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Clinton News-Record, 1983-07-20, Page 14-4 Tr t� THE BAYF E 50 cents —No, 29 UGLY', incorporating THE BLYTH ST Wednesday, July 20, 1983 118th y ,a Ministrypulls plug on sewer work By Shelley McPhee Clinton has the ministry of environ- ment's approval to build a new sanitary sewer system in the industrial park, however the sewers cannot be used. After more than two years of planning, Clinton council has learned that the ministry of environment has found that the sewage treatment plant is running at near capacity level and the addition of new sewers would overload the system. The news came as a shock and a blow to council members. They had been lead to believe that the treatment plant, which underwent major upgrading 10 years ago, was built to handle a capacity population of 5,000. Clerk Cam Proctor agreed, saying, "The plant was designed with excess capacity. It was all approved by the government." A visibly upset Mayor Chester Archibald said that the ministry of environment may have changed their guidelines in the past decade. "We should get after the government. The ball game's changed now. The en- vironment issue is so much hotter now," he stated. Later he added, "Had I known this previously, I would have fought against the town hall and library projects." He noted that many other small municipalities are also facing similar dif- ficulties with their sewage treatment plants. While the ministry of the environment has given permission to install the sewers, Mayor Archibald commented, "What's the point doing the work if it's going to sit there." Mayor Archibald explained to council that the major difficulty with the present sewage system is that the storm sewers are carrying too much water, particularly in the spring and during heavy rain falls. The sewage plant in turn can't handle the load and the water and highly diluted waste is being dumped directly into the Bayfield River. The mayor noted that this happens at least five or six times a year, "Unfor- tunately our small river is being effected." While the ministry -of the environment says that the plant should be expanded, Mayor Archibald feels that this will not solve the problem. "We have to get storm water out of the sanitary sewers," he stressed. The problem can be studied by smoke testing and by using sophisticated camera equipment to look through the sewers. The mayor said this would be and expensive project, but less costly than proceeding with a new addition to the plant. He noted that the plant does need a new tank to reduce the phosphate levels. Coun- cil has budgeted $30,000 for this in the 1983 budget. To reduce the load on the present sewage system would require a new, major storm sewer, estimated to cost at least $500,000. The new storm sewers at the industrial park have been estimated to cost $77,000. This was going to be partially financed through the Canada -Ontario Employment Development (COED) Program. The town had received $30,000 to cover the labor costs for the work. Rather than give up the grant, Mayor Archibald said that the town would re- apply for the COED funding, requesting that it be used to cover labor costs of designing the parkette in front of the town hall and library. While council has no immediate answer to solve the situation with the industrial sewers, they agreed to proceed with plans to obtain. easements from property owners who will be affected by the industrial sewers. Councillor Ross Carter supported this move, stating that the town should be prepared to go ahead with the storm sewer work in the future. Council will also be setting up a meeting with an official from the ministry of the en- vironment. They want to voice their con- cerns and they want answers as to while the sewage treatment limitations have ap- parently changed. Roller bootin' Dedicated roller skaters turned out to the Blyth arena ou Saturday side, skaters enjoyed the cool arena and the rock and roll sounds of to take part in a 12 hour roll-a-thon. Despite the intense heat out- a disc jockey. ( Shelley McPhee photo) Stanley Complex gets go ahead at meeting Though a public meeting slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Stanley Township Hall to discuss the new municipal complex was delayed, only 39 chairs were taken by 8 p.m. This included members of council, their wives, members of the press, and Ken Jarvela representing the engineering firm of Letham, Jarvela and Robertson of Sarnia. Itt his opening remarks, Reeve Paul Steckle said he hoped the lack cS-atten- dance was indicative of the appreciation people have for the project, and an indica- tion of their confidence in their council. Reeve Steckle explained that the new complex will be built on the