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The Huron Expositor, 1990-11-21, Page 9THE HURON EXPOS rON NOvt1MBEA 21 1490--9 CODE , wa page 1 hue tzursuilly, ae hos the cane as the Guatu►g site. Wii tide ieecretc flowing downwards. is cullaoo,Iicia system will be put intoplace. Although some Waste would cull be lost, the clay bare will otter the added benefit of slowing the flow . MAN ccxncei°ns with the leachate are that the depth of the clay vatic*, and underneath the clay is bairock. if leacluate hos the bedrock. u could be carred along in the wafter flow. Moreton, before lttndfilLnag can suis at the new site Ise engineers eers must ensure that the ecology is adequate, and it mused be demonstrated that the leachate can be technically managed if it seeps into the bedrock. HISTORICAL APPROVAL Representatives of the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and members of CODE cannot agree Oil the historical approval for the landfill site. Originally four municipalities, Goderich and Colborne Townships, Goderich and Clinton were permitted to use the site. In the late 1970s, Lucknow and Bayfield were included and later, through an emergency certificate of approval, Seaforth and T1tck- ersmith Township joined after their landfill space ran out. Mr. Crutcher noted that in the spirit of neighborliness, these final ad- ditions to the Mid -Huron Site were reluctantly accepted. The new site would accom- modate the 'eight user municipalities, and is expected to last for nine years. However Mr. Crutcher noted, "In the strict legal sense, only four (engine') municipalities can use the site," and only after technical approval from the MOE. The Mid -Huron Landfill Site Board wants to include all eight municipalities and they are now requesting an exemption of the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) for the additions. Duo to time constraints, with the closure of the old site set within two weeks, Mr. Crutcher said that all 16 acres will not be developed at this time. Currently a contractor is on the site, preparing a small area to accept waste, which would last the municipalities about nine months. The board is requesting an emergency certificate, to allow for dumping on this smaller, relocated site. This application would be in effect until a hearing is held on the service area increase, to allow the additional municipalities. Phil Bye, area supervisor for the MOE said that in 1970, approval was given for the immediate use of five acres, with the understan- ding there were 50 usable acres remaining. Steve Baker, for CODE, believes that permission was not granted for the 50 usable acres remaining. He asked Mr. Bye whether he felt the application for disposal approval in 1970 .specifically and unequivocally requested a 50 acre site. Mr. Bye replied that the first section dealt with the reply, while immediately underneath, in the same section, it stated that 50 more acres were available. "The original application is for 55 acres within the 120. You now have 31 acres technically suitable for landfill," said John Gasbarri, from the MOE's approval branch. Mr. Baker pressed on, explaining that the total area of the site reads five acres, and it is under the general description of the site where it stated, "Worked over gravel pit - 50 acres more available." This 50 acres, he stated, could be for the gravel pit mentioned above, and CODE feels that the document has been interpreted for other's means. "CODE is going to request the minister of the environment that she seek out a court interpretation as to the legality of the original certificate," Mr. Baker said in a later telephone interview. He added that the group feels that until court approval is given to the original document, it is a doubtful certificate. The board, he said, before proceeding on work and spending more money, should have a court approved document. Mr. Bye said the ministry's position is that there are 16 remaining acres on the site, as identified by the Rovers, and before commencement of use of that 16 acres, the board will have to satisfy the ministry as to the usability of the site. CODE PRESENTATION Mr. Baker, speaking on behalf of CODE at the meeting, noted that when the board was faced with the dilemma of running out of room in the old site they were given two options: to find another site; or to expand the site. The first option, he said, would fall under the Environmental Assessment Act, and the public would be encouraged to par- ticipate in the decision making process. However, with the expan- sion, the decision would fall under the Environmental