South Dundas councillor Graham seeks third term

The numbers have been reworked by staff, but the end result will still be big increases to water and sewer rates for residents of South Dundas who are connected to municipal infrastructure.

The hardest hit by the increase will be those connected to the Iroquois waste water treatment plant.

Since the last time water and sewer rates were reviewed, about five years ago, consumption has dropped so much that the money being collected through the billing process is not covering the costs of the water and sewer plants.

The only solution to fix the problem is to raise the rates, significantly.

Staff first presented the numbers to council March 11. Those numbers showed that a 20 percent rate increase is needed. 

Following that meeting, staff were asked to rework the numbers to balance the budget, and minimize any transfer of funds to reserves.

The result will be a three cent increase in the consumption rate. It will go from 62 cents per cubic meter of consumption to 65 cents per cubic meter of consumption. But, that’s not all.

The water plant capital levy will go from the current charge of 50 cents per cubic meter to 75 cents per cubic meter. 

Also, the fixed rate water charge will increase from $19.54 to $21.99 monthly.

For those connected to the Morrisburg sewer system the sewage charge will be calculated at 100 percent of the water charges, excluding the capital levy.  

The calculation will not be the same for those connected to the Iroquois sewer system. 

Because water consumption in Iroquois is so low, the sewer charges are not sufficient to cover sewer operating costs. Already the reserves are being depleted by as much as $100,000 per year and with the new plant being commissioned later this year, the operating costs will see a huge jump. 

The new plant, will cost at least $100,000 per year in hydro alone, according to public works manager Hugh Garlough. 

He explained that the bigger building and the more complex treatment systems all mean added costs. 

However, those added costs that come with the new plant are necessary to meet the Ministry of the Environment’s secondary treatment criteria, added South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald.

Iroquois water users will be billed the same fixed water rate of $21.99 monthly, the same water consumption rate of 65 cents per cubic meter and the same capital levy charge. 

However, their sewer charges will be calculated at 125 percent of the water cost, excluding the capital levy.

Staff warned that this 125 percent figure, might need to go as high as 170 percent after the new waste water treatment plant is commissioned.

Once the new rates come into effect, in May or June, the average household in Morrisburg will see an increase of about 13 percent in their monthly water and sewer bill, while the average household in Iroquois will see an increase of about 21 percent in their monthly water and sewer bill.

[…]

 

On June 25th, at Timmy’s Place in the Morrisburg Plaza, Friends of Timothy Christian School donated $500 to the Dundas County Food Bank. According to ‘Friends of Timothy’ member Richard Zandbergen, due to the generous support of the community, the local charity is doing quite well and, therefore, decided to share the wealth with another worthwhile charity. Also on hand for the cheque presentation was ‘Friends of Timothy’ member John Knier as well as three representatives from the Dundas County Food Bank’s board of directors. Former board chair, Brenda Millard said that the donation is greatly appreciated, especially at this time of year when donations and stock are usually low. Currently, the food bank is in need of the following items: brown beans, canned vegetables, canned meat, canned fish, Kraft Dinner, spaghetti sauce, and “fresh produce from local gardens is also greatly appreciated,” said food bank administrator Donna Quesnel.

[…]

 

Canada Day is fast approaching and the organizing committee for the Morrisburg celebration has lots of activities planned.

The July 1st festivities will take place, for the most part, at Earl Baker Park in Morrisburg. Kickoff to the day’s events  will begin at 11 a.m. with a special message from Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry MP Guy Lauzon. 

According to committee member Tracey Veinotte, “we’re trying to reinvent Canada Day by offering different activities for different interests.”

For the very young, there is an Ontario Early Years’ station from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. In addition, there will be a petting zoo and amusement rides. 

Keith Robinson, another committee member, pointed out that this year the petting zoo, sponsored by Riverside Recreation, will be bigger than last year.

This year’s amusement park will include rides for teens as well as for the younger children.

A new and exciting addition for teens is Mobile GamerZ, which features a mobile video game theatre that houses cutting-edge gaming consoles, 3D displays, and the most popular multi-player age-appropriate game titles. The plan for Canada Day is to set up a tournament for those interested in exercising their gaming capabilities.

Also new to the Canada Day celebration for 2012 is the Morrisburg Market, a farmers and artisans market with a little bit of everything. 

From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., there will be vendors on hand selling a variety of products including the typical freshly grown fruits and vegetables, pickles, preserves, and freshly baked goods. Also available will be gluten-free baked goods, artwork, sewing, jewelry, assorted organic products, pottery, alpaca yarn-pillows-duvets along with artist James Bently who will be doing portraits on site.

The Morrisburg and District Lions and Leos are holding a bike decorating contest with judging to take place at 11 a.m. 

The Lions will host an all-day barbecue beginning at 11 a.m. that will include hamburgers, hotdogs and sausages.

Several local musicians will be sharing their talent with live music from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m.

The Junior B’s will be running an on-site BINGO tent from noon until 4 p.m. 

The Morrisburg Legion will be offering a barbecue and games from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. as well as karaoke from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the legion.

In addition, the St. Mary’s Church has organized a Lobsterfest.

For those interested in history, John Carruthers will be on site manning a War of 1812 display from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

For anyone interested in machines and equipment, there will be an equipment exhibition from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Dog lovers who enjoyed last year’s Hilltop K9 Agility demonstration are in luck as, once again, dogs of all kinds will be on site at 12:30 p.m. and again at 2:30 p.m. to showcase their talents.

Topping off the day’s festivities will be the annual fireworks display. The committee’s fundraising efforts have provided the money that is required to create a  longer, bigger and better fireworks display this year.

Currently, the group is selling tickets for a draw that is the final fundraiser for Canada Day 2012.

Tickets are still available for purchase at the Canadian Tire checkout counters daily. Also, a ticket sale table will be set up at Earl Baker Park on Canada Day where tickets will be available until the draw at 4 p.m. 

Draw prizes include gift certificates from: $750 from Canadian Tire; $500 from Valu-mart; $200 from Giant Tiger; $100 from Ultramar; and, $100 from Home Hardware.

[…]