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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-12-21, Page 3Wednesday, December 21, 2005 Exeter Times–Advocate 3 SH buying UV water treatment By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — While it awaits word on federal funding for a proposed $12 million Lake Huron water pipeline, South Huron has to spend $150,000 on a UV treat- ment for the Moodie well. The expense is something the municipality has to undergo to receive its cer- tificate of approval (C of A) on its water sys- tem from the Ministry of the Environment. In order to comply with the Ministry's water regulations, the municipality decided on the $12 million Lake Huron pipeline, which is part of a larger $350 million project called the Huron Elgin London Project (HELP), involving 14 munic- ipalities and serv- ing 550,000 people from Lake Huron and Lake Erie. Federal funding is still pending and South Huron Mayor Rob Morley said municipalities will have to wait until after the election before they hear about grants. In his report to council, South Huron chief administrative officer Larry Brown said completion of the new pipeline system and the aban- don- ment of the current Exeter well supply system is sched- uled for the end of 2007. In the interim, the MOE requires the UV treatment sys- tem to be installed as an additional safety measure. The Moodie well pro- vides almost half of Exeter's water during peak hours. However, councillors "If someone ever got sick because we didn't do it, we'd be pretty sorry," ROB MORLEY SOUTH HURON MAYOR ABCA proposed budget for upcoming year EXETER — The proposed budget was discussed at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority's (ABCA) meeting Dec. 15. The ABCA's general levy has increased 3.3 per cent, totalling $487,983 which is paid by the member munic- ipalities. Board members were fine with all areas of the pro- posed budget, which is separated into two different parts. The project levy proposal for 2006 is $291,430. In the upcoming year the ABCA will have its 60th anniversary, a year long celebration which will cost about $5,000. Another project is the erosion control project and the flood control project in Port Franks costing about $1.3 million combined. There will also be $8,000 spent on a managed forest plan for the forests owned by the ABCA and $12,500 spent to support Rock Glen activities. The proposed budget draft will be sent to the different municipalities. The ABCA board members will make a final decision on the budget in the new year. Santa says... Shop At Soonoff 1c hurolo tlon= THIS CHRISTMAS! PONE ON YOUR LIST THIS CHRISTMAS! • Office Chairs • Filing Cabinets • 2006 Day Planners • Brief and Business Cases • Laptop Bags and Executive Portfolios • Printing Calculators • Printer Cartridges • Great Markers and Highlighters • Pens, Pencils and Office Basics • Chalk, White or Cork Boards • Fireproof Safes • World Globes • Printers and Fax Machines • Personalized Stamps and Labels AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! Visit Us At 92 Main St. S. Exeter Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Sat. 9 a.m. -1 p.m. LOTS OF STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS HERE! expressed con- cern about spending $150,000 for a treatment sys- tem that will be abandoned in two years when the new pipeline is online. The Moodie well has been part of Exeter's water system since the 1920s and oper- ations manager Dennis Hockey said there have never been bad results from Moodie's chlori- nated water. "Walkerton's costing this country a lot of money," Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin said, refer- ring to height- ened provincial water regula- tions in light of that town's water -related tragedy. Morley said South Huron fought against the UV filtration requirement two years ago and won, but now has to do it. While they were reluctant to spend the money, council- lors agreed they had to ensure the safety of the municipality's drinking water. "If someone ever got sick because we did- n't do it, we'd be pretty sorry," Morley said. Council agreed to go ahead with the UV treat- ment system, which will take about six months to get online. The municipality will see if there are any grants avail- able. Purchase of the UV system gives the munic- ipality a C of A until the end of 2007. If it had chosen not to go ahead with the system, the Ministry would have issued a C of A until the end of 2006 that would "require another exten- sion at that time along with an updated risk assessment that may still indicate the need for UV treatment," according to Brown's report. Other council notes: Outdoor rink approval Council agreed Monday night to allow an outdoor rink to go ahead on baseball dia- mond number L ibeal www.liberal.ca two beside South Huron Rec Centre. The issue arose at a meeting in November when Exeter's George McEwan approached council with the idea. Council sup- ported the idea in principle, but asked McEwan to fine tune his proposal. The rink will be approximate- ly 25X30 metres and, while the dia- mond lights can be used at night, council will require they be turned off by 10 p.m. McEwan pro- vided council with a list of vol- unteers who will be responsible for maintaining the rink and turning off the lights. Morley said municipal staff time will not be used at the rink as staff already have enough work to do. Boards for the rink have been erected, but as of Monday the rink hadn't been flooded. Employee salaries Council approved its standard 2.5 per cent increase to the municipali- ty's 2006 employee remu- neration grid. The raises go into effect Jan. 1. Lots of development Referring to the municipali- ty's building report for November, Morley said South Huron had "a very, very active year" of building. At the end of November 2005, 154 building permits had been issued in South Huron for the year, for a value of $14.9 million That fig- ure is up signifi- cantly from last year — at the same time in 2004, 123 build- ing permits had been issued at a value of $8.4 million. In November 2005, 11 per- mits were issued for a value of $551,355.50. The staff & Management of Canadian Tire Thank You for your loyal patronage throughout the year and wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Ian A. MacKenzie Limited PROUDLY CANADIAN OWNED AND OPERATED 100 Thames Rd. E., Exeter 235-0160 r PAUL STECKLE Putting Your Interests Fust While a Christmas election was not of my choosing, I am now faced with the reality of a winter campaign. This obviously creates unique challenges but as always, the Huron -Bruce Liberal Team is prepared and ready for all eventualities. That said, winter means snow and snow means difficult and often dangerous driving conditions. With that in mind, in an effort to allow effective and timely snow clearing and unimpeded visibility for motorists, my campaign will be placing election signs in a manner that does not litter our roadways with political advertising. My campaign would be pleased to provide lawn signs, upon request, for private properties but we will only place road signs sparingly, in locations that do not in any way impact adversely on motorists and those who are attempting to clear our roads. Elections are important democratic events but they should not overshadow public safety. I appreciate that this is not how election sign campaigns are normally conducted but, with a winter election, I believe that it is the responsible thing to do. I would invite you to request a lawn sign from any of my campaign offices and, as in the past, I truly appreciate your support. For Information, Please Contact Or Visit My CaIIIpaigI1 Offices: (54 King Street) Clinton: (519) 482-7217 (116 Durham Street) Walkerton: (519) 881-3587 (735 Queen Street) Kincardine (519) 396-5667 Authorized By The Official Agent For Paul Steckle