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The Observer | Saturday, May 17, 2008
Elmira teen on quest to join ride with Lance Armstrong........................... »18 Style and Fashion just between Frendz
»15 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 20
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2008
www.ObserverXtra.com
PRICELESS
Water study in works for Breslau Council approves $100,000 to look at servicing options Over mixed messages from the audience, Woolwich councillors this week decided to go ahead with a $100,000 study of the water issues in Breslau. Consultants will be hired to come up with a solution to a problem that arose last summer, when some residents of the village core saw their shallow wells run dry. Homeowners quickly blamed development at the Riverland subdivision, saying grading work had disrupted groundwater flows. The township is now looking at a range of options, including the extension of full municipal services to the older areas where residents are still using wells and septic systems. If Tuesday night’s meeting was any indication, the village remains divided on the issue. While only four people addressed council, they were evenly split on whether to go ahead with the extension of services. Initial estimates put the cost of full water and sewer services at $30,000 for each of about 100 homeowners. For just water, the price tag would be $15,000. That’s far too costly, said resident Rudy Hane, arguing the expense should be covered by Empire Communities, developer of the Riverland subdivision south of the village. He, like many others, blames last year’s water woes on construction at the site, where 475 new homes are to be built. He also took councillors to task for approving the subdivision without requiring any studies of the environmental impact. “Did anyone study how we get our water in Breslau?” Hane asked. “Before you give approval, you make sure the community is not disadvantaged in any way.” Having lived in Breslau for 25 years, he noted the site has always been wet and boggy. With the drainage required to make for dry basements in the new homes, the township should have known there would be an effect See WATER page »07
PHOTO | amBer WilsOn
STEVE KANNON
a brIGHT IDEa students from Floradale Public school enjoy spending their free time creating works of art using plasticine. Building from the back to the front, layers of plasticine are placed on paper to create images inspired by magazines, art books and children’s imaginations. corrine lichty, an educational assistant, volunteers her time six days a week to mediate the club’s activities.
Work underway on power centre
Unique features demanded for Wal-Mart store as township finalizes plans
STEVE KANNON Still recognizable as a Wal-Mart, the store in St. Jacobs will sport some unique features when it opens. As part of the site plan approved this week by Woolwich council, the anchor store of the 305,000-squarefoot power centre will feature peak
roofing, stone façade elements and awnings. “As far as we know, this is the first Wal-Mart with a clock tower,” said John Scarfone, manager of planning services. Preliminary work is underway at the 33-acre site, adjacent to the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, running concurrently with the widening of
the King Street overpass crossing Hwy. 85. Waterloo Region demanded the bridge improvements prior to the opening of the big-box retail centre. That project has a price tag of $5 million, with developer King/86 Development Ltd. contributing $2 million. If construction goes well, stores could be open before Christmas, said See WAL-MART page »08