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Vol. 75 · # 15 Wednesday, April 18, 2012 GST Included $1.25 Serving Kendal, Kirby, Leskard, Newcastle, Newtonville, Orono, Starkville and Tyrone since 1937 Listing Landmark While the locals are not quite certain what year the water tower at the Forestry Station was erected, they are certain that the structure is now an important piece of Orono's heritage and skyline. The water tower which is the highest peak in Orono was instrumental in irrigating 300 acres of tree nursery, has stood empty since the former Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Forestry Station closed in 1997. The Orono Forestry Station was started in 1922, and according to Charles Tawes curator at the Clarington Museum, the 100 foot steel tower and 10,000 U.S. gallon wood stave tank were erected by the autumn of 1927. The wooden tank on top of the tower acquired a noticeable lean to the east in the past year, and according to the Municipal By-law Department it is now unsafe. Though the tower is on private property, Clarington's Chief By-law Officer, Mr. Len Creamer says it is in an area classified as Open Space with walking trails used by the public, and could come down and hurt someone. Creamer received a complaint from a member of the public concerning the condition of the tank and in January sent a letter to the property owners asking them to remove or repair the tank. "The water tank is leaning and some of the supporting structure for the tank appears to have let go or are slipping," states Creamer in his letter. Clarington Property Standards require that all properties within the Municipality be kept clear of any derelict or decaying buildings or structures, he explains. As nothing has yet been done, Creamer says he will now issue a Property Standards Order demanding the work be done, or the municipality will make the necessary repairs and bill the property owner. According to Creamer, the tower is not the problem and it can stay, it is just the tank that needs attention. Local opinion is that the tank will never fall down. Consensus of the local coffee group is that the tower should be designated a heritage structure. They also feel that it won't take too much to fix the tank. While none of the coffee club members felt the desire to climb the tower anymore, some did admit to climbing it in the past and agreed that climbing the approximately 120 foot structure was a right-of-passage for local kids. Property owner Roger Shim who is based in Toronto is currently in the process of getting quotes from contractors to remove the tower, according to Paul Jones who lives on the Water tank at the former Orono Forestry Station is in disrepair, and needs to be fixed or torn down, according to Clarington's By-law Department property. However, Shim, is willing to working with local residents who want to save the tower. For more information call Paul Jones at 905-9535857. Ferrets fall foul of exotic by-law It has come to the attention of municipal staff and council that Toby, the pot-bellied pig owned by the Willoughby family in Newcastle has other exotic friends. Before ratifying their decision to let Toby stay at home until a new Exotic Pet By-law is approved, council tossed around the idea of dealing with the latest report on the Willoughby's pension for exotic pets. Caroline Willoughby told the Orono Times on Monday night they also have two pet ferrets at their home. Municipal Clerk Pattie Barrie informed council that her staff will follow up on the complaint as they would any complaint, and continue to work on updating the existing Exotic Pet By-law. She could not give a definite time when the new Exotic Pet By-law would be ready but said it was "close," to being completed. According to the current Exotic Pet By-law established in 1993 pigs are only allowed to be kept in the rural areas of the municipality. Ferrets, along with camels, sheep, anteaters, sloths, aardwolves, bandicoots, wombats, asses, seals, and kiwis are among the list of animals banned from the municipality altogether, except at zoos and animal hospitals. Barrie confirmed with the Orono Times on Tuesday morning that her department has received a complaint regarding a number of pets in the Willoughby home. "We will be following up to determine what is and isn't in the home," she stated, "And all by-law issues will be dealt with." If the Willoughby's are found to be in contravention of the existing Exotic Pet By-law they will be issued a order to remove the offending animals from their premises, as was done with the pot-bellied pig complaint, according to Barrie. It will then be up to the Willoughby's, as to how they deal with the order. They can either get rid of the animals, or seek an exemption from council, as they did with the pot-bellied pig order. Council decided to allow Toby, the Willoughby's pot-bellied pig to stay at home until the new Exotic Pet By-law is passed. According to Willoughby, the ferrets are four years old, and like Toby, they had them before they moved to Newcastle last December. The pig and ferrets were not banned pets in Whitby, where they moved from. "We have no intention of getting rid of our pets," Willoughby stated, "And will do what ever we need to, to keep them." Two weeks ago Deputy Clerk Anne Greentree would give no indication which animals will be exempted from the new Exotic Pet By-law, saying only that just because some animals are permitted in some jurisdictions doesn't mean they will be allowed in Clarington. Adams Family Concert April 21, 7pm Orono United Church