Page 20, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, August 4, 1993 m Regional staff involved with the rehabiitation of the Henry Street bridge over the CNR tracks have been deluged with telephone calîs from confused local residents -- why 15 Henry Street being closed again? It is net an organized plot by Region staff to frustrate local residents. The answer is quite simple: there are actually three bridges -- the first bridge crossing Highway 401, the second bridge crossing the GO tracks arid the third bridge crossing the remaining CNR tracks. The first closure of Henry Street occurred circa 1985 te, accommodate the construction cf the new structure at the time cf GO's expansion to Whitby. Two years ago, the bridge over Hlighway 401 was rehabilitated by the Ministry of lTransportation as part of the province's overal im provement prograrn. The remaining bridge over the CNR tracks has been on the bocks for a facelift for quite a number cf years, and Region FROM PAGE 1 miust be tum-ned se that the material can be aerated. Odours occur when this process is net done on a regu.lar basis and when rotting grass- is added te the mixture.) But inevitably the smel returris, Varga said, which ha likened te that cf a septie tank at times. The odeur has been detected as far south as Taunton Read and occassionalIy up te, five km. away depending cn the wind, Green said. "But ne matter which way the wind blows, people wiii stili ameli it. There's houses al around hero,» ho said. Green aise pointed eut that runofi' from the compost pile is coilected in a nearby retaining pond., Since their homes rely on well water, residonts are worried about potential contamination, ho said. Ini a letter responding te their petition, Alex Giffen, acting regionai diroctor for the Ministry of Envirenment, outlines the his- tory cf the composting facility. Acondition of the certificats cf approval states that "the com- post site shall be operated in such a manner that area resi- dents shal net b. affected by the eperation of the site due to odeur, litter, dust or any other nuisance factors," Giffen writes. Foleowing an inspection last January, a number of issues relating te the certificats wero identified as requiring «remiedia- tien, including odeur probiems,» Giffen states. The Reguen's works dopant- nient "was advised te operate the composting in a proper manner te, avoid off-site odeurs,» hoe notes. Region staff assured the minis- try of dloser supervision cf the eperation, Giffen adds. While Durham has aise requested approvai te cenduet studios inte mixmng varieus types of compost materiais with paper siudge, Giffen said this should net resuit in any expansion of the compost area. «Odeur centrol wiil certainly b. considered in oui- review cf this appiication,»he states. mi funds were set aside in 1993 te complete this much-needed work. Region staff decided in 1992 te defer this work in order te allow at least two years between rcad closures, thus minimizing the inconvenience te local residents and the travelling public. The rehabilitative work includes a major deck replace- ment, new parapet walls, new railings and repairs te the main piers. The closure is anticipated te last 10 weeks, and staff will be 1993. She was 97. Born in Summerhill, Newma- char, Scotiand on December 3, 18951 she was the daughter of Archbaid Murison. Her mother's maiden naine was Littlejohn. She married Cecil Phinnemore in Scotiand in 1919 and later married George McGaw of Whitby. She was a member of Royal Canadian Legiori branches 112 (Whitby) and 183. She is survived b y daughters Vivienne Murphy of Bar's Bay, Mirian Brown of Kincardine and Rhoda Holm of Hudson, Mass.; 13 grandchildren, 23 great- grandc ildren and two great- great-grandchildren. The funeral was held in Kin- cardine at the Davey.Linklater Funeral Home. Crernation. 6 Generations of Service, Quality & Trust " Family Monuments " Granite or Bronze Markers * Cemetery Lettering " Sandblasting Staffoird Monuments 318 Dundas St. E. Whitby 668-3552 After Hours 668-4460 or 666-1513 Home appointments gladly arraniged LEO ANDREW DOLEWEEBD A resident cf Whitby since 1954, Leo Andrew -Doieweerd died at Oshawa General Hospital on July 26, 1993. Ho was 59. Mr. Dcleweerd, of 918 McCullough Dr., Wihitby, was a machine operater at DuPent in Whitby. A son cf the late John Doleweerd and Adrian Terneusen, ho was bornini Hoiland on Jan. 10, 1934. On April 21, 1956 ha was married te the former Noule Vcn Zon, who survives him. Ho is also survived by four brothers: Martin and his wife Bep, Andy anid his wife Trudy, Toniy and his wife Bey and Bill and his wife Lynda; and two sisters, Mia and her husbarid Bon and Joyce and her husband Harold. Mr. Doleweerd was at the W.C. Town Funeral Chapel, Whitby. Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Whitby on July 28, 1993, followed by interment in St. John the Evangoliat Cemetery. If desired, contributions te the Canadian Cancer Society would b. appreciated. AGNES McGAW Ae s Annie McGaw cf Kin- car me, a former longtime resi- dent of Whitby, died at Kincar- dine General Hospital on July 7, Complaints about compost stench Giffen aise asks residents to informi the ministry when odouré arise. "In this way, we will be able to inspect the site in a timely man- ner te confirmn the off-site odeur and have it rectified as quickiy asyeossible,» lho adds. 'sfar as we're concerned it's a joke," said Green. «It doesn't stop them fromn doing what they're deingf.» Gre-en said hoi calied the minis- try telephone number provided by Giffen three différent times to complain. "I nover heard a word fromn them when I cailed. Nothing gets done,» lho said. Green said hoe discussed the matter nformaily with a lawyer and was teid residents have grounds for legal action, but ne crie has- proposed taking this route yet. «It's very, very frustrating,» hoe said. Gifferi was on vacation and no other officiaI in his office could b. reached for comment last Fni- datowever a- spokesman for Ontario bisposaî Ltd. said several stops have been taken recently te remedy the odeur problenis.. Glenda 'Gies, a former mana- ger cf the recycling centre, is riow a privato consultant advis- ing Ontarie Dispsi nTheeihae ona nrero things impemented in the last month or two,» said Gies. "We managed te mai-ket about 10,000 tens cf compost se there's only about 1,000 tons on site now,» she said. Keeping the quantity cf com- post te a more manageable level should help reduce odeurs, Gies said. As she expiained, one cf the chief causes cf odeurs is grass clippings which have started te decay. «Some municipalities oniy col- lect it once or twice a month s0 it starts te degrade in the bag,» said Gios. «When it's-dumped in, ail the odours in the bag are reieased. That's the problemn we're trying te correct.» Region officiais have discussed this particular concern with artea municipalities, Gies said. «I understand some communi- ties are looking at alternatives for handling gass,» she said. But shouidthese alternatives net prove practical, there is the possibiiity that grass clippings wiii ne longer b. dumped att e site next year. Ontario Dis posai is- seeking permission te build a new ccm- posting facility in Brock Town- ship, Oies said. T;e new site would be mar- kedly different frem the existing eperation in that it wouid al ho done indoors, she said. Giant exhaust fans wouid be used te catch the odeurs and foroe the fumes threugh a filter- ing process befere the dlean air is released into the atmosphere. "Ideally wo would like te ho moved by next sprTing,»siGes But even i te proposed faci- lit y is approved, the current site wili stili beused or laves and Christmas trees since thora dees not seem te be the samne level of odeurs produced from this material, Oies said. Despîte residents' fears of con- taminated water, Giea doos Answers to Whitby Trivia from page 5 1. Tho St. Mark's United Church houso was built in 1864 for Dr. Robert J. Gunn, mayor of VWhitby in 1862 an d1867-68. 2. The bell in St. John's Anglican Church was installod in 1888 as a memorial ta William Warren, collector cf customs at Port Whitby tram 1843 to 1875. 3. Edward, Prince cf Wales (lator King Edward VII) was the tirst Royal visitor ta Whitby on Sept. 7, 1860. 4. The Ronascent Treatment Contre was buift as the residenco of Stephen Mead Thomas, a Brooklin marchant, in 1859. finding its way into their wells. The site is graded and siopes te the west. Surface water is collected and stored in a settiing pond before being taken by tan- ker truck te a sewage treatment plant, Gies said. The pond is lined with dlay te prevent mnoisture from seeping into the.ground, she added. Gies said ministry staff inspect the site weekly. "They're satisifed it's weii managed," she said. "We appreciate the neighbours' concerns. We're doing our best te ensure the odours are control- led." Whitby councillor Don Mit- chell, who represents the area, has visited the site. "The day I went eut there was next to ne odeur," Mitchell noted, but ha agreed the current