Many Erin residents are not convinced that a wastewater system
costing $118 million is the best course of action for the town, and they vented
their doubts loudly at a public meeting on Feb. 2.
There was a presentation by Ainley Group, the consultants hired to
complete the final phases of an Environmental Assessment (EA). The current plan
estimates a cost of $50-$60 million to service the existing 4,500 residents in
Hillsburgh and Erin village. The balance would be paid by developers as the
urban population increases by about 10,000 over 20-30 years.
Limits on the town’s debt capacity mean the project would only be
feasible with substantial senior government funding. One resident noted that if
the town uses up most of its debt capacity for wastewater, it would not be
available to support other important infrastructure projects.
Another received applause after suggesting there be a referendum on
whether to proceed with sewers. Several also expressed doubt about the chances
of the project being completed on budget.
Some residents are satisfied with the current set-up of private
septic systems, saying that problems with aging systems do not constitute an
emergency.
“Why should we be excited about spending all this money when we’ve
got what we need in our back yard?” said one speaker. “Just leave us alone.”
Another said many people moved to Erin for the low housing density,
and that a sewer system would allow developers such as Solmar to “get rich”
building denser neighbourhoods.
“We’re going to spend 50 to 60 million so Solmar can build houses
and destroy our community?” he said.
One resident reminded the crowd that the reason residential tax
bills are so high is the lack of a substantial commercial and industrial tax
base. Wastewater service could help correct that imbalance.
Some were concerned about impact on the West Credit River, but were
told that the effluent would be treated to such a high level that the discharge
would be well within Ministry of the Environment limits. No storm water will be
allowed in the sanitary sewers, eliminating the possibility of waste bypassing
the treatment plant during a storm.
Ainley President Joe Mullan said the preferred option of a
traditional gravity sewer system would provide the “lowest operating cost in
the long term”.
He said if the projected cost per household of $20,000-$25,000 (based
on full build-out) is offset by two-thirds grant funding, homeowners would pay
$6,700-$8,300. This could be spread over many years as a low-interest loan.
In addition, they would have to pay for the connection from their
houses to the road, now estimated at an average of $6,000. Hook-up would be
mandatory in serviced areas, though it could be delayed.
There would also be ongoing wastewater bills, similar to water
bills, averaging $400-$500 annually. Mullan noted that provision of sewers
normally causes property values to rise.
Full details of the Ainley presentation can be downloaded from the
wastewater section of the town website, erin.ca.
Mayor Al Alls had previously voiced his personal opinion that all
taxpayers, including rural residents who would never hook up to sewage
treatment, should pay a share of system construction. They are already helping
pay for the EA process. In a recent interview, however, Alls conceded that
urban residents would pay construction costs (offset by government grants and
developers’ contributions).
He reminded residents that all members of the current town council
were elected in 2014 after promising to support moderate growth, with
wastewater as a key element. The next municipal election is Oct. 22 this year.
“We need sewage capacity,” he said. “The status quo can only lead to
further decline.”
He read an appeal from public school trustee Kathryn Cooper, who urged
residents to support wastewater service as a means of increasing the number of
families with school-age children. A meeting about declining enrolment and
potential school closures will be held Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Erin Public
School gym.
The EA remains in a public consultation stage, and comments are
invited before the end of February. After that, Ainley will work with the town
and the Public Liaison Committee to prepare an Environmental Study Report,
which will be subject to an official 30-day public review period.
If accepted by council, the EA could be complete by late spring,
though the results could be appealed to the Minister of the Environment with
“Part II Order” requests. The completed EA is needed to apply for federal and
provincial funding.
Comments can be sent to Project Coordinator
Christine Furlong of Triton Engineering, cfurlong@triton.on.ca;
or to Ainley President Joe Mullan, erin.urban.classea@ainleygroup.com.