Pmtection Act, with limited public input, except at public meetings. "If dlsey std calohla Me brat roe- mad hitsigs would 60 banvc," Mr. Baker MOIL that opposition all have lcxmcd, but iC board would be wo= under a tougher act, and ore tie wouldn't be fro many complaints. When the oil nit testae, Mr. Baker said he felt the board tad the uma to take either route, but, "They decided to dot a cheaply; that's the only sea n 1 can sec. CODE members believe that cum arc playing a large pain now Mut the sac is on the verge of eluding down. Although alternate saes art nut in abundance, Mr. Crutches' explained that the engineers and the board have looked at alter- natives to expansion, such as rocking the waste to another location from an ext -ate transfer station, if an alternate site can be found. "We are working closely with the ministry to see which is the best way to reed," he said. Jim Y &y, of Conestoga Rovers, added that trucking costs could run $80 to $ 100 per person, not per household, including a disposal fee at the site and the trucking expenses. The waste would be trucked a significant distance, and would only allow small amounts to be moved as the garbage wouldn't be compacted. To remove more garbage, a com- pacting transfer station would be required on-site and this would be a significant cost for a short time. CODE is concerned about the immediate future of waste disposal. Trucking the garbage will be costly and have they of- fered an alternative to reducing costs. "It is a prune opportunity to implement a 'generator pay sys- tem," Mr. Baker suggested in a telephone interview. Municipalities would purchase special garbage bags, for sale to consumers. The mu nicrpalittes would collect only the garbage in those bags. With a higher cost for the bags, people who put out half-filled bags of garbage would find this effort more expensive. "He who generates the most garbage pays the most," Mr. Baker stated. To further offset costs to the consumers, Mr. Baker suggested that the portion of tax bills that goes towards landfill would be removed, and the total bill could be covered ' by the cost of the garbage bags. Consumers would be forced , to recycle, builfl or purchase a composter, and become more conscientious in their shop- ping habits. WATER Mr. Baker showed slides taken at the site approximately 10 days Worm the meet, ad apogee at is WO wawa- levels at 11.1 011 dile- He noted $lief ono ct>ysrta 6or a 4walfill sue is diet it is not near wader. Aside from large ponds, one created when the clay was dug to cap the old site, Mr. Baker also has slides of sure ata ruwung thrush the dump, and a *kb that was ciug Lu alleviate some of the wager on etc site, which leads to a holding dim. Behind this holding area. he said, is Bridgewater Creek, which runs into the MAR - land River. "It's up to you to ask the ministry, 'Is this site is technically okay with aU this water naming atroupd,'" W. Baker sated. During the question and answer period by An Bell of RR2 Goderich asked Mr. Yardley whether the Rovers obtained per- mission to dump that much water into the creek. Mr. Yardley pointed out that if the ditch were connected to the stream, a work panic would be needed, but the water is going to a holding area before the . There was some question, due to statistics released, if water with a highmercury content had been reased from the site. A previous report from the Rovers showed that water with a mercury content well over the accepted limit was released. However, Mr. Yardley said there was an error in the monitoring report, which had been noted, and the mercury content was not as high as stated. Mr. Bell said he had found dead fish downstream from the creek, including a 10 -pound salmon and a crayfish, and these had been picked LP by the ministry of natural resources for study. The fish were found approximately seven days after the water was redirected to the holding area. He then asked whether areas of the landfill were under the water table. Mr. Yardley replied that the site is being dammed to prevent water from flowing to the new construc- tion area Following the meeting, he added that the garbage is at the top edge of the ditch, about a foot to two feet above the garbage, but there is also a foot to a foot -and - a -half of clay between the water the sewage. There is a pond at the back of the site, he continued, which is used as an infiltration pond. Springs on the site have fed the pond for a number of years. The engineers want to retain the pond, and , they will also have a controlled outlet so the water can exit during heavy rainfall