Proposed septage field causes angst

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February 7, 2020

A proposed septage field, on a property on the Barry Line in Dysart et al, is generating a lot of talk in the community.

Dave Elstone, operating as Haliburton Septic Pumping, has applied to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an Environmental Compliance Approval under the Environmental Protection Act.

The proposed site is at 1197 Barry Line Rd.

The plan has been posted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario and the public can comment up until midnight Feb. 21.

“It’s necessary because Dysart doesn’t supply the township with a dumping site,” Elstone told The Highlander during an interview Tuesday. He added, “Dysart’s expanding and … the whole county at this point only has two septic fields.”

Algonquin Highlands has a lagoon and Highlands East a ditch for septage. Minden and Dysart require septage fields, Elstone said.

He said he’d hired GHD, an engineering company in Peterborough, which came last fall to do a series of tests at the site, which is set back from roads on a ridge on the property.

“They go through a number of procedures. We test the ground. We dig test holes to make sure our depths are good, our percolations are good. They do analysis on soil. They do all the measuring from our field for setbacks to water, to wells, to houses.

“And at the end of the day, this particular site meets all those regulations that are set by the province. They look at all aspects of groundwater, surface water and everything on this site meets and exceeds those provincial rules and regulations,” Elstone said.

Darren and Teresa Johnston are neighbours of the proposed septage dumping site.

“We are concerned about the impact on our neighbourhood. We live in a beautifully forested, natural area and the largest attraction is the ability to enjoy the sounds and smells of the outdoors, and to trust that our water sources are clear of contaminants. Ontario is the only province that still allows untreated septage to be applied to land. All other provinces require it to be treated to meet the provincial standards before it can be applied to the land or disposed of in wastewater facilities,” the Johnston’s said on Tuesday.

They said their opposition goes beyond this case. They said they’ve heard the municipality is taking action and hope the attention that has been created by their petition encourages better alternatives moving forward.

They went on to say, “It is absurd that each individual septic hauler is responsible for finding their own areas for disposal. A residential land disposal site is not ideal in terms of impact on the natural, social or cultural environment.”

Elstone responded that he understood the concerns of those opposed to the project. However, “I feel they should get educated on what’s happening before they spread false information around, especially on Facebook.

He said his door is open if people want to call and ask questions.

“I know they don’t want it in their own backyard but it has to go somewhere and we go through the process that the province sets out and we follow that – and if that’s the case, then it should be allowed.”

Dysart et al Mayor Andrea Roberts said she was a bit frustrated by the situation since she only learned about it via social media and one short item in a local newspaper.

She said she’s in the process of becoming informed and will be talking to staff and councillors about the township’s role, if any, prior to Feb. 21.

However, she said, “In terms of the municipality, we have no authority.”

“With anything, whether it be planning, or this, they [objectors] can’t just say ‘I don’t want it because I don’t want it. It has to be based on environmental concerns.”

See ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1101.

OPP bust GTA to Haliburton cocaine ring

By

Lisa Gervais

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February 6, 2020

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Thirteen Haliburton County residents have so far been charged with drug-related offences following a major OPP drug probe over the past nine months.

Dubbed Project Imperial, the investigation culminated in several raids in the early morning hours of Thursday, Jan. 30 – targeting the trafficking of cocaine to the area from the GTA.

Police from Haliburton and the City of Kawartha Lakes executed six warrants in the Haliburton Highlands, Oshawa and Scarborough last Thursday, using helicopters and police dogs. They also had assistance from their Tactics and Rescue Unit and Emergency Response Team.

One eye witness to a bust in Carnarvon said she was awakened before dawn to the sound of a helicopter. When she went outside to investigate, the woman [who asked not to be identified for safety reasons] said she saw a home along Highway 35, just north of the village being swarmed by police.

“I was happy they got them,” she said. “We have children around here.”

In addition to locals, several GTA residents were also arrested and charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.

