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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-09-29, Page 22 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, September 29, 2004 Regional wrap up Land issue CLINTON — No news is bad news when it comes to dealing with land issues, was the message Sept. 20 as Central Huron council played host to a delega- tion from the Town of Goderich, which is seek- ing to expropriate land from Central Huron. The Clinton News - Record reported the del- egation, led by Goderich Reeve Ellen Connelly, gave a short presenta- tion. Connelly says the issue for Goderich is a lack of room to grow. Funding GODERICH Goderich hospital board member and Canadian Healthcare Association (CHA) chairperson Mary Lapaine had a front row seat for the federal health conference in Ottawa. The Goderich Signal - Star reported Lapaine sat in on the public ses- sions of the conference, as part of the G4 coali- tion, which consists of the Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Nursing Association, the Canadian Pharmacy Association and the CHA. Restoring power SEAFORTH — Several local Hydro One work- ers are in Florida help- ing to restore power to areas devastated by Hurricane Frances. The Huron Expositor reported five staff mem- bers from Hydro One's Clinton work centre, including Len Muegge of Clinton, Paul Middegaal of Londesboro, Randy Bilke of Exeter, Daryl Gill of Grand Bend and Ron Matthews of Listowel, left for Florida two weeks ago with a small army of 270 lines staff in 130 trucks. Two Seaforth-area men, Bob Carnochan and his nephew, Jared Carnochan, also joined the three convoys, through a travelling Toronto crew. Lawsuit BLYTH — A $400 mil- lion lawsuit against the U.S. government over losses to Canadian cattle producers puts pressure on the U.S. to open the border to Canadian cat- tle, a lawyer told 120 cattlemen in Brussels Sept. 20. The Citizen reported Michael Woods, a Montreal trade lawyer working for an Alberta - based group suing the U.S. government under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement, said with the lawsuit there's now a ticking clock on both sides of the border. Bluewater council hears water rate review By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — There is "something out of whack" about the amount the Municipality of Bluewater is paying for water operating rates, according to a review given to council Monday night. The review was presented by, senior plan- ner for B.M. Ross, Matt Pearson. Pearson reviewed the seven water systems and three individual sanitary systems at the request of the municipality to determine if it was possible to set a single rate charge across the municipality for water and sewage. Other reasons for the study included consoli- dating operating policies across the utilities and to prepare for the implementation of the Sustainable Water and Systems Act, (SWSS) 2002. Pearson said so far most work has been focused on the first reason, saying the second reason would be easier if all systems are first on an equal footing, with regards to rates and capital upgrades. According to Pearson, the initial review revealed several points: • charges for water rates vary widely across the municipality, from $125 to $230 per year and none of the operating charges has been changed to keep up with increasing costs over the past several years. • there are too many different rate levels for non residential charges, with little rationale for the structure. • there is little provision in the rate charges for the replacement of capital assets and any reserves are underfunded. • costs under the operating contract with the Ontario Clean water Agency (OCWA) have risen substantially over the past few years, while rates haven't. • there are no monies being collected to off- set the capital charges being incurred as part of the Drinking Water Act upgrades and OSTAR funding is expected to cover only two- thirds of the costs. Pearson said the review concluded a single comprehensive water rate probably cannot be achieved at this time due to differences in the systems regarding age, numbers of customers, accumulated debt and reserves. According to Pearson, "there was no good news in the report ... we wanted to get this on the table and get you thinking along these lines." Talking specifically about the Harbour Lights and Carriage Lanes water systems, Pearson said water use rates are at $230 per annum and since 2002 the cost to operate the systems has risen dramatically. He said based on current operating costs, the annual charge should be $1,360 per lot in Harbour Lights and $1,830 per FTE in Carriage Lane. Pearson added if a reserve for future capital expenses was set up, it would add an addition- al $300-$450 to the cost respectively. Pearson made several recommendations including that since the cost to operate the two systems seem excessively high in relation to other municipalities, Bluewater should review the costs with OCWA. Pearson finished his review by saying, "you're not the first munici- pality this has happened to." Following the presentation, council voted to review the costs and bring it back at a later meeting. Four property owners want out of project By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — Four property owners are adamant they not be included in the Crediton/Centralia sewer project. As previously reported, the $4.8 million pro- ject will see a sewage system installed in both villages, resulting from concerns about high E. Coli levels in storm drains and ditches. Other problems found during studies in the villages found sewage ponding on properties and off site discharge of sewage and greywater. The project will see a sanitary sewage collec- tion system installed in Centralia and Crediton, with sewage pumped to the Exeter sewage treatment facility. A new pumping station will be built in Crediton, while the Huron Park sewage pumping station will be modified to pump the Centralia wastewater. Owners of four properties on Victoria Drive (just north of Centralia Faith Tabernacle Church on the old Tasko Road) appeared before council Sept. 20 requesting their homes not be part of the project. The group of prop- erty owners consists of Paul and Faye Van Oss, Waynne and Willi Charlton, Barry and