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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2013-07-25, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013.Huron East Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight cleared up a misunderstanding about costs associated with renovations at the municipal town hall building in Seaforth, explaining that the project is actually under what council allocated, while many councillors thought it was at least $250,000 over budget. At council’s July 16 meeting, Knight told councillors that two different installments of funding were set aside for the project; $500,000 in 2012 and $440,000 in 2013. With a total of $940,000 set aside for the project by council, the total cost of $789,673 was is actually just over $150,000 under budget. Knight, who was absent for council’s previous meeting on July 2, when town hall costs were first discussed and criticized by several councillors who were questioning how much municipal staff knew about the project’s escalating costs, provided council with a report detailing the timeline of the project, as well as the money set aside by the municipality. Money being allocated for the project, according to Knight’s report, dates back to 2011. In 2011 $200,000 had been budgetted for renovations, but in a reportpresented to council on July 26,2011, Knight noted that the projectneeded further development before it could be implemented. In another of Knight’s reports, dated March 1, 2012, he recommended an allocation of $500,000 be established in the 2012 budget for renovations. Knight noted two indicators that would prove to be significant down the road, saying in his report that “[architect Thor] Dingman suggested that it is difficult to provide budget amounts without knowing the type and the extent of work that council may wish to consider” and “it is however anticipated that significant repointing of brickwork underneath the roof line is needed due to years of water seeping down the sides of the building.” The 2012 budget, adopted by council in April, included an allowance for the project of $500,000. Later that year Empire Restoration’s bid came in at $477,662, just under $25,000 under the estimated $500,000. Then in January, 2013, Knight presented council with another report stating that cost overruns would need to be accounted for in 2013. The report stated that total costs were likely to be close to $600,000, but that there should also be an allowance for repairs to theflat roof once contracters werefinished with the town hall’s mainbuilding. By the end of 2012, Knight says, actual costs incurred were $376,269. Council then focused its attention to the 2013 budget where another allocation of $500,000 was suggested. Council eventually settled on $440,000. This, several councillors noted, may have been where the confusion occurred, with some councillors saying that they didn’t know the proposed $500,000 was a completely new allocation proposal. Once Empire Restoration left the building, Knight said, Building and Property Maintenance Co-ordinator John Hill assessed the building’s flat roof alongside Morgan Roofing and agreed that it was worth trying to repair the roof, as opposed to replacing it. Knight added that if the repair didn’t work, council didn’t have much to lose. Knight then told council, in conclusion, that while the project did go over budget of the initial estimate of $500,000, the municipality did not have any unanticipated budget impacts. He told council that the reason behind the project being under budget was because the municipality didn’t have to proceed with a full JIM WALSH It is with sadness, but wonderful memories, that we announce the passing of Jim Walsh of Blyth on Friday, July 19, 2013. He was in his 92nd year. Jim is survived by his beloved wife Elsie Walsh (Cook) of Blyth, originally of Belgrave, for almost 65 years. Jim was loved by his son Don and wife Brenda and daughter-in- law Donna. He was the proud grandpa to Brad, Sandra and husband Hank and Michael. Jim had a special place in his heart for three great-grandchildren, Brookelynn, Bailey and Abigail. Jim was a caring brother to Lloyd, Blyth; sister Eileen and husband Clare Niergarth, Wingham; sister-in- law Marie, Sarnia and uncle to several nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents Albert and Annie Walsh, a son Murray, two sisters, two brothers and a sister-in-law. In 1941 Jim joined the army and spent four years in Prince Rupert, B.C. as a wireless operator and was there until the war ended in 1945. Jim then returned to help his father on the farm. He married in 1948 and spent 23 years on