Tag Archives: Mayor of Westport

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Update on the waste water treatment plant, spring cleanup and a couple of planned events in the Village

We continue to move forward with the build of the new waste water treatment system (WWTS).  Requests for Proposals (RFP) were posted a couple of weeks ago to select the builder.  Last Monday, as part of the RFP process, a mandatory site visit was held in the Village.  This is a requirement of any company who is considering submitting a proposal.  The submissions are due by Thursday, May 25, 2017.  AECOM will review and analyze the proposals and provide Council with its recommendations.  Council will discuss the proposals and make a decision, likely at its June 5th monthly Council Meeting.

We have had some further discussions with Minister Chiarelli’s staff, but I have no new developments in regard to funding to announce.

Council included in the 2017 budget allocations to patch Bedford St and to have the parking lines painted, including the accessible spots and “No P” markings that indicate private driveways.  The wet spring has delayed both.  I expect some patching to be done this week, however the asphalt companies have indicated to our Engineer that they will begin production on May 18.  Spring production of asphalt will also allow the road to be repaired at Rideau and Church streets.  Line marking will occur soon – hopefully before the end of May and will include the parking lot at the Community Centre/Firehall.  We will be sending out notices to everyone so that all vehicles can be removed from the roads and parking lot for this work to be completed.

In 2016, the estimate to repair Bedford St was $1.5 million.  Mayor and Council are very aware of the condition of the road and continue to look for grant opportunities to get the work done.

Work to prepare the harbour for the opening of the Rideau is on schedule.  Our Harbour Master, Kevin Kardash and CAO Paul Snider are pulling out all the stops for this Sesquicentennial year on the water.  The advice from the Harbour Advisory Committee has been a real benefit to get ready for the season.

Another Sesquicentennial event this May is the “Victorian Tea, celebrating the Mothers of Confederation”.  The Tea is being organized by Mary Anne Bishop on behalf to the Mayor’s Sesquicentennial Task Force.  Mark your calendars for VICTORIA DAY! – YES, the tea is being held on Wednesday, May 24th, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Lions Club Beach House.  It should be a lot of fun.  Thank you to the churches in the Village for your hard work to make this event a success.  You can call Mary Anne @ 273-8699 for tickets.

The Grand Opening of the path at Lockwood Memorial Park is being held on Saturday, May 27th with a Walk-a-Thon between 2-4:00 p.m.  Come out and enjoy the fun!  Music, lots of vendors and have a visit with neighbours you haven’t seen all winter.  Many thanks to Kim Bonner and Councillor Frank Huth for their imagination and hard work.

All members of the public are invited to attend and hear what Council is discussing and the decisions it makes.  Council meetings are the Monday of the first full week of the month at 7:00 p.m.  Committee of the Whole meetings are the Monday of the third full week at 2:00 p.m.  They are also posted on the Municipal website at http://villageofwestport.ca/your-local-government/council-committee-of-whole-meeting-dates/.

You can contact me anytime with your questions and concerns , through my email rjones@villageofwestport.ca or at home @ 273-9195.

It looks like spring and summer are arriving together this week.  Enjoy the sunshine everyone.

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Outdoor Association busy on Main Street tonight!

I received a couple of phone calls around 9:30 tonight from citizens concerned that  illegal fishing was occurring at the sanctuary on Main St.  Reports included that several men were in the water fishing and 5 or 6 pick ups were parked on the side of the road.  I responded and found several local gents from the Outdoor Association and MNR hard at work, trying to catch the spawning walleye.  And I received a lesson on how they actually accomplish their mission – Charlie Jones – perhaps it was a little too much information!  🙂

For those of you who called, all is legal.  Let’s give pat them on the back for their continued work to protect the fish.  Btw – they will likely be back over the next few nights until they catch the walleye.

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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

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Letter to Premier Wynne-March 12, 2017

We have not had any responses to our requests for meetings from four Ministers to discuss our OCIF3 grant being denied.  I have sent the below correspondence to the Premier today.

