Kemptville081513

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LOCAL NEWS

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The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Rd. 44, Box 130 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 www.northgrenville.ca general@northgrenville.on.ca Tel. 613-258-9569 Fax 613-258-9620 Building Tel. 613-258-4424 Fax 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info. Tel. 613-258-2438 Fax 613-258-1031 Police Administration Tel. 613-258-3441 Animal Control Tel. 613-862-9002

Two ice rinks, a theatre, several meeting rooms and more Come and Visit your Municipal Centre

This letter is provided as an update on the situation at Fetherston Mobile Home Park. It is important for all residents of North Grenville to know that as members of Municipal Council, we take our responsibilities very seriously. We are obligated not only towards the residents and/or mobile home owners at Fetherston Park but to all the residents of North Grenville. The situation at Fetherston Park is a diďŹƒcult and complex matter and together we have carefully reviewed the facts and made decisions based on what is in the best interest of the Municipality as a whole since our involvement in 2002. The Municipality requested and has received an Engineer’s Assessment Report advising that the privately owned septic systems and the pipes that take sewage to the septic systems at the Park have failed and must be replaced. In their existing condition, these systems represent serious health and safety hazards for the residents of Fetherston Park. The costs associated with the removal of the old systems and installation of new systems is estimated at $750,000. To put this number into perspective, should such an expense be incurred by the Municipality, it would represent a residential tax increase of approximately 10% to 12%. Even if the Municipality borrows the money, it will limit our borrowing capacity for municipal capital projects. This is not municipal infrastructure; this is a privately owned facility with a long history of neglect on the part of the Owner, who is now bankrupt. In 2005, the Municipality made a proposal where it would finance most of the repairs if certain reasonable conditions were met which called for participation by the Owner and the residents. Months later, none of the conditions were met. Council passed a resolution that it would not be in the best interest of the Municipality that significant public funds be spent to improve these private systems. In 2008, and following the death of J. Edwin Brown, the Park residents were informed that the Municipality would attempt to find a new owner for the Park. If a new owner was not found the Park would close. Over the past five years, sta has followed up on expressions of interest but no oer has been made to buy the Park. The Municipality has always acted in good faith. However, as potential buyers investigate further, they face the reality that the issues at the Park are more than they are willing to undertake. The Municipality, along with our M.P.P. Mr. Steve Clark, have communicated with Provincial oďŹƒcials to seek financial assistance for both the cost associated with the replacement of the septic systems and assistance for the residents of the Park. These requests have resulted in the possibility of additional funds being made available for current social housing programs as administered by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville however there are no funds available that we have been advised of for the required repairs. Council agrees that our first action must be to protect the health and safety of the residents of the Park whether they agree or not. Residents cannot continue to live in these homes with failed sewage systems. To protect the residents, we have initiated a process which will lead to an order prohibiting occupancy of the mobile homes. This is not a decision that

THE EMC - K7 - Thursday, August 15, 2013

has been made lightly, and it is not without concern for the hardships these citizens will face. With recent media coverage, a few new potential buyers have come forward. The Municipality continues to respond to each and every inquiry. To date, all serious inquiries have called for the Municipality to finance the repairs, raise the rents and/or own the Park and become liable for the repairs. These options are not in the best interests of the residents of North Grenville. In the absence of a new owner, the residents of the Park must make arrangements to move. Council is aware of the arguments put forward by the residents that the approximate 90 day process is too short to allow for a new owner to be found or for the residents to organize themselves to take over the park. In the event that a new owner is on the verge of purchasing the Park and meeting the necessary requirements, the Municipality will be reasonable in the timing of making the final decision to prevent occupancy. The issue of urgency is as a result of an engineering report which underlines the serious health and safety concerns currently at the Park. The sceptic systems could have a major failure at any time with the following possible consequences: a. a resident at the Park could become seriously ill or worse; b. the water supply on the property could become contaminated resulting in the water system to be shut o; c. the Municipality will incur the necessary costs relating to the contamination of the water supply; d. the Municipality will incur the necessary costs to eliminate any immediate health hazard caused by the defective sewage system; e. the Municipality will likely be sued by those who suer injury or other damages; f. the Municipality could be ordered to do all the repairs by the Ministry of the Environment and incur an expense estimated at $750,000.00 g. the Municipality may be required to prevent occupancy without notice thereby causing more hardship on the residents. Each of the above consequences are real and could happen at any time. Sta at the Municipality has advised that the risks are higher in the spring after the snow melts. It is for this reason that Council has determined that it is in the best interest of all residents of the Municipality that the potential health risks and potential costs and liability to the Municipality be eliminated prior to the upcoming winter months. As we move forward, we have identified the Municipality’s Chief Administrative OďŹƒcer as the spokesperson for this issue. Mr. CarrĂŠ is following protocol established by Council, is keeping us appraised of all questions and communications, and is bringing to our attention all relevant issues which would require a decision before moving forward. We ask that members of the public and the media continue to direct all inquiries regarding this matter to his oďŹƒce for a response. Yours in service,

R0012260486_0815

Arts - Following the very successful spring play ‘Sex Please, We’re Sixty’ Kemptville Players Incorporated has been busy planning the fall production. It has been decided that two one-act plays will be performed at the Municipal Centre in November. One of the plays is by the well-known playwright Norm Foster – ‘The Death of Me’ and the other play is ‘Box Office’ by Claudia Haas. Both plays are comedies but very different in plot and style. They are funny, interesting and each with its own twist at the end. KPI also has a 1950s murder mystery ready to go and is waiting for invitations to perform it. For those who love the music and dancing of the 1950s this is the play for you. KPI is also exploring another type of entertainment – visual radio plays. They have many scripts to read from this rather new form of play and hope to mount one of them in the spring. The audience will see all the actors with old fashioned microphones and the sound man making all the appropriate bell ringing, door slamming, running feet etc. Auditions for the two one-act plays will be held at the IOOF hall in Kemptville on August 14 at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome as the KPI need many people to fill all the positions that are necessary for a production – actors, props people, stage set up, painting and prompting. The KPI can fulfill any theatrical yearning you may have as every aspect of theatre is a creative outlet. The plays will be staged at The Municipal Centre on November 15, 16 and 17.

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Kemptville Players Incorporated plan fall production

TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH GRENVILLE:

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