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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-11-15, Page 10Page 10 Times -Advocate, November 15, 1995 New sewage committee and operator Brenda Burke T -A staff LUCAN - A new sewage com- mittee will be chosen at council's meeting on Tuesday. Also, at council's last meeting on Nov. 7, Reeve Tom McLaughlin said he expects 20 to 25 applica- tions for the posi:_on of a sewage plant operator, to be hired in De- cember. The Class 4 operator position, which was first advertised in the London Free Press on Oct. 28, was recommended by the village's six - member sewer committee at a spe- cial meeting on Sept. 26. The vol- unteer committee, which was formed in June, has put forth nu- merous recommendations the new committee may consider. Volunteer Committee Chair Paul Dale encouraged council to make operating costs of the "state of the art" Lucan water/sewage system a priority since, valued at $10,000,000, it is considered "the biggest single investment the com- munity owns." The committee be- lieves water and sewage go hand in hand and should be considered one entity. Hiring a sewage plant operator is an important part of that entity, es- pecially since the Village of Lucan plans to run the plant on its own effective January 1 for cost-saving measures estimated at $40,000 to $60,000 rather than continue to have OCWA (Ontario Clean Water Agency) operate the plant. The committee recommends a strong maintenance program be maintained when the village hires its own operator. pointing out mu- nicipalities in the past have taken over plants and saved taxpayers money until they later faced Targe maintenance costs. As well as recommending hiring a temporary sewage plant ef- ficiency consultant, who would be responsible for cost-cutting rec- ommendations. the committee sug- gests council set up the new sewage Infiltration, which inclues rain committee to include Doug John- water entering the sanitary sewer Ston, Lucan's public works super- system through downspouts, weep- jntendent, two council members ing tiles and manholes, effects the and three citizens who would meet overall functioning of the sewage with the purpose of partnering with system. In the late 1960's and early council to review the plant's costs 70's, Lucan councils and the On - and planning with the aid of the tario Ministry of Environment ap- volunteer committee's rec- proved of connecting weeping tile ommendations. to sanitary sewer lines. At the time, "Frankly there are six people Lucan's lagoon system could han- ready to resign from the com- dle the infiltration without added mittee,' said Dale. cost. But this "They're tired." "Correcting the in- method has However, in a filtration project has been since been telephone inter- the most talked about is- phased out in view Sunday, Dale Ontario and in - said some of the sue...and probably the filtration has volunteer com- most hotly debated is- become a big - mittee members sue...in our com- issue since ,it may end up on the �Iaises �If1">ro�u new committee. mittee...The infiltration 1' the has beef problem nowt, The volunteer p committee also for 15 years. We don't Approximat- suggests parts of want to see band-aid so- ely 400 homes the plant be down- in Lucan di - sized, with per- lutions...Sooner or later rectly contrib- haps half of it be- we're going to have to dig ute to the in - up sewer lines if in- filtration filtration carries on the problem. Be cause the plan ing shut down for several years until required due to village growth. Benefits of down- sizing may include reduced wear and tear on the facilities, a re- duction in the amount of chemicals used and savings in hydro costs due to decreased ail- and pumping equipment requirements. However, downsizing will not be possible until the plant's infiltration problem is solved. "Correcting the infiltration pro- ject has been the most talked about issue...and probably the most hotly debated issue...in our committee," wayit is" t . now runs at full capacity during rain storms, hydro costs are raised. Due to the increased flow caused by infiltration, the overall sewage system experiences more wear and tear, making it vulnerable to major costly maintenance work in the future. Based on current growth es- timates in Lucan, the committee be- lieves if infiltration is corrected, 4000 residents could be supported on the system and the plant would not reach peak tlow capacities for said Dale at the September meet- nearly 20 years. ing. "The infiltration has been a To help with Lucan's infiltration problem now for 15 years. We problem, the Ministry of Environ- t don't want to see band-aid solu- ment permitted the village to con- t tions...Sooner or later we're going tinue operating the lagoon system to have to dig up sewer lines if in- as a backup until 2002, after which t filtration carries on the way it is." it must be decommissioned. "The fact," said Dale, "is in- filtration must be resolved by then. What are the plans?..The reality is we're facing a deadline here in Lu - can." The committee had come up with numerous solutions including test- ing houses for infiltration and fix- ing the worst 200 homes. Although reconnecting weeping tiles to storm sewers would be the ideal solution, costs could rise to as much as a few thousand dollars per household since roads and possibly sidewalks, driveways and curbs would have to be dug up in the process. On the other hand, convincing homeowners to fix eavestroughs - a1ownspouts to prevent water film running directly into the ground appears to be one feasible solution. "The key is to get the water away from the house," said Dale. Other possible solutions include landscaping improvements, the ad- dition of sump pumps on all houses to remove water around founda- tions and channelling water to la- goons during rain storms. Besides fixing infiltration, in- creasing the number of subscribers on the water/sewage system, point- ed out Dale at the committee's Sep- tember presentation, will also bring down