HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-02-27, Page 22
Times -Advocate Wednesday, February 27, 2008
New playground equipment planned for Hensall park
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
BLUEWATER — Plans are under way
to replace the playground at the
Kinsmen Park in Hensall, with the
Kinsmen picking up 30 per cent of the
approximate price of $55,000.
The matter was discussed at
Bluewater council's Feb. 21 meeting. In
a recorded vote after discussing the
matter, council decided to move forward
with the plan, with the treasurer direct-
ed to report back to council to see how
the project will be financed.
The Kinsmen will donate $5,500 annu-
ally over the next three years, totalling
$16,500.
Facilities manager Tom Dickins said
Bluewater has $25,000 available in
reserves, but municipal financing for the
project still hasn't been finalized.
Dickins told the Times -Advocate
Monday that in order for the project to
go ahead in 2008, equipment will have
to be ordered soon. He said he expected
an answer on that in the next week or
so.
Dickins said the Hensall playground
equipment (beside the Hensall arena) is
the last remaining playground in
Bluewater with compliance issues.
Coun. John Becker said he thinks the
playground proposal is a great idea,
adding the new playground in Zurich
has been "phenomenal."
There was concern, though, about
how Bluewater would fund its portion of
the project.
Deputy Mayor David Johnston said
while he's in favour of the project, he is
concerned Bluewater would be increas-
ing its 2008 budget if it voted in favour
of the project now. He said the matter
should be discussed at budget time, a
sentiment Coun. George Irvin agreed
with. Coun. Jim Fergusson also said the
matter should be talked about during
budget deliberations.
Mayor Bill Dowson said the budget
probably won't be approved until April,
with Coun. Kay Wise saying that when
an organization wants to donate money
and is told to "wait three months," that
organization will spend it elsewhere.
Coun. Tyler Hessel agreed to move for-
ward, saying the existing playground
isn't in good shape and he doesn't want
to see the project slowed down. Coun.
Pete Walden also voted to move forward
with the project, saying a group
(the Kinsmen) have come for-
ward willing to provide time
and money and that doesn't
happen often.
Other council notes:
PSAB compliance
Upon recommendation from
corporate services general
manager Terri Brandon, coun-
cil has chosen KPMG/Dillon
Consulting for consulting ser-
vices with the implementation
of the new mandatory Public
Sector Accounting Board
(PSAB) Tangible Capital Assets
Reporting Guidelines that all
municipalities across Canada
must comply with by the end of
2008.
The KPMG/Dillon work is
quoted at $45,000. Bluewater
also received quotes from
Watson and Associates for
$36,850 , and Suncorp
Valuations at $48,000 to
$50,000.
Hospital speaks to council
Continued from front page
family practices.
"The province makes it sound like
it will get better," said Keller.
South Huron Mayor Ken Oke
thanked Keller and Hanson for
attending the meeting.
In other business, cemetery and
facilities manager Cam
Stewardson told council an engi-
neering study will be needed on the
Olde Town Hall bell tower to bring
it up to the safety standards code.
Stewardson said the study will tell
South Huron what it has to do to
bring it up to code and that the
municipality may be able to do
some of the work.
Council then voted to have
Johnson Engineering Consultants
do the study.
REGIONAL WRAP UP •
Dumping snow illegal
LAMBTON — Police and plow operators are asking that residents do not
deposit plowed snow back onto the road.
The OPP say there have been reports of private snow plows pushing
snow from driveways and parking lots onto and across public roadways.
This causes the plowed snow to be piled against the opposite curb and not
aligned with snow that has been plowed by works crews.
With the recent melting and then again freezing, that mound of snow
becomes an ice boulder.
When a commercial plow moves the snow to the curb and encounters
one of these mounds of snow, it can cause damage to the plow.
Blowing plowed snow back onto the roadways is also illegal, with actions
like this carrying an $85 fine plus court costs, for a $110 total.
House lost
GODERICH — On Feb. 21 around 8:30 p.m., Huron OPP and the
Goderich Fire Department were dispatched to a house fire on Bluewater
Highway in Central Huron.
Upon arrival, it was confirmed by the fire department that all occupants
had safely exited the building. The fire appeared to have started while the
occupants were making French fries using oil. The entire structure and its
contents were lost. Victim Services of Huron County was called to the
scene to assist the victims.
Life claimed
HURON EAST — Lloyd Weber, an 80 -year-old Huron East man died
after the Huron OPP were dispatched to a single vehicle collision on
Bolton Road in Huron East Feb. 21 around 8:30 p.m.
Weber, who thought he was on another road, turned east onto Bolton
Road and began accelerating. He then struck a tree head on.
The Brussels and Grey Township Fire Departments assisted with extri-
cating Weber, who was taken to Wingham Hospital and later air lifted to
London Health Sciences Centre where he died from his injuries.
Asked by Johnston why KPMG/Dillon
was chosen when it didn't have the low-
est quoted price, Brandon said after
reviewing the quotes from each of the
companies, KPMG/Dillon will take more
of a leadership role in the project and
provide staff, whereas the Watson quote
provides a template for Bluewater staff
to do the work. With the staff included,
Brandon said the KPMG/Dillon quote
would end up being less than Watson's.
In her report she stated KPMG/Dillon's
"team approach to the project is the
best choice for value for the dollar as
they will utilize data already on hand,
and provide methodologies and models
that can be used for data entry, calcula-
tions and evaluations."
PSAB 3150's purpose is for municipali-
ties to account for and report tangible
capital assets. It's a new program for
municipalities.
KPMG/Dillon have already been hired
by Huron County for PSAB 3150 compli-
ance and for developing an Asset
Management Plan.
Wise complimented Brandon on her
work on the project.
"I just want to congratulate you, Terri.
You are dazzling."
Walden also thanked Bluewater staff
for their work.
Provincial honour — Exeter's Vera Armstrong, above left, was awarded the province's
highest recognition for seniors Feb. 15 when she received the Ontario Senior Achievement
Award from Lieutenant Governor David Onley, centre, at a special ceremony at Queen's
Park. South Huron Mayor Ken Oke, right, also attended. (photo/submitted)
Armstrong honoured for community work
Continued from front page
Ontario."
Armstrong has previously received a
Meritorious Service medal for her work with
the Royal Canadian Legion and will receive
her 35 -year pin this month. She also has a
Provincial Life Membership with the South
Huron Hospital Auxiliary.
Armstrong said she'll continue to volunteer
for as long as she can.
Discover the Essential Skills
that Employers Want!
Conestoga College, Stratford Campus
130 Youngs St. (next to the hospital)
Wednesday, March 5 at 5:00 pm
Learn About
• Essential Skills
• Prior Learning Assessment
tilliwor•Academic Upgrading
(711044Fmii.
CONESTOGA