Saugeen Shores Council is letting a proposal to install sewers north of the Saugeen River in Southampton go to tender.
Director of Engineering Dave Burnside says the Ministry of the Environment has told the town they correctly followed Environmental Assessment procedures and all that they need next are certificates of approval from the ministry and Saugeen Conservation.
However, Councillor Luke Charbonneau is concerned that the town’s purchasing policy was not being properly followed by letting a project go to tender before it had been given official approval by council.
He says his concerns are not about the project itself, but about the policy.
Charbonneau, along with Councillors Victoria Serda and Diane Huber voted against tendering.
Staff recommended allowing the estimated 20 million dollar project to go to tender in order to remain eligible for the federal and provincial grants that are funding two thirds of it.
Deputy Mayor Doug Freiburger notes that the Plex and municipal office buildings were sent to tender before council gave the final nod.
Mayor Mike Smith suspects once the tendering process is finished, council will have a good discussion about what they want to do next.
He says it will all depend on the cost of the submitted tenders but notes they’re one step closer to a final answer.