Sergeant Jason Folz, Central Region media relations and community services coordinator, said Tuesday that the drug trafficking investigation also “led police to identify a significant property crime network that was directly linked to the accused.”

He said police recovered stolen property that had been taken from both residential and commercial properties in Haliburton County. He added that during the course of the investigation, police seized 400 grams of cocaine/crack cocaine, two grams of Fentanyl, nine long guns, two black powder revolver firearms, one revolver firearm, one replica hand gun and more than $12,000. Police were also able to recover stolen property, including generators, power tools and solar panels.

Highlands East delays major works

By

Lisa Gervais

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February 5, 2020

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Highlands East is standing pat on making bigger changes to its organization in this year’s budget as it waits for more reviews.

Council examined a new draft of the 2020 budget Jan. 28. It features a 3.85 per cent levy increase, amounting to $18 per $100,000 of assessment.

Many recommendations for the facility and organizational enhancements made in recent reviews, were tabled for this year, CAO Shannon Hunter said. Although she said these bigger changes are important for sustainability, the present financial picture must be factored in.

“Financial availability and sustainability of the recommendations need to be considered,” Hunter said. “What is presented in this budget is what has to be done in the current year to maintain the assets as we have them. So, this is just a maintaining mechanism.”

The municipality is tentatively allotting funding for several recommendations from facilities and organizational reviews, including $125,000 for a new municipal office and $10,000 for a consultant to review ward structures for the possibility of deputy mayor elections.

A facility review from consultant WaterFeldy said large repairs were needed at many facilities in Highlands East, including several fire halls. But Hunter said the budget includes only what is necessary to meet health and safety requirements.

That includes $59,600 for roof repair and exhaust fans at Station 6, $20,000 each for exhaust fans at Stations 1 and 2, $42,560 for exhaust fans and roof repair at Station 4 and $20,000 for repairs at Station 3.

The budget also includes several repairs to Cardiff facilities, including $200,000 for new change rooms, bathrooms, pump house and concrete repair at the pool, recommended in a facility review.

The budget has not yet received final approval.

Hunter said the bigger recommendations would have to wait until after the municipality finishes reviewing fire services and a County service delivery review.

“Due to those items, the draft budget presented … doesn’t include many of the items our budget should include,” she said.

New youth-centred Rotary Club launching

By

Lisa Gervais

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February 3, 2020

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The Rotary Club of Haliburton and the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce are working to bring a new youth-focused group to the County.

The organizations announced the creation of a Rotaract Club Jan. 16. The international model is similar to the Rotary Club and offers people aged 18-30 a chance to network, develop professional skills, socialize and work on community service projects, according to a press release.

Organizing committee member Scott Walling said it is important to have groups like this to help connect youth.

“It’s hard for this age group to connect in such a wide community,” Walling said. “This is helpful for us as well to find that social aspect of the community, that wants to keep us here.”

The chamber previously organized a Young Professionals Network (YPN), which offered monthly social events for young adults. But Rotary has worked with the chamber over the past several months to transition the network into a Rotaract Club, which will operate independently and without chamber involvement.

Melissa Tong, a Rotaract organizer who previously planned events for the YPN, said the group had good momentum at the beginning but started to fizzle out.

“I believe with a (bigger) membership base and community involvement outside of running around social events, I think it will really help stabilize the group,” Tong said.

“The opportunities for members of the YPN will be greatly enhanced under the Rotaract umbrella,” chamber president Andrea Strano said.

Rotaract has a wide infrastructure, with more than 20,000 clubs in 159 countries. Although it is modelled and tied to Rotary, Ted Brandon said the new group can chart its path for its involvement with the Rotary Club of Haliburton, which tends to have older members.

“Rotary will provide support, or as much support as it feels it needs. Some clubs work autonomously, and others work very closely,” Brandon said. “There will be a visioning session where they decide how they want to proceed in terms of the service.”

Brandon said the club will aim to be as accessible to people as possible in terms of time commitment, costs and what will be expected of members. Besides offering professional development and community service, Tong said a group such as this is important to help people’s wellness.