overall plant operating costs. Seventy-two Lucan homes are currently not on the system, due ei- ther to a lack of sewage lines run- ning past their homes or because of choosing to opt out due to financial restraints or already being on a sep- tic system. The committee believes man- datory connection for those who have access to the system should be enforced through a bylaw. "That really should be the plan, o get every household on the sys- em," said Dale, adding it would be beneficial "to make hook-up for hose not on the system as easy as possible." meeting. Concern over station STEPHEN TOWNSHIP- A del- egation from Bluewater Recycling Association attended the regular council meeting last Tuesday to rresent plans to establish a waste transfer station at Huron Park. Francis Veilleux explained the BRA initiative to co -collect waste and recyclable materials beginning March of 1996. This would require a waste transfer station at the Hu- ron Park facility. BRA has applied for a certificate of approval from the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The approval process for the certification does not require an environmental study or public hear- ings. Veilleux indicated to council fu- ture BRA plans call for the further processing and separation of ma- terials in the waste stream. Council minutes reported the drum of P.C.B. waste that in- advertently carte into BRA own- ership has been destroyed and should any more P.C.B.s come to the facility, the township will be immediately notified. B.R.A. has no intention of accepting P.C.Bs on an on-going basis. A motion by Tom Tones was passed to send a delegation of council to the waste section of the County Planning and Waste Com- mittee to present concerns with re- gard to the BRA application to op- erate a waste transfer station in Huron Park. In further council business a pub- lic meeting under the Planning Act was heid at 7:30 p.m. regarding the Hotson zoning amendment applica- tion. Joe Hotson and Bob Case were present for the meeting. Letters from the Ausable Bayfield Con- servation Authority, Huron County Health Unit and Huron County Planning and Development De- partment were presented. No objections were made to the application and as a result the pub- lic meeting was closed and Bylaw 56-1995, a rezoning bylaw to add to permitted use to Part Lot 6, Con- cession Lake Road West, was given three readings and adopted. The Huron Country Playhouse minor variance application has been deferred to the Nov. 14 meet- ing of the Committee of Adjust- ment to allow the applicants time to resolve property issues with regard to the provision of a rear emer- gency lane. In a motion by Harvey Ratz the site plan for the Peter Becker lot on Part Lot 21, Concession 19 in the Karvas subdivision was approved. The Stainton zoning amendment application for Part Lots 4 and 5, Concession A was accepted by council and a public meeting has been scheduled for Dec. 4, 1995 at 4 p.m. To hook everyone up at the same time while construction is on- going, he explained, would be easi- er and cost-effective. Many com- munitfbs in southern Ontario have a mandatory hook-up policy in ef- fect. 'Those not on the system are not funding the development of the vil- lage," said Dale. "Why not help people get onto the system if it ben- efits the community as a whole'?" The committee also points out under Lucan's current billing struc- ture for water/sewage the fact that those on the water system and not on the sewage system receive a 180 per cent lower price advantage on the cost of their outside water use, which includes washing cars and watering gardens. According to the committee, a restructuring of this billing system is necessary in order to make it more cost equitable for everyone. The committee, believing raising water rates and decreasing sewage surcharges may be part of the an- swer, has also considered the pos- sibility of a flat sew- age tax that could be levied for all busi- nesses and residents in Lucan whether they are on the sew- age system or not. Because a number of home owners do not want to pay ad- ditional costs to- wards the sewage system, and because some residents dis- pose inappropriate material in the sys- tem, the committee also feels a public education pro- gram should be put in place. "Some people think the cost to keep that plant running is too much," said committee member Perry Caskinette at the September "I understand that Lucan has one of the worst ratings for junk going through their system in any town, city (or) village in Ontario," said Dale, explaining items such as di- apers, condoms, clothing and latex paint are some items that have been found flushed down toilets and drains and as a result has cost $15,000 for a raking and screening system. The committee also suggests the village review bylaws associated with the water/sewage system and address issues such as the dis- charging of pool backwash lines, the disconnection of downspouts, mandatory hook-up, and the dis- charging of well water into the sew- age system. Although Dale admitted, "We have one of the best facilities in Ontario," he added opportunities for financial improvement, ac- cording to the committee, include - the examination of the filter room, protective covering and electric motors and air blowers. "Just a tonne of effort has obvi- ously gone into this "That really should report, said be the plan, to get McLaughlin at the every household on the system... Why not help people get onto the system if it ben- efits the community as a whole?..Those not on the system are not funding the development of the village." conclusion of the committee's pres- entation. "Now we have some solid rec- ommendations in front of us...I really do believe the op- ' portunity is now." • "If you could get it in place by Jan- uary we would not be disappointed," said Caskinette. Choosing a new sewage committee next week, com- bined with the hiring of a sewage plant operator in January will put the village well on its way towards making plans for