Some extra costs for Huron-Kinloss

Ratepayers in the Township of Huron-Kinloss have a few additional costs to cover from Lucknow to the lakeshore this year.

South Bruce OPP Detachment Commander Paul Holmes told council at a recent meeting that additional policing is needed during the 2008 Lucknow Reunion, beyond the security required for the special occasions permit.

The additional policing for the reunion will cost the township about $4,900.

The reunion committee is already paying nearly $20,000 for policing services and to a security company and believes that the additional cost should be paid by the township.

Council agreed that the township coffers should cover the extra cost, believing that the reunion attracts tourists and brings additional income to local businesses.

Clean up costs on the lakeshore is increasing for the township as well this year.

On top of the thousands of dollars to clean up algae blooms, Parks and Recreation reported to council that cleaning up after storms also comes at a cost.

Parks and Recreation staff, along with Public Works, removed 25 dump truck loads of debris from the north and south sides of the Pine River Boat Club on June 8.

They have since cleaned up the shoreline again due to storms and continue to take out large stumps and trees from the lakeshore at a cost of about $5,000 for labour and heavy equipment.

"Protect the Dune" signs have also been put up by Parks and Recreation staff, with more to come as they are back-ordered.

The township has also been applying Round-Up on some of the township’s beaches in an attempt to combat the invasive, phragmites australis after numerous complaints from local property owners. Cost for that could vary.

Another expense will hit ratepayers next year, thanks to the Ontario government’s “Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act”.

An increase in gas to keep the weeds cut shorter, as well as manpower have already been reported in Toronto, where their own city-wide ban is already in effect. Huron-Kinloss staff already says it expects to pay more for an increased use of fertilizer once the ban moves into the area.

The City of Toronto recently said that it has been forced to cut grass/weeds in the city’s parks twice as often, as dandelions and other weeds are growing much faster than the grass since the city banned the use of cosmetic pesticides. There is no reason Huron-Kinloss and other smaller communities will not face the same problems, once they are no longer allowed to use weed-killers. Toronto media sources have reported that some of those with breathing problems in that city have now been complaining about the increase in gas mowers and weed eaters and their detrimental effects to air quality. The website monitoring Ontario’s Air Quality Index says that small engines in lawn mowers, etc, cause much of the smog recorded on poor air quality days and ask that people not use them when air quality is not good.

Costs and the effects of the ban however should not be a problem this year however in Huron-Kinloss, as the liberal’s changes to the regulations do not come into effect until 2009.

The Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act 2008 received Royal Assent on June 18. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing stated that once the ban comes into effect in 2009, it will take the place of existing municipal pesticide bylaws. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is ironically the same ministry that decides where, when, how many and whether or not industrial wind turbines can be built in small municipalities.

The new pesticide laws are not for everyone however, it mainly focuses on the average tax paying home or business owner and municipalities, whether they agree with the ban or not. Municipalities will no longer have the right to decide where and when to apply pesticides.

The new Bill includes a list of over 300 chemicals that will be banned or restricted for the general public. There are exceptions for agriculture, forestry, golf courses and public health/safety concerns such as West Nile. Ministry of Environment staff will now develop the regulations for the cosmetic use of pesticides.

Township staff recently discussed Bill 64 with the MOE. Staff indicated that the Bill will impact the township's budget with increased use of fertilizer to sustain strong healthy turf grass in the sports fields in order to limit any weed infestations.

There is a bit of good news for ratepayers.

The Township of Huron-Kinloss received a cheque for $17,199 from Westario Power on June 18.

Mayor Mitch Twolan and Deputy-Treasurer Christine Heinisch were at Westario Power's annual shareholders meeting on June 18 and reported to council that the dividend was received.

The money will go into water and sewer reserves for Ripley and Lucknow.

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