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Clinton News-Record, 1972-05-04, Page 1Thursday, Noy 4, 1972, 107 Year • No, 18 Rain .78" Weather 1972 HI to 1971 HI LO Apr. 25 46 25 44 33 26 51 30 43 32 27 ea 27 52 27 28 61 28 51 41 29 66 33 42 37 30 67 40 51 33 May 1 69 41 54 32 Clinton, Ontnrio .$0.ponis Davidson warns against hasty action on Base Clinton entered the computer age this week with the arrival of a new computer at the Clinton Community Credit Union office on Ontario Street. Here Mrs. Moranne ,Duddy puts a card through the machine while Ruby Kumm watches. Huron urged to take strong stand on provincial planning (23.5 mills last year), The county rate this year is 21.8 mills, up from 19,2 last year, Clerk-treasurer Mrs, Kenneth McClure said that a public school supporter with a residential assessment of $5,300 will pay $398.56 in taxes this year. Last year taxes were $260,23. For a Separate school Supporter with the same assessment the taxes this year will be $446,26, compared to $386.90, Mrs, McClure explained that the increase in taxes for public school supporters this year over last, resulted when last year there was a decrease in the secondary rate and the elementary public school rate was eliminated in 1971 when the 1968 surplus of money was turned over to the Huron County Board of Education by the former McKillop Township area school boards. Total township assessment is $2,892,360 for McKillop Which has a population of 1,566 residents, The levy breakdown is: township expenses of $60,536.39 ($59,546,48 last year); Huron County levy $63,101 ($55,795);, Huron County Board of Education, elementary $36,636 ($2,589) and secondary $43,598,60 ($26,364); Huron-Perth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board $21,420 ($19,735). In other business council approved a grant in 1972 to the Seaforth Community Hospital of $300. Council passed the by-law for the MeNaught Drain (a Logan Township Drain) which affects about nine properties in the township with an estimated assessment of $770. Three tile drain loans were approved for a total of $13,200. Passes for payment were general accounts of $2,328.85 and road accounts of $2,960,96. breakdown includes County expenses, $74,427; Township expenses, $67,859; Huron County Board of Education Elementary, $55,791 and Secondary, $48,516 and Huron-Perth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board, $9,501. Total assessment in the township amounts to $3,113,515. Huron County planning director, Gary Davidson of Goderich and his assistant, Nicholas Hill, Goderich attended the meeting along with William Dickson of Kitchener of the planning firm of Kleinfeldt Associates and engineer Kenneth Dunn, of B.M. Ross Associates, Goderich, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Hill reviewed and discussed the report they have completed on a study of the former Canadian Forces Base in Tuckersmith Township. The report included a study of the services underground, such as water and sanitary and storm sewers; the road pattern from which they evolved a six-mile road system of which the township is considering taking 41 /2 miles to service and maintain. The remaining 11/2 miles are being deleted as only linking roads for light duty traffic. The study included a detailed worksheet on each building at the base with a picture of each included. Possible future expansion at the base was considered after the property has been fully developed as to which direction expansion should take place. Mr. Davidson said growth could be guided to existing municipalities such as Clinton or Seaforth or it could be adjacent to the present property. Some members of council indicated they wanted any growth to take place in Tuckersmith Township rather than in neighbouring towns, Mr. Davidson said that the zoning by- law for the area to be passed by council would restrict which way the expansion could take place. Too, he said council must be prepared to provide facilities such as water, sewerage, etc. if it wished to have expansion onto adjacent property. Engineer Kenneth Dunn was authorized to conduct a physical examination of the storm sewers at the former CFB Clinton and also to investigate the condition of the road system there and make a report on its elegibility to meet subsidization standards of th,e Department of Transportation and Communications before the township may decide to take over these systems, Mr. Dickson represented his client, Mr. John Van Geste], who has purchased the former Canadian forces Base. In other business, council will grant a building permit to Howard James for a new house at the corner of Mill and East Bayfield Streets in Egmondville if the property size standards are met. A building permit was granted to William Mickle for an egg room for his poultry operation. Council approved a land severance request from Jerry Moffatt, Kippen for a five-acre lot on his farm on the second concession to John McIntyre. This must be approved by the county land severance committee. Passed for payment were the following accounts; Roads, $3,422,30; Drainage, $2,535.75; General government, $604.98; Egmondville water, $18,72; for a total of $6,581.75. Miss Catherine Hunt, Huron County Nome Bconofnist is seen on the left with six girlsvvho f•eceivedtheir County honours on Saturday in Clinton for completing six 4licourseS, the girls are (left to right) Judy Nieholsoh, Blyth; Joyce Blake, Brussels; June Willianson, Welton; Olanne Popp, Auburn; Sharon Belt, Blyth; Helen Pottma, Varna; and Wendy Bird, Rrliintoh, Huron submits impressive transportation brief BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER An impressive and imaginative brief has been submitted, by Huron County Council to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport and Communications. All that remains now is for the committee to reconvene and to study the document, There are three recommendations attached to the brief. The first is a request for the committee to discuss with the province of Ontario the provision of a new rapid road system to reduce the time of travel to metropolitan areas. The second recommendation asks that the federal government provide a rapid rail or bus service for commuters and freight between Huron County and large metropolitan areas. The third recommendation urges discussion with the province of Ontario concerning all transportation within Huron County, including road, rail, water and air facilities. "Midwestern Ontario is close to the United States and has the potential to grow into a major agricultural, industrial and tourist area if we have the transportation system," the brief stated. "We in Huron County realize that many systems of transportation in Canada have obtained subsidies, We require passenger transportation even though it may have to be subsidized by higher levels of government." The brief stated that as rail passenger service deteriorated in this area, people turned more and more to the use of the roads which "were adequate at one time". Now that highway traffic has multiplied and rail passenger service has been withdrawn, the "time of travel" has been increased for the people in Huron County, Time