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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 26, 1999 - Public MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES CONCERNING PROPOSED SEWAGE WORKS FOR THE VILLAGE OF VIENNA AND TIIE HAMLETS OF STRAFFORDVILLE & EDEN AM) THE EXPANSION OF THE SEWAGE TYREATMENT PLANT IN PORT BURWELL Wednesday,May 26, 1999 7:00 p.m. BAYHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE STRAFFORDVILLE A Public Meeting was held at the Bayham Community Centre in Straffordville, under the Class Environmental Assessments for Vienna, Straffordville and Eden Sanitary Sewage Projects. The meeting was chaired by Bob Vallee. Present were Mayor Max Stewart, Councillors David Mason, John Nezezon, and Cliff Evanitski, Administrator/Treasurer Lynn S. Buchner, and Clerk Lynda Millard. There were approximately 45 in attendance. 1. Call to Order—Chairman Bob Vallee Chairman Bob Vallee called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., and welcomed those present. 2. Opening Remarks—Bob Vallee Mr. Vallee explained the format the meeting would follow, and that a time for questions and answers would take place after the presentations. 3. Introductions Mr. Vallee introduced, Senior Project Manager, Andy Valickis, Acres & Asssociated Environmental Limited representative, Geoff R. Burn,Consulting Engineer, Cyril J. Demeyere, and representing the Elgin-St. Thomas Health Unit, George Dawson. 4. Presentation by Andy Valickis,P.Eng.,Senior Project Manager, Ontario Clean Water Agency regarding status of project and purpose of public meeting. Andy Valickis advised that this meeting was necessary due to the change required to the effluent discharge works at the Sewage Treatment Plant in Port Burwell. The Ministry of the Environment had concerns regarding the current outfall discharge into the harbour. The modifications require an addendum to the Class Environmental Assessment and advertisement to the public with an additional 30-day review period. Presentation by Geoff R Burn, Manager Municipal Infrastructure Division, Acres & Associated Environmental Limited regarding the addendum to the design of sewage treatment plant expansion. Geoff Burn outlined information in the addendum handout provided, and that the outfall currently discharges effluent directly into the harbour, which no longer will be the case once the conversion to the exfiltration gallery is made. G.Burn also stated that the new treatment method will provide a higher quality effluent discharge. PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES 128 May 26, 1999 The addendum included: A. Effluent Discharge Works for the Expanded. Sewage Treatment Plant B. Sewage Collection Systems and Pumping Stations C. Environmental Impacts and Mitigating Measures D. Agency Contacts and Comments E. Notification Mr. Bum requested that comment sheets be completed and deposited in the box provided. 5. Question and Answer Period Mr. Vallee opened the floor to questions, stating that anyone wishing to ask a question,proceed to the audience microphone, state name and direct the question to a specific representative in attendance. Q. Allan Spicer—If the solution is so good why was it not given the scrutiny of a full Environmental Assessment? A. A.Valickis—The full Environmental Assessment is a long costly process. Under the Environmental Assessment Act the upgrade poses no environmental impact and the Class EA process is the accepted process to be followed. Q. A. Spicer—The whole process is a joke as the problem was based on nitrate problems and there was no consensus. Q. Pat Collins--I'm glad Council is moving ahead and a water system is also looked forward to. Q. C. Valerie Donnell—There will be no future growth in Sraffordville as implied. The building freeze won't be removed. A. A. Valickis—Once the Ministry sees that the level of nitrates in the ground water is reduced to an acceptable level, development will proceed. Q. George Allen—The exfiltration system as oppposed to ultra violet treatment is how much additional cost? A. A. Valickis—Although the exfiltration bed additional cost is estimated at $ 300,000, this is still within the cost estimates presented at the January 1999 meeting. Q. G. Allen—the unfunded portion remains the same? A. A. Valickis—Yes. It is only an estimate until the tender costs are submitted. Although there is no guarantee I am confident with the figures. Q. Florence Ferris—Is there going to be a higher cost to each household for the outfall? A. A.Valickis—There is no additional cost anticipated at this time. Some of the other costs have been reduced resulting in an adjustment. Q. F.Ferris—What costs went down? A. A. Valickis—The pumping station and land purchase costs were not as high as budgeted. Q. F.Ferris—Do manholes cost more in Vienna than in Straffordville? A. C. J. Demeyere—The basic concrete structure cost is the same everywhere. Differences must be based on depth, whether the ground is level or hilly,the type of soils involved,whether sand or clay,and the water table level. Q. F. Ferris—Is there an itemized cost to come yet? A. C. J. Demeyere—The estimates from January, 1999 still stand. They can be compared after installation. PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES 129 May 26, 1999 Q. F. Ferris—Is the cost for pumping stations in Vienna higher than Straffordville? A. C. J Demeyere—This depends on the depth and the flows. Q. F.Ferris—Why is this charged to Vienna? A. C. J. Demeyere—This is considered one project with respect to costs. Q. Julie Kennedy—Why are people not supporting this project? Go ahead and do it! Q. A. Spicer—I'm not against progress, but good alternatives were ignored. Servicing only 441 homes in a 21 km stretch are going to cost$ 14 million. Q. P. Collins— 81%provincial funding support certainly provides a large saving. Q. ? from Straffordville—80 % off makes no difference if you don't have the money in the first place. We can't afford it. Where do people go that don't have the money? Q. J. Kennedy—Has this been proven to help the environment and benefit health? A. A. Valickis—Yes. Q. J. Kennedy—If there is contamination that can cause cancer, I don't want that to happen to our children. I've been through that. Q. A.Vallee—Owners realize there are costs associated with their properties. A. A. Valickis—This will improve the quality of life and value of property_ Compare the value of a serviced lot to an unserviced one. Q. J. Davidson--The Village of Vienna had a sewage problem in 1965. Why were they not hooked into the Port Burwell system at that time? A. A. Valickis—Vienna was on-stream at one time. The Province does not dominate. It must be a Council decision. Q. Brad Andrews—When will digging start? A. A. Valickis—Sometime this fall. The funding approval requires that the Project be completed by December 2000. Q. B. Andrews—Owners are responsible for the cost from the lot line—do we have any say where the connection is placed? A. A. Valickis—Placement of service connections will accommodate owners as much as possible. Q. A. Spicer—There are individual septic system alternatives that are M.O.E. approved. In 10-years when the plant is at its capacity,how will the waterfront be protected? A. A. Valickis—It is preferable to have a Sewage Treatment Plant rather than individual septics. When capacity is reached,development will be curtailed. Q. A. Spicer—Approved individual septic systems should have been considered. A. A. Valickis—There are approved individual systems, but many of the lot areas in Vienna are too small, where in Straffordville the septics are working, nitrates are the problem. Septics are not the solution. PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES 130 May 26, 1999 Q. G. Allen—If the sewer system does not clean up the water problem in Eden and Straffordville, repayment of the funding will be required. A. A.Valickis—Removal of source nitrates will improve the aquafir. There is no timeframe that guarantees improvement. Under the Water Protection Funding, after 2 years a study is to be done to determine that the solution undertaken has clearly alleviated the problem for 100% of the people in the service area. It will not be necessary to prove that the water quality is 100% improved. Q. G. Allen—Is this a lifetime filtration system? A. G.Burn—With a normal filter bed sand must be removed. The exfiltration gallery should have no build-up of sand as it will backwash itself. 6. Summary—Bob Vallee There being no further questions, Bob Vallee thanked everyone for coming and declared the meeting adjourned 7. Adjournment The meeting adjo . ed at 7:42 p.m. MA OR ERIC Date approved: Wu.."6„,t . I �q`