Members of Brighton council. (front to back) Brian Ostrander, Mary Tadman, John Martinello (Photo: Joyce Cassin/Quinte News).
Wastewater barely within limits
GSS Engineering consulting, Jeff Graham, says that although Brighton’s wastewater pollution control plant is operating in compliance with the ministry of the environment and climate change, they’re barely making it.
He said if they continue with the same numbers come early summer, the numbers will be over the summer limits, so they have to take action.
Graham recommended installing timers on the aerators and continue on with the current course of action.
He will be reporting back to council next month on the progress.
Committee to look at connecting trail links
Brighton councillor Mary Tadman has chosen to sit on a new committee that will look at extending the Butler Creek trail system from Rose Ellery Park at Ontario and Main Streets down to connect to the Tobey link that stretches from Cedar to Harbour Street.
$40,000 has been set aside in this year’s budget, with another $50,000 in reserves for the Stalwood link.
Council Code of Conduct gets a nod
Brighton council voted in favour of returning the Council Code of Conduct after it was abolished shortly after the existing council took office last year.
Councillor Mary Tadman said she had hoped council was mature enough not to need a code of conduct, but she put the motion on the floor.
Staff presented the same code that Northumberland County Council uses.
It was passed 4-3 with one change to identify a 90-day maximum in pay suspension should one council member be found guilty.
Councillors Steve Baker, John Martinello, and Roger McMurray were opposed.
Brighton still in the fuel business
After holding off on making a final decision to get out of the fuel business and not purchase a new tank for diesel fuel at the Hilton Public Works yard, Brighton council approved the purchase of a 1500 gallon tank for diesel with a card-lock system, and convert a coloured diesel tank for gasoline.
Public Works supervisor Lucas Kelly said the municipality would save about $4,400 a year on fuel costs and would be able to supply gas to its vehicles in case of emergency.
Construction on George to include watermain
In order to get a start on a second watermain into urban Brighton, council approved a $90,000 expenditure to install a pipe from the Mount Hope Cemetery road down to the George/Alice intersection.
The pipe will be installed away from the existing pipe to avoid potential breakage issues and a repeat of last year’s water emergencies due to construction.
Mayor Mark Walas said the plan is to have a second main come from the water treatment plant and connect to the new line at some point in the future.
Lakeside Landing owner on notice
Brighton Mayor Mark Walas will be put on notice that if he allows any changes to the grade of his Lakeside Landing subdivision at Lakeshore and Lakehurst, he will be charged.
Council passed a motion last August to have the bylaw officer keep an eye on the proposed subdivision to ensure no bylaws were being broken.
It was reported that unauthorized fill had been added, as well a ditches dug.
Five months later, residents were charged with non-compliance after they filed complaints with the Ontario Municipal Board to stop the subdivision.
Council agreed to send Walas a letter stating he must cease and desist all activity without written permission or the bylaw will be enforced in the future.