situa- tien is not acceptable. «We can't have odeurs wafting around,» ho said, "but by the samie token we can't close it dowi." Mitchell said the problem facing Ontario Disposai is that provincial government waste management policies are in a "state of flux" right now. "One month cemposting is a prime objective, the next month it's net » h e said. Until the goverriment commits itself te a long range policy in this fieid, it is net being fair to companies like Ontario Disposai, Mitchell said. «Hopefuiiy y next spring they will either be at a new site or have a commitment for one," ho said. Crosswalks FROM PAGE 6, before something is done? If -we are going te rotain crosswaiks, thon let's make themn stand eut. Many inoterists honestly don't notice the signs used now. Flashing red lights wouid ho xnuch more noticeabie te drivers and would triggor an autematic brake reflex. One hes only te observe any intersection with regular trafflc signais te conflrmn the reflex reaction of mary drivers te an amber signal - go fastor. In xny telephone conversations with te appropriate people at oui- municipal~ and regional offices, I have laarned that there is current concern over the use cf crosswaiks. Apparently, a piot project is about te b. launched in Hamilton te replace them with a kind cf siga used in western Canada. The signal apparently consista cf one set of green, red and amber ights hanging over the middle of the intersection. The busy street normally has a continucus green signal, but a switch through amber te red canl ho activated by a pedestrian at certain intervals. Sensors cari aise detect waiting vehiclea at the cross street, and every se often the lights wiil change te allow then te crosa. Could we please aee if Durham Region, or at least Whitby, could bo part cf the pilot project. Do we need te continue te risk lives daily for another year or two when botter cptions exist now? ReyIe..* . Report MULCH AWAY WITH 'SUPERBLjADE' - RECYCLE YOTJR GRASS As you know,, grass clippings are taken to Durham's composting site. There they often add more nitrogon to the yard waste than the pile can handie. So why bother to rake and bag those clippinga in the firat place? The innovative 'Superbiade,' a new aerodynamic grass and efreycler that redirect.s cli ppings to be recut and mulched, Superbiade was designed te ft on ail rear- or side-bag gas or electric mewers. For the introductory price of $39.95, you cari convert your existing mower into a mlching mower by callingz Scarborough's, Superbiade dealer Paul Abric at 266-5829. Dealership inquirios are also invited for other torritories. Durhamn Region printed a pamphlet .Wh Contriue Bagçing Your Grass?' te, address the benefits ofieaving grass clippinga on the lawn. Grass clippings, when loft te work their way bac te, the soul, can actuallyelp maintain avigoreus, more durable lawn. According te turf experts, grass clippinga reduce water evaporation from the lawn; reduce lawn wear by creating a cushioning layer, and facilitate botter growth by koeping the soul temperature cooler. 'Why Continue Bagging Your Grass?' offers the following lawn maintenance tipa: * Don't lot the grass grow too long before mowing. The dlippingsshould be no more than one inch in order te fal through the gass and ento the soul. 0 Usea shr mower blade (a muiching mowor if y ou have ene). The sharpor the blade, the finer the clippinga, the faster they decompose. * Avoidf over-fertiiizing your lawn. Too dense a growth won't allow dlippinge te reach the sou te docornpose. 0 Remove excessive thatch before leaLving clipp)in&s on the iawn. Aithough one-haif inch of thatch is ideal a hck layer wiil keep clippings from reaching the soul. -, Always mow your lawn when it is dry se clippings wiil bo able te filter down without dumping. With the right attention, your lawn should be able te, recycle its cippings and rotain its good hea]th. Ashort video entitled 'Home Composting' has been roduoed by Durham Regien. Any video store or library wshing te acquire the tape free of charge as a service te your custemners cari cali Durham Region at 869-3751. ReclersReport welcomes your comments, green tips and quoetons ciosely monitoring the traffie situation during construction te provide the best possible progression along deteur routes. Access te the north GO parking lot will b. maintained during the course of construction. Once completed, no further ciosures of Hienry Street are foreseen. .1 1 0 OBiTUARIES * 1 Rehab il «tatl* on for Henry St. bn* dge over CNR tracks