Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey said the township will be looking for provincial support to fund an estimated $12 million to $15 million redevelopment of the Haliburton Wastewater Treatment Plant.

An expansion of the site has been debated behind closed doors for some time, with Fearrey confirming talks began shortly after the October 2022 municipal election. In January, the township approved a $192,000 spend to bring in Ottawa-based consultant Clearford Water Systems to assist with design and regulatory approval.

John Levie, Clearford’s vice president of engineering, provided a first public update on the project at a June 24 council meeting. He said a proposal to increase capacity by about 50 per cent, to 2,375 connections from the current 1,575 – an 800-unit increase – will need to be ratified by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).

He said there are four phases to the expansion – design and approvals, where they’re currently at; securing amended environmental compliance approval (ECA) from the Ontario government; tendering out design; then constructing the addition. He told council this will be a multi-year process, estimating completion, if approved, in late 2027 or early 2028.

“The reason we’re looking at expansion of the plant is based on capacity that’s already in use and the capacity allocated for existing infill and proposed development,” Levie said. “It’s hitting a level now where the MECP will compel expansion before they permit any additional sewage be added to the system.”

The original plant was built in 1975, servicing Haliburton village. An expansion was first considered in the early 1980s, extending the system to resorts on the north shore of Lake Kashagawigamog. That was completed in 1995.

Levie said he has confirmed with MECP that the environmental assessment (EA) done for that extension, more than 30 years ago, is still valid providing the township follows the long-term expansion plans outlined in the initial design.

“The plant was built with expansion in mind. Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, the firm that completed that plan, pre-identified and pre-selected technology and processes that will support the plant going forward… the MECP confirmed the existing class EA is still suitable for the proposed expansion,” Levie said.

During last week’s meeting, coun. Pat Casey asked if alternative, more modern technologies had been considered for the build over the current activated sludge process for biological nutrient removal (BNR). He brought up membrane bioreactors, a process that uses micro or ultra filtration to separate solid and liquid waste. They’re seen as an effective solution for systems near ecologically sensitive areas.

Levie said those membranes enhance BNR systems and don’t replace them. Going down that road would add another two years and between $4 million and $6 million to the project.

While most municipal systems use a threestep method for filtration, there have been proposals to add another step to further purify wastewater, akin to reverse osmosis. It would more than double the cost, adding another $10 million to $20 million.

“There’s not a lot of benefits to either at this stage,” Levie said. “You’ve got a very environmentally sound facility, it’s got tight affluent limits going out, the lowest of any plant in Minden, Huntsville and Muskoka area.”

Project vital for growth

In a follow-up interview June 27, Fearrey told The Highlander that development of the 91.5-acre property on County Road 21 that Dysart bought for $1.725 million in July 2023 hinges on the sewage plant expansion.

With a 10-figure sticker price, the mayor is hoping the Ontario government will contribute to the rebuild.

“They’ve laid a lot of money out because they want more housing. Well, we can’t do more housing of any major density here unless we cut sewers (don’t provide sewer hookups), so I think we would qualify for some provincial money,” Fearrey said.

The township is also investigating a public-private partnership to pay for the project, which it did back in 1995. He said they will have a better idea on costs and potential opportunities once the project goes to tender, likely next year.

Fearrey said some initial design work is underway for the CR21 property. Conversations are continuing with interested developers, with the mayor expecting firm proposals later this year. He believes the land could accommodate at least 100 new homes.

“We want to get going, but there are rules we have to follow and steps we have to take. The first thing is the sewage plant, then we can really focus on what’s next for that land,” Fearrey said.

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School valedictorian Miles Bascombe said he had moved house during his life, and with that comes the fear of change.

“It’s terrifying.”

However, he has always persevered during the transitions, so knows he will be okay.

“The same goes for every other change that will take place now that we are graduating,” Bascombe told his Grade 12 peers June 26.

“Switching schools, switching routines, switching jobs, living in a new town. I know that I will make it through and I know that our graduates will too, like we all have many times before. They say that change is as good as a rest. I sure hope so.”

After thanking everyone, Bascombe said, “what a wonderful night it has been; to see our graduates walk across the stage, watching everyone get their moment that they worked so hard to achieve, is truly amazing.”

He noted grads’ perseverance through freak weather, COVID-19, conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Palestine. There have also been family deaths and sicknesses, addiction, lack of motivation, mental and physical health issues, financial issues and stress. “But every graduate here today fought through their struggles.”

He said as Red Hawks they’d learned their talents and shortcomings.

“Graduates, if you don’t believe in yourself, take time to remember your greatest high school achievement.

