Loading...
Clinton News-Record, 1971-03-04, Page 1Hydro operates from new location ONTARIO HYDRO CLINTON AREA OFFICE Ontario Hydro offices moved last week from their various the former base supply building and renovated it for the new scattered location in downtown Clinton to their new offices at Clinton area offices. Part of the renovation included this new the Canadian Forces Base south of town. Hydro recently bought entrance. The reception area inside the glassed-in entrance provided plenty of working area for Mrs. Marg Skov (foreground) and Mrs. Barbara Oesch, in contrast to their old cramped quarters in town. The girls are among the luckiest of the 45 employees at the new headquarters because their working area is completed while final work, including the arrival of new furniture, is still awaited in the rest of the building. County Council discusses regional government BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER Huron County Council will forward a resolution to the Minister of Municipal, Affairs asking him to give consideration to strengthening the authority of Huron County Coencil in order that the County of Huron can be considered a region for the purposes of government, and further• requesting that Huron. County would be the nucleus for any future expansion into a larger region with areas surrounding the county. Prior to the motion, there was considerable discussion on the matter, It was the Warden, Jack Alexander, who suggested that the proposal be forwarded to the Minister, He received the full support from three' spokesmen, Reeve Elgin Thompson, Reeve Ed Oddliefson and Reeve John Flannery. Reeve Flannery said that in his opinion, for the population in Huron County, this county has "all the government that is necessary". Reeve Harold Lobb of Clinton disagreed. "In order to progress and develop South Western Ontario, perhaps we should have a regional contact," said Reeve Lobb. "I don't know what more government we can give to the people that they can afford to pay," said Bill Elston, Morris. "I don't think they'll go along with this proposal Toronto, They've got a plan for this area," Reeve Elmer Hayter said "that in the Ottawa-Carlton region, it previously had one engineer and now it has 14 with most of the work done by consultants," "If that's what regional government is, this county can't afford it," stated Hayter. Goderich Reeve Paul Carroll felt it was premature tq ask to be designated as a region. He favored a request to be allowed to sit in on the planning of Phase Two for regional development. "We should be asking ourselves how we can improve what we already have,". said Carroll. inunionnumioommompitomminowomminiimoiliiiitmilituniiimutimmummiumummumnimmumnumommumnimmiumnimmililimitimmonmounommommuminimwmoniomminionoil Clinton, (In tftrio 15 cents Thursday, March 4, 1971 106 Year - No. 9 tella1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111l111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111101a11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Tuckersmith tax rate set Board reviews insurance BY WILMA OKE At the Huron-Perth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board meeting in Seaforth Monday night Trustee Michael Connolly, RR 3, Kippen, reviewed insurance Mrs. Lloyd Butler of Rattenbury Street was the winner of the four tickets to Maple Leaf Gardens this Saturday night for the game between Toronto and Chicago in a draw conducted by the Bantam hockey team. Players and coaches of the team peddled the tickets and the draw was made at the Bantam Tournament last Saturday night. It is understood the team made a nice profit on the promotion and they'd like to thank all those who co-operated. * * * Brucefield Post Office was transferred last week from Ken Scott's store to Art Dutton's. While the move was taking place forms dating back to 1913 were found. Keti was the third generation of Scott to run the Brumfield office. * Because of mechanical requirements new deadlines ate in effect at the News-Record which must be strictly adhered to. From now on wedding reports must be in the office by Friday night of the week previous to the issue. Obituary reports must be in by Tuesday at noon, Sports and all other copy must be in the office no later than Tuesday at 5 p.m. Classified and display advertising deadlines remain at 12 noon Tuesday for classified and 5 p.m. Tuesday for display. These are firm deadlines and we are sorry if you miss getting something in the paper because it is too late,but we must enforce them. If not, you might end up getting your Thursday paper on Friday. coverage for the board for 1971. All policies are to be renewed from February 26, 1971 to February 26, 1972 at a total premium cost of $9,092.83. Trustee Ted Geoffrey, RR 2, Zurich, reported on two meetings he had attended — a Midwestern zone Ontario School Trustee Council meeting in Woodstock on February 20 and an Ontario School Trustee Council Salary Conference in Toronto on February 27, John Vintar, Superintendent of Education, in his report to the board members notified them that Ontario Education Week will commence on March 7 with opening ceremonies to be held at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London on March 7 at 2:30 p.m. The theme is Schools are for People and the guest speaker will be Hon. John Roberts. Members of the board ate invited to attend. Mr. Vintar reported that $6,269 had been received from the Department of Education in the form of a grant for 1970 for French language instruction which is carried On at Ecole Ste Marie School at St. Joseph. The grant Was a result of a Federal-Provincial agreement, The Department has given notification that there will be no grant in 1971, however this will be replaced by a weighting factor of the pupils receiving instruction in, Freoch in 1971, Mr. Vintar stated there appears to be no guarantee that this weighting factor will be continued in subsequent years. Edward F, Rooney, Stratford, special education consultant with the board provided an overview of special education services within the two counties. Mr. Rooney dealt with the classification of learning disorders