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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1961-03-30, Page 5• • - Set Huroi. TaxRate at 14Mdis The mill rate in Huron for 1961 will be 14 mills, an increase of one-tenth of a mill over 1960. The rate, which was approved • by Huron County Council on Fri- day, provides seven mills for gen- eral purposes and seven mills for highways. Last year, the general rate was 6 9/10 mills, and the high- way levy seven mills. In presenting the tax rate, along with the 1961 budget, Frank Wal- • kom, reeve of Goderich and chair- man of thd finance committee, said council "had no alternative but to raise the rate." Two extra nurses, to be hired this year, ac- count for part of the need for more funds. In the main, the in- crease reflected upward pressure of costs of operation across the • line. In the one -day session council also approved a 1961 road pro- gram; agreed to rename Huron County Home "Huronview," and took action to tighten administra- tive procedures at the County Museum. y Council named Angus MacLean, of Seaforth, as its representative on the board of Scott Memorial Hospital for the balance of 1961. He replaces Scott Habkirk, who resigned. Reforestation Committee Your Reforestation Committee • met with representatives of the Department of Lands and Forests regarding the proposed new agree- ment which has been made avail- able to counties in connection with reforestation plots. Due to the fact that there is now a provincial grant available • for purchasing such properties, it was deemed advisable to recom- mend to county council that this new agreement be made available to the County of Huron. We would recommend that we enter into a new agreement with the Department of Lands and For- ests and at the same time trans- • fer property previously purchased to conform with this agreement, and that the change would take place effective March 31, 1961, and would run for a period ending March 31, 1997. The reason for the period ending 1997 is that it coin- cides with our old agreement. We would further recommend that the • necessary by-laws be passed ac- cordingly. We arso require within the coun- ty tree cutting commissioners, and as it is the wish of one commis- sioner to retire and also the fact that we should have an additional man, we recommend that the fol- • lowing be appointed tree cutting commissioners at a rate of $1.00 per hour, plus 10 cents per mile, effective April 1, 1961, and that By -Law 25, 1958, be amended ac- cordingly: William Dougall, Hen- sall; Hugh Hill, Goderich; Borden Scott, RR 1, Belgrave.—A. Rau, Chairman. Historic Committee • Your Historic Committee have had one meeting since the Janu- ary session of County Council and have been advised by Professor James Scott that the book, "The History of Huron County," is still • not ready for publication. At the moment, the manuscript is being prepared so that Mr. George Jefferson, of Clinton, and Dr. Tallman, of the University of Western Ontario, may have the opportunity of proof reading the material prior to it being present- ed to the publishers. • Under these circumstances, your committee would recommend that we proceed with the necessary ar- rangements as far as the publish- ing of the book is concerned, but that no moneys be set aside in the 1961 budget for this purpose. It is our opinion that if all the de- tails can be worked out during the • coming year, that it will be 1962 before we are prepared to spend any money in connection there- with. Your committee have reviewed the work at the Museum and are estimating the total cost to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $7,000.00. Following the recommendation of the Finance Committee, we have made arrangements that in future all admissions to the Museum will be recorded by means of tickets, and that a proper accounting of same will then be presented to the • Treasurer. This recommendation is a result of the auditor's report which stated that no control had been previously set up for this purpose. We anticipate there will be some slight increase in cost for extra hours required on. behalf of the people selling the tickets; there- • fore, we have increased the ad- mission charges at the Museum to: adults 35c, and the charge for children will remain unchanged at 10c, We would ask the county council endorse the foregoing change.