township's property on part of lot 16, Bayfield Road North, due west of the present concession building. It will include a municipal garage and maintenance shop (with five open bays) measuring 55 by 110 feet. The 100 by 55 foot community centre will have a kitchen, cloak room, portable stage, and 20 -foot ceilings. It will be quite versatile, accommodating everything from ' volleyball and basketball games to com- munity showers and receptions, with a seating capacity of 300 for larger events. The municipal offices, contained in an area 65 by 65 feet, will have washrooms and a lunch room, offices and a council chamber. The complex will have electric heating and the municipal office and the communi- ty centre will be air conditioned. Stanley Township will do its own con- tracting, naming two foremen responsible to council to supervise the project. This was one of the criteria to be eligible for a Canada Ontario Employment Develop- ment (COED) grant which will cover the cost of 35 people sharing 740 work weeks. Reeve Steckle said another stipulation requires all hiring to be done through the Manpower office. He is directing those who are interested, and qualified, to register with Manpower immediately. The project will require, besides the two foremen, 10 laborers, one bookkeeper, one plumber, six carpenters, eight bricklayers, two roofers, two electricians, one instrument person, and two part-time heating and ventilating workers. "We're ready to start moving dirt now," Reeve Steckle said. Construction will begin in August, and by the time the ribbon is cut to officially open the complex next March everything will be paid for. Stanley Clerk Mel Graham provided figures breaking down the approximate $601,820 cost as follows: Community cen- tre, $198,000; municipal garage and maintenance shop, $154,000; municipal of- fice, $139,000; engineering fees, $38,000; renovating the existing road, creating a new access road and a parking lot for 75 cars and covering all with asphalt, $89,800. On the credit side, the COED grant will pay labor costs of $296,000, the township has $200,000 set aside in a reserve fund, and Clerk Graham is almost certain of a Wintario grant of $51,000 and a MTC grant (for material for the garage) of $56,000 which totals $603,500. If a senior citizens' group is formed, it could apply for a New Horizons grant to pay for some of the furnishings and facilities in the community centre. Reeve Steckle jokingly informed the audience that those over 65 are worth $100 per head in the township. When Larry Schilbe asked how maintenance casts would affect Stanley ratepayers, and his brother Orville wanted to know how much people would be charg- ed for renting the community centre, Reeve Steckle dubbed them "the 'Schilbe conspiracy". The reeve, after saying he did not yet know how much revenue the hall would generate, but was certain the maintenance costs would be more than the $4,000 n tv paid to Clerk Graham for using part of his home as a township office. He airily suggested that if they feared the costs would be too high they could move elsewhere. When Larry Schilbe said he did not pay the reeve's wages to be told to leave the township, Reeve Steckle said the project, had "come about in five weeks, and for $300,000 I'll take the flak tonight." Bill McGregor and Elmer Hayter both commended the council for their coup in obtaining the COED grant, and expressed their certainty that the new complex would be an asset to the community, especially if everyone worked together in harmony. Mr. McGregor pointed out the vast majori- ty of ratepayers must be in favor of the project, or "they would be here complain- ing loudly." In his concluding remarks, Reeve Steckle jocularity advised his audience to book now for receptions and family par- ties, as reservations are going fast. Tax rebate gets backing By Stephanie Levesque Huron County Council, in a 16 to 12 vote, has agreed to support the farm tax rebate alternatives as presented by the Huron Federation of Agriculture's task force. At its July 7 meeting, county council agreed with the six recommendations which include legislating the present 50 per cent rebate or incorporating a pro- gram of su w ested alternatives. The vote was close as council represen- tatives from Huron's urban centres ex- pressed concern for the wording of the following recommendation: ' `Educational taxes on all farm land and farm buildings should either be removed or rebated." "I see a shift from rural land to urban homes and businesses," said Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle. "Being from an urban centre I will vote against this. I have not been shown that to remove education taxes from farms would not increase it (the tax ) to urban