David asked about the Beach sewer project from many years ago and asked in another thread when it was done, so instead of going off topic in the other thread (which I do all the time) I decided to start one.
My original answer was around ten years ago as I had thought that I had just finished paying for my part not that long ago. Then with some extra consideration I changed my guess to about 15 years ago. So to get a closer date I asked a resident who was actually hooking up the new system to houses along the Beach and told me 1993, he knew that, he said because the date is stamped on the new sidewalk in front of his house.
There is much more to the project than a date stamped in the sidewalk, the sewer project discussion started after the City decided not to keep buying houses on the strip and we were here to stay. One of the many problems down was the constant overflowing of septic tanks and the high water level at times didn't help, so the sewer project went ahead.
First there were some consulting with the residents on how installation would go ahead, I remember attending a meeting at CCIW and was amazed at the attendance, also there seemed to be to camps. Those who wanted them and those who didn't, the following is a letter to the community sent out after the meeting by a resident from Clare Ave.
July 28, 1987
To the Beach Residents:
This letter refers to the Hamilton Beach Residence meeting held on July 27, 1987 at the Inland Waters Auditorium.
It never fails to amaze me how caloused and insensitive some people are. Some seem to express themselves with dignity, while others obviously seem to delight themselves with 4 letter word expressions. These obviously deal with inferiority and the uneducated fulgarity expressed by rage of selfishness and taunting humiliation brought to bear upon those in attendance.
Some seem to use these meetings to fend their anger and frustration and were lost in themselves as they did not seem to realize the purpose of the meeting, "To present a plan" nor did they seem to have listened to the well explained plan.
I wish to congratulate the gentleman who with such patience chaired the meeting with dignity and knowledge. Thank you, sir.
We need the sewer system on the Beach Boulevard in order to survive. Ten years ago everyone said, "Give us sewers and we will be happy". Some of those now bark up another tree. Sewers on the beach would mean lower insurance and even some now are unable to obtain insurance. Mortgages would be available were now it is hardly possible to obtain a mortgage unless you pay a premium interest.
Another selfish newcomer on the Beach suggested that His Septic System would be sufficient. Sir, wait until it brakes down. For a
building permit is not available, you now have to install a holding tank at a cost of $7000.00. This pays for your hook up to the proposed sewage system. I still have to see it to believe it. We have had many promises before.
The lady complaining about the red dot signifying her home. Her argumentive reasoning missed the point of proposals being made
and suggestions accepted. Acquisition of property would only take place if she would want to sell. And if the city should try to come
with expropriation, then she should call the Beach Committee immediately. They would inform all of us on the Beach and 'we all
should sign petitions against any expropriations and stand united against such. Many a politician has lost an election because the
Beach residents withheld their support. Without sewers, expropriation is eminent.
Water pollution is a problem but are we not all to blame. The sand bank on which we live is totally saturated with human waste deposits. Let's see the sliver in our own eyes as well. Let us begin with ourselves. Improve your property and your estate, don't always just blame others.
It was suggested to propose an additional 250 families to be allowed to reside on the Beach. We need them to make our community more viable. Perhaps with 250 more families we can open up Bell Cairn School
again. And the bus route would then surely not be cancelled. Surely, it would bring more support and assistance to realize these
worthwhile goals for a future generation and ourselves. They would also share in the costs of sewers. And if the traffic
increases let's put up 2 or 3 more stop lights and this would be a deturrent for thru traffic to drive around us using the service
road.
Yes, we need to clean up our Beach area, the waterfront and the gardens and some homes could use a paint brush. Sewers would increase our property value substantially and yes, I realize our taxes would go up as well. But we are reasonably taxed now, while the amortization of these sewers would be stretched out over 20 years or more.
Remember also, you do not have to hook up to the sewers. Nobody forces you to sell or to hook up, so what is your beef. The cost
of a septic-tank pump is also rising and so is your beer but do you stop drinking? No. Just look at the blatant, out in the open outdoors consumption, disgusting to say the least. Remember your example is watched by your children. "Someone spilled his beer by improper use of the Firestone Tire Co." What did that have to do with this planning session.
We like the Beach and yes, you too neighbour. Just realize I am your neighbour and therefore my neighbours keeper. Although some selfish, egotistic, irrate neighbours may never fit into a community setting. Don't blame the rest who try to care. Yes, we turn down our loud music so that it does not bother our neigbours , for that is not fun.
So let's grow up and be strong and united for the betterment of all.
I am for sewers.
James Brink
2 Clare Avenue
P.S. This letter was sent to the Hamilton Spectator also.