—C. Dunbar, Chairman. County Home Committee • Your County Home Committee have been very active in the build- ing program now being completed at your County Home, Clinton. Several items have come up for decision and have been dealt with to the best of ourability. You will no doubt note from the • minutes which have been forward- ed to you, that it has been neces- sary to change the chief engineer at the County Home. The commit- tee discussed this situation and felt that a $600 differential be- tween the position of regular en- gineer and chief engineer would • be a fair basis under the present arrangement. The engineer who was in charge did not agree with the arrangement and therefore it was necessary to replace him with • Mr. Wm. Young, who has been one 'of the regular engineers at the Home, In the meantime, we are advertising for more stationary -en- gineers as it is necessary to have four engineers and a chief engin- eer and maintenance man on du- ty. The new chief engineer, Mr, Young, will act in the Capacity of chief engineer and maintenance man and will be on duty during • • the day, but of course will be sub- ject to call at any time, in the event of an emergency. In connection with salaries at the County Home, it was apparent that a large number of the staff were asking for a 40 -hour welek, or in other words, five days of eight hours each. Your commit- tee felt that if this consideration was granted, salary adjustments could not be considered over and above this concession. There were in one or two instances a just rea-' son for making certain - adjust ments, but other than these par- ticular cases, no overall increases were granted. The situation at the County Home as regards to help will be a problem until such time as we are running at capacity in the new Home. Once we have had a year's operation in the new wing, we are sure that many of these problems will be adjusted and we hope that the County Council and the County Home'lemployees will bear with us until such time as we have had a complete year's operation. The laundry equipment and the kitchen equipment are now install- ed in the Home and the remainder of the building is rapidly being completed. All necessary furniture is on order and we expect deliv- ery some time in late March or early April. We plan to have regular office help at the County Home and have advertised for a clerk -stenographer to take on these duties. The duties will involve receptionists and nec- essary clerical work for Mr. John- ston, together with . some inve - tory reports. Also, it is planned to possibly have Mr. J. Nediger in charge of actual stock and certain parts of the inventory control. We feel that with such a large institution a more rigid control of these opera- tions must be put into effect. It is essential that an inventory be made at the end of the year and it is also as equally important to know what stock is on hand at any given time. The Clerk has been investigating various inventory systems and further information in connection with this matter will be forthcoming at a later date. The Committee have been advis- ed by the Department iof Public Welfare that the per diem rate for operations for the year 1961 must be set at at least $3.11 per day. This is based on the actual operating costs for the previous year. There was some discussion in connection with this matter but it was felt that this rate should be- the charge for 1961„ The, per diem of $3,11 amounts to'$95 per month, therefore, it was agreed that the boarding rate charges for the year 1961 would be established at $95 per month, and we would ask that a by-law be passed accordingly in connection therewith. It 'was also agreed by the Com- mittee that non -pensioners who are in receipt of no moneys be granted $5.00 per month to be us- ed as pocket money. Although this would be a direct charge on the county, it was felt that these peo- ple should have some means of purchasing small items at the tuck shop and that more than likely this money would stay right with- in the Home itself. Your County Home Committee have felt for sometime that the name of the Home should be changed. We have discussed this matter with departmental officials and it appears that there is a gen- eral trend in this manner, We, therefore, recommend that County Council give consideration to ap- proving the name "Huronview" to replace the name Huron County Home for the Aged. We feel that other items in con- nection with the operation at the Home have been fully explained to members of council by means of committee minutes. We are looking forward to the completion of the building program and al- though considerable work remains, we hope to be in the new wing very shortly, and once all the grounds have been completed and the old building removed, that we will then prepare for the official opening. -2 -Roy Adair, Chairman. Road Committee In keeping with the five-year plan adopted in January 1961, our 1961 road program is now prepar- ed. The major projects are as list- ed below. Before the adoption of the five-year plan it was not pos- sible to adopt a plan this early in the year. Plans and profiles have been submitted to the Department of Highways on most scheduled projects for their approval and several have already been approv- ed.. We are now working on pre - engineering work and property purchases for our 1962 program as set out in the five-year plan. The major projects scheduled for 1961 are: Roads — Road 12, Walton -Brus- sels, 5 miles, grading and granu- lar base; Road 12, approaches to