Page 1 - Nov. 9, 2017

Vol. 5, Issue 10 Free of Charge ~ Read and Enjoy! Thursday, November 9, 2017
lightning strike in Dawn-euphemia
A November lightning storm cause this barn on Gould Road north of Lambton line in Dawn-Euphemia to go up in ames Sunday. Dawn-Euphemia Fire Chief Dave Williams says the barn was no longer in use, but was a storage area for two snowmobiles. Oil Springs re ghters were on hand to help with water at the scene. Williams says the crews were able to
hold the re in check so the surrounding buildings, including a home with a propane tank, were not a ected.
Marianne VanderSpek Photo
Investigation launched into Y talks
‘It is not going to work’
Greenhouse owner says water solution not ‘feasible’
The Independent Staff
The Independent of Petrolia and Central
future of the employees may have been done behind closed doors, the rest of the information, including the memorandum of understanding, should have been discussed in open council.
The Ministry of the Environment says 40 pounds per square inch of pressure must be maintained throughout the municipality at all times.
Lambton has asked a Closed Door Meeting Investigator examine the Town of Petrolia’s handling of its recent negotiations with
the YMCA to run the Oil Heritage District Community Centre.
“I recognize this is an unusual step, however we believe strongly in open government and felt compelled to bring the situation to light,” says Publisher Heather Wright.
Heather Wright
An engineer’s report which was to be presented to Dawn-Euphemia Council Monday says the water needs for even the rst phase of the greenhouse would bring the water pressure for the rest of the township below the standard without any changes to the water system.
The newspaper led the request Tuesday saying council had improperly met privately to discuss the issue and sign a memorandum of understanding with the YMCA.
There is a $13.2 million solution to the water problem in Dawn-Euphemia.
Discussions with the Y were rst made public Oct. 25, one day before public consultation started. Richard Poore, director of cultural services told The Independent negotiations had been going on “for months” and a memorandum of agreement had been signed. It had not come before council.
Under the Municipal Act, there are very clear rules of what councils may discuss privately.
planned a 100-acre greenhouse project on the corner of Oil Heritage Road and Edys Mills Line. They chose the site because of the availability of natural gas for heating and a waterline which runs along side
“The more water we try to get out...the pressures were dropping signi cantly,” says Tom Montgomery of CIMA.
The Independent consulted with a number of municipal leaders, a lawyer and municipal administrators who said while some of the discussions around the
The complaint has also been led with the Ontario Ombudsman who is listed as the town’s closed door meeting investigator.
As the company started planning, concerns were raised whether the waterline would
be able to bring enough water for the greenhouse and provide the necessary water pressure for the rest of the municipality.
He says the rst phase of project could
go ahead if a larger 5.2 kilometre pipeline was built from near Oil Springs to the greenhouse site. But there would have to be more construction in the future.
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“While there may be merit in the idea of having the YMCA run the community centre, keeping negotiations secret for so long creates suspicions about what may have already been decided.”
But the greenhouse developer who needs the water says it isn’t economically feasible. Greenhill Produce of the Thamesville area
The second phase would drop pressure in the rest of the municipality to 22 psi and the nal phase would not be possible.
They include property, legal and personal issues where an employee is identi ed. Decisions are not to be made in camera but voted on in open session.
the property. The greenhouse project was expected to create upwards of 250 jobs when it is completed.
But Montgomery says there is a solution.
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