The Citizen, 2016-03-17, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016.
Extended lease of NH Greenway, G2G lands proposed
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Potential legal escape routes will
play a big part of a proposed bylaw
to extend the lease agreement
between North Huron and the
province for the lands that constitute
the Greenway Trail in and around
Blyth.
During North Huron Township
Council's March 7 meeting, staff
were told the prepare a bylaw to
authorize extending the lease of the
land from the provincial govern-
ment, however with some portions
of the trail in questionable condition,
council was concerned that major
repairs may be necessary.
The motion to have staff prepare a
bylaw was originally part of the
long-term goal for the province to
sign a lease with Huron County for
the entirety of the Goderich-to-
Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail throughout
the county according to Director of
Recreation and Facilities Pat
Newson.
"When that happens, there will be
provisions in this new extension that
would end our lease with the
province," she said. "Then we could
either lease the land from the county,
manage it together or come up with
another option. Currently leased
parts of the trail are maintained by
those leasing them while previously
unleased parts are leased to the G2G.
The long-term goal from the
province is to have Huron County
take over all these leases."
Councillor Bill Knott said he was
concerned about how this move will
affect the Blyth Memory Garden,
which is part of land being leased.
"What's going to happen if the
G2G doesn't want it?" Knott asked.
"If we transfer the lease as it stands
now, it transfers along with every-
thing else."
Newson explained that signing the
extension wouldn't change
the day-to-day operations of the
trail.
"We will continue to operate our
lease until such time as this lease
ends, which is five years from now,
or the county takes over the entire
lease," she said. "At that time, dis-
cussions could be had but the inten-
tion is we would have opportunities
to meet with the county and discuss
that issue."
Deputy -Reeve James Campbell
asked if council was sure they want-
ed to be responsible for the bridge
and archway that are part of the trail,
which caused the structure to be a
focal point for council's discussion
of the issue.
"If there are ongoing expenses,
who owns the bridge?" Campbell
asked.
Newson explained the bridge is
owned by the province, however
North Huron is leasing it. As part of
the new document, bridge inspec-
tions must be done and would be fit
into the township's regular bridge
inspections in 2017.
"We inspect 11 other bridges at the
same time to save money," she said.
"We would have the opportunity to
close the bridge if it doesn't pass
inspection. We can also talk to other
people. Our trail includes [the arch]
so we aren't allowed to lease the
land without it."
Newson said there would nothing
to fear for the county until the
inspection is completed and even
then there are ways to mitigate
potential problems.
"We don't want a $500,000 repair
job for a structure we don't own,"
she said.
Councillor Trevor Seip said he
wasn't behind any kind of agreement
that would place the burden of main-
taining or repairing the bridge on the
taxpayers of North Huron.
"We don't own the bridge, so why
would we ask the tax payers of
North Huron to take on the fees for
it?" he asked. "We have enough
things we own. If we have outs that
we can use to get out of this agree-
ment because of problems with the
bridge, then I support the lease. If
there's no out, I can't support that for
a North Huron ratepayer to take on
Pulling ahead
The Blyth Legion Branch recognized several students from Hullett Central Public School
recently for their efforts in the Remembrance Day colour poster contest held annually. Above,
from left: McBurney, Alex Fielding (third place Intermediate), Alaina Poland (second place
intermediate) and Govier. Below: Back row, from left: Legion President Ric McBurney, Brette
Brohman (first place Junior), Legion Youth Education Chairperson Donna Govier. Front row:
Abby Bos (second place Junior), Legend Emmerton (second place Primary), Elizabeth
Howson (third place Primary), Helen Lindsay (first place Primary) and Emily Meilhausen (third
place Junior). (Denny Scott photos)
the cost for a property they don't
technically own"
Newson said staff had reached out
to G2G representatives as
it was understood the group was
receiving financial aid for bridges on
the trail.
"If, in 2017, the bridge is a chal-
lenge, there may be opportunities
through the G2G group to reach out
for help," she said. "There are outs in
the document, however. There is a
determination clause, but then the
whole agreement is gone."
Council also wondered where the
snowmobile use of the trail fell if
anything went wrong during snow-
mobile season.
Newson explained this particular
document actually handled the
snowmobile situation differently
than in the past, which put the town-
ship in a better place.
"The old lease didn't allow us to
have sub -permit agreements with the
snowmobile club," she said, explain-
ing that the club's insurance covers
any issues on the trail instead of
North Huron.
Despite some concerns with how
some insurance claims are still be
laid against landowners instead of
snowmobile clubs in cases where
snowmobilers find themselves
injured, council approved the cre-
ation of the new document.
Public workshop for
`Fighting 61st' set
Continued from page 6
number of scenes for those in atten-
dance and then inviting audience
participation afterwards to discuss
some of the stories and hear what
the audience thought of the charac-
ters being portrayed.
The process isn't something that's
often done, Garratt said in an inter-
view with The Citizen, but it's some-
thing that both Thompson and
Garratt thought would be tremen-
dously helpful given the subject
matter and how important it is to the
history of Huron County residents.
The group's research has not only
included stories of those connected
to World War I, but also what life
was like in Huron County while
many men and women were over-
seas fighting.
There is no cost to attend the pub-
lic workshop, simply show up at the
Festival offices ahead of Saturday
night's 8 p.m. start time.
For those who cannot attend the
Saturday night workshop in Blyth,
the group will also be performing on
Thursday, March 17 at the Listowel
Legion beginning at 1 p.m.
WI makes plans for
district convention
Continued from page 6
product. Several ladies remembered
when their families gathered syrup.
A new feature for the tour is the
baby animals in the barn.
The ladies ate, they learned and
they walked during their very enjoy-
able afternoon. A short business
meeting allowed Walton and
Brussels time to complete decorat-
ing and registration plans for their
shared hosting of the Huron Perth
district annual convention on May
25 at the Brussels Legion. Walton
programs for 2016-2017 were
shared for their 60th anniversary
celebration for the Walton Women's
Institute and for the celebrating of
Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017.
Celebrating birthdays this past
week include Bridget McCallum,
Carali McCall Hughes, Alex
Melady, Linda Bird, Allison Baan,
Colton Hastings, Victoria
Williamson, Joanne Black, Karla
Kale, Jo -Anne Workman, Parker
Grobbink, Christine Knight, Lisa
Gingerich, Jim Humphries, Ross
Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Cassandra
Banks, Edward Clark, Reg
Vinnicombe, Ray Huether Jr.,
Celeste Ryan, Cora Alcock,
McKinley Ryan and Don Chesher.
Happy birthday to all.
A correction...
In last week's edition of The
Citizen, one story made mention of
the two -headed calf on display at
the Huron County Museum in
Goderich.
While this is true, the museum is
actually home to two full-body taxi-
dermied two -headed calves on dis-
play.
One of the calves is a Holstein
Friesian male born in 1936, while
the other is a female Shorthorn born
around 1925.
The Citizen apologizes for the
omission.
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