Grieve's Bridge, 1.0 miles granu- lar base; Road 12, Wroxeter North, 4.0 miles cold mix paving; Road 21, Egmondville, 1.25 miles cold mix paving. Bridges—B-41 on Road 8, Lot 2, Con. MBC, Goderich Twp., 80 -foot span; B-13, on Road 16, Lot 8, Con. V and VI, Morris Twp., three - span 150 ft.; Tri -County Bridge, constructed by Middlesex County, completion.. Culverts—Lot 25-26, Con. 9, Mc- Killop Twp., McCallum -Winthrop Drain; Lot 1, Con. 16, Grey Twp., a reinforced concrete culvert 14' 0" x 8' 0" x 78' 0". Document No. 8-61, from the United Counties of Northumberland and Durham, re contributions to Suburban Road Systems was dis- cussed by the committee. Your committee recommend no action, A by-law has been prepared to provide for the erection of "Yield Right of Way" signs at Blyth on County Road 25 and two signs on County Road 12 at its intersection with County Road 25 at Walton. This by-law is in keeping with a recommendation of the Depart- ment of Transport and we, recom- mend that this by-law be approv- ed. A by-law has been prepared ad- justing the Engineer's salary in accordance with the recommenda- tions of the. Finance Committee. We recommend that this by-law be approved. A by-law has been prepared to cover our expenditures under sup- plementary by-law in the amount of $365,000.00. We recommend that this by-law be approved.—C. A. Smith, Chairman. Property Committee Your Property Committee met early in the year and toured all the county property which is un- der their jurisdiction. . We found that we had many re- quests for various alterations and it was necessary to obtain prices in connection with some of this work. We asked for prices from local merchants for supplying necessary uniforms, etc. to the jail staff and caretakers of z the Court House. These prices 'were received and were as follows: Earl Rawson Style Shop, $357.15; Major Store, $339.35; Pridham's Men's Wear, $390.75. The samples of the material were also supplied. It was gener- ally agreed by the Committee that the tender of Earl Rawson Style Shop, Goderich, in the amount of $357.15 was the best tender re- ceived, considering price and ma- terial; therefore, this order was awarded to the abovementioned store. Your committee recommend that the painting program be con- tinued as in the past and for the moment we have authorized $700 worth of this work done. It is an- ticipated that before the year is out that we will spend $1,000.00 on paint, but in view of the fact that there are several alterations in the building under consideration, it was felt that some money should be held in reserve until thbse al- terations have been completed, or have been deferred by the com mittee. We are at the present time con- sidering changes in the Sheriff and Surrogate Court offices in order to assist this department to oper- ate in a more efficient manner. We have granted the Children's Aid Society the use of an inter- viewing room which is located half way between the mainfloor and the basement. It is felt that this is essential for their type of work and this request was approved by your committee. A new adding machine was ob- tained for the clerk -treasurer's of- fice from Skeoch Office Supplies, in the amount of $150. Considerable work is necessary at the jail and this matter is also under consideration by your com- mittee. Prices are being obtained and certain work will be carried out according to the availability of the money at hand. Also, in connection with the Court House, there have been com- plaints that in the very cold wea- ther the building is not warm en- ough, although there is a consid- erable heat loss. It was felt that certain changes in the size of the radiators would improve this sit- uation, but no action has been taken at the present, and this work will be carried out in the summer- time if approved by the commit- tee at that time. Regarding the purchase of lib- rary shelving as requested by the Library Co-operative Board, this matter has been 'referred back to the committee for consideration in view of the fact that under the present regulationsof the Depart- ment of Education a grant can be obtained on purchasing items such as shelving, etc., therefore, no doubt the Library Board will give this consideration at their next meeting.