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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2012 Acton mill fined $25,000 for operating equipment without Ministry approval Parrish and Heimbecker Limited (P&H) was fined $25,000 after pleading guilty to operating dust collecting equipment without Ministry of Environment (MOE) approval at its Acton flour mill. The plea on the Environmental Protection Act charge was entered on September 24 in a Burlington Provincial Offences Court. One neighbour called the fine a "slap on the hand for a big company," despite Environment Minister Jim Bradley's comment after the recent ruling that, "charges and convictions remind us all that we need to take care not to damage the environment as we go about our business." There has been a mill operating at the Mill S t r e e t We s t l o c a t i o n since 1834, and with a succession of owners, it has developed into a major noisy industrial use in the midst of a residential neighbourhood. In the past two years, escalating complaints from neighbouring homeowners about noise, truck traffic and hours of operation led to a MOE investigation that found the mill was operating five baghouses ­ pollution control devices that remove dust from the air ­ but only had a Certificate of Approval to operate two baghouses. The company was also operating a new wheat intake conveyor without Ministry approval. Ministry spokesperson Kate Jordan said in September, 2010 P&H was "told to get approval" for the dust control equipment, but did not, and the charge was laid last January. The firm is also involved in noise control mitigation measures after two MOE orders were issued when P&H refused to voluntarily comply with MOE noise guidelines ­ 50db during the day and 45db at night. The two orders required P&H to "identify the measures its going to use to control noise at the facility," and provide a timeline. At the time, Bruce MacIntyre, vicepresident of Ontario Region identified three neighbouring properties where their noise experts have been unable to meet limits. P&H has until November 21 to submit a third party reviewed noise attenuation study to the MOE. N e i g h b o u r, K e v i n Quinn, who currently has a P&H noise-monitoring device on his property, is "positive" the mill can't meet the noise standards ­ levels in his backyard have hit 73db. "It is less noisy, but it's still way too loud," Quinn said on Saturday. In recent years, P&H has spent at least $16-million to reduce noise levels at the mill, including most recently, construction of a sound barrier between the mill and several Church Street houses. As well, silencers were installed on stacks and fans, motors were enclosed, new flooring was laid and this week, crews were wrapping pipes to lessen the noise. Jordan said the noise acoustics report due November 21 is the final requirement the mill must fulfill in the two Environmental Protection Orders. THE NEW TANNER 3 BALLINAFAD BAZAAR: Volunteer Linda Paul checked out a unique quilt which was one of the items for sale on Saturday at the Ballinafad United Church's Christmas bazaar. - Ted Tyler photo Holly Bailie & Andrew Lyall Stag & Doe Please join us! Thanks! 8:00 pm Royal Canadian Legion Branch 197, Acton Tickets $10 available at the door Friday, November 16, 2012 Uniform Traffic Control By-law No. 84-1 prohibits parking: 2:00 A.M. ­ 6:00 A.M. (Daily) November 15, 2012 to April 15, 2013 Applies to all streets under the jurisdiction of the Town of Halton Hills, unless authorized signs indicating otherwise are specifically posted. Motorists are reminded that By-law No. 84-1 also prohibits the parking of a vehicle on all Town roads for longer than 5 (five) consecutive hours at any single location, unless otherwise specifically posted. On-street parking hinders snow clearing and other road maintenance operations. Your co-operation is requested. Please comply with the requirements of this By-law. AUTHORITIES MAY HAVE VEHICLES TICKETED OR TOWED AWAY AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. Motorists should note that Town Parking Enforcement Officers will be on patrol through the duration of the parking restriction period and will ticket and/or have the offending vehicle removed. Snow Removal The placing or pushing of snow or ice onto roadways or cleared sidewalks will obstruct or encumber vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Do not push snow across roadways because the trail of snow does turn to ice. The Town's Obstruction, Encumbering or Fouling of Highways By-law No. 90-68 prohibits such action. Improper snow and ice clearing can be a serious hazard to motorists and pedestrians. Your co-operation is requested. Please comply with the requirements of this By-law. The winter season will soon be upon us. Be alert for snow plows and stay back at least 15 meters behind the trucks. Please avoid parking on streets during snowstorms to assist Public Works staff with winter control. AUTHORITIES MAY HAVE SNOW AND ICE REMOVED AT THE PROPERTY OWNER'S EXPENSE. Infrastructure Services Department­Public Works Division 905-873-2601 ext. 2603 http://www.haltonhills.ca/parking OVERNIGHT PARKING RESTRICTION Thank you to the companies who donated to the St. Albans Silent Auction & Dance Tanner's Restaurant Trendz Hair Studio Tri-El Industries A Touch of Class Giant Tiger Pizzaville Profile Hair Salon Silvercreek Spa Reds Garden Centre Sobey's Blue Springs Spa Mill St. Crossing Rallis Burger The Roxy Jenny (The Hot Dog Lady) Blue Springs Golf & Country Club Mary Kay by Patricia Maggiolo