 

March 12, 2017

Kathleen Wynne, Premier 

Legislative Building 

Queen’s Park 

Toronto ON M7A 1A1

This is a formal invitation to visit the the Village of Westport in eastern Ontario.  And you are correct – it has been a Progressive Conservative riding for years.   Further, I suspect it will remain a PC riding in 2018.  I thought we should get that out of the way at the beginning of my letter.  I hope it makes no difference to you, the Premier of ALL Ontarians.

The Corporation of the Village of Westport, located on the Upper Rideau Lake, has a population of 600 people.  It is the smallest municipality in Ontario with both water and waste water systems.   The waste water system is wholly inadequate to service the needs of the community due to climate change and aging infrastructure.  Westport was turned down for an OCIF 2 grant and now for OCIF 3 as well.  It is difficult to understand how this critical work to bring the Village into compliance with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is not a priority with your government.  The Environmental Assessment has been completed and approved by MOECC.  The build for the “green”, “low energy” waste water treatment system has been approved by MOECC.  We are shovel ready.  Moving forward, we need $2.3 million dollars in 2017 to replace the old system.  To my municipality – it is an incredible burden.  To your government – it is an insignificant amount of the OCIF3 grants.

Before you say that “this isn’t my department”, Premier, we have written to your Ministers and requested meetings – Municipal Affairs and Housing, OMAFRA, Environment and Infrastructure.  Only one has replied to our correspondence.  Minister Mauro’s schedule was “too busy” to meet with me. 

Before you say “the applications were assessed by experts and others were found to be more in need”, Premier, think about the environmental impact of a waste water system imploding versus a new road or arena.  

The Village needs the help of the provincial government to complete a project of this magnitude.  To think that the Village’s small tax base can complete it on its own is unreasonable.  Without being able to process effluent, thousands of litres has been hauled to a neighbouring community by truck over the past couple of years to a total cost of $800,000.  The situation poses an environmental threat to the Rideau Canal and a public safety and economic threat to the Village and surrounding community.

Premier, what are you and your government going to do to help the Village of Westport?  I repeat my invitation to you and your Ministers to come to Westport and see with your own eyes the challenges that we are facing.  I am certain it will soften your heart.

Yours truly,

Robin Jones

Mayor

Village of Westport

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ED-19, a proposed waste management site in Edwardsburg-Cardinal Township, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville

You may have heard about ED-19, a proposed waste management site in Edwardsburg-Cardinal Township.  This subject has been the focus of the last few meetings of Counties Council and Committee of the Whole and will likely continue for the immediate future.  I thought you might want to have a briefing on the issue and have copied the following information from the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville website.  I also included the link at the end of the text.

There is a reference in the background information that states “As noted above, the negotiations with Tomlinson are ongoing. Such discussions and negotiations are confidential and meet the requirements of the Municipal Act accordingly.”  At this time (March 10, 2017) there are no negotiations with Tomlinson or any other company.  Two notices of motion – one from Mayor Baptista, Leeds and Thousand Islands and the other from Mayor Sayeau, Edwardsburg-Cardinal – were served on Tuesday at the Counties Committee of the Whole meeting and are on the agenda for Counties Council meeting being held on Thursday, March 23, 2017.  Both offer recommendations that require the MOECC to confirm, in writing,  the validity of the Provisional Certificate of Approval before any further discussion occurs by the Counties.

Please call if you have any questions.  273-9195

Background Information

In the early 1990s, the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, along with the City of Brockville and the Town of Prescott, undertook a lengthy waste management master plan process. This process was encouraged by the province, which provided funding in order to undertake the needed studies, engage consultants, and consult with the public. This process was a provincial priority due to the general lack of long term waste management planning and pending closures of landfills across the province as well as the fact that many of the existing landfills had been sited out of convenience and started many years before without regard to potential impacts on the environment. The Province’s preference was for regional sites that would be appropriately sited, meet modern design and construction standards, be financially feasible, and protect the environment.