“A lot of people, especially in smaller communities, have a higher rate of depression and a lot of that … is a lack of community, a lack of a sense of purpose, a lack of a sense of belonging,” Tong said. “This is a really good opportunity to kind of help people find their place in Haliburton.”

The Rotaract Club will host a free information night Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Haliburton School of Arts and Design. More information is also available by contacting Brandon at 705-457-7923 or haliburtonrotaract@gmail.com.

County shrinks levy increase to 1.67 per cent

By

Lisa Gervais

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February 3, 2020

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The County of Haliburton passed its 2020 budget Jan. 22 limiting its levy increase to 1.67 per cent.

Staff indicated more than half the levy increase, about 53 per cent, was driven by factors largely out of County control, including rising costs for external agencies due to provincial cuts, winter maintenance and cost-of-living adjustments for wages.

“We all know the provincial government has a deficit problem … there were some changes in the budget last year that helped them come to resolve that,” CAO Mike Rutter said. “What we have done our best to do is offset those cuts with actual expense reductions as opposed to just asking the taxpayer for more money. Doesn’t really benefit the taxpayer if we just turn around and pass that on to them.”

The increase is significantly lower than the 3.97 per cent projected in the first draft budget Oct. 11. Treasurer Elaine Taylor said this was largely driven by unexpected assessment growth, which increased by 3.34 per cent, more than the initial one per cent expected.

Coun. Carol Moffatt complimented the budget and said the 1.67 figure was quite low. She suggested rounding up to a two per cent increase to take an extra step somewhere in the budget.

“Will that little bit make a difference?” Moffatt asked. “Will it get us that one half-step, quarter-step further towards sustainability?”

But Taylor said she felt the figure should stay lower, noting other tax levy increases coming with lower-tier municipalities. She also cited the financial challenges of year-round residents in the County, who have low average wages.

“Keep it at what it is, only because we’re very close to sustainability and I think we have to consider the people that live here year-round,” Taylor said.

Warden Liz Danielsen agreed.

“We’re starting to hear a little bit about what we’re looking at in the lower tiers,” she said. “We need to hold off.”

Social housing funding

One of the larger parts of the levy increase is more money being spent on affordable housing, about $180,906. That includes $75,000 for planning new capital projects.

Coun. Brent Devolin said several conversations are ongoing with developers and organizations about beginning new housing projects.

Council discussed how to direct housing forward and the possibility of a new County-centred committee.

“A big portion of this right now is driven by CKL (City of Kawartha Lakes) and committee members that sit on that one,” Coun. Patrick Kennedy said. “We’d like to see some movement on this. Is $75,000 the right number? We don’t know. I just think we need more meat on this chicken.”

“We do need to maybe have a broader conversation about the approach we want to take,” Danielsen replied.

Transit fund gets a boost

The County budget includes $50,000 to be put into a reserve to start a future transportation system, adding to the approximately $43,000 placed there this year.

Staff estimate starting a system could cost between $190,000-$300,000. “2020, we’re not going to be able to move forward much for 1,000 reasons,” Coun. Cec Ryall said. “Looking at 2021-22 as realistic.”

Kennedy asked whether lower-tier municipalities might be able to apply for the County’s funding. He put forward the idea of the lower-tier taking more transportation on.

“It’s something I think we should be looking at. If the elephant’s too big to take the whole County on, is there some kind of partnership between upper and lower, to deal with even a portion of the problems?”

Tourists of the winter kind

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 31, 2020

0

Last Saturday, I was pulling out of the high school parking lot when it hit me. Looking towards the Haliburton train, I noticed two snowmobilers stopped to take pictures.

I parked and strolled over, curious to know where they were from and why they were there. The couple were from Pefferlaw, in Georgina. They’d driven to Fenelon Falls and then gotten onto the rail trail for the trip to Haliburton. After I took a picture for them, they wanted directions to McKecks. They were heading for lunch.

