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More than $400,000 will be spent on engineering for a project that
council could decide to cancel.
That was the decision Saugeen Shores council made in
committee-of-the-whole Tuesday night (July 28) in relation to the
proposed Southampton sanitary sewer expansion, north of the Saugeen
River.
Dave Burnside, director of engineering services, put forward the
recommendation to hire Gamsby and Mannerow Ltd. for the design,
plans, specifications and tender documents for the sanitary sewer,
forcemain, watermain, storm and roads, at an estimated cost of
$260,000. He also recommended hiring Genivar for the design, plans,
specifications and tender documents for the two sanitary sewer pump
stations, at an estimated cost of $161,000.
The two firms have agreed to work together and provide engineering
services based on the identified scope of the project, said
Burnside. "If at any time council decides that this project will not
proceed, the following will apply," he added. "The engineering work
will stop immediately and the consultants will invoice for the work
completed to that date; all the sanitary sewer information will be
archived for future use; and all the base plans prepared to date by
Gamsby and Mannerow Ltd. will be utilized by town staff for other
improvements, such as street reconstruction, water main replacement
and storm sewers."
"So, if we tender this project and then decide not to go ahead, this
is spent money?" asked vice-deputy mayor Doug Gowanlock.
"Yes," said replied Burnside.
"Most residents want more information about the project," said
councillor Taun Frosst. "This is a way to get it. It's a good way to
proceed."
Council agreed it is also a good indication of the cost. The
recommendation will come to council at its next meeting.
The town also discussed proposed road surface improvements in the
area where the sewer project will be done. Burnside said these have
been as controversial as the actual sanitary sewer expansion
proposal. "Staff has heard the extremes ranging from no improvements
to full municipal standards complete with sidewalk linkages," he
said. (next column)
29/07/2009 11:13 PM
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Curb and gutter is recommended for several side streets, including
Walnut, Hemlock, Elm, Oak, Turner, etc. According to Burnside, this will
provide greater control of nuisance flooding and minor ponding of
surface water; minimize the incidental lawn damages from winter
maintenance activities; provide a defined separation point from lawn to
driving road surface; and provide structural stability for the edge of
the pavement.
"Sidewalks are proposed for both sides of North Rankin Street (Highway
21), from existing sidewalks easterly to Division Street," he added,
"and on/off road trails would provide linkages to existing routes. The
town has not approached Bruce County about improvements to County Road
13 which runs through this section of Southampton."
Councillor Diane Huber requested that the project's Environmental
Assessment be made more accessible to the residents in the study area,
perhaps with a copy kept at the Southampton Library. "It's a 400-page
document," said Burnside. "We have CDs and I could get one to the
library."
Councillor Luke Charbonneau said the majority of issues with the public
centre on aesthetics. "They don't want the character of the
neighbourhood damaged by the upgrades," he said. 'Has there been any
thought to looking at other designs, rather than large roads through
small areas?"
"We're trying to set a balance between what people need and what they
want," said Burnside.
"We should bring all roads up to the highest technical quality but at
the same time, accomplish what the residents want to see," said
Charbonneau.
"Roads with little traffic do not have to be 66-foot roads," said
Gowanlock, "but they should be paved, and have drainage and curb and
gutter."
"There are many municipalities that have gone to different kinds of road
and different widths," said deputy mayor Doug Freiburger. "We should
research that and have the information available for our residents."
Council accepted the information report.
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