Full transparency needed on Tiny’s septage issue

Report of the April 15 septage committee meeting and the April 13 Tiny Council Meeting

By Vickie Kee AWARE Tiny

The April 15 septage committee meeting was announced at the Tiny Council meeting only two days before by councillor Wishart, and only advertised on the electronic signs in the township. No notice was given on the Tiny website or in any of the local papers. So why weren’t the residents of Tiny properly informed? No new information came out of this meeting. This council has to fully include the public at all the septage meetings.

Six presentations were scheduled for the April 13 council meeting, starting with Mr. Greg Anderson from EthoSolar and Mr. Ken Rounds from Simcoe County Community Energy Co-operative in regards to a proposed solar project at the Huronia Airport and the possibility of other solar opportunities in the township.

Deputy-Mayor Walma asks for more information on this possible solar project. There is a choice of to produce and keep or to sell the energy. The solar panels would be on the rooftop at the airport and there would be no glare. Rooftop solar does not impact the visual landscape and it would increase property values.

A presentation was made by Ms. Karen Kivilahti, Safe Water Coordinator representing the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit on the 2014 Beach Report for Tiny. Testing the water at the beaches starts in June for prevention and reduction of water born illnesses. They are on call 24-7.

A presentation was made by C.C. Totham & Associates Ltd. regarding the 2014 Sewage System Reinspection Program. It will be continuing.  All aspects of your sewage system are to be looked at and any deficiencies are to be reported.

Another presentation was made by C.C. Totham & Associates regarding the proposed Fill Control By-law. This by-law is to deal with fill coming into Tiny and dumped and also fill that is dumped on to a wetland area. There are the small pit owners accepting fill from construction sites says Councillor Wishart. Apparently, licensed pits are exempted from this by-law. This new by-law is created because of a complaint about the dredging from Penetanguishene Bay that was being dumped in Tiny Township. This by-law has been three years in the making so there is no need to rush it through, says Councillor Hastings.

A presentation was made by Mr. Peter Anderson, representing the Farlain Lake Community Association, requesting permission to place an informatiion kiosk on municipal property adjacent to Andrew Drive at Farlain Lake. This kiosk would provide information to the public about the invasive species, Eurasian Watermilfoil, an aquarium plant which the Farlain Lake community is trying very hard to get rid of so it does not cause damage as it has done in Frenchman’s Bay in Pickering. Sign location needs to be decided on by staff and then brought back to council for confirmatiion.

A presentation was made by Burnside & Associates regarding the Wye River drainage and the Withall Dam. Public Works is handling this at the moment.