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.