Sewer Saga Continues

Town  Council

(continued)

Recently, the issue of bringing the residential area on the north side of the Saugeen River in Saugeen Shores, 'up to standard' regarding sewer and roads, was raised as a possibility should funding be received from the Province.

The municipality applied for the funding, $17 million, under the Province's new initiative, the Infrastructure Funding Program designed to create employment. The provincial program is considering proposals submitted by municipalities with the main criteria being that the projects put forward must be 'shovel-ready' within 60 days of approval and must be completed by March 15, 2011.

While in theory, the project seems to have merit, there are many residents in the area who do not want to see the project move forward. They cited a variety of reasons, including the fact that many have recently (within five years) installed expensive, approved septic systems. Others are concerned that the installation of a sewer line and a 'suburban' road system, will allow for high density development that could impact the lakeside 'community's' environment.

According to Mayor Mike Smith, an Environmental Assessment (EA) has to first be completed, for which monies are available in the budget. "People will have the opportunity to comment at that time," he said. "If we get the funding, we will be looking at doing the roads at the same time. The cost for the roads will come out of the tax base however, the cost for the sewers will be spread out to the homeowners. As we've (municipality) done in the past, we will probably finance the cost and add it to taxes for up to 15 years, although financing has not yet been worked out."

(next column)

10/05/2009 12:09 AM

Smith added that, over the years, there have been requests from residents in the area to 'do something about the roads'. "Now with this funding, possibly coming through, we have that chance to bring them up to urban standard."

Currently, municipalities can undertake certain works as local improvements and raise all or part of the costs associated with it from the property owners whose lots abut directly on the work. The cost to be assessed on these lots is determined by the properties' frontage measurement and a rate applied to each metre.

A work may be undertaken as:

A local improvement under Ontario Regulation 586/06, made under the Municipal Act, 2001.
On the initiative of City Council.
By a petition by property owners.
On the recommendation of the Minister of Health or Municipal Board of Health.
On approval from the Ontario Municipal Board.

In each case however, a Notice indicating the intention to undertake the work is given to every affected property owner. Where the work is on the initiative of Council, a majority of the owners may prevent the municipality from undertaking the work by filing a negative petition.

The project is dependent on funding approval and with three proposals having been submitted, the municipality apparently has no way of knowing which of the three will be approved by the Province.