“Our time here will never be forgotten in this special little County. We had it good here. When change comes, you will always remember the good old days at Hal High. Do not be sad for what you lost, be happy for what you’ve had.”

Master of ceremonies, vice principal Martin Gage, said graduation is a rite of passage. He said students began to cross the stage for their diplomas as students, but re-emerged as adults.

Trustee Gary Brohman told grads they’re going to be “all-stars because their family and friends who graduated from HHSS are. “Work hard, be enthusiastic, live life with passion.”

Melissa Stephens spoke on behalf of the scholarship committee, thanking the “generous people” of Haliburton County who contributed to awards and bursaries, including the inaugural Dan Gimon Memorial Apprenticeship Bursary.

Principal Jennifer Mills told the grads, “it has been a joy to watch you grow into the people you are today. I can’t wait to hear about your future successes.”

Donning Haliburton Highlands Secondary School Red Hawk ball caps, J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School teacher Andrew Dawson, and vice principal Teressa Bird, concluded a June 24 graduation ceremony by symbolically sending their charges up the hill to the big school.

Dawson said they looked forward to seeing the grads in future, “just down the road at Hal High,” hearing about their first summer jobs, prepping for Grade 9 exams, sporting events, and eventually about drivers’ licences, trades, colleges and universities.

He further told the students, “life is a journey. Try your best to be present. It might seem difficult, but take risks. Laugh. Make good choices.

“It has been an honour to be part of your lives. We wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavours,” Dawson added.

Bird advised, “make friends, dream, be grateful, and most of all, be happy.”

Trustee Gary Brohman told students to “get to school, and go to class.” He also coaxed them to believe in themselves and get involved at high school. “You think it’s a long time, but it just scoots by.”

He encouraged them to ask for things, and remember that, amid a world of social media, and bullying, “your parents will give you unconditional love when things go bad. Just ask.”

Principal David Waito expressed pride in the graduating class. He said staff and teachers had seen their perseverance, especially through COVID-19, and honoured their accomplishments. He encouraged them to “unplug” from devices and be present.

Valedictorian Travis Rowe said while looking forward to high school, he wanted to reflect on some of the graduating classes’ memories, and the people who got them there. He thanked individual teachers for their support and inspiration. He also thanked staff.

Rowe reflected on how COVID-19 impacted their learning and how a return to normalcy was welcome.

“We are going into Grade 9. We might be scared, but we’re also very excited. We will have even more opportunities … JDH has prepared us to be kind and successful in whatever we choose to do.”

In his final speech as Archie Stouffer Elementary School (ASES) principal, Mike Gervais told the graduating class of 2024-25 to dream big and put in the work as they prepare for high school.

It was a full house in the ASES gym June 20 as the community celebrated the school’s 64th graduating class. Forty-six students crossed the stage, marking the end of their elementary school journey, with 16 making the honour roll – achieving an 80 per cent average or higher in their Grade 8 year.

“It’s been a privilege watching this incredible group grow for the last six years. When you first walked through our doors, you were small, wide-eyed… you’re now taller, wiser and ready to take on high school,” Gervais said, who is taking over at Cardiff and Wilberforce elementaries.

Having been at ASES for six years, joining as vice principal in 2019 before moving up to the top job in 2022, Gervais said the school, and its students, have made a big impression on him.

There will be further change next year as Michelle Kernohan, the current vice principal, is also moving on. She has spent the past 15 years at ASES, teaching Grade 8 before becoming a VP in 2023. Lauren Alleway, who spent a year as VP at ASES in 2022-23, is rejoining as principal with Shannon Smith the new VP.

Gary Brohman, the County’s trustee with the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB), was at the ceremony and thanked the parents in attendance for “sending us the best kids.”

Turning his attention to the graduates, Brohman encouraged them to pursue all that high school has to offer next fall.

“Get involved – arts, drama, music, sports, the list goes on. There’s no shortage of ways to connect with people, learn and have fun,” Brohman said.

Valedictorian Hudson Meyer said he and his classmates have learned a lot during their years at ASES.

“When some of us first came here, we couldn’t even tie our shoes. We’ve learned so much since then,” Meyer said. “Most of us have gone from age four to 14 at Archie Stouffer. That’s 10 years with most of the same people in the exact same building. Sadly, I can’t say I’ve been here for all those years, but I’ve been here long enough to say this is a great place, with many wonderful people.

“I believe we’ll all succeed in high school. The best is yet to come.”

Addressing the Haliburton Adult and Alternative Education Centre’s class of 2025, Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) superintendent Jay MacJanet said he has a lot of respect for the obstacles mature learners often overcome.

