LUCAN BIDDULPH
Lucan ~ Granton

Twp. needs to try harder on recycling, meetings
LUCAN BIDDULPH - Council members met last Monday evening and property taxes was the first order of business. Calls from the township office garnered some payments from those who are in arrears.
Still some six properties face being placed in the hands of a tax collecting company. Clerk-Administrator Ron Reymer stated that at that point the properties would be in a “Registration Position”. An additional $900 will be tacked onto the 15% interest. If the owners don’t comply, their properties can be sold. Those owners have been warned to start paying, soon.
It appears that, when it comes to environmental issues, residents in Lucan-Biddulph are missing. One communication report from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) asks for new members to get involved with the Medway Creek Watershed Project.
In the list of partners, the township is not mentioned. Reymer stated no one from the municipality has shown up at any of the meetings, the purpose being to come up with ideas to clean up the watershed. Another communiqué, this one from Bluewater Recycling Association, shows Lucan-Biddulph is lacking when it comes to recycling. In that report, the township is shown to have a waste-to-recyclables ratio of 60.2% to 39.8%. Recycle percentages are down from the last report, while waste numbers have climbed. As a township, Lucan-Biddulph ties with Strathroy for third lowest of Bluewater’s area when it comes to recycling. Still on garbage, the drive your own junk to the township’s farm site seems to make council smile, if not all residents.
The two-day programme had people drive with their unwanted items, possibly waiting up to 15 minutes in a line, then with township crews helping, leave their stuff there, free of charge.
Public Works Manager Steve McAuley reported that by Monday afternoon, the lot at Saintsbury and Fallon had been cleaned up and he was pleased with the project. Two 40-foot trailers containing metal would go to Zubicks. He said only one person was heard complaining about bringing junk as opposed to enjoying curb pickup, however some council members reported a few more disgruntled customers. Several residents had to be turned away because they tried to bring recyclables or regular garbage to the site.
McAuley said the bins in the township office parking lot would only remain another week or so, before being removed until the fall. The bins allow residents to bring branches and leaves for disposal.
It appears Lucan is suffering growing pains, after attempts to get Canada Post to install superboxes in Clandeboye and Saintsbury Estates met with failure. The local post office has few boxes left and can’t assist with the problem. Attempts will be made to reach someone who can help.
In community news, Deputy Clerk Lisa deBoer and Fire Prevention Officer Steve Guay are going to local schools speaking to grade 7 and 8 students about emergency planning.
Mayor Tom McLaughlin spoke to council about a project the Middlesex London Health Unit is working on. Promoting local produce and its benefits, “Get Fresh - Eat Locally” has brochures containing a map showing the vicinity of Lucan-Biddulph farmers.

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