North Shore Sewer News

Town Council

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The Southampton sewer and upgrade project is moving ahead quickly in anticipation of approval for the recent application for government funding under the Infrastructure grant program for municipalities.

Councillor Diane Huber of Southampton said that she had been receiving a lot of comment from the public about this matter. "I would like to know if we have any sense of when announcements will be made as to the government's decisions? I also believe that public input will be part of this and, if dates have been set for public meetings .. what are they? We heard they will take place by the end of the this month and we are already here."

A handout was finally distributed setting out that the Public Information Centre (PIC), or public meetings, are to be held June 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Southampton Town Hall and June 20 at 2:00 p.m. at The Plex in Port Elgin.

Again, Huber questioned the validity of holding a public meeting in Port Elgin when the situation in question related solely to Southampton. Dave Burnside, Director of Engineering Services, said that the Southampton Town Hall was booked for the dates that had been suggested. He also explained that notices were going out by mail to the resident taxpayers living in the area [north of Saugeen River] advising them of the dates.

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26/05/2009 12:27 AM

 "Well, it seems reasonable to me," she added, "that both meetings should take place in Southampton, close in proximity to the proposed project."

Already, two engineering firms have been selected to "fast track" the project should the funding application be approved. Gamsby & Mannerow Ltd. and Genivar were both approved at Monday's Council meeting. "They've done a lot of work with the town," explained Burniside, "and this will enable the work to be divided between the two companies and still keep consistency because they have done work with Saugeen Shores."

With regard to an Environmental Assessment (EA), Burnside explained that public input is a large part of the process for an EA. "If people bring their concerns forward then we look into them from an environmental standpoint."

"I would like to know what the financial impact is," asked Vice Deputy Mayor, Doug Gowanlock, "and what if we are not successful in the grant application?"


If the infrastructure funding is not received, there will be no cost for engineering services.
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