such as intellectual; sensory — which includes deaf, hard of hearing, blind and partially sighted students; physical; behavourial which includes emotionally disturbed; social; multiple handicapped and primary learning problems, Mr. Rooney stated to date that 285 pupils had been identified as requiring special assistance and this number falls within the four per cent to eight per cent provincial average. Mt. Rooney made a slide presentation depicting the use of various devices such as balance boards and beams; isolated work centres for children with erhotional problems; parquetry blocks fot perceptually handicapped; electric typewriters for muscular dystrophy cases; sportscope for children with vision defects; and the use of tape recorders and listening centres. In reply to questions from trustees Mr. Rooney pointed out that prior to the formation of the county system most of these cases bad gone undiagnosed and untreated. With the formation of a county board a modest start has been made and additional staff should be considered ,for the provision of more comprehensive services. BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER Meeting in Goderich Friday, February 26, Huron County Council approved a budget for Huronview, the county home for the aged, which is up almost $100,000 over last year. The budget calls for total expenditures of $901,100. Last year's budget was $802,069. The share to be paid by Huron County ratepayers amounts to $111,715. Last year, county taxpayers paid $86,346. The report noted the budget is higher due BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER The subject of a Huron County Welfare system was again a topic for lengthy discussion at the Februaty meeting of county council Friday, February 26. James L. Deneau, regional administrator for the Department of Social and Family Services lot Huron and Perth, said that in his opinion county welfare services were the most efficient way to deal with welfare problems. He said that in past, county welfare services have been suspected of causing costs to rise but he pointed out that in Huron Comity last year, under the present system whereby municipal officials administrate the welfare requests, the costs rose by 70 percent. He said that under a county system of welfare distribution, the province would pay 50 percent of the administrative costs. Deneau also pointed out that his office was not in any way attempting to "squeeze" county council into a tounty welfare system. "If you chose not to institute county welfare our office will still continue to give you the best possible setviee," pledged Deneau. Reeve Elmer Hayter asked Deneau why 'the costs of Some centralized services had "more than doubled" the original estimates of cogs, Deneau told him it 'depended on the type of service provided, an adequate service or a service "with the frills", "It all depends on what you want to buy,' stated Deneau. Deputy-reeve Gerry 'Gino was told that the tool reeves and deputy-reeves as well as the clerks- would still be valuable eon:;acts within a county welfare system, thereby maintaining the local link in some degree. BY WI LMA OKE Tuckersmith Township Council Tuesday night approved the municipal tax rate for 1971 of 18.6 mills for farm and residential ratepayers. The 1970 rate was 18 mills. The commercial rate for Tuckersmith will remain the same as last year at 22 mills. This levy will raise $57,994.79. The final 1971 tax rate will be available after Huron County Council sets its 1971 rate and Huron County Board of Education as well. The firm of Diegel, Malcolm and Hagy of Stratford, Chartered Accountants, was appointed auditor for 1971 for the township. Taxes will be collected on June 15 and December 15 for this year, with the tile drain loan payments collected only on December 15. . Approval was given to Reeve Elgin Thompson for permission to sign the tax sale to the decreasing ratio of full paying residents caused by an increasing per diem rate. Last year, residents at Huronview were paying $7.76 per day or $236.50 per month. This year they will be asked to pay $8.36 per day or $255 per month, The report also noted that the salary of the administrator at Huronview has been increased from $10,700 to $11,500 effective January 1, 1071. Bruce Heath, director of the Huron County Children's Aid Society, claimed that about 15 percent of the work done by his protection staff had to do with general welfare assistance. He felt this burden would be eliminated in a comity welfare system. Heath also said that he thought the Municipal clerks were often called upon to become "experts in social welfare''. He felt that was unfair, As well, Heath concurred with James Deneau that the local opinions would still be sought. "Consolidation doesn't necessarily mean you throw out the local flavour," Heath said. While there was no action taken on the matter at the present time, county councillors are attempting to gather more infotmation to help them in their decision for or against a county welfare system. In other business, the executive committee received approval for a Huron County Children's Aid budget for $280,029 With the county share being $87,973; reported that a liaison committee to work with the board of education in Huron would be composed of Warden Jack P. Alexander; Gordon H. Hess, chairman of the executive committee; and Everett II. IVIcIlwain, member of the executive committee; obtained council's sanction for an Emergency Measures budget of $800 With the $600 salary of the acting co=ordinator, Clerk John I3erry, refunded back directly to the county; and reported audit fees for all county departments at $4,220 to A. M. Harper, county auditor. warrant. At present there are 16 properties with taxes in arrears for 1968. The Seaforth Fire Area Board budget was approved by the council. Tuckersmith's share is $2,240 of a total budget of $14,000. This is 16 percent as compared to 161/2 percent of last year. Tuckersmith's assessment in the Seaforth Fire Area amounts to $1,250,355. In other business at the meeting held in Huron Centennial School, Brucefield, gravel tenders were opened with that of the Sandy