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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-02-26, Page 1INDEX Births /A8 Brussels /A4 Classified /Al2, 13, 14 Dublin /A11 Entertainment /A16 Family /A8, 9 Farm /A14 Hensel) /A15 Obituaries /A8 Sports /A6, 7 Walton /A5 Centenaires vin two in playoffs. See page A6. Serving the communities and areas of Seatorth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensel) and Walton sitor SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1986 — 16 PAGES Devaluation 'disconcerting BY HEATHER McILW RAITH The devaluation of properties adjacent to the one that may eventually house the Seaforth-Tuckersmith landfill • site seemed the main concern last Tuesday night at a discussion regarding solid. waste manage- ment programs for these two areas. The meeting, intended to bring the public up-to-date on the current environmental assessment study and in particular the investigation of nine parcels of land in Tuckersmith which could house the site, drew a crowd of approximately 200. Farmers in particular were upset at the prospect of having the landfill site bordering on their property, and suggested certain landowners, after agreeing to sell their property, plan to move away from the situation, leaving their neighbors with the "mess." "I think the adjoining landowners should be compensated," said Jim McIntosh, of Tuckersmith Township. "They (some landowners) plan to sell their whole farm and move out of the place and leave their neighbors with the mess, and I'm afraid of that," said Uwe Wisch, also of Tuckersmith. "I don't think you realize.just how much of a shock this came to us last week when we got the letter advising us of the sites," said Don Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds compared the proximity of his lot to one of the proposed locations of the landfill site, to the distance between the railway line m Seaforth to Bob and Betty's Variety Store on the town's main street. "Mr. Bell (a landowner) granted permis- sion for me to put up my goat barn, but he didn't tell us he was going to put up 25 acres for the landfill site. He's going to sell the whole fault and the rest of us Will be stuck with the whole garbage," said Mr. Reynolds. Another concern voiced at the meeting was the fact although garbage is being produced by both the township and Seaforth, the township is being forced to bear the responsibility of housing the landfill site. "What was wrong with the lagoon site?" questioned Matt Haney. "The only thing against it was the citizens. I think we should share the wealth. The soil is right, transportation is not a problem. I think it (the lagoon site) Is an ideal situation. Why does the country have to deal with it (the garbage). Based an the percentage use, they (Seaforth ) are putting up the garbage, why do they not have to share it?" "The door should not be closed on it. It is already zoned as landfill. It is already set up for liquid waste, we just have to set it up for solid. We're already halfway there." Mr Reynolds pointed out a number of comments during the night by Chairman Mike Mitchell, a lawyer from Stratford, had suggested residents take responsibility for the garbage they produce. ' "I suggest we do that," he said. "I burn the paper out of my garbage, take my newspapers to the Zurich Boy Scouts for recycling, so the only things are my javex bottles and cans that go to the Seaforth dump. Can you compare that, with someplace like Sills Hardware and Canadian Tire, who are using the same dump? Seaforth is using the dump for many commercial uses." In response to the questions about "sharing the wealth" when it came to housing a landfill site, Mr. Mitchell suggest- ed it might be the country's turn to house such a thing as a dump. He likened the dump site to the liquid manure stations around the area, which he said, are as unpleasant to the townfolk as a Landfill site might be to the country folk. "Sometimes I'm sure the city folk would like to just say, boys, why don't you keep that stuff at home." Mr. Mitchell's comment provoked an already upset crowd, who came to ask questions but found those questions limited to the topic of, the criteria used to choose the landfill site." 1 think we're being a bit railroaded here," said Hugo Menheere, to a burst of applause. "We're paying for it (the landfill site). It's our problem and we should have some input." "We never even knew what sites were 50 cents a copy being considered until last week, when we got a letter from the town," said Mr. Reynolds. Queries that questioned the landfilling as a means of waste control were hastily answered or dismissed entirelyfbesed on the argument incineration had already been ruled out as too expensive an endeaor at this time for a community the size,.o., Seaforth-Tuckersmith, and even if incinerr"tion were in place,. a landfill site would still be