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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-12-16, Page 11N(:()R1'()RATING-THE 131.1 TH STANDARD -THF: B.A1 I II 1.1) Ill (:1.1 NO. 50 WEDNESAY, DECEMBER 16, 1987 Tuckersmith Reeve, Bob dell, is, Warden of Huron County Tuckersmith Township Reeve Robert M. Bell was acclaimed to the position off Warden of Huron County for 1988 at the in - aural session of Huron County Council. Bell's name was the only one put for- ward during nominations for the Warden's seat at the meeting held Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Huron County Courthouse, Goderich. He was nominated by Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle. Bell has served on Tuckersmith Township Council for 15 years, the past 11 as reeve, thus, the township's represen- tative to County Council. Bell has served as chairman of the County Roads, Library, Social Services and Agriculture and Property committees and this year was named to the Waste Management Committee. Bell and his wife Marlene run a family farm operation in Tuckersmith Township. The couple have two children. In accepting the nomination, Bell said Huron residents have "a county we can be proud of". The county, he said, "is known for its strong agricultural base, as well as our many prominent industries." "Promoting The County of Huron as a place to locate new industry," will be among the new warden's priorities for the coming year, he said. Bell also named the Huron County Pioneer Musuem Project, upgrading of the Huronview Home for the Aged and a study on needs of senior citizens as matters to be dealt with in 1988. "We must keep in mind the needs of our seniors, as well as the cost factor," Bell said. Bell said his style of leadership will be to "deal with situations as they arise, listen to arguements for and against and make a decision". Bell praised the work done by 1987 Warden, Turnberry Township Reeve Brian McBurney, saying "he was faced with many contentious issues and proved he had the ability to deal with them." As outgoing warden, McBurney said his year at the county helm has been an en- joyable one. "Hopefully, its been as good a year for the tpnty as it has been for us (McBurney and his wife)". McBurney said one accomplishment achieved during his term was bringing the Wearing his chain of office for the first time, Huron County's newly -acclaimed Warden Robert M. Bell, reeve of Tuckersmith Township, accepts the symbolic key to the county from outgoing Warden Brian McBurney at Huron County Council's inaugural meeting, held at the Huron County Courthouse, Goderieb, on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Bell, the sole nominee for the 1988 Warden's chair was unanimously acclaimed to the position by coun- cil. (photo by Patrick Raftis) county departments back to full staff, following the earlier loss of key personnel such as former Medical Officer of Health Dr. Harry Cieslar and former Librarian Bill Partridge. A new librarian (former area resident Beth Ross takes over Jan. 1), has been hired by the county, as has a new MOH (Dr. Maarten Bokhout), a new county engineer (Dennis Merill) and a nutritionist. "All of these people are quite young for their positions. We're starting mix the ex- perience that we have with the enthusiasm of some new people," said McBurney. After the official swearing-in ceremony, the new warden named the striking com- mittee, which met following the inaugural meeting to begin the task of formulating the county's various committees. The striking committee includes: Bell, Stephen Township Reeve T. J. Tomes, Hullett Township Reeve Tom Cunningham, Hay Township Deputy Reeve Claire Deichert, Ashfield Township Reeve Allan J. Gibson and McKillop Township Reeve Marie Hicknell. Mustangs fold By David Emslie CLINTON - The Clinton Junior "D" Mustangs hockey team has folded. According to team manager Bryan Mar- riage, the reason for the collapse of the team was a lack of players coming out for the games. He explained the decision to cancel Junior "D" play for at least the balance of the year was reached by the players and the ex- ecutive after an average of only 10 players were coming out per game. Mr. Marriage blamed this lack of bodies on a few factors, one of which was the fact that the drawing area for Clinton is too small with the high number of junior teams in the immediate vicinity. "You can go 20 miles in any direction and run into a team or two," he said. While the team is gone for now, Mr. Mar- riage said he hoped in a year or two Clinton could once again host a team ue explained that if a rumored age change for minor hockey takes place, the town should be able to field a team. This change would drop one year from the current age range for minor hockey. "If they did that, the first year midgets would automatically be last year midgets," he said, adding that this would make at least 15 players eligible for Junior "D" play. Mr. Marriage was fairly optimistic about the future of the team. "Two years down the road, it would be nice to see it, going again. They have some good hockey players at the Pee Wee level." Fortunately, by leaving the league early in the season, the team should not lose too much money. "It would have been worse if we kept go- ing, as far as I'm concerned. I don't think we're too bad off right now," Mr. Marriage concluded. PJC rates go up CLINTON - At the Clinton Public Utilities Commission (PUC) meeting on October 26, the hydro rates were reviewed and an in- crease was deemed necessary. "After receiving notice that the cost of power from Ontario Hydro will increase 4.7 per cent on January 1, the Clinton PUC feels they must increase the Clinton PUC rates by approximately 5.9 per cent," noted Manager Guss Boussey. "The Clinton PUC, like other municipalities, buy the electric power from Ontario Hydro and then in turn, sell it to the indivival customers. The 5.9 per cent in- crease, the conunission feels, will be suffi- Storm causes