Lucan's water/ sewage future. Literacy helps clients reach their goals One in four adults in Ontario are considered functionally illiterate Heather Mir T -A staff EXETER - Whether it's upgrading skills for a changing job market or learning to read a bedtime story to a child, local area residents are benefiting from a county -wide adult lit- eracy program. Jennie Girard is a part-time instructor who runs the Exeter and area Adult Literacy Pro- gram. In a county without a centre such as the former Centralia College, "outpost" classrooms were developed in Exeter, Clinton, Goderich, Brussels and Wingham. Pri- vate and group classes are held from September to June with hours scheduled around the clients. For the past three years, the Exeter Legion has pro- vided classroom space for the literacy program. Because many com- munity activities and meetings are held at the Legion the literacy students are able to come and go without drawing attention thus pro- tecting their privacy. "What's critical for me is privacy and con- fidentiality. They (Legion) have been ab- solutely wonderful about giving me access," said Girard. The Exeter Public Library has also helped to provide Girard's students with assistance and materials. rural Currently the program has registered be- tween 12 and 18 students aged anywhere from 19 to 75. The reasons for attending literacy classes range from attaining a specific goal such as passing a driving test to needing extra help working towards a high school diploma. After an assessment pinpoints where dif- ficulties began a program is tailored to the in- dividual client. "It's everything from basic letters of the al- phabet to high school credits," said Girard. The program is not in com- petition with South Huron District High School adult learning but works closely with initiatives such at P.A.C.E. to help students im- prove basic literacy and tip - grade math and English skills. "We try never to duplicate the services be- cause that's a waste of money," said Girard. The program is provided at no cost to the client and strict confidentiality is maintained. Literacy programs in Huron and Perth Counties are operated by Conestoga College in Stratford and are funded by the Ontario Training and Adjustment Board (OTAB). In Ontario 1.6 million adult (one out of eve- ry four people) are functionally illiterate. The definition of illiteracy is less than a grade nine "It's everything from basic letters of the alphabet to high school credits." eduation but Girard said literacy training can help anyone recognzing they need more skills to make life easier and to access opportunities. In Huron County 25 per cent of the popula- tion over the age of 19 are considered illiter- ate. Girard said illiteracy can keep people out of the work force and can be a serious danger if they cannot read directions on a medicine bottle or the warnings on a cleaning product. According to a Southam Literacy Survey, poverty and eduction play major roles in de- ciding whether illiteracy is transmitted from one generation to the next. The children of the jobless and the poorly educated are much more liable to be illiterate. "If you can give somebody an opportunity to go out and work they are less reliant on social services," said Girard. With an uncertain future for adult literacy programs, Girard feels many instructors in- cluding herself would probably continue pro- viding this valuable community service de- spite any funding cutbacks. She said it is exciting when clients are successful for the first time in the school system. "Our hearts get connected to these people who are working so hard, " she said. For more information about adult literacy programs in Huron County contact Conestoga College by calling (519)271-5700 or 1-800- 463-0796. Hobo luncheon From left to right, Margaret Strang, Beryl Elgie, Bea Ersmen and Edna Simmons offer goodies from their $5 Hobo Lunch at Coven Presbyterian Church on Friday. ,l, Council defeats motion to create new vlllage position Full-time Economic Development Coordinator discarded Heather Mir T -A staff HENSALL - The concept of hir- ing a Community Development Co- ordinator for the Village of Hensall was put to rest at Monday night's regular council meeting after a mo- tion to approve the Economic Develop- ment Committee rec- ommendation to create the position was defeated. The creation of a development co- ordinator position was the subject of a public meeting held in Sep- temberand an informal village sur- vey. in a recorded vote all members of council opposed the motion made by Councillor Jeff Reaburn at last month's council meeting. Although the motion was ex- pressed in the positive, according to procedure, to approve the HBDC's recommendation, Reaburn made clear his position was against the creation of a new full-tme village position. Re- aburn cited lack of community suppqrtand ques- tionab'b econom- ic return as rea- sons far his opposition. "1 don't think the community wants this. I think that was evident at the public meeting. Response wasn't favorable but you are pro- ceeding anyway," said.Reaburn. Reaburn said he made the notice of motion to ascertain council's feeling on this matter. Ho added "I don't think the community wants this. I think that was evident at the public meeting." council should have made a de- cision as a whole before the com- mittee spent time researching the creation of a new village position. Members of the HBDC attended the council meeting to address the article which appeared in the T -A on Oct. 18, 1995 and answer any questions from council. Although at the time of the meet- ing the HEDC was not pursuing the creating of a coordinator position for January 1, 1996 due to lack of provincial funding, they has not ruled out the position entirely. The committee reported it is looking at other options, including partner- ships with other communities, to provide the village with economic development. "We want to take the initiative and be a pro -active committee," stated a committee representative.