By Sue Tiffin
Published Feb. 20 2018
The following are brief reports of items discussed at the Feb. 14 county committee meetings.
The Haliburton Highlands Outdoors Association (HHOA) has asked the county for funding support to help restore Gould's Creek.
Funds received by the HHOA will be matched up to a total of $155000 as part of a Department of Fisheries and Oceans stream rehabilitation program.
That program would encourage spawning grounds for brook trout.
The county road committee agreed to shift $10000 from the Gelert Bridge project and $10000 from reserves to help support the funding request.
“The sources of funding are from a re-allocation because rather than completely replacing the deck on the Gelert bridge we will be replacing rotten boards and then putting a full surface on top ($10000) with the remaining $10000 coming from our engineering budget where we budgeted approximately $30000 to do our bi-annual bridge assessments but the pricing came in at just over $20000” said Mike Rutter county CAO in an email to the paper.
Gould’s Creek runs from the fish hatchery south under a township road and under a rail trail.
A culvert replaced within the project would help save the county significant funds by having to replace it themselves.
Liz Danielsen Algonquin Highlands deputy mayor and county deputy warden called it a reasonable request especially given the cost savings to the county and asked for a report on updates of the project.
“I see it as a good news story” said Craig Douglas director of public works.
According to the HHOA website they have also partnered with MNRF Trent University Fleming College Trout Unlimited Canada U-Links and the Casey Family Property.
Salty roads
As of Jan. 23 111 loads of salt have been ordered in the 2017/2018 winter season. In comparison 71 loads were ordered for the 2015/2016 winter season and 147 loads in 2016/2017.
County public works staff has recommended to council that a group tender for the supply and delivery of untreated road salt be renewed with K & S Windsor Salt. Co.
“Their service has been really good in getting us sort of real-time deliveries” said Douglas who explained in the roads committee meeting the county doesn't have storage space for large salt shipments. “When we need it we need it right away.”
The renewed contract lists costs as being $78.09 per tonne of untreated salt and an increase 1.6 per cent in delivery charge from the previous contract with K & S Windsor Salt. Co which was signed in 2015.
One calendar to inform them all
Tammy Rea and Jim Love headed a delegation during the county tourism committee to share the OurCalendar.ca project a central community calendar launched to assimilate information about county happenings in one online place.
The committee agreed to take part in the pilot project of the calendar at no cost to determine best practices in making it successful in giving local groups and organizations the chance to plan around each other with more ease as well as give residents and visitors easier access to events in the area. The calendar is available for viewing and participation at OurCalendar.ca.