“It’s truly an honour to celebrate the achievements of this graduating class… you’ve weathered assignments, paced projects, and survived a random but significant ice storm to get here. You’ve shown resilience and heart, so today is your day,” MacJanet said.

“One of the things I love about coming to these graduations is hearing all the personal stories, about the journey and the challenges you’ve overcome. The skills you need to navigate through life take perseverance to refine. You’ve stayed focused on your goal, so let me congratulate you as you step into your next chapter,” he added.

Twelve of this year’s 19 graduates piled into McKeck’s in Haliburton June 25 to mark the latest step in their educational journey.

Among them was Joslyn Balson, who gave the graduate address, saying this year’s class have different reasons for being in adult ed – some had young children to raise, others needed to work to support their families, while a few grappled with devastating loss.

Pointing to her classmates, she said they’re all living proof that the adult ed system works.

“When education adapts to the needs of students, everyone can succeed,” Balson said. “Success shouldn’t be limited to people within the mainstream environment. Our graduation today proves that when education is flexible and meets people where they are, it makes a huge difference.”

Haliburton adult ed teacher Lori Sargent paid tribute to all graduates, though reserved special praise for Hozayfa Wiso, a Syrian refugee who, after several years of work and learning, finally earned his high school diploma.

Wiso landed in the program with a limited knowledge of English but now converses with clients and staff with ease at his job at Curry Chevrolet Buick GMC. She said he started there as a co-op student, which turned into paid employment and, now, an apprenticeship.

“Your charm and hard work win people over… you’ve had a tough life, but we’re really proud of you and what you’ve accomplished,” Sargent said.

Kathy Chatterton will always remember her birthday of 2025 – marked by a severe storm that took out her, and husband Jim’s, trailer and truck.

The couple, from West Guilford, were at their annual gathering in Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park when the storm hit Saturday night.

Jim said there’d been a rain advisory, but “it was good” until about midnight.

“The trailer started shaking like crazy, and then hail came, and then, all of a sudden, a tree crashed through our roof and basically smashed the ceiling down on top of us.”

Jim said the two managed to crawl out, only to find a devastated site.

There were full trees crashed to the ground, along with fallen limbs. They knew their 35-foot trailer had been hit, but it wasn’t until Jim went to the truck to get a flashlight that he noticed the full damage to the trailer, as well as their vehicle.

“A tree had also hit the front of the trailer and knocked the awning off, smashed the front of the trailer in, all the fiberglass was broken and the truck bed was just flattened.

“The tree had hit the truck bed first, then the trailer. Thank God for that or we’d be pancakes. That truck saved our butts.”

Kathy said it all happened very quickly.

“We heard the wind, the trailer started shaking, the hail came, it wasn’t even a minute.” Jim said he’d heard people describe weather like that sounding like a locomotive. “It couldn’t have been better of a description. It was the wind above the trees; it was just unreal. The sound was the scariest thing. It was out of this world.”

Jim added the entire ordeal was “super scary, incredibly scary. It’s a huge trailer, 35-feet long, and that trailer was just shaking like crazy from side to side.”

After they got out of their trailer and did a preliminary assessment of the damage, Jim went to check on their friends, who had joined them for the weekend.

“Everybody was good, but the rain was unbelievable. The water was up past my ankles just walking on the main road.”

Kathy said she did not know if Environment Canada had classified it a tornado, but Jim is convinced it was one. “And, we were lucky, really lucky.”

A tow truck came to pick up the Chattertons and the damaged truck and trailer and they are safe at home, beginning insurance claims.

“It was so destructive,” Jim said.

“Happy birthday to me,” Kathy added

Storm reports

On June 21, from about 9:45 p.m., reports of dangerous conditions were received from several areas.

The Ontario Provincial Police reported that two people camping in the northeastern part of Algonquin Park were impacted by Saturday night’s storm when a tree fell, resulting in serious injuries to one person.

The injured camper was transported out of the park by a Ministry of Natural Resources float plane and taken to hospital for treatment, OPP said on Sunday.

Hwy. 17 was closed between Bonfield and Mattawa due to hazardous road conditions caused by the severe weather and downed trees. The Mike Rodden Arena in Mattawa was used as a shelter for anyone in need of a safe place to stay.

Almost two years to the day since joining Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) on an interim basis, president and CEO Veronica Nelson has announced she’s stepping down from her position effective Sept. 5.

Nelson took the reins at HHHS during a difficult time, two weeks after the shuttering of the Minden ER. She set about righting the ship, changing the culture at HHHS and improving public relations through enhanced community engagement and planning.