Other sledders were waiting to cross the road onto Head Lake. Still others were exiting the lake for the snowmobile staging area inside the park itself. Suddenly, I became aware of sledders everywhere. They were at both gas stations in Haliburton. They walked the main drag in snowsuits, helmets in hand. I got that feeling I hadn’t had since late August. Tourists. Of the winter kind.

Despite puberty-like, unpredictable, winter weather, snowmobilers from all over our region, and points beyond, descended on our trails this past weekend. Based on my early week walks, they’re here to stay.

That is a very good thing as Haliburton County businesses lurch through another winter season, warily watching their businesses’ bottom lines.

You may recall that last June, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs released a new economic impact study.

Based on the report’s data, the Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA) estimated that snowmobilers spent approximately $29 million in Haliburton in the 2018-19 season, further contributing a total of $8 million in taxes across all government levels.

The HCSA figures were based on the OFSC’s district statistics. In District 6, made up of 14 clubs including Haliburton, snowmobiling visitors spent approximately $99.458 million and contributed $28.5 million in taxes. HCSA’s stats for Haliburton County are 29 per cent of those figures, based on the HCSA having 29 per cent of the total snowmobile club memberships in the district.

While it is difficult to know just how accurate this data is, we do know that snowmobilers inject millions into the local economy – at a time when it is much badly needed.

The HCSA has always used these numbers to lobby the tourism sector to support it.

They have, with a snowmobile section on their website. The club is working on townships for more staging areas.

The HCSA is an incredible organization that every year calls upon countless volunteers to maintain an impressive trail system. They groom and sign 370km. In a good winter, that means 2,000 hours of grooming.

The Highlander has long recognized the importance of the sport to the local economy in the dead of winter. That’s why next week we’re kicking off our first Trail Report.

We’ll have information on conditions for the weekend; a forecast for the coming month; upcoming events; information on all county trail systems and associations and how to find them.

In February, we’ll take a look at that economic impact of the industry and in March tell you how the season went as well as early plans for the 2020-21 season.

In the meantime, happy sledding!

Tourists of the winter kind

By

Lisa Gervais

-

January 31, 2020

0

Last Saturday, I was pulling out of the high school parking lot when it hit me. Looking towards the Haliburton train, I noticed two snowmobilers stopped to take pictures. I parked and strolled over, curious to know where they were from and why they were there. The couple were from Pefferlaw, in Georgina. They’d driven to Fenelon Falls and then gotten onto the rail trail for the trip to Haliburton. After I took a picture for them, they wanted directions to McKecks. They were heading for lunch.

Other sledders were waiting to cross the road onto Head Lake. Still others were exiting the lake for the snowmobile staging area inside the park itself. Suddenly, I became aware of sledders everywhere.

They were at both gas stations in Haliburton. They walked the main drag in snowsuits, helmets in hand. I got that feeling I hadn’t had since late August. Tourists. Of the winter kind.

Despite puberty-like, unpredictable, winter weather, snowmobilers from all over our region, and points beyond, descended on our trails this past weekend. Based on my early week walks, they’re here to stay. That is a very good thing as Haliburton County businesses lurch through another winter season, warily watching their businesses’ bottom lines.

You may recall that last June, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs released a new economic impact study. Based on the report’s data, the Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA) estimated that snowmobilers spent approximately $29 million in Haliburton in the 2018-19 season, further contributing a total of $8 million in taxes across all government levels.

The HCSA figures were based on the OFSC’s district statistics. In District 6, made up of 14 clubs including Haliburton, snowmobiling visitors spent approximately $99.458 million and contributed $28.5 million in taxes. HCSA’s stats for Haliburton County are 29 per cent of those figures, based on the HCSA having 29 per cent of the total snowmobile club memberships in the district.

While it is difficult to know just how accurate this data is, we do know that snowmobilers inject millions into the local economy – at a time when it is much badly-needed.

The HCSA has always used these numbers to lobby the tourism sector to support it. They have, with a snowmobile section on their website. The club is working on townships for more staging areas.

