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Update on OCIF3 application

On Thursday, CAO Snyder and I had a teleconference with staff from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI).  OMAFRA has the responsibility of assessing the OCIF3 applications and deciding which are successful.   The meeting was frustrating to say the least.  We were told that our situation is not “critical enough” when weighed against the merits of all of the projects and our financial ability to pay.  A new financial consideration this year is just that … the project cost per household … and ours wasn’t enough to bump the project up into the successful category. Seriously!!!!  They said it was a very well written and concise application that thoroughly explained the project and our situation in the Village.  However, at the end of the conversation with these Ministry staff, there was still no OCIF money or any other support for Westport from the provincial government.  They suggested we try again in 2018, however were quick to say that there was no guarantee that we would be successful.

I was clear that we don’t have “next year” for getting a grant for this project.  Council has decided that it is necessary, for a variety of reasons, to build the new waste water treatment system in 2017.

The Minister of Infrastructure’s office called on Thursday and CAO Snyder and I are meeting with him in Toronto in mid-April.  MPP Steve Clark, who has continued to work on our behalf, will be attending the meeting with us.  It is my hope that, being a former municipal politician, the Minister will see things less through a bureaucratic lens and more from your perspective – the real people who live and work in Westport.

As always, if you have any questions, please call me or any of the members of Council.

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Rideau St damaged overnight

Around 11:00 p.m. last night, a snow plough blade damaged the recent road repair on Rideau St near Church St.  With the assistance of Paul Herlehy, who helped the snow plough driver on his return route down Rideau to push most of the gravel back.  Also thanks to John Struthers who responded with traffic cones.

I wanted to notify the public that the presence of the traffic cones does not mean that there is another water pipe leak.

Please call if you have any questions.  9195

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Boil Water Rescind notification

 

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NOTICE

BOIL WATER ADVISORY RESCINDED

The Medical Officer of Health of the Leeds, Grenvi lle and Lanark District Health Unit advises that the latest water samples of the drinking water supplying The Village of Westport indicate that the bacteriological water quality meets the Ontario Drinking  Water Standards. The water is safe for drinking.

The Boil Water Advisory that was issued on March 19, 2017 is now rescinded. Dated this 22°d day of March, 2017.

Your Partner in Public Health,

THE CORPORATION OF THE LEEDS, GRENVILLE AND LANARK DISTRICT HEALTH  UNIT

( Ci4J

Teresa Clow, CPHI(C)

Senior Public Health Inspector

(613) 283-2740 – Office  I  (613) 283-6017 Fax

TC/nm

cc Ministry of the Environment (Reg  170)

Health ACTION Line 1–800–660-5853 • www.healthunit.org • contact@healthunit.org

 

 

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Update on water pipe leak

Good Morning.  Just spoke to the crew and they located the leak over night.  They should be doing the repair in the next hour or so.  When the pipe broke on Concession St a couple of months ago, our Engineer bought extra couplings and pipe, which are here in the Village.  As long as there are no unexpected complications, the repair should be made soon.

Should anyone with water feel like taking a pot of hot coffee to the crew, they worked through the night.  Here on Rideau, we are without water.

Thank you for your patience everyone.

 

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Update on Water Pipe Leak in Village

The service providers are on Rideau St working on the repair to the water pipe.  As you may have learned by now, when the pipe burst today, the water came out with such a force that the water tower emptied before the broken pipe could be isolated.  When that occurs, the Medical Officer of Health issues a 48 hour boil water advisory.  Please heed the MOH’s advice.  Each resident should have been visited by a fire fighter or a member of Council tonight and received a copy of the boil water order.

Most of the Village has water again, however those south of Rideau, are waiting for the  broken pipe to be repaired.

It has been a long day and I want to recognize the efforts of the many service providers  – Charby Jackson, Ontario Clean Water Agency, Tackaberry and Westport Telephone Company – who have worked together to resolve this issue.

Specifically, I want to thank Chief Jay DeBernadi and the many Westport Fire Fighters who responded to my request to assist with the door to door canvas, notifying everyone in the Village of the boil water order from MOH.  I was so pleased to find so many of you at the Fire Hall for the 6:00 p.m. briefing.

I also want to express my appreciation to Councillors Huth, Parliament and Schwinghamer who came to the briefing and took their fair share of streets to canvas.  Together we are always stronger.

We all be waiting for the repair to be completed (some more than others!) on Rideau St.

Please call the councillor of your choice or me if you have any questions.

Mayor Robin Jones

Committed to community. Dedicated to progress.