The Citizen, 2011-04-14, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011.
ACW
presents
budget
One year later, fire talks continue
They slice, they dice
Darcy Andrews and Wayne Carter were real cut-ups when
it came to the roast beef at the Auburn United Church roast
beef supper on Wednesday April 6 at the Auburn
Community Centre. Andrews, Carter and several other
volunteers prepared meals. (Denny Scott photo)
Sunday’s Lions Club breakfast to
benefit Ray Hanna and family in
their time of crisis was an amazing
success. Approximately 550 people
came through the doors of the
Auburn Community Hall, with the
Lions scrambling to get more
sausage and bread when the cooks
ran out. Perhaps some records werebroken along with the 75 dozen eggs that were served Sunday
morning, even through a
thunderstorm.
It has been almost a year since a
few dedicated people, namely Jim
Schneider, Keith Allen, Heather Van
Dorp, Al Bosman and Jacqui
Laporte, began working to ensure
Auburn’s fire coverage. The
challenges that the municipalities
face have been respected by this
team and residents alike, including
shrinking municipal budgets
and conflicting demands and
needs of the taxpayers. Through
fair and open negotiation, they
continue to believe that anagreement can be reached thatsatisfies the needs of both North
Huron and Ashfield-Colborne-
Wawanosh (ACW). A meeting of
both municipalities will take place
on Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in
Wingham. All residents are
encouraged to attend to show
support for a new agreement to
benefit the ACW residents in the
village.
According to a statement provided
by Jacqui Laporte, the position of
the men and women working toward
this goal remains the same, “that fire
coverage be provided consistently to
the entire village of Auburn,
regardless of municipality, that firecoverage be provided by the closestfire department, which is Blyth
(North Huron) and that the
Municipality of North Huron be
held accountable for the charges
levied to their neighbouring
municipalities in providing this
coverage,” she says.
“Residents continue to support the
volunteer firefighters of all the
departments in our municipalities.
These volunteers continue to
volunteer their time and put their
lives on the line to keep us safe. The
fire service that has been provided to
the Village of Auburn to date has
been exceptional and is truly
appreciated.”
Assessments and a lower-than-
expected Huron County tax increase
will lead to a lower municipal tax
rate for Ashfield-Colborne-
Wawanosh (ACW) residents, but not
necessarily lower taxes.
The township will require a three
per cent increase in its levy over
2010 numbers to maintain township
spending and fund capital projects.
Once the county and school board
tax portions have been determined, a
final tax change can be determined.
For the township to maintain
existing infrastructure and proceed
with capital spending, an average
home, which was assessed at
$115,500 in 2010 (which, due to an
township-wide average assessment
increase of 6.2 per cent, will be
valued at $122,660), will be paying
$492 to the township over the course
of a year, an increase of $17.
The tax rate in ACW actually
dropped 2.6 per cent due to the
increased assesments.
Through taxation and township
coffers, ACW’s budget will pay out
$6.4 million dollars throughout the
year split between $2.2 million in
capital costs and $4.2 million in
operating costs.
Highlights from the budget
include the London Road corridor
reconstruction and storm sewer
project, which will cost $1,685,000,
the environmental assessment of the
Cransford Line Bridge, which will
cost $57,000, road widening costs
associated with MacKenzie Camp
Road, which is forecast to cost
$40,000, and a website overhaul for
the township which has a budget of
$30,000.
The township also increased most
of their administrative fees.
As a result of the new consolidated
fees bylaw, many building permit
fees either increased or had their
structuring change.
Both the consolidated fees bylaw
and budget were passed with
minimal comments from council.
The budget was passed in a
recorded vote with Councillors
Doug Miller and Connie Black
voting against it.
ALL CANDIDATES
MEETING
~ Hosted by
Huron County Federation
of Agriculture
Everyone welcome
for Huron/Bruce riding for
Federal Election
Tuesday, April 19
8:00 p.m.
Goderich Township Hall, Holmesville
Auburn 519-526-7262
AUBURN CO-OP
Make sure your lawn is ready!
Now taking
bookings for our
lawn sweeper
rental!
DUNGANNON 1-800-665-5675 WALTON
519-529-7951 Fax 519-529-3341 519-887-6023
2011 Chick Days
Chicks - Sexed or Mixed
Also Available: Turkeys, Geese, Ducks, Layers
We have a complete line of SHUR-GAIN Homestead Feeds
and Animal Health Products as well as feeders, waterers,
heat lamps, baled shavings etc.
Serving our friends and neighbours in the farming communities
with quality products and personalized service,
for over 20 years.
• Monday, April 18
for pickup Friday, May 20
• Friday, May 20
for pickup Tuesday, June 21
Order Dates
By Koreen
Moss
519-526-1060
kandkmoss@
sympatico.ca
PEOPLE AROUND AUBURN
NEWS
FROM AUBURN
See histories and historic
photographs on the
Huron History section
of our website
www.northhuron.on.ca
The Citizen
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
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