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The Times Advocate, 2006-08-16, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, August 16, 2006 Crediton/Centralia sewer project to go to tender in September Continued from front page Morley and Coun. Pete Armstrong in Ottawa Monday to lobby for funding for residents with lower income. As operations manager Don Giberson explained to council, the municipality believes tendering early will result in the best price and any delay will result in increases. Council also heard a delegation from Dianne Faubert and Tina Premont, speaking on behalf of Crediton and Centralia residents. Faubert requested the completion date for the sewer pro- ject be moved back a year to December 2008. She said moving the deadline would provide more time for the munici- pality and residents to look for grants. She also noted a group that has recently formed to lobby the provincial and fed- eral governments for more funding, 'Fair Funding for Small Communities of Ontario,' is just getting started and an extension of the deadline will give them more time to lobby. Faubert and her group made a similar request to the Huron County Health Unit in a recent meeting. Faubert said if the extension is given and no grant has still been found, "we will have tried our best" and the group would agree the project should go ahead. As has been previously reported, the Health Unit and the Ministry of the Environment have given the municipali- ty a verbal deadline of the end of 2007 to complete the sewer project because of failing septic systems in the two vil- lages. Faubert said going ahead with tenders in September seems "hurried" because of this November's municipal election. Faubert also asked, once construction starts on the project, who would have to pay for any "foreign objects" discovered in the ground, such as fuel tanks. If the municipality doesn't get a grant for the project, Premont encouraged council to continue searching for grants in the future to get "retroactive funds." "Fight for us," she said. Coun. Pete Armstrong said the munici- pality has worked with Crediton and Centralia on the sewer issue over the years and, while the project has been held off, the costs keep going up. He said he isn't opposed to holding off on the project, but said residents shouldn't complain in a year when the project is more expensive. Armstrong also asked if the sewer issue could be put on the ballot for this November's election, but clerk Sandi Strang said it is too late. When asked what kind of feedback he is receiving from residents of the two villages, Giberson said he's receiving a lot of calls, mostly concerning procedure and clarification on the project. He said he hasn't had anyone tell him they are totally opposed to the project and want it to stop. "I haven't had any death threats yet, so that's probably a good sign," he joked. Morley explained the municipality's plan is to get the best price now and continue to seek grants before construc- tion starts in the spring. Giberson, a former construction esti- mator for a sewer contractor, said the price of oil is driving costs up. "The best time to have tendered was yesterday," he said. Councillors said that by going to ten- der in September, the municipality will know what the price of the project will be. Morley said if the tenders come in $1 million over the $6.2 million estimate, the project won't go ahead. "Nothing will be happening," he said, adding he has told that to the Health Unit. Faubert asked council for more time, saying residents have accomplished a lot in three months but haven't been given enough time by the municipality. "We will be financially distressed very soon," she said, adding residents will lose their homes because they won't be Distribution problems LONDON — The Times -Advocate had problems with distribution last week with several hundred customers not receiving their papers. As normal the newspapers were delivered to the London Canada Post Highbury plant Tuesday evening. The T -A apologizes to those who didn't receive their edition and the Canada Post service number is 1-800-267-1177. REGIONAL WRAP UP Recognition for teacher GODERICH — A Goderich musician and teacher of 25 years has been awarded a Special Teacher certifi- cate from the province, reports the Goderich Signal - Star. Sharon Johnston, a pianist and harpist was nomi- nated for the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association, by colleagues. She then attended a convention in Ottawa. "It was a nice time for workshops and networking with everything related to teaching," says Johnston. For the past 12 years Johnston has been teaching piano at home in Goderich. "I don't think there is any such thing as a student with no talent, I think everyone has talent and we just need to motivate students to work at it until they blos- som," adds Johnston. Couple wins Lottery LONDESBORO — a Londesboro couple has won $100,000, according to the Clinton News -Record. Lorne and Geraldine Dale won the second place prize after playing in the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Encore draw in late July. The Dales have never won anymore than $165 playing the lottery, despite participating in Lotto 649 and Super 7 for many years. The winnings will be shared with their children. They also plan to complete a couple of home projects, as well as investing. able to pay their taxes. Council unanimously passed the motion to go ahead with tendering in September, with Armstrong saying he will vote against the project "next time" if the ratepayers don't want it and can't afford it. Residents do have time to prepare for the costs of the project — Morley said due to the timeline, there will be no charges to taxpayers until mid -2008. Oke's presentation In his presentation Monday to Dombrowsky, Oke said he wanted to appeal to the sympathetic ear of the government. He presented information on the sewer project, including the pro- jected costs each household will have to pay. Oke also included pictures of some of the homes in the area and a petition that was done in the area — Oke