Loading...
Huron Expositor, 2001-07-05, Page 3News Fence bylaws harmonized for Huron East pools By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Stott Huron East's chief building officer Paul Josling said he'll he on the lookout this summer for pools deeper than two feet that aren't surrounded by five-foot fences. "I don't physically have the time to look in everyone's backyard but if I see them, I'll follow it up. I've got two or three names and locations I've got to go see right now," he said at Huron East's committee meeting last Tuesday night. "We will be trying to get compliance across the board. It's really tough in the country but we'll keep trying there too since it doesn't matter if a kid drowns in the country or a town," he said. Council was discussing its proposed new swimming pool fence bylaw, which will cover the recently - amalgamated municipality of Huron East. "Paul has gone through the bylaws of various communities and is trying to get a standard bylaw for all areas," said clerk - administrator Jack McLachlan. He added that all five of the former municipalities now belonging to Huron East had some kind of swimming pool bylaw in effect before amalgamation. Whether or not bylaws were in place or properly enforced came into question three years ago when one child drowned in a pool in Tuckersmith Township, prompting other area municipalities to review their bylaws. The bylaw prohibits anyone from constructing a swimming pool without a fence permit from the chief building officer and prohibits any pools without fencing with a self-closing devise on the gate that is at least 48 inches from the ground . A swimming pool is defined as anything designed for swimming or wading that is deeper than two feet with a surface more than six square metres. Fines for anyone contravening the bylaw are up to $500 for a first-time offence and up to $1,000 for each subsequent offence. "Neighbours are good watch dogs because I've had some calls," said McKillop ward Coun. Sharon McClure. • Josling said the new bylaw does not include a regulation contained in the Quoted 'Neighbours are good watch dogs because I've had some calls,'-- MdCiNop Coun. Sharon McClure of calls about pools without fences. current bylaw in Brussels which stated that fences he inspected once every two years. "It's not in t h eir e because of the liability we would accept," he said. He added that if someone drowns in a pool whose fence was constructed under the bylaw and didn't meet the standard, the municipality would accept a lot of liability. However, with pools which were built before swimming pool fence bylaws were enacted, Josling said the municipality cannot force them to erect a fence. "I would strongly recommend a fence for safety," he said. Brissels ward Coun. Joe Seib asked if the pool bylaw covered ponds, since many people are constructing backyard ponds on their properties. "And, there are some deep ponds out there," added Brussels ward Coun. Greg Wilson. Josling said anything not designed for swimming cannot be regulated. Council debates who should pay for sewer line maintenance By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Staff Huron East homeowners should not be responsible for funding repairs of sanitary sewer lines that are not located on their property, argued Tuckersmith ward Coun. Larry McGrath when council discussed a new sewer maintenance policy at its June 26 committee meeting. The policy, presented by Public Works Coordinator John Forrest, states that Huron East won't be responsible for any maintenance on any sanitary sewer line from a home or commercial building to the main trunk line. "I want to setous (Huron East) responsible for repairs on our own part of the line," said McGrath. When Forrest said he's pulled "blue jeans and everything else" out of sewer lines and shouldn't he responsible for blocked toilets. McGrath agreed that tilt municipality should never be responsible for snaking a sewer line when a homeowner has plugged it by flushing something he or she shouldn't have. However, McGrath said tree roots can cause expensive damage to sewer titles on municipal property. "In Seaforth, homeowners used to be reponsible to their property lines and if the blockage is on town property I don't think it's a good idea to tell them they've got to dig out into a paved street," he said. "It becomes a very expensive problem for a homeowner and one they had no control over," said McGrath. Mayor Lin Steffler said expecting homeowners to take responsiblity for sewer blockages on municipal property is "confrontational" with the public. "I agree with Larry. If the problem's between the property line and the main line, we should take care Quoted it becomes a very expensive problem for a homeowner and one they have no control over,'-- 'Rfckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath. of it," she said. McKillop Coun. Sharon McClure said she is concerned a young couple might have to remortgage their home to pay for sewer repairs, while Brussels Coun. Joe Seili added someone might have to "put a for sale sign on the front lawn" when faced with such repairs. Forrest told council he would bring a reworked version of the maintenance policy to the next council meeting. ATTENTION Parents of Graduating Students Do your children attend St. Michaels & St. Anne's? Don't Miss Out!! Bring their photograph to The Huron Expositor to be published in our July 11 Graduation pages of the ,i.ron • DEADLINE - Thursday. July 5th 100 Main St., Seaforth 527-0240 4 TNI HURON IXPO$ITOR, July 4, 2001-0 Sc Barn destroyed ott Hilgendorff photo Seaforth firefighters saved a driving shed attached to a McKillop ward barn the ground Thursday morning around 8 a.m. Passersby saw the fire in the ea and alerted the owners. The cause of the fire is undetermined and Deputy C farm machinery stored in the barn was destroyed. No livestock were in the was injured. which burned to st end of the barn ief Tom Sills says barn and no one Huron East to pay for fitness gear Huron East should pay for $5,400 in fitness equipment for the Vanastra Recreation Centre if the Vanastra Lions Club isn't interested in making a donation. Tuckersmith ward Coun. Larry McGrath told council at its June 26 meeting. "This is a facility we're trying to get people in to use and I don't think we can't put something in that room to make it usable," he said. Tuckersmith ward Coun. Bill deJong said he hadn't yet had a chance to ask the Vanastra Lions if they wanted to donate money towards the equipment and Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan said council should determine if the Lions would consider paying half the cost. "For an extra week. let's see what they're willing to do," said MacLellan. But, McGrath recommended taking the money out of the $17.000 reserve Huron East has for the Vanastra Recreation Centre. The equipment includes $1,282 for a rack, weights and bench, $1,375 for a multi - gym cascade unit and $2,754.95 for a cross trainer. 1 Kim Jamieson RMT Registered Massage Therapist Contact Seaforth Chiropractic Centre 527-1242 for an appointment LAWN QUESTIONS? %Oka 524-2424 "No Sweat' AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRS and NEW INSTALLATIONS Don't lose your cool over a malfunctioning air conditioning unit - call us instead! AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING SPECIALISTS Sales/Service/Installation L. McGRATH PLUMBING & HEATING INC. Seaforth 522-0493 r 1 Lose up to x I pounds daily I 1 without exercising 1 or dieting I LQOKGOOD! I TEEL GREAT! www. Saving4U.corn aa� z v � 1 L ONLINE -COUPONS I Select Health and Fitness Category to find toll gree number