By the late 1990s, the municipalities had completed the Master Plan and a full Environmental Assessment. Based on these, the preferred site was selected, referred to as “ED-19”. This site is located in the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal, at the west- end of Byers Road. Two of the main reasons the ED-19 site was identified as the preferred site were that there is very limited development in the area of the site and the subsurface conditions provide a high degree of natural protection for groundwater. The site selection process included a considerable amount of public consultation including open houses, public meetings, workshops, newsletters to all households, deputations with the Steering Committee, agency consultation, and meeting with the Edwardsburgh Council. A Public Liaison Committee was actively involved in working with the Steering Committee and public.

The future waste disposal site is approximately 165 acres, with only 35 acres to be used for the landfill footprint. The Counties purchased 478 acres, including some of the subject lands, and lands directly adjacent to the proposed site, while another 100 acres of lands remain in private ownership. The approved permitted capacity of the site is 1.56 million cubic metres which includes the volume for waste plus daily and intermediate cover material. This would equate to a minimum of 25 years of site life based on a permitted annual tonnage of 50,000 tonnes of waste disposed per year. This would equate to approximately 20 to 25 vehicles per day consisting of 7 tandem waste packer trucks, 3 transport truckloads of waste and 10 to 15 cars and pickups daily (based on 6-day/week operation).

In 1998, the Province of Ontario granted the Counties a Provisional Certificate of Approval. This document enables the Counties to develop the subject lands as a regional waste disposal site. There are numerous conditions to the Provisional Certificate of Approval, including:

  • –  environmental protection (groundwater, surface water, air, etc.);
  • –  site design;
  • –  upgrading of access roads and other related infrastructure;
  • –  operational requirements;
  • –  annual monitoring and reporting: and,
  • –  closure plan

This Certificate has been valid and in effect since 1998. Over the past eighteen years, the Counties has considered several times the opening and development of ED-19, but after each study/analysis, the Counties found the site was not economically feasible at the time. The tipping fees required from users would far exceed the fees being charged by the private sector for waste disposal. The key reason was the significant capital investment to open and develop the ED-19 site ($15 to $20 million). Another issue was the fact that numerous Leeds and Grenville municipalities still had capacity at their own local sites and therefore the volumes of waste were not sufficient to cover costs. Over the years, many of those local municipal landfills have closed, and the costs of tipping at the private sector landfills have risen.

In 2010 the Counties invited proposals and expressions of interest from private waste firms to provide long term waste management services for Leeds and Grenville. At that time, several companies responded. As a result of this work, the Counties did negotiate a contract for local municipalities to ship their waste to Lafleche Environmental in Moose Creek, Ontario at a preferred tipping fee. Each municipality had the autonomy to decide whether to participate or not in this contract. One of the other interests received at that time was from R.W. Tomlinson Limited, another eastern Ontario waste management firm. Their interest was in the purchase and development of ED-19.

Since then, the Counties has been discussing and negotiating with Tomlinson. In 2015 Counties Council directed staff to proceed with further negotiations for the potential sale of the ED-19 site to Tomlinson. Counties Council’s reasons to consider selling the property are:

  • –  the Counties purchased the lands for the purpose of a waste disposal site;
  • –  the site has an Environmental Assessment approval and Provisional Certificate ofApproval both of which remain valid;
  • –  the Counties is neither in a financial position to invest the capital outlay nor hasthe capacity to operate a waste disposal site;
  • –  the site is relatively small, compared to other current commercial wastemanagement facilities; and,
  • –  the private sector has the capital, expertise and knowledge to develop andoperate a site within the current legislative framework (environmental laws)

    Over the past year, staff has met numerous times with representatives of Tomlinson and have slowly been negotiating a potential sale, though nothing has been finalized.

    Once again, it is important to note that the subject lands have been approved for a waste disposal site since 1998. This includes the proper Official Plan designation and zoning. Furthermore, the Counties participated in a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change to discuss the status of the Provisional Certificate of Approval. The Ministry did provide its comments that includes that the Certificate is still valid.

    As noted above, the negotiations with Tomlinson are ongoing. Such discussions and negotiations are confidential and meet the requirements of the Municipal Act accordingly.