required to house the excess garbage. incineration was, it was suggested, an alternative which could be researched further later on and reapplied to the local situation. "How many times do we have to invent the wheel," said Mr. Mitchell. "How many times must dollars be spent over and over on proving landfilling is the best solution for this -area." "Incineration itself causes problems. It is not the ultimate solution. Below a certain size it is not very economical either," said Mr. Mitchell. Those questioning the safety of the water system were assured thorough testing would be undertaken, and if it turned up the least suggestion of contamination, the site would be abandoned. The health and safety of the people in the area was; the crowd was told, the number one criteria in choosing the final landfill site. Regardless of whether or not a site held up in all other areas, it would be abandoned if there was the slightest hint it would be unsafe. Continued on Page A10 Preliminary test drilling to start on Kootstra site The• Seaforth-Tuckersmith Landfill com- mittee moved one step loser Thursday to solving the area's landfill site dilemma. As a result of the public meeting held February 18 and subject to discussion with Ministry of the Environment personnel, the committee passed a resolution that B.M. Ross and Associates be authorized to proceed to arrange preliminary test drilling of the Kootstra site to confirm technical acveptabil- ity for landfilling purposes. The Kootstra site was ranked number one of nine sites in Tuckersmith Township based on criteria established by the landfill committee in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment, under the Environmental Assessment Act. That criteria Included the choosing of properties within the Township of Tucker - smith based on public health and safety, social environment, natural environment. 1.. - Sliff cultural erwironntents $vadabillty and"Site size. Originally. the three municipalities of Seaforth, and the Townships of Tuckersmith and McKillop, joined together to seek a new site for landfilling as the old dump was rapidly becoming filled to capacity. A steering committee was formed with repre- sentatives appointed from each municipality. This committee was and still is, given the responsibility of finding the best method of disposing of the solid wastes produced by the residents of the participating municipalities. The process of looking for a new landfill site began in 1982, shortly after the Environmental Assessment Act cams into effect. so far as municipal waste was concerned. McKillop township has since pulled out of the process because of the cost, and the delay. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT could have been the theme of a recant public mooting regarding a location for a landfill site With the no waste thorn would bo no need for a new site. The old s)le is filling rapidly and has already used up a number of extensions. McIlwrailh photo Egmondville water situation on One way or another, the Village of Egmondville will be getting an improved water system, but the questions of when it will happen and what it will cost individual ratepayers to hook up to it, remain unanswered for the moment. The bulk of the funding for the new system will come through an Ontario Neighborhood Improvement grant of $150,000, which the township of Tuckersmith received approval for in December 1985. The funds t»t be matched by the township and utilized within three years or the grant becomes void, improvements to the water system, which most villagers. feel is inadequate and is non-existent on the south side of the Bayfield River. have been named a priority for spending of grant funds. A snag developed earlier this month, when south side residents as well as some from the north end, voiced opposition to the town- ship's planned hook-up rates, at a public meeting. The residents were against a higher hook-up fee, which would see residents living south of the river pay 52,000 to hook onto the system, while north side residents would pay only 81.000. "We always felt we were part of Egmondville. We pay the same taxes, we don't get any rural tax breaks," said Bob Fisher, one south side resident, opposed to the extra hook-up fee. The main reason for the higher fee on the south side is thata watermain would have to be extended 1,000 feet across the river, running past unoccupied lots, whldh would not contribute to the east of the extension. Council's position is that it would be unfair to charge north side residents for the construe tion of the line crossing the river. At the February 6 ratepayers meeting a group of south -side residents presented a varied, of reasons for their onnosition to the higher fee. The system will be improved for ratepayers on both sides of the river they said, and in addition, income far the system will be increased because of a