Carolyn Southcott and Bill and Jean Osterloo. Waynne Charlton made a presentation to council on behalf of the four homes, saying they weren't part of the sewage study when it began in the early 1990s, and shouldn't be part of it now. He added he and the other property owners do not want to be grouped in with Centralia. Charlton stated the group of four are unique in that they are all newer homes — three of the four are less than 13 years old, while the Van Oss home had a new septic system installed in 1989. All of the septic systems in the four homes were approved by department of health standards as of 1989 and 1995. Also, there are no fresh water wells within about half a mile of the homes, and no docu- mentation shows the four homes as ever part of Centralia. Charlton said the old Centralia village limit is 900 feet from the nearest of the four homes and about 1,600 from the farthest. Charlton said the four property owners never received any previous questionnaires on the study that were to go out to all of the pro- ject's involved parties. He added no water samples were ever taken from anywhere near their properties during the study. "No mention was ever made that we were to be grouped with Centralia," Charlton read from a statement. "At no time did any of us ever receive a notice to attend any meeting with regard to this process." Charlton also pointed out the land in front of their homes will probably never be developed because it is a flood plain. He adds their road is gravel and not of regulation width, with no streetlights or curbs. Requests to have "at least a coat of tar and chip have been denied." Charlton said together the four property own - Provincial funding helps rural school boards CLINTON — Ontario's new rural school program will help keep a large majority of Huron -Bruce schools open and adequately staffed — strengthen- ing the community and improving suc- cess for students, local MPP Carol Mitchell said last week. "The McGuinty government recog- nizes that rural schools face some unique challenges — especially when it comes to programs for students and staffing levels in our schools," said Mitchell. "All Ontario students, including those right here in Huron -Bruce deserve an equal opportunity for an excellent edu- cation." In a $31 -million announcement last week, the Avon Maitland District School Board will receive $710,740, while the Huron -Perth Catholic School Board will receive $487,117. According to Mitchell, the initiative recognizes the important role rural schools play in strengthening commu- nities. The new funding will recognize an expanded list of rural schools — broadening the definition of "rural" and better meeting the needs of stu- dents across the province. This investment will benefit 1,149 rural schools across Ontario, including over 40 schools in the Huron -Bruce area, providing school boards with resources to strengthen programs, ser- vices and staffing for rural schools. It could allow schools to provide fewer classes of combined grades and help ensure schools can offer a wider vari- ety of subjects — recommendations made by Dr. Rozanski to improve Ontario's public education system. "The previous government's flawed funding formula made rural schools easy targets for closing — we're changing that and putting rural schools back on the map — literally," said Minister of Education Gerard Kennedy. "Every single board with rural schools will benefit from this new investment. " "We are focused on delivering real, positive change for the people of Ontario," said Premier McGuinty. "By working together, we can build more vibrant communities, a more prosper- ous economy and a quality of life that is second to none." ers pay about $13,000 annually in property taxes. "When the costs (of the project) were tallied, and only then, did someone look a quarter mile north of the village and see four newer houses. We are told that four new or newer houses at the south edge of the village and considerably closer to the village than we are have been told they are not part of this project ... This borders on absurdity, and smacks of discrimination," Charlton read. He told council he and the other three prop- erty owners "will pursue this to the very fullest extent ... We would ask that you consider very carefully all the ramifications of your decision and cast your vote accordingly." Bill Osterloo said the four homes are not a pollution concern. "We can't see any reason why we should be part of this," he said. Chief administrative officer Larry Brown said the concerned property owners' comments will be considered. He said it still hasn't been determined yet which homes in Centralia and Crediton will have to hook up to the sewer project. Brown said once an engineer is cho- sen to design the project, a "practical service area" will be determined. That process will also determine the costs per household. The municipality has already received scores of complaints from property owners because it has been projected the average cost per property will be $14,000. Memorial for Amber Borden this weekend HENSALL — A memo- memory alive and came rial this weekend will up with the idea for the help keep Amber memorial. Amber is sur - Borden's memory alive vived by her parents and raise money for The Harold and Judy and Children's Hospital of brother Brandon, a Western Ontario Critical Grade 7 student at Care Unit. Usborne Central School. The Amber Borden In addition to the car Memorial Car Wash wash, the memorial will Rally will be held in have a barbecue, coffee Hensall Saturday from 8 and treats. Donations a.m. to 2 p.m. at large or small will be Detailers (the old Hyde accepted, and the event Bros. building). will take place rain or Amber died Aug. 30 shine. from injuries sustained Amber's mom Judy in a two -car accident said she hopes the Aug. 18 on Mount memorial will happen Carmel Road near Hwy. every year. 81. Amber, a passenger "We'd like to do any - in one of the cars, was thing we can to help the 14 and about to enter hospital. They've helped Grade 10 at South us a lot." Huron District High Judy said the Smiths' School. idea to have the memor- Family friends Jerry ial is "pretty awesome." and Kirsten Smith want- She said her daughter ed to do something to "loved life." help keep Amber's