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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1983-07-20, Page 14 , o tncorporptiny Brussels Post 50c' per cop, xmitor SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 "1183 18 PAGES Incinerator. doubly Engineers stgdyingg garbage disposal alternatives for Seaforth, McKiltop and Tuckersmith investigated incinerators,. but 'found capital costs were twice those of landfill. - Although he didn't cite figures, George Godin. of B.M. Ross and Associates says costs of vartqus new types of incinerators, described. by 'Ernest Williams in a letter to the Expositor last week, were obtained from Ontario suppliers. As well, incineration was rejected because it still requires landfilling of the residue that's left after burning, Mr. Godin says. At last year's public meeting Mr. Williams said he thought comments from Burns Ross meant "we could expect a good look 'at incineration and to come through with some figures." While he's not sure incineration is the answer for this area (Mr. Godin says a population of at (east 200,000, rather than the 6,800 here, is needed for it to be feasible) Mr. Williams wants costs on various alternatives outlined for the public. "We need information to form our opinions.' HAZARDS "•Is it not worth a little, extra in capital costs to get rid of the hazards, the perpetual care lnvblved with a dump?," he wonders. Incinerators described by Mr. Williams don't have a long history of use, Mr. Godin says. But if technology exists to make small ears, an 'u cinerator could bale incineration e O installed intractical in 10 he landfill site then. There's certainly a track record on dumps," a bad one, Mr. Williams replies. He says he's concerned that public participation in the landfill site decision be real, not just "a front." While he's all for expert advice, the former Seaforth town Berk says elected politicians and residents still have the intelligence and responsibility to compare and make decisions. INTEREST ONLY Another area resident, Tom - oonder- woerd of Hibbert, says the land 1 site committee could use his land for a dump by paying the interest cost on what will be paid for the McLlwain site and access to it •in McKillop, estimated at $128,000. ' Do engineers consider cost at all, he asks. Th town for example might tender for a • $500 typewriter, "why not for a dump?" Leasing could die chetlpeK. and was discussed at other possible,. Fates, the engineer. Mr, Godin says, but the site finally selected by 'elimination was available by . .purchase. To thoroughly test more than one -site at a time would almost double study, costs, he adds. Although .engineers visited the Schoon' derwoerd property once, its owner sayt he doesn't care where the dump ends t r'p. But he wishes more people question la Solution. "Maybe the landfill is the.. Atoper whole dump idea is wrong." On the other hand, if the dump were managed as well as Mitchell's,. Mr. Schoonderwoerd says he wouldn't mind living right at it. MANAGEMENT KEY Management is the key, Mr. Godin agrees. And it will be the joint responsibility ef the landfill site committee. Seaforth's reg, reeve Bill Campbell, says the committee is awaiting the engineer's final report. Neighbours are worried about water, "and I'm concerned about that too." "However, if everything they tell us is true, I don't think there's any danger;" at 0 > the proposed site. Mr. Schoonderwoerd takes a different position, "Nobody\ questions enough." if there's a mess at the new landfill site 10 years later It doesn't help to say "well there were experts..." He wants lots of public input to make the "best decision9Ptissible," The urgency to find a place for.--Seaforth's garbage,(counciI has passed an agreement with the itlinistry of environment to close the present dump by March, 1984) doesn't mean the engineers will overlook anything, Mr. Godin says. If there's a hold up, the Holmesvllle site could be used temporarily. The engineer, like reeve Campbell, says he has not gotten a lot Of pressure against the McKillop site. it's approval, . at a ,consolidated hearings board session to Dome, will depend on how well the homework, covering all the angles has been done, Are carefully selected sites ever turned down? Yes, Mr. Godin says. A municipal landfill site in Oxford County was rejected a couple of months ago because of the evidence of a citizens' group which opposed it. anted: a more beautiful town Seaforth's Horticultural Society would like town council to beautify the town. But not all councillors feel that's the municipality's job. Council could set aside funds and beautify a different section of town each year, suggested Society president, Ruth Beutten- miller, in a presentation to council July 12. "I'd like to sec Seaforth with a bit of green on the main street. t'.it's now nothing but walls." There's "no public planting at all at the main intersection," and some is badly needed, added Gladys Doig, longtime chairman of the Society's civic improvement committee. The entrances to the town ate the third area the women suggest could use some beautification. While Hensall's new entrance on Highway 4 is "beautiful and inviting," Seaforth has '+absolutely nothing," the president said. BIA'S JOB Grants are not available