By Anne Chisholm CLINTON - Strong winds and a mixture of rain, sleet and snow forced many residents here to go without the luxury of hydro for several hours on December 15. According to Clinton Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Manager, Gus Boussey, three trees took the powerlines down and burned them, also blowing fuses at the sub -station which is the main power tient to meet the increase cost of transpor- tation, equipment, supplies, etc., as well as the cost of power from Ontario Hydro." These new rates will become effective January 1 on all energy used on and after that date with the electrical energy used prior to that date billed at current rates. Mr. Boussey further noted, "The increase will mean that the PUC will continue, as last year, at tighter spending and some cut- backs, such, as new construction and rebuilding, and efficient ways to maintain the present equipment but still continue to give good service that people require and to keep everything operating." power failure house. Mr. Boussey said some parts:of town lost their power at about 8:30 a.m. At press time, it was predicted PUC workers would have corrected the problem by 2:30 p.m. However, these corrections would only be temporary, forcing workers to make them permanent connections at a later date. Report favors community economic development units Huron County Concil has adopted a report which proposes alternatives to establishing a separate economic develop- ment department for the county. At its regular December session, council ddgpted the report prepared by Gary Davidson, planning and development director which suggests the county con- sider three alternatives to a separate department: —Discussion with all municipalities to ex- plain the county's present approach to economic development and to receive sug- gestions for improvements. -Development of a commitment to local responsiveness at the county level. -A county review of its approach to the economic development function, making any necessary changes to ensure respon- siveness to local and county concerns. The report stems from a suggestion made to council earlier this summer by a commit- tee of mayors from the county's five towns. The mayors favored an aggressive selling approach to economic development and recommended that the county separate its planning and development functions. The department is currently placing em- phasis on local economic development committees and pursuing the idea of establishing join community economic development organizations. The county can also assist local municipalities pursue economic development, but it cannot do it for them, the report states. According to the report, the county's rule would be to assist in the organization at the community economic development units, providing back-up start resources, and providing funds and general assistance with county promotion and information. Concerns about landfill agreement heard By Anne Chisholm HOLMESVILLE - Council represen- tatives from each of the six municipalities using the landfill site here gathered at the Goderich Township Hall for an information night on December 10. Along with represen- tatives from Clinton, Goderich Township, Goderich, Lucknow, Colborne Township and Bayfield, were two municipalities, Tuckersmith Township and Seaforth, who have made a proposal to join. (Tuckersmith Township presently has a portion of its township using the landfill site.) The hour long meeting was held to provide each council with an opportunity to voice any concerns regarding the draft agree- ment which was recently distributed to them. However, before questions were ask- ed, the Town of Goderich's Commissioner of Works, Ken Hunter, explained what the pre- sent situation is. "We're going to build a new landfill site adjacent to the existing one," he said. "The present one will be capped." Mr. Hunter went on to say that a few pro- blems do exist. "Goderich, Clinton and Goderich Township are the only three legal ones in (the present landfill site agreement.) The other three must be brought in legally. As well, Tuckersmith and Seaforth are being considered (as new members)," said Mr. Hunter. The Village of Lucknow started using the landfill site around 1977 and Bayfield joined in 1978 and then Colborne Township joined, however, there names do not appear on the official certificate. "A ministry (of the environment) rep. at- tended each meeting in the early days and knew that they were using the site, but their names weren't put on the certificate," ex- plained Larry McCabe of the landfill site committee and the Town of Goderich Ad- ministrator. "It was simply a legality." Further explaining the overall landfill site situation, Mr. Hunter said an agreement was needed for the closing of the old site and the opening of the new site, "and that in- volves big dollars." A third issue to be dealt with is that the present landfill site operator, John Lavis, doesn't want to be in the landfill business Six municipalities discuss gine details for Holmesville Landfall Site any longer. In dealing with this third issue, the pre- sent landfill site committee is setting up a board of management. Each municipality will have one representative on the board who is appointed by their council. As well, each municipality will have one vote. Agreement The final details of the landfill site agree- ment between all of the municipalities is not yet finalized, however, the third draft copy suggests fees for usage be paid according to the municipalities population. With this structure, the Town of Goderich would pay the highest percentage, 34.1, with their population of 7,282. The Town of Clin- ton is the second highest with a population of 3,119 for 14.6 per cent. Third highest is the Township of Tuckersmith with 14 per cent with a population of 2,974. Other percentages are: Township of Goderich, 10.4 per cent with a population of 2,212; Town of Seaforth, 10.1 per cent with a population of 2,153; Township