The Citizen, 2003-08-20, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2003.
Few turn out to Huron E. water meeting
By David Blaney
Special to The Citizen
If the public meeting held by
Huron East is any indication area
residents are resigned to substantial
increases in their water rates. The
Aug. 12 meeting of council to
discuss the proposed increases
generated little interest as only four
ratepayers attended to express their
concerns.
Huron East currently has four
separate water systems but only one
ratepayer from the Brucefield area
and three from Seaforth were in
attendance.
At an earlier meeting Brussels
councillor Greg Wilson commented
that ratepayers in his ward didn’t
need a public meeting because they
knew that higher rates were coming
and the public response would seem
Johnston to seek releetion in M-T
Another Huron County politician
has thrown his hat into the ring for
re-election this November.
Keith Johnston, mayor of Morris-
Turnberrj announced early in
August that he would seek a second
term, citing many projects he would
like to see through to their
conclusion.
Among those is the new
ambulance station for the Wingham
to have confirmed his opinion.
Only two areas of significant
concern were discussed at the
meeting. The first, expressed by a
Seaforth-area resident, was the
manner in which the municipality
calculated water rates in that ward.
The second, expressed by several
councillors, concerned the
connection charges for new hookups
to the existing system.
Most residents of Huron East pay
for their water through a flat-rate
charge added to their tax bills. In
Seaforth however several apartment
buildings have water meters either
for individual apartments or for the
building as a whole. Councillors
appeared confused about whether
the flat rate charge applied to
apartments in buildings with a
communal meter.
Deputy-Mayor Bernie MacLellan
a very
strong
had to
area, which Johnston said is
exciting project.
Believing himself to be a
leader, Johnston said he has
make some tough decisions, but that
they were in the best interest of the
taxpayers.
Working through the
amalgamation of two mainly rural
municipalities, Johnston said they
have merged well, particularly the
suggested, “If I remember correctly
we talked about the minimum fee
being charged whether water was
used or not because it was to
maintain the system.”
Other councillors however seemed
to feel that attaching a minimum fee
to all the apartments in a building
with a communal meter was not
what had been intended.
Unfortunately, treasurer Brad
Knight was on vacation and an
explanation of the Seaforth billing
system, satisfactory to all, was not
forthcoming.
Councillors were also unable to
establish new connection charges at
this time as suggestions ranging
from $850 to $3,500 met with
disapproval for one reason or
another. Current charges in the
municipality range from a low of
$450 to a high of $2,500 for a
which has
efficient
public works department
used taxpayers’ money
•y-
He is also proud, of
ability to attain a zero
increase in taxes in
year.
Johnston has worked with interest
on the improvement of water
systems and the implementation of
new nutrient management
council’s
per cent
the last
residential connection.
Brussels councillors suggested a
fee of $1,000 for new connections
but others on council felt that the fee
should be higher to account for the
added costs to water systems in areas
that could experience a significant
number of new connections
’resulting on pressure to improve the
system.
Councillors also discussed
whether charges should be the same
across the municipality so that high
charges in one area would not drive
away development.
Councillor Larry McGrath stated
flatly, “I believe water and sewage
connection charges should be the
same across Huron East.”
MacLellan disagreed. “I don't
think it is right to paint the area with
the same paintbrush. If you are in
Brucefield hooking up to the water
regulations.
In the coming term, Johnston sees
the landfill site as an important
issue. He would also like to see more
industrialization in the wards,
providing economic development
and jobs for residents.
system the $2,500 charge is pretty
minor compared to drilling a well.”
At the request of clerk
administrator Jack McLachlan,
council passed the new flat rate
charges in order not to delay the
issuing of the fall tax bills.
The new rates will result in a
combined water and sewage rate of
$42 a month in Brussels up from the
current rate of $34.50. Seaforth-area
residents will see a rate increase of
$10.15 to a total of $40.60.
The difference in rates results
from a provincially mandate policy
that users of the system must pay the
actual costs of running the water
system even if it results in differing
charges for residents of the same
municipality.
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Morris-Tumberry briefs
Council files objection
to county forest bylaw
Morris-Tumberry councillors filed
an objection to the county forest
conservation bylaw at the Aug. 12
meeting. •
Council objected to the section
which required a registered
professional forester ora member in
good standing of the Ontario
Professional Foresters Association to
mark woodlots prior to destroying or
injuring trees.
***
Council supported the Blyth and
District fire board to purchase a
tanker truck for a maximum of
$164,550.
i ***._
The Harding/Colquhoun property
owners were given an irrevocable
extension of 30 days, to Sept. 15, to
satisfy chief building official Albert
Nauss with all requirements for the
building permit process or the
structure will have to be removed
***
Council agreed to proceed with the
transfer of part of the fire lane
between Lots 250 and 253, known as
Alice Street, Belmore, to Dave
Welsh. He will pay the costs of the
survey and legal matters. The
transfer is subject to approval by the
Dave
planing department.
***
Council authorized
Woodward from Lerners to prepare a
bylaw to confirm ownership of
Gibbons Line. A meeting will be set
up with George Gibbons to discus
the width of the road.
***
Public works co-ordinator Barry
O’Krafka and employee Gary Pipe
were authorized to attend a fishing
trip sponsored by
Control.
bi-weekly, paid by the municipality.
This will be reviewed annually.***
A quote from Maitland Manor
Nursery for the construction of
Bluevale Park was accepted.***
The former Turnberry office
property will be listed for sale with
Prudential for three months at a price
of $80,000.
Da Lee Dust
CONSTRUCTION LTD.
R.R. 2 Bluevale
• Licensed Septic Installations
• Screened & Field Topsoil
• Bark Mulch • Sand • Gravel • Fill
• Backhoeing • Bulldozing • Excavating
• Loading & Hauling
Give us a call 887-9061 Fax 887-8734
Cell Phone 357-6547
C.Q.P.E. at C.H.S.S.
***
Road accounts in
$55,795.73 were
payment.
the amount of
approved for
***
Lorna Cook will be billed $554.23
for water line repair on Jane Street,
Belgrave. The municipality
absorbed some of the cost due to the
transition period.***
A quote from Bridge Motors, for
$300, to paint the dump box on the
new truck was accepted.***
A four-yard bin for recycleables
will be placed at Braemar
Retirement Home at a charge of $15
Dangerous
Teach young children to tell
a grown-up when they find
matches and lighters.
r
Are you between the ages of 16 and 21?
Have you been out of school for 3 months or more and are looking
for ways to improve your employability skills and/or earn credits
towards your high school diploma? You may be interested in the
COPE program.
Cope is a program for youth and young adults between the ages of
16 and 21 who have been out of high school for a period of 3
months or more and who are looking for a way to improve
employability skills and earn credits towards a high school
diploma. Cope is a 1 year program designed to help those students
currently not enrolled in school full-time, prepare to return to
school full-time or enter into the work world.
Cope students spend 2 days per week in the classroom studying
personal life management, doing group work or correspondence
courses. The remaining 3 days of the week are spent at a work
placement.
To register for COPE this September,
call Student Services at 482-3471
for an application form.
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Learning for a Lifetime
BOX OFFICE 1-877-TO BLYTH
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FROM THE BARN, PART II by Ted Johns
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