Council Minutes - Jan 9/08

January 9, 2008

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
January 9, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Hore and Councillors Crack, Hope and Sullivan. Absent with notice was Councillor Stevens.

08-01 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to approve the minutes of the December 12th, 2007 meeting as presented.
Carried

08-02 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher #07-12 in the amount of $76,878.42.
Carried

The Problem Detail Summary was reviewed. Not items were opened or closed.

The Clerks Report was considered. There was a report on the new lead testing program mandated by the Province. Samples will have to be taken from two non-residential sites (i.e. the hall and Waterfront Centre) and ten residences. Volunteers will be sought for the program. Lead is a health hazard to seniors and very young children. The tests will be done semi-annually, at least for the first year. The water in the system is already tested so these will reveal any problems in the buildings themselves.

The current agreement with OCWA will expire at the end of this year. A new one will be negotiated prior to the end of 2008.

The 2007 inspection rating record for the water system was received from the Ministry of the Environment. They included the 2006-07 and 2007-08 reports. The Village received a score of 96.2% compliance on the first and 100% on the second. Thirteen aspects were evaluated including Treatment Processes, Contingency/Emergency Planning, Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting & Corrective Actions.

Information on the lead testing was received from the Ministry of the Environment including sample letters to be sent to homeowners who have results below the standard (good) or above. It appears that if there are higher than standard levels, running the water for a few minutes if it has been standing in the pipes for a while will eliminate any problems.

An announcement of the results of applications for funding for capital and operation assistance for drinking water systems was received from the Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal. The Village will receive $13,355 per year for five years. This funding can be used for a variety of system expenditures including the lead testing program.

Correspondence was received from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing that the funding for operating will remain stable for 2008. The reconciliation for 2006 and the update for 2007 are not yet available from the Ministry of Finance but are expected sometime in 2008.

MPAC submitted their levy for 2008. It is slightly higher than 2007.

Information on the Municipal Performance requirements for 2007 was received from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Correspondence was received from the City of Sault Ste. Marie that consideration is being given to extending the period that the Hazardous Waste Recycling Facility is open to make it a year round operation. The Village pays to participate in this service.

08-03 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to support the proposed extension of hours at the Sault Ste. Marie Hazardous Waste Disposal Site.
Carried

Correspondence was received from the Town of Thessalon on the importance of small community hospitals to the health care system of Ontario.

Notice of the annual meeting of Matthews Memorial Hospital Association on January 22nd was received.

08-04 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #926 being a by-law to appoint Officers, Servants, Boards and Committees for the year 2008.
Carried

The debt reduction summary was reviewed. Repayment of all loans will continue to be made as per the agreements.

Information was received from Infrastructure Ontario that the Village will be eligible to apply for dunging through the new Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative. There will be $300 million available for construction ready projects. Municipalities can apply for up to 100 percent of the project costs for any type of municipally owned infrastructure with the exception of public transit, which is funded under a different program. Information will be available on January 11th and the proposals must be submitted by February 15th. Announcements will be made by March 31st. Council decided to submit the same project as last year.

The funding agreement for the funding for the water system was considered.

08-05 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #927 being a by-law to authorize an agreement with the Province of Ontario for funding under the Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance program.
Carried

08-06 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #928 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held January 9th, 2008 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried

08-07 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to adjourn to meet again on February 6th, 2008 or at the call of the Mayor.
Carried









APPRECIATION CORNER

To Darren and Julie Moore for volunteering to be responsible for the rink. This is a community facility and they will appreciate assistance with the maintenance. As well, people of all ages are encouraged to use the rink once it is up and running.

To Charlie Nelson for donating the backhoe time to connect the propane to the rink shack.

To Claude Vigneault for reporting the dangerous tree in the Cenotaph park.


RECYCLING PLASTIC BAGS

Plastic bags can be brought to A&P and Food Basics stores in the Sault to be recycled. They must be completely empty (no food, liquid or receipts). The bags are sold to companies who then recycle them into new bags and other products such as plastic composite lumber and park benches. If residents take the time to do this it will greatly reduce the amount of litter at the landfill site as well as the volume of material left.


LEAD TESTING

Volunteers are needed to have the water in their homes tested for lead. The tests will be done twice in 2008 and will take approximately one hour each time as the water has to be sampled, let sit and then sampled again. Once the results are available, they will be provided to the homeowners. If there is an elevated result, corrective action will be recommended. The information from the Ministry of the Environment indicates that if there is an elevated level of lead the water should be run for five minutes especially if the water has been standing for several hours. If children and/or pregnant women would be using the water a filter should be purchased and used.

The Village will need to have a list of homes where these samples may be taken. Ten homes will be sampled each round with the first one being at the end of January. OCWA will be conducting the tests for the municipality. All volunteers will be placed on the list and others may be called to determine if they might be interested to ensure that a representative sample of the homes is achieved. As the water in the municipal system is tested, any lead found will be from the plumbing in the homes. It is most likely that lead pipes or solder will be present in homes with older plumbing.

Therefore, if you are willing to participate please contact the Village Office. As lead is more dangerous to the very young (especially infants who consume formula made with the water) and seniors, homeowners with people in either age group are encouraged to volunteer.

Because the Ministry of the Environment regulations only apply to communal systems, unfortunately only who receive their water from the municipal system can participate in the program.


COMMUNITY POTLUCK AND GAMES NIGHT

The Recreation Committee will be holding a Community Potluck and Games Night on Sunday, January 20th starting at 6:00 p.m. You may of course come to just the supper. If you wish to play a card or board game please feel free to bring your favourite one. People of all ages are encouraged to come it will be a great opportunity to visit with your neighbours and to enjoy some excellent cooking. So bring a main dish, a salad or a dessert (hot and cold beverages will be provided).


CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

The Chocolate Festival will be held again on February 10th. If you are a baker please plan to participate. There are additional categories for children under 12 this year. Adult categories are Cakes, Cheesecakes, Pies, Brownies/Squares and Candies/Confections. The under 12 years of age categories are: Brownies/Squares, Cookies and Candy/Confections. There will also be a Best of Show prize. Both bakers and imbibers should mark their calendars.


CHECK YOUR CHIMNEYS AND SMOKE ALARMS

This is the middle of the heating season and both your chimneys and smoke alarms should be checked to ensure they are in good condition. Your life may depend on it.


JOCELYN SNOW DAY

Jocelyn Recreation is hosting a snow day on January 20th beginning at 2:30 followed by a potluck dinner at 5:00 p.m. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing.


MAPLE SYRUP STAMPEDE

To be held February 9th at Jocelyn. There will be two races the 20 km and 7 km. For details call 246-1753 or 246-2025 or www.soofinnishnordic.com.