Board chair Irene Odell said Nelson has been “a transformational figure,” reducing the organization’s reliance on agency staff by fostering a healthier, happier, work environment for existing staff and new hires.

She also oversaw a revamp of diagnostic services, successfully lobbying the Ministry of Health for approval of new CT and mammography units, which were paid for by the community and opened last year.

Recently, she played a key role in getting the conversation started on a long-term master plan, filing an application with the Ministry of Long-Term Care to expand Minden’s Hyland Crest, and visited the Netherlands as part of a delegation exploring green care farms as an alternative model to supporting dementia patients.

“Veronica has guided the organization through a period of tremendous growth and renewal… her deep commitment to patient care and community health has led to the recruitment of new physicians and the formation of a strong and collaborative leadership team,” Odell told The Highlander.

“It will be difficult to fill Veronica’s shoes as she was a very impactful leader, but we are committed to finding a new leader to carry the positive momentum, building on the foundation she has put in place,” she added.

Nelson will re-join Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Lindsay, where she spent 25 years, mostly in diagnostic imaging, before leaving for HHHS in 2023. She spent time as Ross’ interim president and CEO between 2019 and 2020.

Haliburton County deputy warden Liz Danielsen has gotten to know Nelson well over the past year through her role on the HHHS board, saying she was “terribly disappointed” to hear of the CEO’s impending departure.

“Veronica has made so many positive changes since her arrival, working tirelessly and, to some extent, going a long way to healing the community’s frustration over the loss of the ER,” Danielsen said.

Despite leaving a sizeable hole, Danielsen said she isn’t worried about Nelson’s departure impacting the work already underway on strategic planning and long-term care expansion.

“I think she’s got momentum going sufficiently and there will be people who can continue that process on all fronts. It might take a little bit longer, as we have to find a replacement, but I think we’re on the right path,” Danielsen noted.

‘Thank you Haliburton County’

Nelson said she has a lot to be grateful for. “My staff, our volunteers and the community who welcomed and trusted me to create a vision for health in the Highlands.”

She recalled her first town hall, in June 2023, where she heard area residents didn’t like the path HHHS was on. So, she went about changing it, creating an “open and transparent” process where people could express their concerns.

It was a similar story within the organization, with Nelson implementing new systems to improve worker morale. In April, she said a survey noted a 47 per cent improvement in staff satisfaction between spring of 2023 and 2025.

“Seventy-five per cent of our staff now rate HHHS as a great place to work – we know this has contributed to our ability to recruit and retain wonderful professionals,” she said.

Nelson added watching the new CT scanner get wheeled through the front doors last summer is her best memory.

“Knowing just how much work was done to make this a reality… that’s something that has been etched into my heart forever,” she said.

Odell confirmed there is no succession plan currently in place, noting all applicants will be considered.

Highlands East is looking to move ahead with a short-term rental (STR) licensing dashboard – while hoping to avoid some of the flack Dysart et al received when they publicly posted information about STRs in their township.

Junior planner Kim Roberts presented a report to a June 17 council meeting, asking elected officials to direct staff to publish the interactive GIS Dashboard on the municipality’s STR licensing webpage.

Dysart released its on May 12 and eventually all four townships are planning to do the same.

The dashboard shows the location of licensed STRs countywide.

Roberts said, given the concerns raised after Dysart et al released its map, staff wanted to bring information on the map, its purpose, and relevant information about personal privacy to councillors.

She said under the Municipal Act, townships are allowed to both issue licences and licence details may be posted on the municipality’s website.

She said most cottage country municipalities that licence STRs provide a list or map, including Tiny Township, Huntsville, Ramara, Bracebridge and Lake of Bays.

She said staff see three benefits.

“It allows the travelling public to quickly and easily confirm that the STR they are intending to book has a valid licence; provides residents with a resource to know whether or not a STR being operated in their neighbourhood is licensed and is in compliance with the requirements for fire safety, parking, and septic capacity; and allows prospective purchasers in a neighbourhood or lake to know if there are any/many STRs in the area before purchasing.”

Roberts said staff have received feedback from operators and the public with concerns about personal privacy and security, and indicated they would complain to relevant privacy bodies.

She said the Privacy Commissioner’s Office (IPC) decisions “have long recognized that information required for business licensing is not considered private or personal information, even if that business relates to the individual’s dwelling.”

Roberts added land ownership information in Ontario is not private information, and can be accessed via the Ontario Land Registry Office, and people can look at roll books at township offices for MPAC ownership information for free.

