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The Times Advocate, 2008-10-29, Page 3Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Times -Advocate 3 Public speaks against removing dam at MacNaughton Park By Ben Forrest TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER The notion of doing away with the dam at Exeter s MacNaughton Park did not find support at a public meet- ing Oct. 23 at South Huron Recreation Cen- tre. This did not come as a surprise to South Huron Mayor Ken Oke, an advocate for keeping the dam who found many a kin- dred spirit at the meeting. I think it s a wonderful asset to our com- munity, Oke said in an interview. I think we haven t even explored some of the stuff we can do with the dam. The purpose of the meeting was not to decide the fate of the dam, but to seek pub- lic input on the question of whether South Huron should complete a $30,000 study into the future of the dam and its accompa- nying reservoir. Half the cost of the study would be cov- ered by a grant to the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA), though the grant is time -sensitive, according to ABCA general manager Tom Prout. The study, if completed, would identify the cost to the municipality for a variety of options, including continuing to maintain the dam, and starting a process to decom- mission it. Removing the dam was identified as a possibility when the municipality received a series of complaints about the unsight- liness of the reservoir near the dam, also known as the mill pond. Green vegetation known as duckweed had cropped up in the pond last year, caus- ing a number of complaints. Duckweed, according to the ABCA s An- gela Van Neikerk, has a number of bene- fits, serving as a food source for fish and water fowl and providing shelter for frogs and fish. She acknowledged during a presentation at the meeting, however, that if duckweed overgrew the entire reservoir, it could re- sult in fish kills and could limit the growth of other water vegetation by blocking sun- light. Removing the dam would restore the area to a natural watercourse, and may ad- dress the duckweed problem. Still, a number of members of the public spoke against this course of action. Ted Jones of the Exeter Lions Club was among them, saying the Lions had en- gaged in a spirited discussion on the issue the night before, resulting in the recom- mendation that the dam be recognized as a focal point and historical landmark in Exeter. Though information about the early his- tory of the dam could not be offered at the meeting, ABCA Water and Planning Man- ager Alec Scott noted the dam has been in use since at least the 1950s, and at one point provided a water supply to the Ex- eter canning factory. Former Exeter Mayor Ben Hoogenboom also spoke during the meeting, saying that in his view To eliminate one of the most beautiful parts of Exeter would be a crime. He offered a number of ideas for beau- tifying the area instead, suggesting that a second walking trail could be created and the water level raised. After Hoogenboom s presentation, the floor was opened to questions from the audience, which included questions of whether the dam is used for flood protec- tion, whether there is funding available to designate the dam as a historical landmark, and whether there are any grants available for the beautification of the area. It was noted that the dam has minimal flood protection value for residential ar- eas, and that funds for historical designa- tion and beautification might be available, though they might require studies and partnerships with community groups. It was also noted that because the dam is owned by the municipality, South Huron would be on the hook for any repairs in the future. There was some opposition to the notion that a study into the future of the dam is needed. What s wrong with the dam? asked one woman. Why do we need to study it? Later in the meeting, it was suggested it might be preferable for municipal staff and members of the public to conduct research on the duckweed problem before a study is completed. Prout noted, however, that the $15,000 grant toward the study might not be avail- able down the road. He said the grant, offered through the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, might go elsewhere if not used locally. There is a long list of other conservation authorities with projects that could use the money, he said in an interview. We could apply again next year or the year after, but Public meeting South Huron Mayor Ken Oke speaks during a public meeting at South Huron Recreation Centre last week.The meeting was intended to get public input on a study into the future of the dam at MacNaughton Park. there s no guarantees that we 11 get the money. The comments from the meeting, as well as comments offered in writing, were gath- ered by ABCA staff, who will submit them to the municipality for further consider- ation. Meeting to discuss Usborne Central School possible closure Continued from page 2 schools. "How is the board going to deal with this?" she asked. Ash said it is an issue the board will have to deal with and the board will look to keep the major- ity of the students together if Us - borne closes. He said the board wants to avoid the emotionalup- heaval that Mc- Curdy students went through. Kadey asked what will hap- pen to equip- ment bought by service groups and donated to the school. Ash said those items are school prop- erty and if the school closes, the equipment will go where the Us - borne students go. He said if the school closes the majority of the Usborne stu- dents will go to Exeter, while some may go to Stephen Central and South Perth in the St. Marys area. Asked about the condition of the building, ac- commodation administrator Phil McCotter said it s a long way from "pro- hibitive to re- pair." As for the fu- ture of the building if Usborne closes, Ash said the board has done public auctions in the past, with the money going into a re- serve fund to maintain the re- maining schools in the board. Another concerned resident at the meeting pointed out students get a high level of education at Usborne and students had one of the highest EQAO test results in the province. Ash said things like that will be considered. Another person asked if chil- dren from the same families will OUR ANNUAL HALF PRICE* SALE BUY 1, GET THE 2ND AT 1/2 PRICE! be split up if the school closes. "I don t see it happening," Ash said. "We would do everything we could to prevent that from happening." As for what will happen to the teachers if the school closes, Mc - Cotter said there are generally no teacher reductions after school closures because if students move to a different school, teachers will be needed for those students. "We have awesome teachers here," an audience member not- ed. VISIT our stores and see why G.G.Goettler of Dublin is Ontario's Furniture Village! 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