said including the petition in the package will show the government the amount of frustration felt by Crediton and Centralia residents. In his report, Oke says, "Our proposal is that grants should be given to people in need rather than to an entire commu- nity. Presently, grants are given to a community regardless of the financial situation of the residents. For Ontario's working poor or low-income seniors who live in a community not chosen for a grant, there is no financial assistance available. Governments are judged on how well they look after the less privi- leged in our society." Oke's report later says, "The money should not be given to a community, but rather to individuals who qualify through a set of rules and regulations with respect to income and assets owned. Those residents who really need financial assistance should receive grant money. Residents who can afford to pay for sewers should pay the full cost and not expect public funds for support." Oke's report also notes that it is unfair some communities receive grants for projects while others do not. "I am afraid the cost might be finan- cially disastrous for many residents of Centralia and Crediton," he says in his report. Council supported Oke's presentation, with Coun. Jim Dietrich saying, "We wish you luck and I hope you come back with a big grant." Response to letter Council also responded to a letter from Exeter's Liz Bell, which appeared in council's agenda package and in last week's Times -Advocate. Bell's letter states it is unfair that it is being proposed Exeter's sewer system pay for $1 million of the project's costs that are being deferred for future devel- opment. Chief administrative officer Larry Brown said things do look unfair if peo- ple only look at one side of the ledger. While Exeter residents will help finance some of the project, the scenario also means the 300 homes in Crediton and Centralia will pay for the maintenance and upgrade of the Exeter system. Responding to Bell's question if the former Stephen Township knew before amalgamation there was a sewage problem in Crediton and Centralia and why a fund wasn't created to pay for a project, Brown said the municipality knew there would be a problem, but funds aren't set aside for projects such as this — the municipality borrows the money and residents are billed. "There are two sides to this," he said. He added debts on the sewer systems will only be paid back by the communi- ties that hold the debts, a scenario that was part of the order of amalgamation for South Huron. Crediton and Centralia will help pay off part of the debt of the Huron Park system because they will be using part of that system. Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin suggested sending a written response to Bell, but council decided against it, with Morley saying council doesn't respond to letters to the editor. Upgrades required for Moodie well By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — The Moodie well is getting some rather costly upgrades. In order to have the Exeter water system's Certificate of Approval extended until the approximately $14 million Lake Huron pipeline goes ahead, the Ministry of the Environment is requiring a UV dis- infection unit be installed at the Moodie well. The new upgrades will allow the municipality to continue to use the well until the end of 2007. Mayor Rob Morley said the pipeline project has to proceed before the end of 2007. The total cost of the well upgrades is $121,746.35, with council award- ing $73,339 of the project last week to low bidder Garnet Services. Work includes the UV disin- fection unit, a building to house it, piping and other equipment. Morley said going ahead with the Moodie upgrades was the only way the municipality could get an extension on its water system Certificate of Approval. Operations manager Don Giberson said the project should come in under budget. Other council notes: Master plan A 25 -year master plan for the Stephen area water system is going ahead for $81,109 plus GST. The new "exhaustive" study "is part of the continued efforts by the municipality to be pro -active and prepare for the eventual implemen- tation of new provincial regula- tions," Giberson said in his report to council. He added a long-term plan will allow council to make timely, informed decisions on the water system. The work will include an environ- mental assessment. Giberson said the municipality has "a long shopping list" of issues it wants to deal with in the Stephen system and the master plan will give South Huron "a road map" to deal with them. Part of the master plan will involve the creation of a committee to deal with water issues. Acknowledging that he doesn't like spending this much money on engineers, Cozen. Pete Armstrong said this project is long term and will show the needs in the water system. Morley noted that, since it's a 25 -year master plan, the costs aren't so bad. Coun. Jim Dietrich noted there are problems in the Stephen system and the project is needed. Lions grant Council has agreed to give a $1,500 grant to the Centralia -Huron Park Lions Club to make the entrance of their clubhouse, the Centralia Community Centre, wheelchair accessible. The club is already paying for new doors on the municipally -owned building. Morley said the project is worth- while and noted the municipality The total cost of the well upgrades is $121,746.35, with council awarding $73,339 of the project last week to low bidder Garnet Services. had money in the budget for the project. Cozen. George Robertson noted that since it is a municipal building, it should be wheelchair accessible. Seeking fair funding Council formally passed a motion to support the group 'Fair Funding for Small Communities in Ontario,' which is lobbying the provincial and federal governments for more funds for smaller communities. A1J Gaiser "11 Kneale EXETER - 235-2420 GRAND BEND - 238-8484 CLINTON - 482-3401 Business Directory REPAIRS Sewing Machine REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES Free estimates 90 day Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660