planged rise in the water rate, from $50 to 875 per year. The residents also contend the entire township would benefit from the improve - hold by council ments, because an improved water system MU attract people to live on both sides of the river, providing a larger tax base They also feel the system will increase assessment values, leading ultimately to more tax dollars for the township. ALTERNATE PROPOSAL After hearing their concerns, council advised the residents to come up with an alternate funding proposal to pay for the project, to be presented at a regular council meeting on February 19. Brian Nuhn. of Egmondville, represented the residents' group at the council meeting and presented a proposal which would see all resident's paying only a 81.000 hook-up fee and any deficit being paid off through a Local senior citizens enjoy weekly skating session Card games, shufflebaatd, maybe a little bowling -- these are the traditional types of activities usually associated with senior citizen get-togethers. however, a dozen local men, all in the senior's age category have gotten involved with a slitly more vigorous activity over the past few months -- ice skating. Ever since the ice went in at the Seaforth and District Community Centres last Octo- ber, this group of elder statesmen have been testing their blades ab the Wednesday afternoon public coaling sessions. Many of the skaters had not been on the ice in over 25 years, said D'orlen Sills, although they had all been avid skaters and hockey players at one time. The lengthy layoff did make it difficult toget back in thegroove, said Mr. Sills. It was amazing that we could even stand up," he said. The decision to take up skating again came out of "not having enough to do," said Gordon Scott, adding, "older people should get out and skate." Mr. Sills said all the men used to skate at the old Seaforth arena and also on the Bayfield River. However,' he points out the present facility" makes the sport even more enjoyable. "They have a good " M arena, here, and it _ should be patronized,r. Sills said The &toilets at, this informal oldtitheis skating Club art; Mel :Melanson,. Gordon Sco Wilbert.Malotley, Peter Bannon, Al .,- o , ' ncent: Murray, Andy lama, Frank Ret .Viz! Rill O'Shea Prank Re aids, D erten, Sills, Ray Hu WW1 and Jack Easter. SE)VltSff SK,4TEAS This group of elder Seaforfft area residents Frorfr left, front, Mel MeiarY§lira, Gordon Scott, back, Wilbert get'together every Wednesday afternoon 'We little exercise MiringAdafoney, peter Bannon', M Nfchotson, Vincent Murray, Andy 'Loeb, 'nubile Skating et the Seeforth and blstrict Comn)'u'nfly Centres. Frank Reyrfofds,andDroner§llI's. Raffle photo ij debenture. The plan indudes use of a 512,000 surplus In the Egmondville Water System reserve fund, to pay for part of the improvements. The proposal given by Mr. Nuhn in an in -camera session of council, has been neither accepted, nor rejected by Tucker - smith council at this point. When asked for council's reaction to the proposal, Mr. Nuhn said, "They had a few questions for me and not a whote lot else hap -wed." They asked us to come up with a counter proposal, so we gave them one. Now, it's up to council to decide what to do," said Mr. Nuhn. However, "'made it quite dear if they didn't adept this proposal, we wanted new directions from them. Not just for them to say it's not acceptable and leave it at that," he added. Tuckersmith Reeve Robert Bell could not be reached for tgominenj on the i's'sue, but Tuckersmith Clerk Jack Mclarhlan said the council is planning "fu'r'ther discussion with the owners," before any decision is made. Seaforth Novice win Silver Stick title The Seaforth Novice hockey team captured the I3 -CC Division of the first International Saver -Stili Competition in St. Claire Shores, Michigan on the weekend. Seaforth came out on top in the round robin series between Cleveland-Winterhist, Ohio, Witten, Ontario tIItti Oshweken, Ontario, advancing to the semi-finals against their Ontario neighbor - Lambeth. Seaforth won that semi-final, outscoring Lambeth 9-1. Mike Watt and Mike Dever- eaux led the Seaforth offense with two'goals and one assist eerie Joe Murray also added two goals. Singles Went to Boyd Devereaux, Mike Weber and Mike Moylan. Assists went to Brad Wake. with two and Boyd Devereaux With one. The semi -facial win put Seaforth in contention with Oshaiwa for the champion- ship. Seaforth won by a 5-0 score. Goal scorers in that game were Mike Watt with four and Mike Weber with one. ,Assists went to Mike Moylan and Joe Murray. In other games in the tournament Seafot th defeated Cleveland 2-0. Mike Devereaux soared both goals in that genie. The teal+ was narrowly defeated 3-2 by Alliston in the second game of the tourna- ment. Jde Murray, froth Juni Crowley and Mike Watt assisted by Mike 0eVer+eaux, h2cbtuited for the Seaforth goiat. in that game„