“The STR dashboard will only provide a STR licence number and a civic address,” she said. Roberts added although many municipalities provide identifying information of the ‘responsible person’ for licensed premises, enabling direct contact by the public, staff have opted to direct complaints or concerns to the 24/7 hotline or complaints dashboard so only an address or licence number is required to process a complaint or concern.

She said some operators are worried about being targeted by thieves or people not supportive of STRs. She said staff could find no evidence of this.

Roberts said there is a small body of research that demonstrates the presence of STRs in a neighbourhood can increase crime, but mostly in urban areas. Theories around cause include neighbours not knowing one another, eroding the community’s ability to police itself, increased traffic and a transient population.

“Staff are of the belief that disclosing the locations of licensed STR accommodations will foster trust and transparency in the neighbourhoods where these operations are situated.”

Mayor Dave Burton said if people are properly licensed, he would think they would want the address public for promotion.

Coun. Cec Ryall said several STR operators had contacted him. He anticipates “kick back.” He asked for even more information before they go live. Roberts said once the site is ready – they hope for the end of the first week in July – staff would be happy to circulate a private link ahead of time to councillors, and do a demonstration at the July 15 meeting.

CAO Brittany McCaw said they could also alert the public it’s coming, with relevant information on why they are allowed to do it.

Roberts said they had 66 applications to date, 33 approved, four rejected, and 26 pending. She added they had collected $8,487.18 in MAT tax; and $33,000 in licensing fees.

OPP officer Deb McClure will always remember the call; to a report of a 17-yearold male drowning.

Driving to the location, she was picturing a teen flailing in the water. She arrived to a pond on a rural property where members of a large Mennonite family yelled, “our brother is in the water.”

She didn’t see him. Not thinking to remove her heavy gear, she jumped into the water. Nothing. Her clothes and equipment started dragging her down. She felt like she was going to drown at one point.

Back-up arrived. She was able to strip off some of the weight and was tied off from shore. She dove in again, this time finding the boy. She brought him back to the surface.

“We did revive him, but then, unfortunately, about three days later, he passed away.” She received a Commissioners Citation for Bravery award.

McClure is seated at her desk at her new job: detachment commander for the Haliburton Highlands OPP.

“I definitely realize I have a lot to learn as a commander, but I can relate to the guys,” McClure says. “I’m okay to share those adversities I’ve been through. It’s not an easy career. I think the fact I’m able to talk at their level … I’ve had to take a knee before, I’ve seen some bad things; I think my openness and genuineness with individuals, that’s a skill.”

She said when she joined the police force more than 20 years ago, officers didn’t talk about mental health, or the need for selfcare. She said she was told, ‘you shut up, and you suck it up’. “And that’s what you did …to my own detriment. It came to a boiling point numerous years later. Now, I just want to remind my guys it’s okay to talk about it. I’ll share my journey.”

She hopes to extend those people skills to community members, too. “I can’t wait to get settled and actually out and be involved off-duty. It’s not just going to be a job for me. I think that’s what I’ll bring to the table. The other stuff I can learn. I can learn to write a report…”

She has come from the South Bruce OPP detachment, where she was detachment manager. She began her career with the Toronto Police Service in 2002.

Cottage country posting

As a teen, McClure grew up in Bancroft, where her family had a motel – so she knows about living, and working, in cottage country.

“I spent every summer up in this area and just loved it. I basically said after that ‘I’m going to live there one day’.”

That opportunity presented itself earlier this year with Mike Cavanagh leaving the detachment.

“When I finally did bring it (the idea) home and started talking about it with my children and my partner, the very next day I went onto our site for jobs, and it (the Highlands post) was there and I thought, ‘this is my dream, I’m going to go for it’.”

She likes that it is “a very junior detachment.” She did some homework and came up to spend a few days with Cavanagh.

“I liked that I was going to have a challenge of recruiting people here because I do really feel as soon as you get here, it’s a hidden gem. It is beautiful here, Haliburton, Minden, it’s all gorgeous.”

It’s early days, less than a month, and McClure said she is watching, observing and listening. She said the team is “very keen and eager and they’re out there. I would love more community engagement but, again, the issue with a smaller detachment is there’s calls to be done.”

Asked about a bit of a “revolving door” with commanders in the Highlands, McClure said one never knows what the future holds, including her personal life, or OPP plans for her.

However, “all I can say to you, community members and my family here now is that I have moved. I am four hours from my dad and sister, my (grown up) kids…I’m invested that way. I have less than seven (years to go) and I’d like to retire here, but I can’t promise that. I have no control.”