The new Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) for the County of Haliburton was officially opened at the Seniors Seminar, hosted by MPP Laurie Scott and MP Jamie Schmale, June 25 at the Haliburton Legion.

Donna Lynn Clarke, representing the minister for seniors and accessibility, made the announcement.

SALCs are not one physical location, but rather activities and events funded by the province to be put on in various locations across the Highlands.

Clarke said the province has given a grant that provides “consistent annual funding” to the County.

Sue Tiffin, County of Haliburton’s community safety and well-being plan coordinator, said the County received $46,000, as well as $10,000 for start-up funding, and $4,420 as a special grant for the 2025-26 program.

Programs are designed for older adults (age 55+) and seniors (65+) but can be intergenerational.

Tiffin added the County is the SALC operator, the local municipalities are funding partners, offering in-kind space and staff support, and SALC partners offering programming this year include: the four legions, Abbey Gardens, the Haliburton County Master Gardeners, SIRCH Community Services, the Haliburton County Public Library, the Haliburton County Community Paramedics, the Haliburton Highlands Genealogy Group, and local municipalities.

Tiffin said planned upcoming programming to be held between July and March include: first aid for seniors; museum tours; information sessions; nature walking tours; a pen pal program; a forest bathing session; tech help workshops; disc golf lessons; cooking classes; board game and cards drop-in events, and a variety of recreational programs. SALC programming in Haliburton County will take place at locations throughout the Highlands, as well as virtually/online.

Clarke said the centres were “designed to build capacity; allow you to try new ideas; form strategic partnerships with other senior-serving organizations, and to meet the needs of seniors in your community.”

She added she had seen first-hand how the program “brings together senior-serving organizations to bring meaningful collaboration to address local community needs and it is truly transformational when the program comes to a community, so I am so excited for you.”

MPP Laurie Scott added, “we love that Haliburton County is the newest seniors active living centre. It will offer seniors from the entire community the opportunity to stay fit, active, healthy and socially connected through various activities.”

Information will be available at www.haliburtoncounty. ca/SALC, in local newspapers and on radio, and through printed calendars available throughout the County.

County council will reconsider options for two properties it owns on Newcastle Street in Minden, after a motion to reconsider won the day at a June 25 meeting.

Coun. Walt McKechnie asked for a rethink; it was seconded by coun. Murray Fearrey and supported by coun. Bob Carter and warden Dave Burton.

After a lengthy debate, council eventually passed a motion for staff to get an appraisal of the former land registry office at 12 Newcastle St., and costings for an expansion at the existing council office at 11 Newcastle St.

It flipped a May 28 decision to essentially spend about $1.145 million on the current headquarters, with $600,000 being for accessibility upgrades.

Even before they got to reconsideration last Wednesday, deputy warden Liz Danielsen was all for squashing McKechnie’s suggestion. She said council had been talking about the project for years and the motion to renovate had been passed 7-1. “I would wonder why we are going to discuss it again? I don’t believe that we should be.”

Fearrey said, “I’m telling you what I’m hearing on the street: to spend that kind of money over there (12 Newcastle St.) in these times, when there’s maybe an alternative, maybe, maybe not, it’s not very smart.” He pressed for an exploration of expanding out the back of the current building.

Coun. Lisa Schell said “her head was going to explode” as council had voted against doing anything with the former land registry office for now but to spend money at the existing building for more offices.

And coun. Cec Ryall said “the relevancy is how much space do we need here for staff to do their job effectively. We’re being told, categorically, they need more room to do that. We need the room in here for staff. Case closed.”

Carter said he would like a clear list of needs, and then council could look at the options again. CAO Gary Dyke said the information had been presented, and he was unclear what council was asking for.

Fearrey suggested getting 12 Newcastle St. valuated, and looking into an addition at 11 Newcastle St.

McKechnie agreed with Fearrey’s assertion there’s room to expand at 11 Newcastle St. He would prefer selling 12 Newcastle St. as well. He also wants to keep the County council chambers at the current office, not share a space with Minden Hills, which was discussed at the May meeting

Danielsen said they appeared to be “dinosaurs. Just gone around and around and around in circles. We’ve given clear direction to staff and now we’re back to the beginning, square one.”

Dyke said they would have to cancel an RFP for the job council voted to do a little over a month ago.

Carter said, “let’s all get on the same page and do it right.”

Library report

Haliburton County Public Library CEO Andrea Brown told council they had six significant achievements in 2024 as she presented the annual report.

She said they hosted their first community ‘touch a truck’ event; welcomed 92 class visits to Cardiff, Minden Hills and Wilberforce branches, reaching approximately 250 children; participated in a province-wide transition to new interlibrary loan software; implemented new book club set reservation software; proposed and implemented a staffing model review to achieve significant targeted savings; and celebrated the Dorset branch grand opening Oct. 25, 2024.

She noted that in the fourth quarter, circulation in Dorset more than doubled, with the branch making up 21 per cent of new users across the service.

Other highlights were: a Diwali festival, teddy bear picnic, mandala art, make your own monster, an author visit by Phyllis Bordo and Café Espanol.

“We organized 584 programs at library branches throughout the County, welcoming attendees of all ages,” Brown said. Their online presence saw 66,640 items digitally circulated. Annual physical circulation for 2024 was 80,487 items and 155 book club set checkouts, or 1,240 books. The number of cardholders rose to 7,402 from 6,973.

Board chair, David O’Brien, thanked the County for its annual funding.

“It makes a very big difference to this community that we can keep our libraries going strong. We’re not all about books anymore…we always will be…but we’re about a whole bunch of other things we do that kind of go under the radar; things the community looks for from us. We’re a small library. We do a great deal of work in the community and the numbers are pretty significant, what we can accomplish.”

Consider four-way stop

Following a serious motor vehicle accident in Eagle Lake June 24, McKechnie asked the County to consider a four-way stop at Eagle Lake Road (County Road 6) and Haliburton Lake Road (County Road 14).

McKechnie said, “I’ve seen a lot of close calls over the last 30-40 years. I sure as heck don’t expect the County to put in lights. I do believe in four-way stops. The one in Fenelon Falls is a great example of how a four-way stop works.”

A report will be brought to a future council meeting.

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.”