In November 2016 Counties Council asked the Counties’ Chief Administrative Officer to update Edwardsburgh Cardinal Township Council on the sale. This occurred at a meeting held November 29, 2016. Due to the purpose of the meeting (to discuss the negotiations and sale of lands), the meeting was closed to the public. No decisions were required or made by the Township Council, rather members of Council were able to provide their comments, and ask questions of the Counties’ Chief Administrative Officer.

Should the Counties conclude the sale of ED-19, the purchaser would be subject to all the conditions of the Provisional Certificate of Approval, as well as any updated environmental requirements. The preparatory work prior to any construction will take time. Likewise, the site construction/development will take time. In the end, it is expected to likely take three years before the site would be open for business, at the earliest.

As part of waste disposal site operations, a Public Liaison Committee will be formed to provide residents the opportunity to review the site operations; review the site performance and recommend appropriate improvements.

Qs and As
1. What is the role of the Counties in regards to ED-19?

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville owns both lands and the Provisional Certificate of Approval for ED-19. The Counties is entirely responsible for any outcome as it relates to ED-19 and has the right to transfer the lands to a private company.

2.What is the role of the Council for the Township of Edwardsburgh-Cardinal as it relates to ED-19?

The Township is part of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and, as such, will enjoy the same benefits as the other local municipalities forming the Counties, as well as other benefits exclusive to its role as the host municipality. Though the Township may be consulted on any sale, the decision shall be made by Counties Council.

3.If all conditions on the Provisional Certificate of Approval and any new environmental requirements as prescribed by the Province are met, could the ED-19 site be developed and opened?

Yes, whether it is the Counties or a private developer, the site may be opened once the terms and conditions of the Provisional Certificate of Approval are met.

4. Is there an opportunity for residents to be heard by Counties Council regarding ED-19?

Yes, the United Counties has been made aware by Edwardsburgh Cardinal Township of its residents’ concerns. In response, the Counties Chief Administrative Officer will organize and advertise a public meeting in the Township early in 2017. The date and time will be made available to everyone. The meeting will be held in the evening.

5.What, if any, benefit will ED-19 havefortheTownshipofEdwardsburgh Cardinal?

Prior to selection of any waste management site in 1998, the Waste Management Master Plan Steering Committee adopted a ‘host municipality’ policy. The policy provided free tipping for the residents of the host municipality, a royalty, full commercial taxes or grant-in-lieu on the property, and roadway improvements. This policy continues to be valid and will be included in negotiations with any purchaser.

6. How can residents be assured that a new waste disposal site will not adversely affect the environment and/or their water source?

Today’s environmental laws and regulations protect against any adverse effects on the environment – land, air and water. Any new landfill requires an engineered containment system which will prevent the escape of leachate from the landfill footprint and its movement off-site. Leachate will be removed from the site and treated. Any final Certificate of Approval issued to the owner/operator will prescribe the requirements for ongoing monitoring and site performance evaluation. Annual reports will be required by the province. The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change will regularly inspect the site and respond to valid complaints regarding compliance with provincial legislation and guidelines.

7. Is there a copy of the Provisional Certificate of Approval available?

Yes, there is a copy of the Provisional Certificate posted on the Counties’ website at http://www.UCLG.on.ca. The direct link is: http://www.leedsgrenville.com/uploads/149/Doc_636165479156698868.pdf
The complete study is comprised of 4 volumes, though the key volume is Volume 1. Volume 1 is the Leeds and Grenville Waste Management System Plan’s Environmental Assessment Act and Environmental Protection Act document.

8. If a site is developed and opened,is there a way for continued public input?

Yes, the key way of continued public input after the opening of the site will be through a Public Liaison Committee. This Committee will be a key conduit between the Counties, the public and the owner/operator once any site is developed. The purpose of the Committee would be to provide a forum for local residents to consult, review and exchange information regarding overall site operations and monitoring while providing a means to resolve concerns. Members would be appointed annually by Counties Council.

 

Click to access background-information-ed-19.pdf