Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/915417
Township of Rideau Lakes councilors will be considering raising the number of annual manda- tory septic re-inspections to 150 properties and elim- inating voluntary partici- pation. Currently they perform 100 mandatory inspec- tions in identified areas, and another 50 voluntary inspections, to which the response has been under- whelming. Doing away with mail- ing out notifications for voluntary inspections will save $1200 in postage. Of the voluntary inspection requests mailed out, only four responded. The program has inspected 977 properties in its 11 years of opera- tion. More than half of the properties inspected required remedial work (431) or a new system (31). The inspections over that period followed a schedule to ensure all lakes within the township were inspected. Following the Rideau Conservation Authority's 2014 sub watershed report inspections were undertak- en on Lower Rideau, Upper Rideau, Westport Sand and Bass lakes which were suggested as candi- dates for close monitoring. Property owners have been receptive of the pro- gram and of the owners who returned a question- naire 61 per cent were able to be present during the re- inspection. "Overall the environ- mental benefits of identi- fying and presumable repairing deficiencies in existing septic systems combined with the gener- ally positive public/private interactions between home owners and the Mississip- pi Rideau Septic Inspec- tion team suggest the pro- gram has been successful to date and is in the pub- lic's interest to continue," wrote septic inspector Eric Kohlsmith in his report. Next year's program will prioritize properties which have not participat- ed in the voluntary pro- gram in the past. The Review-Mirror December 14, 2017 – 16 Santa Claus will be in Delta Saturday for the final Celebrate the Season evening of the year. Lower Beverley Lake Park's (LBLP) 'Celebrate the Season' festival will be bringing visitors to Delta for one more night of enjoyment of holiday lights. This Saturday, Decem- ber 16 is the last night to enjoy the lights, enjoy a meal at the Delta United Church and take in a tour of the Delta Mill. Over 90,000 lights and other holiday decorations decorate the park where each Saturday Santa and Mrs. Claus have been enjoying young visitors at a cottage on the lake. Wagon rides to the park will only be available from the fairgrounds where there will be wagons tak- ing visitors to the park beginning at 5 p.m. Patrons walking through the park may do so by leaving their vehicle at the Village Boat Launch. Public wash- rooms are available at the Old Town Hall. Reservations are required for the turkey supper, served in two sit- tings, which will be held at the United Church. Con- tact Pat at 613-928-2712 or by e-mail at hary- mary@ripnet.com. The Review Christmas Greetings Edition Wed., Dec. 20 Advertising deadline Friday, Dec. 15 To reserve space call or email Bill Ritchie 613-273-8000 or 1-800-387-0796 advertising@review-mirror.com Mirror Time may be up for waterfront owners who passed on voluntary septic re-inspections The Westport Daycare Centre is looking for some financial relief from the township from a 2018 rent increase for its facility at the former North Crosby municipal offices. The centre pays $250 per month in rent, an amount which could be increased to $500 a month. Rideau Lakes Town- ship has indicated they would like to further raise the rent to recover some of the investment they have made in the facility's septic system. When it failed, it was rebuilt to accommodate the needs of the daycare. Wanda Seward, the centre's director and oper- ator, was a delegation at Monday's council meeting to outline the financial pressures her organization is under. The impending increase in minimum wage would force her to raise all of her employees' wages when the new $14 minimum wage that takes effect Jan.1, 2018. It rises to $15 on Jan. 1, 2019. The centre's Registered Early Childhood Educa- tors (RECE) currently make $12.65 an hour, above the current mini- mum wage of $11.60. "The politicians are promising help for licensed child care centres in order to raise minimum wage earners but the busi- nesses will probably have to absorb the cost of rais- ing our RECE's wages so they will be over the mini- mum wage earners salary of $14 per hour," said Seward. The day care centre which ran at the location before was a non-profit. Seward, who doesn't draw a salary, made $30,000 profit in 2016. Unlike other business- es, cutting staff isn't a solution to finances when strict child and staff ratios are regulated for child care. The centre is the only licensed daycare between Smiths Falls, Brockville and Kingston. A licensed day care gives access to subsidies for families. Seward offers an infant program for children up to 18 months which requires one staff person for every three babies. A toddler program requires one per- son for every five children and a pre-school program requires one person for every eight children. Council will be making a decision on the rent increase at budget time. Deadline Friday, Dec. 15 New minimum wage going to boost expenses Daycare operator hopes township sticks with subsidized rent Final Saturday for Delta's Celebrate the Season