$3 million for Hastings water treatment
New UV system needed to treat wastewater sent into Trent River
Council has approved a contract to install an ultra-violet disinfection system to treat wastewater in Hastings.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $3.1 million, which is $568,000 higher than the $2.5 million allocated in the 2025 budget. Council agreed to take the extra money from a wastewater reserve fund.
“The installation of the UV disinfection system will replace the chemical (chlorine) system currently utilized for effluent disinfection from the treatment facility,” said a report by Tanya Redden, Manager of Capital Works and Asset Management. “The existing chlorine system has surpassed its life expectancy and is running at its maximum capacity on an annual basis.
“There are also multiple days during the year which it exceeds its daily capacity. The replacement of the disinfection equipment is required to address this, as well as create a more effective and efficient system which supports any future expansions for the treatment facility.”
In her report, Redden also said, “The disinfection upgrades will occur concurrently with the Class EA currently underway to determine what is required for the expansion of the capacity of the facility to not only accommodate current influent flows, but future flows required for potential development.”
Town to borrow $2.6 million
Council has agreed to borrow $2.6 million from RBC to cover the cost of completing the Hastings Standpipe Project and the reconstruction of Ranney Street North.
A report from Christina Beaushaw, Director of Finance/Treasurer, said $1.6 million remained unfunded for the Hastings standpipe and $1 million for the work on Ranney Street.
She said RBC is offering a 10-year loan option in the annual amount of $318,444. This is a 10-year loan with a five-year fixed rate of 3.88 per cent to be renewed at five years.
The Ranney reconstruction and the Hastings standpipe each cost just over $3.9 million.
Grand Rd. home to be demolished
Trent Hills council has approved the county’s plan to demolish the home at 120 Grand Road as it prepares, maybe, to build a new bridge over the Trent River.
A bylaw passed on Tuesday, Oct. 28, gives Northumberland County the right to demolish the house, currently owned by the municipality, which purchased it from Brent Townsend following a long, public dispute.
Council has already given permission to demolish 109 Saskatoon Avenue on the east side of the Trent. Preliminary work is under way moving services in preparation for construction of a new bridge linking Second Street and Alma Street.
The county has not made a formal decision in favour of proceeding with the $56 million bridge and it has had no success obtaining provincial or federal grants. The issue is likely to be raised on Nov. 10 when the county council finally discusses plans for its 2026 budget.
A previous meeting on Sept. 29 to discuss the budget got sidetracked by something, we’ve never been told what, that led to the departure of Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Moore. Budget talks were delayed until November.
During a meeting on Sept. 24, Director of Finance Matthew Nitsch warned councillors that the county would have to raise $40 million of the $56 million at by borrowing and the annual carrying costs of up to $2.8 million for 25 years could push the county over its self-imposed debt limit.
The county plans to largely pay for the bridge with development fees, but they haven’t generated enough money yet, so it can only count on about $15 million.
Sunny Life canteen contract awarded
Campbellford Wholesale has signed a five-year contract with the municipality to provide canteen and vending machine services at the Sunny Life Recreation & Wellness Centre. It will pay $600 a month.
Campbellford Wholesale had been operating the services on a trial basis since the centre opened.
Bridge to be demolished
Council has approved the demolition and removal of the Balaclava Street bridge over Trout Creek in Campbellford.
The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 2000 and shut to pedestrians and bicyclists this summer. Local residents were surveyed, and several urged the municipality to build a bridge for walkers and cyclists, but the cost is prohibitive.
The cost of removing the structure will be about $240,000. Building a new bridge for vehicles and pedestrians was estimated at $1.4 million and a pedestrian/cyclist bridge would cost $800,000.
The municipality will retain the road right-of-way which gives workers access to the creek to keep it cleared and will permit construction of a new bridge in the future if money can be obtained from provincial grants.
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Well this article lets the public know where are utility money is going. Now understand why there was the grandiose meeting by Engage Engineering about the rebuilding of the Parkview water and new pavement at the council chambers then about three weeks later getting told it is not happening because no provincial grants. The council did have a change of heart when just before a delegation was going to speak. Somehow they now have a limited budget and it has started with Davidson Construction and workers from the utilities. They have done an outstanding job so far I hope they get the job of cleaning up the ditches filling in the cuts to the residential turn off valves before Drains paving.
I am waiting to hear about the suggested budget, it going to be difficult with the 1.7 million bridge at Nappan Island. Staff stated that Development fees would help pay for it but the developer filed for bankruptcy. Once you cross the bridge it turns into a private road. It is still up for sale but municipal taxes will not even put a dent in it. Check it out. Thanks Art for your informative article.
I would be amiss if I didn,t tell you that there has been two more water main breaks in the last couple of weeks, just South of the present project. Was away yesterday but last night an employee from Davidson was at my door to turn off the temporary line. Said they were going to dig up the break right away. That’s good the one to the left of my house was left for a night and my sump pump ran for three days and my neighbour across the street I believe five. What a waste of treated water. Glad to see Charley Davidson on the job.