Highland sitting on the fence regarding potential OMB bill

By Bill Tremblay Jan 17, 2012 - 11:20 AM

The Highland Companies wont commit to covering Melancthons potential Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) regarding the propose quarry. However, the company hasnt denied the possibility of picking up the tab either.Deputy Mayor Darren White posed the cost-covering question to the companys executive during a delegation at the municipalitys Thursday (Jan. 12) council meeting. The Highland Companies has submitted an application to the province for an aggregate licence to mine more than 2,300 acres of land in Melancthon for limestone. I believe we can get there without going to the OMB, Highlands president John Lowndes said. John Scherer, a principal of the company, added its premature to assume an OMB hearing is a reality, and the company will attempt to resolve the communitys issues with the proposed quarry. Im not sure I can give you an answer today, Lowndes said. White said he wasnt disappointed the company left their answer in a grey area. I didnt expect anything more, quite frankly I expected a flat out no, White said. It is a little bit of an encouragement in what they did have to say. An OMB hearing, whether triggered by Highlands or Melancthon residents, could potentially cost millions of dollars for the municipality, according to White. We are a tiny township with a tiny budget, the deputy mayor said. A burden put on our taxpayers like that is a little bit unfair. White also asked how the company would proceed with filling the 465 employment opportunities the quarry would create. The companys existing farm operation currently employs about 50 people full time and 20 people part time. Scherer said the quarry would create a variety of positions, from truck drivers to administration to quality control. Highland has received 400 job application for the quarry and has a hire locally first policy. Theyre from backhoe people down to accounting people. Scherer said. These are long-term, well-paying jobs. Scherer added the quarry would not start operations with all positions filled. On day one we would not have all 465 jobs, Scherer said. Mayor Bill Hill asked what financial benefits the quarry would bring aside from employment. We would continue our corporate sponsorship, Scherer said,

adding the quarry would create economic spin-offs.White suggested the economic benefits may not be created in Melancthon. A lot of them would be in Dufferin County. We dont have a lot of room for business, White said. Were bringing jobs and tax revenue, Joe Izhakoff, a principal of Highland, replied. Were open to suggestions as to how we can attract business. Highlands plan requires digging more than 200 feet below the water table and pumping 600 million litres of water per day.Coun. Janice Elliott asked what financial security would be available to residents if the companys water handling efforts failed. We will be setting aside third party financial insurance, Scherer said. The quarry plan is faced with a provincial Environmental Assessment (EA). Coun. Nanci Malek asked about progress on the EAs terms of reference. This is an Ontario first, Lowndes said. Were still trying to figure it out ourselves. Malek added she prefers to know who she may be doing business with, and asked who owns Highlands. Its myself and Baupost, thats it, Lowndes said. Youre looking at Highland right now. Highland staff plans to return to Melancthon with a PowerPoint presentation explaining the proposed quarry in further detail. A date for their return has not been set. In the future, I think you will see more back and forth engagement, Scherer said.