Contracting Company of Goderich being accepted for a total of 18,000 cubic yards of crushed gravel. Work is to start on May 1. Clerk James McIntosh revealed that snowplowing township roads has cost $16,275.50 to date for 1971. There are 101 miles of township roads to plow. Councillor Ervin Sillery, RR 1, Brucefield was named to represent the township on the Clinton Water Tanker Committee which has BY ERIC EARL Below are excerpts of two meetings of Council, etc., held on March 1st, 1971. During the afternoon of March 1, Miss J. Darrell and Mr. L. Finchum of the Department of Municipal Affairs met with Bayfield Council, The Committee of Adjustment and the Village Lawyer, Mr. C. V. Laughton, to outline the duties of the Committee of Adjustment and to discuss the new Official Plan for the Village which has been completed in draft form and submitted to the Department for review and comments. At the regular Council meeting held during -the evening the Reeve reported that: a) Traffic By-Law pamphlets are now available at the Clerks Office; b) Draft copies of the Official Plan have been sent to the Department of Municipal Affairs and Planning Consultants of the County for review and comments; c) An electrical switch is to be installed in the Hydro line supplying Village customers south of Deer Lodge Park to assist in protecting the Village. In further business a letter from a group of residents requesting permission to plant a tree of their own choice in the triangle at Victoria Place and Susan Street was approved. The Administrator of Conestoga College requested Information as to how many people in and atound the Village might be interested in a short course On Tourism, The course would be held on two successive Saturdays 'or in 10 two hour sessions. A small fee would probably be charged. The tree pruning program, which was Planning director hired A planning director for the County of Huron has been hired at a salary of $13,300. He is Gary Davidson of Halifax and he will arrive on the job May 1, 1971. The county has also agreed to pay Moving expenses for Mr. Davidson and his family, estimated et about $2,000. Mr. Davidson will be responsible to implement the official county plan when approved land will be available in an advisory capacity to all municipalities in Huron. The proposed official plan will be presented to the March session of county council, Following that, 'the report will go to the local municipalities fot Study. The Planning. Board will again discuss the official plan April 28 and after that, public meetings will be held to acquaint residents with it. 'Rielly, the plan will be brought to county council for final decision. its first meeting on March 8 at Clinton Town Hall, Passed for payment were the following accounts: roads, $13,041.28; welfare, $1,235.24; grants, $515; drainage, $87; general government, $519.04; fire and water, $182.25; with a total of $15,579.81. Road superintendent Allan Nicholson was granted permission to attend the C. S. Anderson School for Road Superintendents in Guelph from May 9 - 12. This school is sponsored by the Good Roads Association. Clerk McIntosh reported the December balance of the road subsidy for 1970 had been received. This amounted to $13,427.60. The total for 1970 amounted to $52,110. Permission was given to Ontario Hydro to build a 44 K. V. line from Brucefield via Highway 4 and sideroads 25 and 26 to a junction of existing lines on Lot 3, Concession 7. This is to be completed by September 1972. started last fall is to continue so as to be ready for the arrival of summer residents. Don Warner reported that expenses for snow clearance was $1,000 higher than last year. He also reported that most roads were clear and in good shape for spring grading. Brush clearing on Lidderdale was delayed due to deep snow making access impossible, An order for calcium to lay dust this spring and summer was approved. Don Beck reported that the new Scout organization in the Village was now operating and had requested continued use of the Municipal Building and Town Hall. A resident reque.sted continuance of a non-conforming use of his property and his request was referred to the Committee of Adjustment for decision. Hullett council bears delegations Three delegations appeared before Hallett Township Council when the council met for its March session on Monday, Ratepayers were present to discuss the lack of service in getting roads opened and the possibility of removing a knoll on Lot 1, Con. 1 that causes considerable drifting. A further check by council is to be made to investigate and find out more about the fence allowance connected with it. A delegation from the Huron Federation of Agriculture was present to ask fot an increase in the council grant to the Organization. In the past the council had contributed only to township level of the organization. No action was taken on the request. Another group attended the meeting to discuss proposed changes to the chutch hill at Londesboro. No plans are presently available for the project but 'council explained the proposal. No further action will be taken until cost of snow removal for this year is finalized. At present the cost stands at $20,000 as compared with last year's $10,000. Court of revision on the Sturdy Drain was held but no appeals were presented, The clerk was instructed to call tenders for warble fly -powder, inspector and.sprayer and for 10,000 yards of gravel. Tenders on the Sturdy and Gibbings drain are also to be called. Reeve Hugh Flynn was appointed to act on the area committee to oversee the use and maintenance of the fire tanker based in Clinton. A representative from each of the area municipalities will Sit on the committee. A $25 grant was voted to the Huron Plowmen's Association. Building permits were issued to Mary McDougall for a sun porch end Joint Rapsoh for a mink shed. St Co lumit Weather 1971 1970 HI LO Hl LO. Feb. 23 33 28 34 15 24 35 26 39 27 25 39 23 31 4 26 44 27 21 -4 27 45 34 29 17 28 34 25 25 1 Mar. 1 29 13 28 -2 Rain .52" Snow 2" Snow 2" 901,100 budget for Huronview Welfare costs come under county scrutiny Bayfield council discusses official plan