and the BIA would have to get a loan for`beautiflcation and pay it back, councillor Paul Ross said. "The BIA would be very interests in co-operating with you. I agree the tow] could stand some beautifying.' LAC.AC is concerned with downtown too, said councillor Ross, with its proposed Downtown Heritage District. and he suggest- ed bringing all the groups together with council's transportation and environment committee. "It's a joint responsibility of citlzens and council." Planting trees to link Maifi St. with Victoria Park was suggested by the consultant who presented the recreation master 'plan to council. noted' councillor Hazel Hildebrand. Hcnsall BIA has bcautitiett its town. she said, Hensall's entrance sign on Highway 4 and "rather than spending all theirmoney'ou' promotion of the town ' Seaforth's BIA should spend some on beautification. All these groups are interested in the downtown. commented councillor Bill Mart- in. "It's important not to step on anybody's toes.,. FOUND FAULT Sonic years ago. a BIA study of the women stressed that expert advice, from, prt'efessionals, is needed before it's decided what to plant where. Mrs. Doig, whose 11 committee members take turns every week cleaning out the 12 flower boxes they've elanted on Main St., was cautiously optimistic about council's reception. The Society would like some leadership from the town, she says, adding that the public seems very concerned with how Seaforth looks, and disappointed at' the removalof flower baskets. A Society • volunteer, Edgar Allen. watered the baskets every morning with a trolley and tank. in the early days. Vandalism will always be a problem "but we shouldn't let tufa stop us...we have to be persistent." There eduld be more boxes planted, or flower baskets hung up again. We're willing to co-operate with anything you plan on doing," she told council. • SUMMER JOBS .With an organized joint effort, summer jobs could be created for students to look after public plantings in Seaforth, Mrs. Doig says. The Seaforth Horticultural Society hired an expert and got plants established at the entrance+ td putoutMks. (oig says, and :downtown "found :fault, with soave" Sof theyv:Rnercjtants efigc' 8ollat+i•d tay foV$ a„All things we were doing,” Mrs. Doig said. ".1 ` privitlg around the Bo.,Prea, you pass felt we should work -together," so she talked these• beautiful towns", the president, to Jerry Hetherington of the BIA who Mrs. Beuttenmiller says, and the contrast agreed. Mayor Alf Ross ended the discussion with Seaforth is sad. it's the Society's aim at council with the suggestion that LACAC, to "have our town a place of beau the BIA and the Horticultural Society all be By the way, the brackets which used to invited to send reps to the next transportation hold hanging baskets of flowers on Main and environment committee meeting. Both Please turn to page 23 Charge is laid, planning Applications to A Seaforth property owner who had foundations poured before he had a building permit has been charged by building inspector Herman VanWeiren. Leo Medd's court date is Aug. 11 in Goderich. Mr. Medd's lot, at the -corner of Ann and James St., will be the subject of an OMB hearing. Two neighbours have objected to the committee of adjustment's decision to allow him a minor variance to zoning bylaws. The existing Victorian frame house on the property faces James St. Mr. Medd plans to have the new house face Ann and sought a minor variance to build closer to the street than zoning allows. Clerk Jim Crocker assured council July 12 that their involvement is limited to signing an agreement with Mr., Medd which will allow him to live in the old house while the new one is built. He explained the objectors' appeals to the OMB had been held up somewhat because the fee to appeal is $100, not $25 as he had thought. The objectors, neighbours Dick Burgess ' and David and Christine Tremeer have since paid the additional $75, but no date has been set for the hearing. LAST TO LEAVE—Sister Mary Louis, right, was the last nun to leave theconvent, operated by the St. James Roman Catholic parish. Opened in 1913, the closing was a result of lack of personnel. Sister Mary has moVBd to Zurich and a second nun, Sister Eileen Foran, a teacher at St. James Separate School, has moved to London. Sister Mary Catherine, left, assisted her blood sister with the moving. There are no immediate plans for the convent. (Wasslnk photo) [had @ W(@®[ cost more "What is the objection?" asked councillor Wayne Ellis. A number of things," the clerk replied. "There are minutes from two quite lengthy hearings (of committee of adjustment) in my office." NEW BOARDS Meanwhile, although the faces will remain the same, a new Planning Aot means that council had to appoint committee of adjustment and planning board members. Under the new act, planning authority moves from the town to the county. But Huron has delegated the authority back to the towns that want it, including Seaforth. Present members Ken Oldacre; Lloyd Rowat; Jim Gould; Bruce Hoelscher; Piet Loomans and Brenda Reid were re -appoint- ed to the committee of adjustment and to the newly named planning advisory committee. Two councillors, Henry Mero and Bill Martin presently on planning board, join them there. The two councillors