ratepayers." Hay Township Reeve Lionel Wilder sug- gested Reeve Mickle look at recommenda- tion number four which indicates rural residences will be paying education taxes. Reeve Miekle pointed out that the fain buildings are 'a part of the industry of agriculture and if ed tion taxes are I tarn to page 3 ° a+ Brian Dale of RR 4 Clinton recently started his own pig operation. Both Brian and Shane Durnin of Clinton have received $2,000 loans through the Ontario Student Venture Capital P ogr}am and attehOpiagto at least breidNven bjraish,g. pigs this summer. (Rod Hilts to Youths attempt to turn pigs into profit makers By Rod Hilts Two ambitious Clinton area youths have undertaken their own businesses with the aid of the Ontario Student Venture Capital Program and are attempting to turn pigs into profit. Brian Dale, 16, of RR 4 Clinton., and Shane Durnin, 17, of Clinton have both received $2,000 loans from the Royal Bank of Canada to begin small-scale pig opera- tions. The Student Venture Capital Program is a component of the Summer Experience '83 Program. Both teenagers have farm background and experience in the business of raising pigs. Brian has been raising pigs for three years and this year has 12 sows, one boar and 30 piglets in his operation. He operates his business out of a newly built barn on his father's farm. "My dad got me started in the business. The barn I used to use for my pigs col- lapsed so I borrowed some money from Dad and built this new one," said Brian. According to Brian, the secret to suc- cessfully running a pig operation is the treatment of the pigs. . "I've learned through experience that you have to treat them good and keep them well fed," Brian said. Last year Brian's experience paid off, when without the advantage of a loan, he bought and sold 20 pigs, making approx- imately $50 profit on each. Shane Durnin of Clinton is raising five sows that are expected to give birth around August 10. Shane's investment cost him about $1,500, a little more than nor- mal, because of the quality bred swine he purchased. He expects that the sows will give birth to between 30 and 40 piglets. "After birth, it'll take about six months before I can sell the wiener pigs. I'II keep the sows and breed them again in the fall," Shane said. With the pork market being down right now, neither Brian or Shane expect to come out of their business with a profit. "It's a learning experience, 1 don't ex- pect to make money, I hope to break even,"said Brian. Shane exemplified Brian's statement by adding, "the second' litter is when you make money." According to Shane, the pig litters grow bigger after the first breeding session, meaning more profit. The Royal Bank's Student Venture Capital Program has been in existence for 10 years and is offered to students over the age of 15, who are returning to school in the fall. The loans are up to a maximum of $2,000 and are interest free until October 3, 1983. This year the .program increased its number of loan recipients by 100 per cent to 870 students across the Province of On- tario. Sante Mauti, the co-ordinator of the Stu- dent Ventures Program for the Youth Secretariat of Ontario, attributes the suc- cess of the program to better public rela- tions. "The students are much more aware of the program. We're really amazed at the drive and tremendous willingness to work hard that the students are showing," said Mr. Mauti. Students that obtained loans from the program had to present their business pro- posals to the local Chamber of Commerce ( in Clinton it's Stratford). The Chamber of Commerce would then decide if the ap- plications were viable, and send them on to the Ontario Youth Secretariat for process- ing. The loans would then be obtained from the Royal Bank at an interest free rate un- til October3. Over $1.5 million in loans have been paid out in 1983. Last year $741,000 was paid out and 85 per cent of the principle was paid back. This year in Huron County, 13 businesses have begun through the program. A sur- prising figure from last year is that 90 per cent of the loan recipients were male. Mr. Mauti could offer no explanation for this statistic. Only 12 per cent of last year's 424 businesses were agriculturally orientated. According to June's statistics that figure has significantly increased. Most businesses were service orientated. As for the future of the Student Venture Program, Mr. Mout' said it looks promis- ing. "The program has the potential to sup- port many more businesses. We're real pleased with the response and support." Mr. Mauti said. Weather 1983 1982 ,1U1.Y 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 HI LO HI 1,0 27 15 27 19 31 13 32 18 32 13 32 18 27 14 Rain 0 30 15 29 11 30 16 32 17 26 20 31 20 24 13 Rain l9mm