The Citizen, 2016-10-13, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016.
Belgrave water metering could raise costs
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Users of the Belgrave water
system could be looking at an
increase in monthly cost with the
installation of water meters
according to Public Works Director
Jeff Molenhuis.
In a report to Morris-Turnberry
Council during its Oct. 4 meeting, it
was revealed that funding was
available to the township to install
water meters and backflow
protection in the village, the former
of which would likely result in a
increase in monthly costs according
to Molenhuis.
Metering would make it possible
to charge ratepayers based on usage,
which Molenhuis said would likely
lead to water conservation.
Of the $100,000 that installing the
products would cost, $50,000 in
federal funding and $25,000 in
provincial funding is available
according to the report.
Morris-Turnberry looked at a
similar program in 2011 that would
have been made possible through
funding from the Ontario
Community Infrastructure Fund
(OCIF), however, the municipality
was unsuccessful in its funding bid.
Council wondered whether
metering would be worthwhile, with
Deputy -Mayor Jamie Heifer asking
if there was water conservation
problem in the village.
"Is there evidence we are using
more water than necessary?" he
asked. "It is a small system, and we
need a certain amount going through
to keep the water fresh. Is there
evidence we're using more than that.
To me that needs to be answered
before we look at conservation
efforts."
Molenhuis didn't have usage
numbers available at the meeting,
but did say that he had reviewed
them when he was hired earlier this
year and didn't remember any "red
flags".
"Typically, properties in Morris-
Turnberry are residential," he said.
"In a place like Wingham there is
industrial use to content with."
Molenhuis also said the water
system currently functions normally
now with enough turn -over to not
impact water quality.
Councillor John Smuck said there
isn't significant medium density or
multiple -unit residential properties
in the municipality. He said without
that kind of development, there
wouldn't be a significant change in
the amount of money brought in by
metering the system.
Smuck also asked what kind of
impact individual metering would
have on billing, to which Molenhuis
said it should be minimal as, with
shared services with North Huron,
there could be less administrative
efforts necessary.
Councillor Sharen Zinn asked how
much ratepayers are looking at per
year versus how much they could
save with meters and was told $925
is the current rate, but higher
adminstration costs could potentially
have ratepayers who use less water
paying more than they do now.
Smuck said he wasn't comfortable
making the decision as Morris-
Turnberry Council has no
representatives that use the water
system and that, with a deadline of
the end of October to apply for
funding, there wouldn't be a great
deal of time to talk to ratepayers.
A motion to pursue the funding
was deferred until council's next
meeting as council felt more time
was needed to make the proper
decision.
Another great year
The Belgrave Community Centre Committee pulled off
another great year of the annual tradition of the Belgrave
Fowl Supper as 1,000 locals and visitors went home happy
and with full stomachs last week thanks to their hard work
Fundraiser for El
Saivador Oct. 22
PEOPLE AROUND
BELGRAVE
By Linda
Campbell
Call
357-2188
The community extends sincere
sympathy to George and Mary
Johnston in the loss of their mother,
Laura Johnston, formerly of
Belgrave who passed away on Oct. 1
at St. Marys hospital. Sympathy is
also extended to grandchildren Tara
and Scott Redmond and Erin and
Kyle Young and great-grandchildren
Makayla, Alanna, Lauren and Evan
and honorary grandchildren Julie,
Mike, Zachary, Ethan and Sarah
Hobgood and Jeff and Andrea
Leitch.
A fundraiser for El Salvador
House Building is being held in
Belgrave Knox United Church on
Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There
will be a bake and craft sale and
silent auction with lunch from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations for baking,
crafts and silent auction will be
gratefully appreciated. Vendors are
welcome to join with a donation for
table space. For more information
call Barb Harper 519-440-8826 or
Yvonne Coultes 519-357-2738.
Bethel Christian Reformed
Church is hosting a Sunday evening
service at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16 at 345
Elizabeth Street East, Listowel. Sam
VanderEnde, whom many of you
know, has been with the Foodgrains
Bank for 24 years, based in Addis
Ababa, and will bring a report from
Canadian Food Grains Bank
activities, as well as a perspective
honed from years of service. Please
consider attending and feel free to
share this invitation widely.
On Tuesday, Oct. 18 Huron Perth
UCW Fall Rally will be held in the
St. Mary's United Church. The
theme is `Be Thou My Vision".
Registration is at 6 p.m. Cost is $2
with dessert and beverage at 6:30
p.m. and program at 7 p.m. This
would be a good day to go out for
supper and then go to St. Mary's for
the rally. Please wear your name tag.
For more information call Muriel
Coultes at 519-357-1908.
and dedication. The annual dinner is the committee's largest
fundraiser of the year and enables the committee to run the centre
on its own, away from the shackles of municipal ownership. (Denny
Scott photo)
Honoured
Emily Meier was honoured on Friday night
Secondary School held its annual commencement
ceremony. Meier received the Garniss Family Award, which
goes to a resident of the Belgrave area who exhibited good
school citizenship, as well as contributing positively to the
community through involvement in community activities.
(Denny Scott photo)
as F.E. Madill
FROM BELGRAVE
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