—V. Becker, Chairman. Executive Committee Your Executive Committee have held two meetings with the hospi- tal board representatives regard- ing proposed construction grants in connection with building pro- grams for hospitals within Huron County. It would appear that there are many problems yet to be' finalized and also it appears that there is. some ddubt as to whether or not the recommendation as presented at the January session should be the final decision of council. At this time, your committee would ask that permission be granted by County Council to con- tinue studying this situation to- gether with the co-operation of the hospital boards, in order that a *- tailed report and discussion May be presented at the June session of County Council. In connection with the motion passed at the January session of County Council regarding Christ- mas bonuses, your committee feels that in view of the fact that we are increasing the number of staff considerably in some departments, this situation is going to prove too great•a financial burden, therefore, we would recommend to county council that for the present time Christmas bonuses be discontinued and that we ask the co-operation of all boards and other depart- ments in connection with this mat- ter. We would recommend that sal- ary increases be granted to the staff members in accordance with recommendation of January ses- sion of county council. With reference to Docu,ments Numbers 55, 1961, to 83, 1961, and Document 94, we would recom- mend that the grants as authoriz- ed according to the grant list, as it appears in the financial report, be passed and that necessary by- law in connection therewith be ap-; proved. The following documents• were referred from the January session of council to the March session, and we wish to report as follows: No. 20-61: Grant to Seaforth Agricultural Society: we recom- mend the regular grant in accord- ance with other agricultural socie- ties, being $487.24; this is the amount as shown on the grant list. 29-61: Wingham and District Re- tarded Children's Association: we would recommend a grant of $100 to this organization; this amount is also shown on the grant list. 31-61: Mid -Western Ontario De- veiopment Association: Regarding the request for membership in this association, your committee re- commends no action. • 48-61: Ontario School Trustees' and Ratepayers' Association: we recommend for the year 1961 that we do not join this association. 94-61: Goderich and' District Re- tarded Children's Association: we would recommend a grant of $100 to this organization; this amount is also shown on the grant list.— Harvey Coleman, Chairman, Clerk -Treasurer At this time I would like to pre- sent my report for the year 1961 which includes the proposed bud- get for the year and other re- marks in connection therewith. The proposed budget as present- ed at this time shows a mill rate for general purposes of 7 mills and for highways purposes 7 mills. This is an increase of 1/10 of a mill on the general account over that of 1960, in all 14 mills on our present assessment will raise some $859,510.00. I might point out that in the budget under Provincial Grants is an item for indigent pa- tients of $29,898.00. If you will re- call at the January session I brought this matter to your atten- tion; since then I have had an in- terview with the Minister of Muni- cipal Affairs and according to the Minister it appears more than like- ly that the grant would be forth- coming. We have, therefore, pre- pared our budget accordingly, and in the meantime have made appli- cation, for this grant. Also you will note that in 1960 we had a surplus of slightly over $10,000.00; this surplus has been brought forward to be used as a portion of the revenue for the forthcoming year 1961. At the pres- ent time we have made no deci- sion regarding a proposed County Welfare Plan, at the time of pre- paring this report I had not re- ceived the necessary information from Toronto, although this has been requested on two occasions. Upon receipt of the information we shall proceed to call a committee meeting and to go into details in (Continued on Page 8) 1959 Chev. Sedan—Low mileage $ 1875.00 1958 Plymouth Sedan 1475.00 1957 Vauxhall Sedan 975.00 1955 Chev. Coach 875.00 1955 Chev. Station Wagon 875.00 1955 Buick 4 -Door Hardtop 975.00 1952 Plymouth Sedan 250.00 1951 Ford Sedan 195.00 1957 Olds "Super" Sedan—A.T. and Radio Power Steering and Brakes — $1675.00 PRICED TO CLEAR — No Reasonable Offer Refused — Seaforth Motors Phone 541 — Seaforth New Designs ff// 4 FLOOR COVERINGS Brighten up your old, worn-out floors with one of the latest designs for Spring — arrived just in time for Spring laying. • RUGS • JASPE • CONGOLEUMS • LINOtEUMS • MARBOLEUMS The cost is remarkably low, and the results can be amazing ! TILES OF ALL KINDS EXPERT FLOOR SANDING AND FINISHING 0 FURNITURE Phone 43 Seaforth WINTHROP The Winthrop MIT initiation service will be held jointly with the Winthrop WMS thapkof4ering. meeting, at 1:30 p.m,, Tuesday,. April 4, after which the CGnT girls are having a tea and sale. Coffee Break: The only 15 min- utes in the morning when the help stops doing nothing. 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DEEP TRACTION TREAD — Safety-siped to equalize tire wear; engineered for easy, responsive steering and corner- ing; fast on the get -away — quick on the stop. Take advantage of Canadian Tire's Wholesale Discounts — to put safety on your car, and peace of mind in your Spring and Summer Driving — at lowest cost. • TERMS TO SUIT YOUR BUDGET • NO INTEREST ON 30 -DAY ACCOUNTS G. S. and W. V. SMITH Phone 792 — Seaforth