of Colborne, 8.5 per cent with a population of 1,806; Village of Lucknow, 5 per cent with a population of 1,068; and the Village of Bayfield, 3.3 per cent with a population of 697. Two other proposals for the fee structure include assessment, which would take population, industry and commercial business for each muncipality into con- sideration; and poundage which would have a rate set per pound using a few variables such as collection vs. no collection and rural and urban. This last proposal was made by Tuckersmith Township and met with some disapproval from landfill site committee member and Goderich Councillor Bill Clifford. "At the beginning, I was determined that anyone who comes in should pay an upfront charge. However, as we went through the agreement, each municipality brought in their own thoughts and sometimes we agreed and sometimes we disagreed. But the end result was this (Draft 3) agreement. "I backed off from the upfront charge for a few reasons - one was because there will be a closure cost, therefore, they will be paying some of that. "But it bothers me a little bit that we have a new kid on the block who wants to make the rules. That may be a little harsh, but that's how I feel," said Councillor Clifford. Jack McLachlan, Clerk of Tuckersmith Township, told those present that Tuckersmith isn't exactly the "new kid on the block" as they have approximately 600 people using the site presently. However, Bob Bell, Reeve of Tuckersmith Township and the new Huron County Warden, said he had a concern with his township and Seaforth being "caught with the perpetual care of the old site." In answering Warden Bell's concern, representatives from Lucknow and Col- borne Township said they paid an upfront fee when they joined the site, which could be considered the same as the closure costs. Another part of the agreement is that once a municipality has signed it, they are in it for the life of the site and 20-25 years after the site is closed. Once the agreement has been signed by the municipalities involved, it will have to be approved by the Ontario Municipal Board. Public Hearing After studies have been conducted, a public hearing to allow the new users into the landfill site will be held.. According to Clinton's representative on the committee, Gord Gerrits, the committee will have to obtain an Environmental Assessment Exemption, "Because we are closing a site and open- ing beside it, we can try for the exemption," said Councillor Gerrits. Insurance The question of environmental liability in- surance was also discussed at the December 10 meeting. Mr. McCabe said the majority of landfill site users are with Frank Cowan while Clin- ton and Colborne deal with John Slade. "We may have one policy for all the municipalities, or, for the municipalities who have different insurers, we will have them produce a document saying they have adequate insurance. "In all honesty, we need to do more research," said Mr. McCabe. It was suggested that the two insurance representatives be invited to a board of management meeting. As for ownership of the site, Goderich Township will purchase the land and lease it to the eight municipalities. Time Table Originally, the Holmesville Landfill Site Committee had hoped to get the new agree- ment finalized and signed by the end of 1987. However, that doesn't seem possible so they are now aiming for the en of January. Step two, which is the st es, will be car- ried out in 1988 and the cl sure of the old site and phase one of the new site are set for 1989. "Hopefully all the red tape and studies will be done in the next year," said Mr. Hunter. Consultants for the Holmesville site are the Conestoga Rovers. Mr. McCabe told those present that $45,000 has been spent on studies and another $40,000 will be spent. He also announced that two more applica- tions for grants have been submitted - one is under the WMIP program for closure of the existing site and is worth •:5,000. The se- cond one is allow for various amounts over several years under the Financial Assistance Program and totals $1,726,000. Hours Recently the hours at the landfill site have changed due to "haulers abusing the site by not covering the garbage," said Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling. "In order to run a better site we needed to reduce the hours." This has caused a problem for some con- tractors, one of which is Bud Chamney who has the contract for the Town of Clinton. Both Mr. Chamney and the town have received complaints about garbage being picked up late. Another concern is the fact that with the later opening hour at the dump, the men cannot pick up the garbage along main street before businesses open, causing them to carry it further and adding time to the job. This point was raised by Clinton Mayor John Balfour at the meeting and he was told that changing the dump hours again has not been consideredas of yet. "At our next meeting, we'll be meeting with Mr. Levis. We'll see if he can't reschedule staff or what we can do about it," said Mr. McCabe. Individual Concerns "Each municipality has it's own con- cerns," said Mr. McCabe. "We'll have to hash it out with the board of management." On the topic of concerns, Reeve Stirling said, "It's no great honor to have a landfill site this close." He went on to say how the Hamlet of Holmesville had rats and they believed they were coming from the landfill site. They brought in some experts and the problem was eventually solved. Mr. McCabe said one of Goderich's con- cerns was that they have compaction, which would mean less handling at the dump. In trying to let the representatives know that they're worries will be addressed, Mr. Hunter said, "What we're concerned about is having eight happy partners and the best run site this side of Toronto." For now, the board of management will be kept busy dealing with the insurance issue, finding the best method for proportionment and corning up with another draft (Draft 4) for councils' approval.