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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-10-06, Page 7Pulling ahead Huron East staff hosted a fundraising barbecue for the United Way of Perth -Huron late last month. From left: Huron East Councillor John Lowe, Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight, Executive Assistant Janice Andrews, Councillor Ray Chartrand, and Pam and Alvin McLellan. (Shawn Loughlin photo) HE looks to renovate library Huron East is looking to renovate the Seaforth Library building in 2017 as it faces numerous challenges associated with the building's advanced age. Heritage architect Thor Dingman, who also worked on the renovations of the Huron East town hall building in Seaforth, presented his findings to council at its Sept. 20 meeting, which was held in Brussels. Budget estimates for the project are just over $275,000, said Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight, but the total cost of the project is largely dependant on the type of roofing council selects. The decision before council regarding the building's roof goes back to its heritage features. When the municipality renovated the town hall building, for instance, a slate roof was chosen due to its heritage features. Mayor Bernie MacLellan said, however, that council likely would have gladly gone with a cheaper roof option had they known at the time how over -budget the project would be by its conclusion. For the library, Dingman has estimated that a slate roof would cost the municipality $165,000, while a steel shingle roof would cost less than half of that at $70,000. Cheaper still would be asphalt shingles at $50,000. Dingman's report is broken into three sections: repairs and maintenance, life cycle replacement and energy efficiency upgrades. Repairs and maintenance, which includes improvements to bricks and masonry, doors and windows and paint, are estimated to cost the municipality $48,000. Energy efficiency upgrades will cost the municipality $118,000. The life cycle replacement section, however, is dependant on the roof selected. That portion of the repairs will cost the municipality $202,000 with a slate roof, but just $107,000 with a steel shingle roof. Councillors Ray Chartrand and Nathan Marshall both suggested that council proceed to prepare documents under the provision that the municipality will decide on a steel roof for the library. Councillor Bob Fisher, however, suggested that since the building is a heritage structure, that a slate roof should be installed. Several councillors disagreed, however, saying that a steel roof was installed atop the Brussels Library and the results have been excellent thus far. Council then directed staff to prepare a report on the repairs needed and return to council with some recommendations. Dingman said the process should begin soon in order for work to begin in early 2017. Board votes to end tourism group The Huron Tourism Association (HTA) voted to dissolve at the end of last month, citing a lack of resources and a shift in responsibility. A press release issued by Kim Burgsma said the decision was made at a special meeting of the association on Sept. 27. At the meeting, the following motion was put on the floor and carried by those voting in attendance. "Since 1990, the Huron Tourism Association, representing tourism industry stakeholders, has worked with the professional tourism marketers of the Huron County Planning and Development Department to sell Huron County tourism, under the brand `Ontario's West Coast', to sustain and grow the tourism industry for the benefit of everyone in Huron County," the motion read. "The spring, 2016 restructuring of the economic development effort of Huron County has left the Huron Tourism Association without the authority, the financial and human resources, and [in] a position of redundancy in effort versus the Huron County Economic Development Depart- ment. Therefore, moved by director Steve Buchanan and seconded by director John McHenry, the Board of Directors of Huron Tourism Association is recommending to the membership of Huron Tourism Association to dissolve and the current assets and liabilities of the Association be distributed as required by law." The move was made, according to Burgsma, because the work of promoting tourism in Huron County had clearly shifted to the county itself, rather than the association. "The membership voted in favour of the motion because it is clear that the work of tourism promotion is primarily Huron County's responsibility...," the release stated. "Previous to 2016, the HTA received the equivalent of over $200,000 in staff support and funding combined. As of 2016, without [consultation] or feedback, the HTA was reduced to $10,000 and no county staff support. The HTA no longer has the funds or human resources to effectively move tourism into the future" Burgsma continued to say that one of the organization's major concerns going forward is the county's plan to review "Ontario's West Coast" as its tourism slogan, as well as grant writing, which she said was essential to the success of the HTA, but was only accessible by the county. Burgsman encouraged concerned parties to contact Huron County Council in regards to "keeping Ontario's West Coast on the map and in the forefront of prospective tourists." MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY 2016 Fall YARD WASTE COLLECTION The Municipality will be picking up leaves, grass clippings and yard waste in the Morris-Turnberry URBAN areas on the following dates: Tuesday, October 11, 2016 Monday, November 7, 2016 For more information, please refer to the flyer you received by mail, or on the website at www.morristurnberry.ca THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016. PAGE 7. Fall weather arrives PEOPLE AROUND WALTON By Jo -Ann McDonald Call 887-6570 Acres of soybeans have now been harvested and the ground is in some cases resting until next year's crop or is being planted into winter wheat. The wet weather is making it a little more tricky to get finished, but it will get done in time. The weather has certainly changed and it feels very much like fall. We hope all will enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. Traditionally, it is a time to do a bit of outside cleanup, rake leaves and put away garden items. Not many leaves to rake but that will happen in time. Many trees have yet to turn colour and lose their leaves. The final Brussels Farmers' Market is Friday, so drop by and say goodbye to the dedicated vendors who have come to Brussels weekly since May. Our sympathies are extended to the Gordon families on the passing of Barry Gordon. He will be missed by his children Christina, Amy and Ian and their families. Our condolences to all. Celebrating birthdays this past BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED FROM WALTON week include W. Doug Mitchell, Cindy Carter, Mary Ann Grobbink, Annette McCutcheon, Helen Craig, Gerry Rijkhoff, Michelle Dalton, Chris Blake, Chantelle den Dekker, Melva Fraser, Valerie Gratto, Bryce Shortreed and Matthew Shortreed. Happy birthday to all. THANK YOU EVERYONE!! Thank you to everyone who donated for my Angel Hair Fundraiser. I raised $1215. for a "Child's Voice Foundation" who support Angel Hair for Kids. I couldn't have done it without my community members' generous support. Alycia Coultes Municipality of Morris-Turnberry NOTICE OF A PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE REGARDING THE 5 -YEAR REVIEW OF THE MORRIS-TURNBERRY OFFICIAL PLAN The Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will hold an open house under Section 17 & Section 26 of the Planning Act to consult with the public about proposed revisions to the Morris-Turnberry Official Plan. The Official Plan includes the vision, goals and policy directions for development and building in the Municipality. PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE will be held: Between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm Tuesday October 11th 2016 at the Bluevale Community Hall 32 Clyde Street, Bluevale Join us anytime between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to view mapping, ask questions and discuss the future direction of the Municipality of Morris- Turnberry. The draft amendment to the Morris-Turnberry Official Plan is posted at: www. morristurnberry.ca Copies of the draft Morris-Turnberry Official Plan are available at the Belmore, Brussels, Wingham and Blyth libraries, and at the Morris- Turnberry Municipal Office, 41342 Morris Road, Brussels. Find out about the proposed changes to the Official Plan and how they will affect your community and your property. PURPOSE AND EFFECT The five year review of the Morris-Turnberry Official Plan is required by the Planning Act to incorporate changes to the Planning Act, the Provincial Policy Statement and the County of Huron Official Plan. The draft amendment includes policies for on-farm diversified uses such as agri-tourism, source water protection policies, and mapping changes to the Natural Environment designations. The proposed amendment affects all of the land within the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry. Dated at the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry September 14, 2016 Nancy Michie Administrator Clerk Treasurer Municipality of Morris-Turnberry 41342 Morris Road, Brussels Telephone: 519-887-6137 Email: nmichie @ morristurnberry.ca