The warm weather this winter and equipment freeze ups have made it very difficult to process effluent at the WWTP. To date we have only processed a small amount of effluent and the lagoons are at 95.5% full. According to our processing schedule, the lagoons should be down to 75% by January 18. At Committee of the Whole on Monday night, we reviewed the activity from the previous 3 years at the WWTP and have serious concerns about the volume of effluent in the lagoons. One of the major issues is that the flows to the plant have been 2 1/2 times higher in December than in November. There is little doubt that sump pumps emptying into the system are partly to blame.
With the unpredictability of both the weather and our equipment, we made the decision to haul 10,000 cubic metres from the WWTP to Smiths Falls, beginning tomorrow (Wednesday). We simply could not risk another weather event like last week’s torrential rains. We will continue to process effluent at every opportunity.The cost of hauling is grant eligible from the money that we have received for remediation to the lagoons.
I will keep you updated on our progress throughout the winter. Please contact the Councillor of your choice or me (273-9195) if you have any questions.
Please join Council and me at Town Hall on Friday, January 1st for our 2nd annual Mayor’s New Year’s Levee. Kick off 2016 by visiting with neighbours and friends between noon and 2:00 p.m. Hope to see you on January 1st!
It is hard to believe that the first year as your Mayor ended on December 1st. For the Village of Westport , this past year has been one of many accomplishments. Our highest priority is our waste water treatment plant and we have spent the year studying the challenges and considering our options for its rehabilitation. At a Special Council meeting on December 11th, Council passed a resolution supporting the recommendation of the engineering consultant for the continued use of the 2 existing lagoon cells and a new large subsurface disposal system. This resolution is grant dependent from the Government of Ontario and we are optimistic that we will hear a positive response from them in February 2016. If all timelines are met, this should be our last winter relying on the Snowfluent system. In addition to the waste water, there have been many other events that have drawn our community together and we have accomplished more than ever before. The Village is an engaged, supportive community in which to live, work and play.
I hope you will spend time with family and friends this holiday season. Please remember your neighbours at this time of year, especially our seniors and the many residents who live alone. We have a few folks in hospital or convalescing away from the Village, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
From your members of Council, Town Hall staff and myself, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and look forward with anticipation to another great year in 2016.
On Friday, December 11, AECOM provided a thorough briefing on what reports, studies and information were used by the Technical Support Team and itself to make the recommendation to Council for the rehabilitation of the Village of Westport’s wastewater treatment system. Councillors spent a couple of hours asking well thought out and probative questions of the AECOM representatives and by 4:30 p.m. were satisfied with the recommendation and passed a resolution supporting the continued use of the 2 existing lagoon cells and a new large subsurface disposal system.
All information and reports produced for the EA are on the Village website. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions at 613-273-9195.
Thanks to the many members of the public who were present at this meeting.
Special recognition and appreciation to all members of the Technical Support Team for their hard work, including Village residents Dr Nancy Martin, Scott Bryce and Chair Glenn Allen.
The Village of Westport Council had an initial review of the 2016 Budget on November 23 at a Special Committee of the Whole Meeting. A Public Meeting to discuss the budget was also held on November 23rd. No member of the public attended the public meeting, although there were several community members at the Committee of the Whole.
On Monday, December 14 at 2:00 p.m., Council will be reviewing the preliminary draft budget at a Special Committee of the Whole Meeting. Another opportunity for public input will occur at a Public Meeting from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on December 14th. Copies of the preliminary draft budget will be available by 2:00 p.m. December 11th at Town Hall or on-line.
Obviously, no decisions have been made on the 2016 budget. The process of establishing a municipal budget is slow and methodical. For you to have a full understanding of what is being discussed, you are invited to listen to all Council discussions and debates during the Special or Regular meetings. Dates and times of meetings are on the Village web site.
Robin, The Mayor 
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