year agreement with a company from Lon- don to collect and dispose garbage on a weekly basis. The Village will pay $13,000 a year for the service as well as a disposal fee of $45 per tonne. Council passed a resolution to amend Lucan's road, municipal sign and sidewalk inspection policy to in- clude manholes and catchbasin covers on road in- spection sheets. It was noted the Village should draft a similar policy regarding the inspection of playground equipment. It was also suggested the arena and Hydro should con- duct similar inspections of their facilities. Reymer explained the policy is in place to protect the village in case of a law suit. "Right now these things are inspected regularly, but official records are not kept," he said, adding the Village insurance company made the recommendation at a recent seminar. 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