Fresh off a weekend of open house meetings on water meters for Wiarton and Amabel-Sauble, the program has come to a resounding halt.
Expected grant money now isn’t coming.
South Bruce Peninsula councillor Janice Jackson says they were expecting funds that would cover 70 per cent of the cost of installing water meters .
The municipality would pick up the other 30 per cent.
Jackson says they learned this week that the grant money from senior levels of government has been turned down for Amabel Sauble.
As a result the town has put a halt to installing meters in that portion of South Bruce Peninsula.
Jackson says at this point ignore the letter that was sent to affected residents by the town.
She says the letter states homeowners must have the meters installed by law or face possible fines.
Jackson says until the issue is resolved that directive is off the table.
Public Works Manager Phil Dwyer says he is preparing a report for council’s consideration with four options on how to deal with the turn of events.
Dwyer says none of the options will result in homeowners having to pay for the meters.
Cost of a meter plus installation is 370 dollars.
Council will wait until they get Dwyer’s report before deciding on the next move.
