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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-04-23, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015. WATCH FOR THE 2015 PHONE BOOK The Citizen’s 2015 Phone Book will be delivered in the Flyer Package Thursday, April 23 to all homes in the following areas. • AUBURN • BLYTH • BRUSSELS • CLINTON • GODERICH • GORRIE • LISTOWEL • WINGHAM LISTINGS FOR: The Citizen 2015PHONEBOOK The Citizen 2015PHONEBOOK • AUBURN • BLYTH • BRUSSELS • CLINTON • GODERICH • GORRIE • LISTOWEL • WINGHAM LISTINGS FOR: Anyone wanting additional Phone Books can pick them up at either the Brussels or Blyth office after April 30. Auburn and rural routes Blyth and rural routes Brussels and rural routes Belgrave and rural route Bluevale and rural routes Ethel and rural route Londesborough and rural route Walton and rural routes Wingham — rural routes 3, 4, 5 only OMPF, OPP costs a challenge for NH budget process Continued from page 1 “One of the other issues staff has looked at is that newer homes are almost always at the top of the max assessment and newer home owners will complain about that, but we see all kinds of older homes renovated... and it takes quite awhile for the increased sale price to go through the four-year assessment cycle and right itself. “Council would almost have to hire a tax consultant to go around and appeal the assessments on some of these old homes,” White said. Despite the low assessment, White said properties are selling in North Huron. In 2014, the municipality saw 100 properties sell for a total of $22.5 million, excluding nominal sales like correcting titles or moving property lines slightly. “That is down, however, from 2013 when we had 120 sales worth $30 million thanks to some farms selling in East Wawanosh for high amounts.” Fifty-four of the properties sold were in Wingham, 22 in Blyth and 24 in East Wawanosh. As far as tax breakdowns go, 58.1 per cent (approximately $4.5 million) of collected taxes stay in the municipality to cover its costs, 26.63 per cent go to Huron County (approximately $2 million) and 15.27 per cent (approximately $1.1 million) goes to education. As far as other challenges go, White said that the reduction in Ontario Municipal Partnership Funding of $99,600 hit the municipality hard, costing it 2.25 per cent of its entire spending budget. That blow paired with increased Ontario Provincial Police costs for the East Wawanosh and Blyth Wards, increased utility costs, increased wages and benefits and infrastructure deficit made it difficult for staff to try and maintain the programs and services that North Huron has already offered. While the challenges for 2015 are daunting, White said, the municipality made significant gains in 2014 including the purchase of an aerial truck and trailer for the Fire Department of North Huron, tar and chip pavement on Reid Road, sidewalk and storm drain work on Carling Terrace in Wingham, the purchase of a combo vacuum truck for the water and wastewater department, repairs to the North Huron Wescast Complex roof, renovations to the squash court in the centre, upgrades to the Blyth well system, a new asphalt recycler and used plow truck for the Public Works Department, a fingerprint unit for Wingham Police Department and a new Olympia ice resurfacer for the Blyth and District Community Centre, with the help of private donors. After the presentation, council adopted the budget as part of its regular meeting. Continued from page 27 Bridge; ROSE Co-ordinator, Leona Armstrong; Pianist, Marie McCutcheon; Sunshine, Telephone and Coins for Friendship, Edna Pletch; Financial Examiners, Bev Craddock and Bonnie Lindsay and Nominating Committee, Ruth Bauer. Marie McCutcheon gave the yearly treasurer’s report. Yvonne Knight gave the financial examiner’s report detailing the excellent work of the treasurer. Edna Pletch gave the report of the Sunshine Fund and the Coins for Friendship. Donations to the Associated Country Women of the World Fund, Huronlea, Youth for Christ drop-in centre, Adelaide Hoodless home and the Erland Lee home. Several by-laws were discussed and passed. Instead of having a quilt raffle, share-the-wealth tickets will be sold. Marie McCutcheon will look after obtaining a licence to sell the tickets. The roll call was answered by telling a joke or a story and paying the annual membership fee. Yvonne Knight read a story about a farmer’s shovel and suggested we use it for our entertainment spot at the District Annual meeting in May. Marie McCutcheon, who is in charge of our May meeting, reminded the members that they are to meet at the library at 12:45 p.m. on May 13 to travel to Listowel where a nutritionist at Zehrs will conduct a tour and explain healthy choices of food. The roll call will be “What do you do to stay healthy?” Continued from page 26 succesfully competing with larger ones. “The play does focus on that genesis,” he said. “It’s about how an old company adapted new technology, though, in the end, the phone system ends up being run by a bigger company.” The show will run May 20-24 and May 27-30 which, for The Livery’s spring show, is a little later than usual. McGregor explained that, with the harsh winters the area has faced, there was a suggestion made that the play start later which allowed actors to begin practising in January. Weather leads to later showing of ‘Crow Hill’ Majestic WI replaces quilt draw Wants to Hear from You! PHOTO OF THE DAY Let us know what is happening in your area by emailing a picture for possible inclusion on our website’s “Picture of the Day”. Please include a small caption about the picture. Visit our website at northhuron.on.ca - maybe your picture will be the PHOTO OF THE DAY! Email submissions to: reporter@northhuron.on.ca The Citizen Grand The Melville Presbyterian Choir celebrated the 100th anniversary of the current church building with song in Brussels over the weekend. The anniversary celebration was held on Sunday afternoon and featured special guests, special music and cake to mark the centennial birthday. (Jasmine deBoer photo) 273 Hamilton St., Blyth • 519-523-4590 www.blytheastsidedance.com Blyth East Side Dance Learn the Balero The Citizen #1 And We Still Try Harder! Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community-Owned Since 1985