SOUTH HURON — Coun. Tom Tomes says organizers are “quite pleased” with how the inaugural season of the Exeter Farmers' Market went last year.
Of a second season, Tomes said, “It's going to be a go.”
The market, which ran from May to October at the Gary Bean Securities property in Exeter's south end, averaged 12 vendors per week, Tomes said at South Huron council's Jan. 18 meeting. He added the highest number of vendors at any given week was 17.
Tomes said approximate sales at the market were pegged at $70,000. He explained it is believed that for every dollar spent at the market, three dollars are spent in the community, resulting in over $200,000 spent locally resulting from the farmers' market.
Tomes said vendors were appreciative for Bean's donation of the property, and the market will either return there for the second season or move to the Ag. Building behind the South Huron Rec Centre. Tomes said there were some concerns about hydro and parking last year at the Bean property.
Mayor Ken Oke noted there was lots of parking available at the back of the Country Corners lot for farmers' market customers.
Other council notes:
Andrew and Hill reconstruction
Council awarded the tender for the reconstruction of Andrew and Hill streets to PCN Construction Group of London for $1,478,678.38, including GST. The PCN bid was the lowest of six bids the municipality received for the job.
Work includes replacement of storm and sanitary sewers, watermains, roads and sidewalks.
South Huron operations manager Don Giberson noted the project falls within the amount the municipality budgeted for.
Grand Bend sewage project
Of four invitations for quotes the municipality sent out to have an environmental assessment done for the South Huron portion of the Grand Bend sewage project, three companies declined. Last week council approved the one bid they did receive, from Gamsby and Mannerow for $149,700 plus taxes. Gamsby and Mannerow will do an environmental assessment and preliminary design for South Huron's portion of the Grand Bend Area Sewage Collection System.
Giberson said preliminary meetings with Gamsby and Mannerow have already taken place and he expects the work will take about a year.
As previously reported, the Grand Bend sewage project is a joint venture between Lambton Shores, South Huron and Bluewater. Disagreements among the municipalities prompted South Huron to call for mediation from the Ontario Municipal Board. A date for that mediation is yet to be set.
In the light
As low bidder, Bilcke Electric of Exeter was awarded the tender for work on lighting in the Stephen Township Arena at a cost of $14,940 plus taxes. Five companies bid on the work.
Facilities services manager Dave Atthill said in his report to council that the ballasts for the existing lighting system in the arena are old and need replacing. The new lighting system installed will be more energy efficient.
“The proposed new T-5 lighting system will potentially save 10,000 watts hydro consumption with a pay back in three or four years considering the facility only operates over a six-month period.”
The municipality will also apply for a grant for the project.
Chief administrative officer Roy Hardy said the municipality is looking at energy efficiency in all of its buildings.
Water meter reading
South Huron awarded the water meter reading contract for the Exeter and Stephen wards to sole bidder CORIX Water Products East for $11,605.28 annually, plus taxes. The contract is a three-year term.
Giberson said the price of the contract is a  3.7 per cent increase over the previous three-year contract.
Aluminum theft
Deputy Mayor George Robertson said he has learned somebody has been taking aluminum cans out of curbside blue boxes before Bluewater Recycling Association can collect them.
In essence, Robertson said it is theft because Bluewater Recycling sells the aluminum to help keep costs to the municipality down.
Hardy said staff will look into the issue.
Bach Festival update
Coun. Cathy Seip reported that plans for the July 2011 Bach Music Festival in South Huron are proceeding, with marketing for the event expected to be ramped up in the next few months. Seip said a website for the festival should be online by March and a logo is being created.
“We're very excited about it,” Seip said of the festival.
Special visitors
Some special guests were in the council gallery last week. Scouting youths attended along with leaders. Towards the end of the meeting Scouts were able to ask questions of the councillors.
Attending the meeting went towards earning a “Citizenship” badge.
2010 flower supply
Plant Paradise of Clinton was awarded the 2010 tender for flower supply at the Exeter Cemetery. The municipality invited four local suppliers to submit quotes for the work, with two companies responding. At $5,551.69 including taxes, Plant Paradise submitted the lowest bid.
Extra meetings
Council held the first of its “extra” quarterly meetings Jan. 11.
As previously reported, the meetings are designed to give councillors a chance to discuss various municipal issues.
Meetings are open to the public, although council can go into closed session to discuss property, personnel and legal matters.
At the Jan. 11 meeting, according to the municipality’s minutes, Oke called the meeting to order at 1:13 p.m., council moved into closed session at 1:15 p.m., returning to open session at 3:54 p.m., and adjourning one minute later.
The next extra meeting is scheduled for May 10 at 1 p.m.