were the only appointees to a new committee of council which will hold statuatory public meetings Please turn to page 23 BUSINESS WAS SLOW Monday at a Kool Aid stand operated by Andrea Moore, left, and Meagan Alkemade. Drinks were being sold on a "No Money Back" basis,becaab the n photo) Kool Aid tasted horrible says Meagan. Refreshment stand husuness_is.boring BY RON WASSINK Hot, humid, 30 degree plus weather has seen many new businesses open in Seaforth - Kool Aid stands. While satisfying their own thirst, some kids realize money can be made as a result of the heat. Andrea Moore and Meagan Alkemade have become regular business operators on Goderich Street, west. They opened their fourth refreshment stand in little more than a week. Money was good, business'brisk, but the twosome were more than a little bored with lack of business on Monday. The girls have made $4.50 in profit from their three previous ventures. Operating a stand is old -hat for them. Having prepared the Kool Aid, they set up shop in front of the Moore residence, selling a drink that refreshes, at 10 cents for a small cup, 20 cents for a large. They even recycle the plastic cups in their small, water filled container. AT OWN RISK The most probablecause for brisk business is their honesty. On Monday. their sign said "No Money Back Guarantee." A previous sign said, "Drink at Your Own Risk." "We put that on the sign because it tasted horrible, ' says Meagan. We drank most of it ourselves anyway." "My morn came home, tasted it, and said we forgot to add the sugar," said Andrea. "We poured most of the pack down the drain." "1 said, there goes 25 cents down the drain," says Meagan. "And it sure went down fast," adds Andrea. As with most small businesses of this scale. most of the product is consumed by the retailer. The girls had no customers Monday Station break-in a first A break-in at the Seaforth police station resulted in 575 damage to the front door. Attempts were made to pry the lock. Entry was gained by breaking a window in the door. The June 11 break-in was first noticed by a London Free Press driver at 5:30 a.m. A police officer had been on duty until 4. "Nothing of value was taken." said constable Charles Akey, the investigating officer. "We don't know how many people are involved. Charges have not been laid, but there are suspects." At the time of the occurrence, confiscated liquor was stored at the station, as were police radios. All these items were accounted for. "This is why we went with steel doors on the new police station," said police chief Hal Claus. The station break-in is a first for Seaforth. when interviewed, but had consumed half of their Kool Aid. "We don't drink if cars go by because it's embarrassing to be seen with a glass in your face," says Andrea. "It's very boring waiting for customers, but it's not boring getting the money. 1 need something to fill my pockets.' The girls make up half the members of a private club called. "The Bandits". No. they aren't ripping off their customers, but possibly their other two members. who are brothers. SPLIT THE MONEY "We're, splitting the money between the two of us," said Andrea. "We're not telling the other members of the club. They suggested we keep the money for the club." "No way." Meagan said. "We're going to spend it for ourselves. I'm sort of saving the money for something special, something expensive. 1 like expensive things. 1 love cheeses that are expensive.' "I'm keeping mine for Canada's Wonder- land," said Andrea. The girls said their club was a secret. "Those two boys are going to kill us." Andrea says. "It's supposed to be a secret and now it will he a public club." When asked if they had a business licence. • Meagan shrugged her shoulders saying she didn't know. "But it sounds like a good idea," said Andrea. "We're going to keep doing it until we have enough money." said Andrea. "But we don't want the whole town buying off us.' "We'd always run out and be too busy." Meagan said. "My mom and dad arc going to kill me for being the talk of the town.- " And own.'"And here I thought we had a customer,' one girl said to the other as the reporter was leaving the stand. Town -hopes to save A chance to save money and increase Flexibility in the town office is the reason council will hire "up to two persons" as part-time secretaries to fill one full-time vacancy. Town secretary Connie Marion moves up to become bookkeeper, when the incumbent, Dorothy Bassett, retires at the end of the month. Council can save 52,400 a year in benefits, and possibly cut some hours, by hiring two part-timers to replace Mrs. Marion, finance chairman Hazel Hildebrand explained. "Will you try it with one or hire two right off the bat. asked councillor Henry Mero. None of the 16 applicants has been interviewed yet, Mrs. Hildebrand replied. The idea of hiring two part-timers was put in the 1983 budget as an experiment. the clerk explained.. "There was some feeling that two part-time jobs arc better for the community. At least you have two people working.' And having two part-timers gives the office Flexibility. During slow times total hours for the two might be/25 per week. while "at tax or budget time it would be more than 35 hours a week." 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