periods. The water, he said, is tested three times a year. A system of dams is currently in use at the site, to keep the new RECYCLING WEEK PROCLAMATION We, Leona Armstrong and Marie Hicknell, Reeves of the Corporations of the Township of Grey and Township of McKillop respectively, hereby declare the week of November 19th to 25th as Recycling Week. Leona Armstrong Reeve Township of Grey Marie Hicknell Reeve Township of McKillop NOTICE WALTON LANDFILL SITE RECYCUNG PROGRAM A compartment bin for recyclable materials is stationed at the Walton landfill Site. Recyclable materials will be accepted as follows: 1) NEWSPAPER: Newsprint and flyers that are mode out of newsprint. Please bundle or place in boxes or bogs. Nomagazines, catalogues, telephone books, glossy Ayers, envelopes, fine paper, etc. 2) GLASS: Household bottles and jars, preferably with- out the lids and preferably colour sorted into clear gloss and coloured glass. Must be rinsed or washed and the labels may be left on. No window pones, light bulbs, china, ceramics, etc. Gloss must also be in o recognizable form. i.e. not crushed. 3) METAL CANS: Food cons must be rinsed out, pop cons are occeptoble os is. Please flatten as much os possible. 4)PIAST1C SOFT DRiNK CONTAINERS: Remove the lids and flatten if possible. BE A GOOD SORT - CONTINUE TO RECYCLE TOWNSHIPS OF GREY AND McKILLOP if you have any questions, please osk do attendant on duty or confect ct your municipol office. NOTE: Any resident that did not receive o blue box when they ware initially distributed in 19119, please contod your municipal office. • eonroructx,o teens dry and to O011tttlM wager in die disposal int - In dile furl design for Mac awe, a glitch will be dug sound the pawnor to COUOCC4 dig. and stay awn from the n� M. Yatloy ionised tet a tekpatt>Ione inserview, that$ say water that carnes into cootaCt with the refuse is contained, and the engitlners are Iryin w ensure diet no waster is going Into tits meek and none is wrung out, the we of berms. With the current flow of water heading neutrally into the cunsulxarun site, Mr. Yardley stated, "Our complete goal is to get as much water into the pond as quickly as" QUESTIONS ANDSANSWERS Many questions were raised during a lengthy discussion period. Mr. Baker read a portion of Goderich Township's Secon- dary Plan, which stated that development would be permitted only when it meets the goals and policies of the plan. The plan, he said, also stated that Goderich Township should be kept as a fanning community, with Holmes- ville as a place for retired farmers. With the landfill site across the road, how can Holrnesville meet the goals of being a retirement community, he asked. . Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling agreed that while that was the original intent, such plans should be looked at every five years. When asked if the board had filed for an exemption, Mr. Crutcher replied that plans had been made to request an ap- plication after the October open house for the landfill, but the file was put on hold when this meeting was called. He added that the ministry had seen a draft of the exemption request, but said they wanted more clarification. The board hopes to make their application as soon as possible. Mr. Bye added that the exemption request will go to the minister of the environment, and the minister is very interested in public input. Patricia Baker of Holmesville stated that the anticipated life of the original site was five years in 1970, and it is not yet closed. With the new site being given a lifetime of nine years, she said she suspected K could last 36 to 50 yam "Who can suantamc mac years *vast mesa W SU?" she asked. M[. Oasburn replied that the five lis was probably estimated in Maim to the original five saves. Mr. Baker alleged this has zar - dous judustrug waste had be cu dumped at the sue, as he had heard from an anploycc with Champion Road Maclwirry is Goaalexldt that after the MOE blocked thou sewers at the plant, the waste was trucked to the Landfill site. He also asked about barrels which were found at the site, inquiring, "Were hazardous industrial wastes put into the site?" • A study into the barrels concluded that there was no ad- verse envuuiunental impact at the site, Mr. Bye explained, and just a half barrel of paint solvent was found. On the Champion situation, though, he said it was a very serious allegation, and would be followed up immediately. Stating he had heard there was also asbestos on the site, Mr. Baker asked why there is hazar- dous waste out there. Asbestos is not hazardous waste, Mr. Gasbarri replied. Following