Lakeshore Advance, 2013-12-18, Page 9Wednesday, December 18, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 9
Bluewater noise limit proposal hits a sharp note
Gerard Creces
QMI Agency
A proposal for a revamped
bylaw aimed at reducing night-
time noise in Bluewater turned
til) the VOluille 111 council cham-
bers Monday, Dec. 1'2.
Councilors John Gillespie
(flay West) and Dave Roy
(Stanley East) were brought
forth the proposal, which was
part of a report on their sleeting
with the Municipal Coalition on
Noise Regulation in September.
In asking that the current
noise bylaw be reviewed,
Gillespie noted there are no cur-
rent regulations for cyclical
noise or low frequency noise,
adding the rural nighttime noise
allowance is in the range of
20-25 decibels -- half of what is
permitted during the (lay. While
municipal bylaws cannot be in
conflict with provincial laws
such as the Green Energy Act,
they are able to regulate thein
heavily.
Once massive wing farms
become a reality in the munici-
pality, such as the coining Gos-
hen Wind Farm in Bluewater, it
could be too late to act on noise
regulation, Gillespie said.
Ilk proposed changes to the
current noise bylaw in Bluewa-
ter include establishing a quiet
noise level at night, prohibit
Bluewater seeks Central Huron
pproval on water agreement
Gerard Creces
QMI Agency
Central Huron could have a
new drink on tap if an agree-
ment with the Municipality of
Bluewater conies to pass.
In an effort to expand water
services to the area north of
Bayfield, Bluewater will need
access to Central Huron road
allowances, 811d is proposing 811
agreement, which also allows
Central Huron to buy into the
services.
At their Dec. 2 meeting, Blue -
water council gave the green
light to an agreement that will
see 19 properties in Central
Huron supplied with water
services in the Carriage Lane
subdivision. The area is off
Jowett Road north of Bayfield. It
does provide flexibility as to
which 19 properties could
receive the water and sewer
service, however the number is
set due to capacity.
tinder the Bayfield Water
Agreement, (ventral Huron will
be responsible for constructing
the necessary services along
their Jewitt's Grove Road allow-
ance, as well as provide a buy -in
charge of $7,500 per property.
Once the work is complete,
Bluewater will assume respon-
sibility and ownership of the
infrastructure as well as provide
maintenance, upkeep and
repair.
I luwever, the agreement did
not go to Central I iuron Coun-
cil until Committee of the
Whole Tuesday, Dec. 10, so the
results are unavailable as of
press time.
Director of Municipal Serv-
ices, Nick Verhoeven, said the
project is largely a trade off,
allowing Bluewater road access,
though whether residents will
buy into it remains to be seen
and ultimately, council will
have to decide how involved
they wish to he.
With water and construction
charges, property owners could
face up to $15,000 to connect,
according to Verhoeven's report
to council.
"The buy -in costs are due
only if and when the Municipal-
ity is ready to construct any
works' his report states. "Cen-
tral Huron would have to com-
plete a Municipal (:lass Envi-
ronmental Assessment prior to
construction.'
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fikesliore Ailvance
what the report calls "clearly audible
noise in certain areas, as well as provide
exemptions for certain industries, agri-
culture and events while removing the
current exemptions. Rather, it would
allow council to (1t'al with all noise
complaints on a case-by-case basis.
While the proposed regulations were
intended to be general h1 nature, many
of the councilors understood it to be
aimed directly at wind turbines. Depu-
ty -Mayor I'attl Klopp criticized the pro-
posal, saying the removal of exemptions
would create an open season on any
and all industries in the municipality,
as well as create additional workload
for staff investigating them.
Under Bluewater's current bylaw,
most excessive residential noise is pro-
hibited between I 1 p.m. and 7 8.1n.'lat
includes car horns, deliveries, audio
devices and loudspeakers. The 1111111 is 9
p.m. for tools and electrical or mechan-
ical devices. For all construction equip-
ment, there is an 8 p.m. noise cutoff.
(:oun. John Becker said the removal
of exemptions to the bylaw would effec-
tively drive business away from the
municipality and prove to he too costly
for businesses that need to retrofit noise
reduction equipment.
Council rejected the proposed bylaw
change, however, Cot1n. Janisse Zim-
merman noted that the municipality
should continue dialogue with the
Municipal Coalition on Noise Regula-
tion and further look into the matter.
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Warmest Thoughts and Best Wishes for a
Wonderlul Holiday Season and 0
New Year tilled with Good Health and Happiness
Municipality of South Huron
Mayor George Robertson. Deputy Mayor Jim Dietrich
Councillors: Wayne Deluca. Bill francs Dave Frayno
Dennis Hockey and Tom Tomes
Holldav Office Hours
The Municipal Office will be CLOSED to fhb Public from
Tuesday Doc 24. 2013 at 12:00 Noon until Thursday Jan 2. 2014 at 8:30 a.m.
Please leave letters and payments in our drop box located to the left of the front dooi
Christmas Tree Disposal
NO CURBSIDE PICKUP... PLEASE TAKE YOUR TREE TO THE
SOUTH HURON LANDFILL SITE FREE OF CHARGE
South Huron landfill Site
CLOSED the following dates:
Wednesday Dec 25, 2013
Thursday Dec 26, 2013
Wednesday Jan 1, 2014
Garbage & Recycling Pickup
There Is regular Garbage & Recycling
pickup between Christmas and New
Year's.
Have a Safe Holiday Season
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Contact, please call 519.235.0310. Please make sure your house number, business
number or your 911 property sign Is clearly visible so that police. arnbulance or fire
fighters can lind you quickly.
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