But thus far they have not printed this. TYPICAL SPECTATOR!
My original answer was around ten years ago as I had thought that I had just finished paying for my part not that long ago. Then with some extra consideration I changed my guess to about 15 years ago. So to get a closer date I asked a resident who was actually hooking up the new system to houses along the Beach and told me 1993, he knew that, he said because the date is stamped on the new sidewalk in front of his house.
There is much more to the project than a date stamped in the sidewalk, the sewer project discussion started after the City decided not to keep buying houses on the strip and we were here to stay. One of the many problems down was the constant overflowing of septic tanks and the high water level at times didn't help, so the sewer project went ahead.
First there were some consulting with the residents on how installation would go ahead, I remember attending a meeting at CCIW and was amazed at the attendance, also there seemed to be to camps. Those who wanted them and those who didn't, the following is a letter to the community sent out after the meeting by a resident from Clare Ave.
July 28, 1987
To the Beach Residents:
This letter refers to the Hamilton Beach Residence meeting held on July 27, 1987 at the Inland Waters Auditorium.
It never fails to amaze me how caloused and insensitive some people are. Some seem to express themselves with dignity, while others obviously seem to delight themselves with 4 letter word expressions. These obviously deal with inferiority and the uneducated fulgarity expressed by rage of selfishness and taunting humiliation brought to bear upon those in attendance.
Some seem to use these meetings to fend their anger and frustration and were lost in themselves as they did not seem to realize the purpose of the meeting, "To present a plan" nor did they seem to have listened to the well explained plan.
I wish to congratulate the gentleman who with such patience chaired the meeting with dignity and knowledge. Thank you, sir.
We need the sewer system on the Beach Boulevard in order to survive. Ten years ago everyone said, "Give us sewers and we will be happy". Some of those now bark up another tree. Sewers on the beach would mean lower insurance and even some now are unable to obtain insurance. Mortgages would be available were now it is hardly possible to obtain a mortgage unless you pay a premium interest.
Another selfish newcomer on the Beach suggested that His Septic System would be sufficient. Sir, wait until it brakes down. For a
building permit is not available, you now have to install a holding tank at a cost of $7000.00. This pays for your hook up to the proposed sewage system. I still have to see it to believe it. We have had many promises before.
The lady complaining about the red dot signifying her home. Her argumentive reasoning missed the point of proposals being made
and suggestions accepted. Acquisition of property would only take place if she would want to sell. And if the city should try to come
with expropriation, then she should call the Beach Committee immediately. They would inform all of us on the Beach and 'we all
should sign petitions against any expropriations and stand united against such. Many a politician has lost an election because the
Beach residents withheld their support. Without sewers, expropriation is eminent.
Water pollution is a problem but are we not all to blame. The sand bank on which we live is totally saturated with human waste deposits. Let's see the sliver in our own eyes as well. Let us begin with ourselves. Improve your property and your estate, don't always just blame others.
It was suggested to propose an additional 250 families to be allowed to reside on the Beach. We need them to make our community more viable. Perhaps with 250 more families we can open up Bell Cairn School
again. And the bus route would then surely not be cancelled. Surely, it would bring more support and assistance to realize these
worthwhile goals for a future generation and ourselves. They would also share in the costs of sewers. And if the traffic
increases let's put up 2 or 3 more stop lights and this would be a deturrent for thru traffic to drive around us using the service
road.
Yes, we need to clean up our Beach area, the waterfront and the gardens and some homes could use a paint brush. Sewers would increase our property value substantially and yes, I realize our taxes would go up as well. But we are reasonably taxed now, while the amortization of these sewers would be stretched out over 20 years or more.
Remember also, you do not have to hook up to the sewers. Nobody forces you to sell or to hook up, so what is your beef. The cost
of a septic-tank pump is also rising and so is your beer but do you stop drinking? No. Just look at the blatant, out in the open outdoors consumption, disgusting to say the least. Remember your example is watched by your children. "Someone spilled his beer by improper use of the Firestone Tire Co." What did that have to do with this planning session.
We like the Beach and yes, you too neighbour. Just realize I am your neighbour and therefore my neighbours keeper. Although some selfish, egotistic, irrate neighbours may never fit into a community setting. Don't blame the rest who try to care. Yes, we turn down our loud music so that it does not bother our neigbours , for that is not fun.
So let's grow up and be strong and united for the betterment of all.
I am for sewers.
James Brink
2 Clare Avenue
P.S. This letter was sent to the Hamilton Spectator also.
But thus far they have not printed this. TYPICAL SPECTATOR!