The HCSA is an incredible organization that every year calls upon countless volunteers to maintain an impressive trail system. They groom and sign 370km. In a good winter, that means 2,000 hours of grooming.

The Highlander has long recognized the importance of the sport to the local economy in the dead of winter. That’s why next week we’re kicking off our first Trail Report. We’ll have information on conditions for the weekend; a forecast for the coming month; upcoming events; information on all county trail systems and associations and how to find them. In February, we’ll take a look at that economic impact of the industry and in March tell you how the season went as well as early plans for the 2020-21 season. In the meantime, happy sledding!

Dysart discusses scaling back septic progam

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 31, 2020

0

A plan to essentially scale back Dysart et al’s septic re-inspection program met with some resistance at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Chief Building Official Karl Korpela came seeking revisions that would bring the program more in line with what Algonquin Highlands is doing, and what Minden Hills is planning to do. They included: eliminating the mandatory pump out; using a single source third party contractor and notifying owners of inspection dates.

Dysart et al initiated a level 4 program starting January 2017. Since then, there’s been a trial in the Kennisis and Little Kennisis Lake areas. Korpela said 112 of 964 properties have not complied with the requirement to complete their re-inspections or had failed to submit a third party inspection report.

“Although this represents only 12 per cent of properties, beyond issuing 112 orders to comply, dealing with even a quarter of these infractions is not possible with our current staffing,” Korpela said. He added they could hire a lawyer but the courts would slow things down considerably. He said before they begin area two, they should make the changes. He said while the mandatory pump-out would be eliminated, tank lids would still have to be exposed for inspection. He said the inspector would do a sludge judge test to verify if tanks require pumping and check the condition of the tank. He said it would be quicker since haulers won’t have to follow inspectors around.

“The mandatory tank pump out has strongly been the lead complaint and most controversial aspect of our current program. Tanks will now only require to be pumped out under the maintenance requirements of the building code which is far easier to defend and closer to the province’s guidelines on re-inspections,” Korpela’s report said.

The second change is moving to a third party firm to do inspections rather than a list of 12 qualified inspectors. Algonquin Highlands, for example, uses WSP Canada and charges under $180 per inspection. With notifying owners, Korpela said it allows better coverage of an area. He further suggested that those 112 properties be added to area two inspections.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said, “I think we have to listen to staff. They say it’s not working.”

However, Coun. Larry Clarke had some concerns with scaling back the program, asking if there could be scenarios requiring pump outs, such as property sales, certain types of tanks proving problematic or being old, or the absence of septic paperwork. Korpela said it would add a level of complexity but could be done. Clarke thought the issue should go to the environment and climate change committee before a decision is made.

Deputy Mayor Patrick Kennedy said he had only received the report the preceeding Thursday and was not ready to make a decision.

Coun. John Smith said he was “very surprised” when he saw the report in the council agenda. He said the previous council was clear it wanted the highest level of oversight. He added while 12 per cent were not compliant, 88 per cent were, which he said was indicative of “a tremendous buy in” to the program. He felt now backing away was a disservice to residents. He said he was worried that without pump outs, deficiencies would go undetected and threaten lake health.

“To walk away from that would be foolish.”

But Roberts argued, “I feel like we’re trying to catch the big tuna but it isn’t working for us.” She said they could send it back to committee but did not think there would be any new information to debate.

The item was deferred, however, to the Feb. 13 environment and climate change meeting.

Sun sets on Eastmure’s career

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 31, 2020

0

Recently-retired Sun Life financial advisor Curtis Eastmure recalls delivering a $1 million life insurance cheque to a client after his wife died – even though the policy had only been in force 14 months.

Eastmure said the client was embarrassed to take it, since the policy was so new. But Eastmure told him he had signed a contract with Sun Life, and he was very proud to give him the money.

The client told him to photocopy the cheque, black out the name and use it is a motivation story.