the meeting, Mr. Bye explained that the certificate of approval for the site allows landfilling of domestic, commercial and non- hazardous solid industrial waste. The question of whether any sites other than the one adjacent to the *nip Mrd boat looked at was ftealded by Larry Mckabc, secretary of the board. He stated that the loured telt they had au approved site, and il tbe) had a die. they altildinvurk on it. Them are a lot of 411061ws involved, he added, and everyone art wording for the bast of the site. The final questing$ of the cvalung was rotated by Mr. Baker, who started that under tie site's certificate ofal, the waste must be covered with six inches of fill at the end of each day. In a later interview, be said CODE has pictures taken in the mai-1980s which showed un- covered garbage on the side of the hill, and therefore the board's certificate should be null and void, because the cntaria was not met. During the meeting, he asked how many offenses have been comnutted because the six inches of cover were not provided. "Tbe Mid -Huron Landfill Site has never been charged... up to this point," Mr. Bye replied. Mr. McCabe added that since the board has taken over the run- ning of the site, the six inches of fill has existed. 11�1a1n ltto ' from page 1 Street South at George Street. A driver in a car in the driveway tried to make its way out of the driveway. When the car was halfway onto the street the truck reversed and struck the side of the car. The driver of the truck was charged with starting from a stopped position not in safety. G RY BANNON DECORATNG Call 527.1582 rier 6:00 PIM Campbell's Home Decorating Centre 527-1420 Interior and Exterior Painting *Wallpapering •Staining •Drywall Tap ' • Plaster Re ' : irs 1990 PROPERTY ASSESSMENT The annual Assessment Roll listing the assessed value of each property in your municipality will be delivered to your municipal clerk on December 18, 1990. The amount bf property tax (municipal and school) you will pay on your home or business in 1991 is determined by multiplying your assessed value by the mill rate, which is calculated by your municipality. The mill rate is based on the financial needs of your municipality, county or region, and school board. Notice of Property Valuation Notices of Property Valuation are mailed to property owners and tenants, prior to the delivery of the Assessment Roll, only if any of the information relating to their property assessment has changed during the past year, such as the assessed value, school support or address; or if they appealed their 1989 property assessment. Information Open Houses Whether or not you received a Notice of Property Valuation, you may have questions about your property assessment. If you do, please come to an infor- mation Open House. An assessor from the Ministry of Revenue's Regional Assessment Office will be available to explain your assessment, answer your questions, and change any inaccurate information relating to your property. If you have questions but can't make it to an Open House, please call or visit the Regional Assessment Office. The date and location of the Open House in your municipality and the address of the Regional Assessment Office are listed below. Appealing Your Assessment If you are still dissatisfied with your assessment after going to an Open House or contacting the Regional Assessment Office, you may appeal to the Assess- ment Review Board. The appeal must be filed within twenty-one days after the delivery of the Assessment Roll. To file an appeal, please use the form on the back of your Notice of Property Valuation, write a letter, or use a Notice of Appeal form. This form and the address of the Assessment Review Board are available at Open Houses, the Regional Assessment Office, and your municipal office. The final date for appealing your 1990 assessment is January 8, 1991. Schedule of Open Houses Seaforth Town Mon. Dec 3, 1- Spm, 6--8pm Brussels village Fri Nov 30. 1 -Spm. &--bpm Tuckersmith Township Thu Nov 29. 1 Spm. 6 $pm McKillop Township . Mon Dec. 3, 1 -Spm, 6 -bpm (:r'y Township .. Fri. Nov 30. 1 -Spm, 6 -bpm Morris Township Pal. Nov 30. 1 -Spm. 6 -bpm Hibbert Township Mon. Dec .3, 1 -Spm, 6--11pm Seaforth Town Hall, Council Chamber& Brussels Library, basement level Clinton Town Hall, Council Chamber& Seaforth Town Hall Council C hamper% Brussels Library. basement level Brussels Library, basement level Mitchell Town Hall. Upper Auditorium Ontario Ministry of Revenue Huron, Perth Regional Assessment Office P O Box 190 57 Napier Street Goderich. Ontario N7i1 3Z2 (519) 524 7326 1800.265 5192