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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-03-03, Page 1JOHN DEERE (519)235-1115 www.hurontractor.com INHURON TRACTOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS EXETER JR.`D' HAWKS Advance to PLAYOFFS ROUND 2 WATCH MAIN ST. SIGNS & T.A. FOR GAME INFO TIMES -ADVOCATE Exeter, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, March 3, 2004 x.25 (includes GST) Students in Barb Dietrich's Grade 6 class at Exeter Public School have been busily building their own electricity projects for the last month. Electrical projects such as a lighthouse, matching games, streetcars, elevators and cars are on display in the school's front hall. From left are Allison Smith, Josh Barker, Mikayla Keller and Alex Hollohan. (photo/Scott Nixon) Intersection construction going ahead By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — The delayed Hwy. 4/83 intersection re -construc- tion project will go ahead this spring with a June 18 finish date. Council awarded the tender Monday night to low bidder Lavis Contracting for $746,510. The project was to go ahead last year but delays made it impossible to be finished before the fall. The province will pick up 90 per cent of the costs, with the county on the hook for 10 per cent. South Huron will have to pay utility costs. Work will include road widening, the removal of traffic islands in the intersection and additional turning lanes. Other notes from Monday's meet- ing: Water pump concerns Operations manager Dennis Hockey reported to council his con- cerns about "Siphonic Injector Water Pumps" being used hi resi- dences in the municipality. As Hockey explained, the pumps are powered by water, not electrici- ty. Hockey's concern is the water - powered pumps waste municipal water as they use 2/3 water to pump 1/3. The pumps also suck necessary pressure out of the municipal water system and, while the pumps have backflow preventers, Hockey isn't sure how effective they are and he wants to ensure the safety of the municipality's drinking water. He plans to bring back a bylaw to council banning use of the water pumps. Hockey said he believes the selling point of the water -powered pumps is the fact they work during power outages. For customers with those concerns, Hockey recommended a battery -powered pump that doesn't waste water. Hockey said a customer recently received a $2,000 water/wastewater bill for a three-month period because their water -powered pump malfunctioned. In developing a bylaw banning their use, Hockey said the munici- pality could either grandfather cur- rent pumps or ban them retroactive- ly. He said he isn't sure how many there are in the municipality. Mayor Rob Morley pointed out there are also water -powered fridges in Huron Park. There are also air conditioners that can oper- ate on water. Hockey will bring back the issue to a future council meeting. Chief's report South Huron fire chief John Morgan presented his 2003 fire department summary to council, explaining calls for the municipali- ty's three stations, Exeter, Huron Park and Dashwood, were slightly higher than average. The Exeter station had 70 calls, Huron Park 27 and Dashwood nine. There were 10 house fires in the municipality, six vehicle fires, four accidents the departments respond- ed to and 40 false alarms, either due to equipment malfunctions or a per- ceived emergency. Morgan's report included the man hours for service calls and outlined the presentations firefighters made to area students. Also, education continued for the firefighters, as members from all three stations participated in a two- day bus extrication course. Several other courses were taken by Morgan and the firefighters. Morgan pointed out special recog- nition to Jim Jarrett, Doug Lightfoot, Jim Finkbeiner and Robert Pertschy for receiving the Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years service. Norm Hyde received his 30 year service medal, while Morgan received the Queen's Jubilee medal for his ser- vices as mutual aid fire co-ordinator. County budget Council discussed a motion from Huron East encouraging Huron County council "to demonstrate leadership in regards to fiscal responsibility and urge county coun- cil to make some difficult decisions to keep any tax increase to an acceptable level." The motion comes in response to news the county was considering a 35 per cent increase in its 2004 tax levy. The Huron East motion says "a 35 per cent increase in taxes is total- ly unacceptable." Morley, though, said he believes the 35 per cent increase has been lowered to a 15 - 25 per cent increase, as the county asked staff to take cost-cutting measures. There was another county budget meeting scheduled Tuesday after the Times - Advocate went to press. SH pledges $50,000 to GB school project By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — South Huron council opened up its wallet for the Grand Bend public school project Monday night. Council decided to make a $50,000 donation to the project, which sees the public school expanded to include a library and community centre for meetings. The $50,000 will come from the Stephen ward's working capital reserves. Councilors Jim Dietrich and Harvey Ratz of the Stephen ward recently attended a meeting with Lambton Shores Mayor Cam Ivey when the request for funds was made. About $500,000 remains to be raised for the $2.7 million project. The Grand Bend library is well -used by Stephen residents, South Huron chief administrative officer Larry Brown said. All members of council spoke in favour of the dona- tion. Other notes from Monday's meeting: Keep on truckin' Council gave permission to road superintendent Mike Alcock to buy a 2004 Mack tandem plow truck for $169,951, with the possibility of buying another truck for $175,000 depending on how municipal bud- get talks go. Alcock's original motion was to buy two trucks, but council wanted to wait until 2004 budget numbers become more specific. New trees Council also gave the green light to plant 120 white See TREES page 2