Councillors will soon have to establish timeline for Nobleton sewers
By Bill Rea

As things stand now, it's going to cost $19,306 per residential unit to install the new sewers in Nobleton.

Township councillors were told that last week at a working session. The word came from economist Gary Scanlan of CN Watson and Associates.

One of the points that was stressed is that figure is a projection based in 2008 dollars, so the costs are expected to change as inflation takes effect over subsequent years.

Township CAO Scott Somerville told councillors last week's session was to set the latest figures before council, but there are still more steps in the process before final decisions are made.

Scanlan said the process so far has resulted in more accurate figures on the number of properties that are to be served by the sewers. Reviews of data have revealed 41 properties that should not have been included because they were open space, cemeteries, parks or development lands, which in some cases were double counted. Based on an equivalent residential unit approach, that meant the projected cost per unit had increased from previous estimates, to the $19,306 figure.

The total works are slated to cost almost $29.6 million, but some of that is going to be covered by the fact they are growth related works which can financed through development charges. As well, Slokker Canada is putting up $1.2 million which can be applied to this project, meaning the actual cost is slated to be a little less than $23 million, and that is to be spread out among 1,191 residential unit equivalents, and that's where the $19,306 figure comes from.

Scanlan pointed out the project has been divided into 17 service areas, and one of the steps to come is determining in which order the work is done. Some areas will have greater priorities. Slokker's plans will mean the installation of pipe up Wellar Avenue will carry a certain priority, as well as obligations to residents of certain areas. He added if York Region is planning to do construction on King Road, there will be the opportunity for the Township to piggy back on that. The possible approval of the Baldesarra development in the southeast quadrant of Nobleton will also impact on the priorities.

The rest, Scanlan said, will be up to council.

Director of Operations Jody LaPlante said the work could be phased over four to five years, although he agreed it could be faster. Three years is possible, he indicated, but that would involve a "very ambitious construction schedule."

Councillor Cleve Mortelliti said they will need more details on how the costs are likely to change over that time. He pointed out the costs on the King City sewers went up dramatically, but LaPlante said there were other factors affecting construction costs in those days, including the impacts from Hurricane Katrina. Things have levelled off since then, he said, although he agreed with Mortelliti on the need to be "very conservative" in projections.

"The longer you wait, the more it's going to cost," Councillor Jack Rupke observed.

"Assuming the people want to go ahead," Councillor Jeff Laidlaw added.

Councillor Linda Pabst agreed it's better to get things done as quickly as possible, adding stretching things out too long is not the best thing for the residents.

Somerville stressed that decisions were not needed at this meeting.

"I look at this as another meeting of a work in progress," he remarked, pointing out determining the timing and phasing of the work will be the next steps. "We're not there yet."