“I will miss that,” Eastmure says of his interaction with clients over a 27-year career. Most people would know him as a Sun Life advisor and through his work with the Chamber of Commerce group insurance plan. He finished up on Dec. 31, 2019.

During that long career, he said without a doubt the most important aspect was selling life insurance “since it makes the most difference in people’s lives if tragedies happen.”

While it’s only been a month, Eastmure said he has slipped easily into retirement. He had just gotten off the curling ice when The Highlander rang. He’s been a volunteer for years and now has more time to do that. He helps out at Abbey Gardens, with the Haliburton Fine Arts Society, occasionally takes the stage of the Highlands Summer Festival and does ski patrolling. He and wife Brenda love to ski and do two trips a year.

He said he was ready to quit the day job. When Kyle Brewer took over after Sean Hagerman passed away about five years ago, Eastmure, now 69, told Brewer he’d give him four years and that ended last April. He noted that Brenda has been retired for seven years.

He said the insurance and investment industry has changed a lot since he started in 1993, with heightened compliance and “astronomical” amounts of paperwork.

Leaving now, he is confident that clients – many of whom have become close friends – are going to be well taken care of with the likes of Chris Salmans, Kyle Brewer and Abby Blythe-Luck. “My clients are going to be just fine.”

Brewer remarked on Eastmure’s “constant striving for honest and hard work and making sure clients’ best interests are always forefront.” He said they’d miss him and his stories but “we’re excited for his next phase of life for sure.” Brewer is also enthusiastic about the recent addition of Sean’s daughter, Abby. He commented she already has a lot of relationships locally that will be enhanced by the work she and The Sun Life office does. He said her ability to relate and empathize with clients “is better than most.” He is looking forward to watching her develop into a successful young businessperson.

Eastmure said losing his business partner and friend, Sean, was one of the most difficult times in his life. He recalled writing his resignation to Sun Life and, “It was certainly poignant. Sean never got a chance to write this letter and I did.”

Repair cafe diverts more than 50 per cent from landfills

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 31, 2020

0

An excited Carrie Pearce, holding an antique pole lamp, was one of the first through the door at the repair café this past Saturday in Haliburton. Pearce said the lamp held sentimental value because it came from a cottage she and her late husband rented.

“He loved it and restored it but it doesn’t work,” she said as she made her way to one of the fix-it stations inside the high school gym.

“I think it’s fabulous,” she said of the SIRCH initiative birthed with help from Environment Haliburton! and an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant.

“I wish there was more of this. So much stuff is going to the landfill.”

At one of the general repair areas, Pearce was met by volunteer Bob Hudspith. He explained he’s had lots of opportunities to do handiwork and he’d always been comfortable using tools. When he saw the poster looking for volunteers, he concluded it was something he could do.

As the two worked on the lamp, an official ceremony marked the launch of the inaugural café with Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott, along with SIRCH executive director Gena Robertson, repair café coordinator Chris Varga and volunteers.

Scott represented the OTF at the opening. She gave “a shout out” to the once-a-year application program encouraging people to apply since “it all helps our community.” She added the day was about reduce, reuse, recycle and repair.

Robertson said OTF funding allows organizations such as hers to try new programming. She noted it was launching in a rural and remote community so “if it goes here … it will go anywhere.”

Varga thanked the numerous fixers who had volunteered their time, offering everything from wood and furniture, to general repairs, computers, small appliances and electronics, clothing and cloth, and jewelry. As a fixer and environmentalist, he thanked SIRCH for the opportunity.

“This is amazing. This is the start of it.”

At the end of the day, Varga said 48 repairs were attempted; 26 were a success; 16 needed parts and will be fixed at a later date; one could not be tested and four could not be fixed.

“We achieved a very respectable 54.2 per cent repair rate and 33.3 per cent can still be fixed. “That is an amazing outcome. Even if we don’t get more than 54.2 per cent, that is still over 50 per cent less stuff going to landfill. And in the process, we shared knowledge, had fun and got to know our neighbours.”