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Huron Expositor, 2005-09-07, Page 66 - September 7.2005 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR `e %% s Council concerned about water legislation changes Proposed changes could take water management out of control of local municipalities, which only now in Vanastra and partially in Seaforth, would be mandatory. McLachlan said the changes also propose requiring that each water system must be financially capable of replacing anything that needs updating and that provincial funding will no longer be available after 2012. "Isn't that unrealistic?" asked Deputy Mayor Bernie MacLellan. During the past several years, Huron East brought all of its water systems up to standard with the help of a two-thirds grant from the By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Changing provincial water legislation could be tougher and mostly out of the control of local municipalities, Huron East council was told at its Aug. 30 meeting. "There's going to be no fooling around. You're going to be prosecuted if you're not following the rules when they come around," Clerk - Administrator Jack McLachlan told council after attending the annual water system. Association of Municipalities While Seaforth had a PUC of Ontario (AMO) conference to manage its water and Aug. 16. electricity, that structure was McLachlan presented discontinued more than five council with the proposed years ago when the province changes to drinking water privatized hydro services. legislation and how they will Each water system might affect municipalities. need a minimum of 10,000 He outlined how each customers "whenever municipality will be required possible," which is a larger to be part of a county -wide number than the population business plan and to create a of Huron East. separate corporation, similar McLachlan said Huron to the former Public Utilities East has been exploring, Commission (PUC), to run its along with five or six other municipalities in Huron, Perth and Wellington the possibility of tendering together for one company to run their water systems but that the recommended changes would mandate a larger water system instead of leaving it up to the choice of any individual municipality. And, water metering, THE #1 TRIBUTE TO ABBA MAMA MIA... it's ainiosi SATURDAY SEPT. 21 2005 8 PM at the Memorial Hall in Blyth FOR INFO 519-523-9300 Tickets available at Ernie King Music in Goderich 8 Wingham, Dixie Lee in Clinton, Blyth Hall/Festival Box Office and the Blyth General Store. MASSAGE THERAPIST and REIKI PRACTITIONER Becky Campbell 527-2058 137 Market St. Seaforth • Evening Appointnten TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 STRATFORD AIR SERVICES Call Today + 271-4881 province and the federal government. Mayor Joe Seili responded that the government officials writing the new legislation are all earning more than $150,000 a year. "They don't figure $400 a year to pay for water is much. They think we should be able to pay a lot more and that's fine if you're making $150,000 a year. That's the scary part," he said. Tuckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath said larger urban municipalities with larger populations will have an easier time. "Do these people even look council told past the CN Tower?" asked McGrath. Seili said the new legislation is written for single -tier government, not two-tier governments like Huron East and Huron County. "Water and waste water will become an upper tier function - there's no doubt about it," added McLachlan. "The axe is coming down. More and more regulations are written for one -tier government," said Seili. "We know what they do with ambulances so wait until they get ahold of our water systems," he said. Huron East"Fire Chief Marty Bedard holds one of the fire call boxes found recently on the third floor of town hall. Old fire call boxes found on town hall's third floor One of three old fire call boxes found on the third floor of Seaforth's town hall during the Doors Open event in July will be sold to an interested The Threat Is Real Reduce the Risk of West Nile Virus West Nile Virus is present in Huron County's bird population. As the days get shorter and cooler, mosquitoes are still present and precautions are necessary. How to prevent mosquitoes bites: • Take precautions outdoors, especially in early morning, early evening and in heavily wooded areas during the day, when mosquitoes are most active. • Wear light-coloured clothing and cover up whenever possible. • Use insect repellent containing DEET, and be sure to follow instructions on the label. • Reduce mosquito breeding sites by eliminating Standing water around your home (i.e. change water in bird baths twice a week, clean eaves troughs regularly, aerate ornamental ponds, etc.). What the Health Unit is doing: • The Health Unit will no longer be submitting dead birds for viral testing as we have reached our limit. However, the Health Unit is still interested in receiving dead bird sightings from the public. • Mosquito trapping and viral testing will continue throughout the County until the first frost. To find out more, visit our website at www.huroncounty.ca, or call the Huron County Health Unit at 482-3416 Ext. 2001. If calling long distance, dial toll free 1-877-837-6143 Ext. 2001. buyer, Huron East council was told on Tuesday. But, a few councillors wanted to find out what the historic item was worth before selling it. "We can sell it on eBay first and see what the price is," suggested Grey Coun. Mark Beaven. "My guess is they're worth a whole lot more than we think," suggested Brussels Coun. David Blaney, who offered to research the call box's value. Clerk -Administrator Jack McLachlan said two of the three call boxes found in town hall would be given to the Seaforth fire hall, adding that one is already on display at the Seaforth museum. The fire call boxes are part of an old alarm system which involved close to 25 boxes located around the streets of Seaforth until the mid-1950s. The street corner boxes were hooked up to a system at town hall. If someone wanted to report a fire, they would turn a knob on the box, which would set off an alarm and alert the fire department about the area in town where the fire was located. "They go back to the early days," said Seaforth fire chief Tom Phillips during a phone interview. "I remember seeing them as a kid. There used to be 20 or 30 or them." Phillips said he wanted to keep the two to preserve the town's history. "I don't like giving away more than we have to. The junk from this town is worth something to me," he said. He said the call boxes, after the system was abandoned, used to be given away to retiring chiefs as keepsakes and have become rare over the years. But, as for value, Phillips said they'd only be worth something to a collector of firefighter memorabilia. By Susan Hundertmark Office ransacked during break-in at Kelly's Auto 1 Ilir on OP A window was smashed and the office ransacked during a break-in at Kelly's Auto Service on Birch Street in Seaforth on Sept. 6 at 3 a.m. Huron OPP responded to an alarm at the Seaforth Gds 1 Quartet Concert 41( ne Sun., Sept. 18, 2005 2:30 p.m. 170th Anniversary Egmondville United Church Adults $10.00 Under 12 yrs - free Tickets at Pete's Paper Clip At the doors day of concert business and arrived to find the culprits had fled. A witness saw an older model green Mazda leave the area with three men. A vehicle sitting in the garage was also entered and the contents were scattered over the floor. Nothing was stolen. Anyone with related information is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers. Woman charged with driving while suspended in Seaforth A 49 -year-old Huron East woman was charged with driving while suspended on Aug. 25. She was spotted driving a red 1998 Fifth Avenue on Main Street in Seaforth by an officer who knew she had her driving privileges suspended. The woman is scheduled to attend court in Goderich on Oct. 20.