the farm, during which time he served on the school board and township council. In 1971 Jim and Elsie moved to Blyth. In the spring of 1973 Jim went to work for the Maitland Valley Conservation Area where he enjoyed the work and those he worked with. He was there until his retirement. Jim was a member of Blyth United Church where he served on many boards including being an elder. Jim was also a member of the Blyth Masonic Lodge and the Blyth Swinging Seniors. He enjoyed the outdoors. In summer he enjoyed lawn bowling and his garden. In the fall he enjoyed his hunt camp in Timmins and in the winter he liked curling. He will be remembered as a caring family man, held dear by his family. To honour his memory, donations to Blyth United Church or Clinton Public Hospital would be appreciated. A memorial service was held at the Blyth United Church on Monday, July 22. Interment was in Blyth Union Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Falconer Funeral Homes, Blyth. Messages of condolence for the Walsh family may be forwarded to www.falconerfuneralhomes.com HAZEL McKENZIE Mrs. Hazel Mary (Ward) McKenzie of Listowel, passed away at Caressant Care, Listowel on Thursday, July 18, 2013. She was in her 89th year. Hazel was the wife of the late Frank McKenzie, whom she married 63 years ago and mother of Wayne and Ruth Ward, St. Thomas; Cameron and Sharon McKenzie, Cardiff; and Jim and Carol McKenzie, Mitchell. She was the mother-in-law of Jane McKenzie, Mitchell and mother of Allan and Ann McKenzie, Monkton. Hazel was loved also by 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Hazel was predeceased by her son Ian McKenzie, granddaughter Desere, sister Gladys Neable and her brothers Clarence (Pete) and Gordon Ward. Frank and Hazel farmed on Concession 16 of Elma Township where they raised their family. They retired from farming and moved to Listowel in 1972. Hazel was a member of the Women’s Institute in Monkton and was a tireless volunteer with 4-H for many years. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and a member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Monkton and later Calvary United Church in Listowel. Although she enjoyed knitting and playing cards in her spare time, her family was always her true joy. Visitation was held at the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel on Sunday. The funeral service was held at Calvary United Church, Listowel on Monday, July 22. Interment was in Elma Centre Cemetery, Atwood. Memorial donations to Calvary United Church, Listowel would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.eatonfuneral home.ca JAN “JOHN” BAKKER Mr. Jan Bakker of Wingham passed away at Wingham and District Hospital on Thursday, July 18, 2013. He was 93. Jan was the beloved husband of the late Tryntje Terpstra (2011) and loving father of Spike and Jennie Bakker, Langside; Douwe and Corrie Bakker, Sarnia; Rein and Annemaria Bakker, Mississauga; Harke and June Bakker, Blyth and Linda and Peter Brink, Whitechurch. He was the brother of Wybrig de Haan, Stratford; Rein and Grietje Bakker, Guelph; Dieuwke Martens, Brampton and Bakke and Jacobes Cupido, Edmonton. He was the brother-in-law of Klaas Jorritsma, Brussels. Jan is also survived by 14 grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sisters Janna Reitsma, Jantje Jorritsma and his brothers-in-law Sybren Reitsma, Cornelius de Haan and John Martens. Visitation was held at McBurney Funeral Home Ltd., Wingham on Sunday. The funeral service was held at Lucknow Community Christian Reformed Church on Monday. Pastor Rita Klein-Geltink officiated. Interment was in Wingham Cemetery. Memorial donations to Wingham and District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Online condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com Knight explains town hall costs Bandit ’stache Walking around the Blyth Community Churches’ summer Vacation Bible School last week at the Blyth Christian Reformed Church you could see people like Cassidy Shannon showing off their outlaw side, fitting in with the camp’s cowboy theme, with their bad-guy moustaches. (Denny Scott photo) REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. ALL ARE IN COLOUR 4x6 - $4.00 5x7 - $5.00 8x10 - $8.00 Phone to order ~ 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Downtown Blyth 519-523-4740 Bainton’s Old Mill Wool Blankets Obituaries Got Married... Call for pricing & details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Share your news by placing your announcement in The Citizen By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen Continued on page 24 Answers to Crossword on Page 6