of travel is important, the brief went on, in the area of business and commerce competition and costs to individuals and companies, "For our industries to compete in the large market areas of the world, we must have rapid transportation of the raw materials to these industries and rapid transportation of the finished product to the world markets," the brief said. "We cannot expect to compete until the time of travel for these goods is cut to the point where we can enter the market with a product whose costs are competitive and not penalized by the high rate of transportation." The report further noted that tourist business is seriously hampered by the slow transportation system. "The product of rapid transportation would aid the development of tourist resorts in this part of the country and therefore provide a large secondary industry for our agriculturally oriented people," the brief read, The brief said that some rapid rail service or alternative fast transport to the large metropolitan area must be provided for the people of Huron, and the costs should be borne st Column We made a mistake last week in a couple of prominent places in the paper and no one brought them to our attention for a change. Sometimes, in such cases, everyone you meet on the street tells you about your goof, and you wish they wouldn't. However, when they don't, you start to wonder after a while if they are reading the paper at all. The mistakes were in the story on the switching of principals which got all balled up in the composing room and under the picture of the laying of corner stones in Brucefield church where we made a mistake in a name. + + + We see by an ad in this week's paper that rental is going on at houses at Adastral Park (or whatever it is to be called after the new name is chosen). Unconfirmed rumor has most of the houses at the base sold too, The 1972 tax rate, struck Monday by McKillop Township council, will mean a big increase in the tax bills for residents. The public school residential rate was set at 75.2 mills, up from 49,1 mills last year, The commercial rate is 81.6 mills, compared to 52,9 mills in 1971. The separate school residential rate is 84,2 mills (73.0 mills last year) and separate school commercial rate i8 91,5 mills (79.5 mills in 1971). The township rate has been set at residential 20,9 mills (20.7 last year)and commercial 23.6 mills A coroner's jury here recommended Friday that guidelines be established on the horsepower available in automobile engines, The recommendation was Made at an inquest into the death last Dec. 10 of William Alexander Mustard, 20, of Brucefield. Mustard and John Yeenstra, 20. of RR 4, Clinton, died of injuries suffered when their by both the federal and proviecial governments. Freight rates must be kept low to encourage business to relocate in the area and to keep the present industries in a competitive position, Air transportation should be investigated, too, the brief said, as well as water transport. Air transportation is indicated, the brief noted, following a survey of 67 business establishments. Of these, 64 percent said they would use the service if it was available—up to about 800 passenger trips per year, Water freight was discussed at some length in the brief, "If facilities were available for large cargoes other than bulk shipping the whole of south western Ontario might use the Goderich port," the brief said, "Goderich should be made available for containerized shipments and heavy equipment loading facilities," Along and extremely informative session of Huron County Council was held Thursday in Goderich—a day earlier than usual to permit the county officials to enjoy an evening as guests of the Goderich Lions Club. The first thing on the agenda for the day was a presentation by Professor John T. Harton of Midwestern Development Council who filled council in on the extreme urgency of making their thoughts and ideas about development in Huron County made known to the provincial government. Professor Horton told council that if future development in Huron does not go according to Huron's aspirations for this county, it will be because communications broke down between Toronto and Huron. "You'll have no one to blame but yourselves," stated Professor Horton. "You must work to make the government's planning correspond with what you want to see happen in Huron." Hepresented to council MDC's brief which has been sent to government — an appraisal of Design for Development Phase 1. He urged all councillors to become familiar with the document and to study its contents. During the day, the county's budget for 1,972 was approved by council. It showed that additional county funds of $192,211 will be required this year, This would require a mill rate increase based on the old assessment system of 1,/2 mills. The executive committee of county council reported that further study on the Van Egmond property near Seaforth shows that the Heritage Foundation grant of $12,000 is car hit a concrete wall at the former Par-Knit Hosiery factory on Mill Street, The jury found that the driver (Mustard) lost control of the vehicle "at excessive speed," Two other occupants of the .car were injured in the single-car crash. A mechanic worked for more than an hour to cut off the driver's door to free the occupants. The car was The former Clinton Canadian Forces Base now owned by John van Gastel is an issue of prime importance to Huron County...but a considerable amount of red-tape must be unwound before the property is cleared for' dependent upon the County of Huron taking title to the property. Council agreed that the county should not assume the responsibility for the title on the property, but added that a grant may be considered after the Van Egmond Foundation committee has been able to show clear title to the property and financial capability as to future programming. There was considerable discussion once more on the hospital grants system to be used in Huron now that hospitals in the county no longer require additional beds but larger emergency facilities. After rather lenghty debate on the problem, decision was reached to pay 25 percent of all provincial approved building costs in connection with hospital construction in Huron County. Since the province supplies two-thirds of all .approved building costs, the local municipality in which the hospital is situated will be faced with the problem of raising the remaining eight and one-third percent. It was further agreed that until such time as sufficient funds are available in the reserve fund, each building program will be by agreement between the hospital concerned and the Huron County Council subject to approval of the Ontario Municipal Board. In other business, Huron County Council accepted an offer from the Ontario Department afEducation to supply a Summer Children's program co-ordinator for the summer months at no cost to the county; and agreed to accept the proposal of the Western Ontario Regional Sports Conference to develop a sports association in Huron, provided funds are available from the provincial government so that there will be no cost to the county of Huron. wrapped around the corner of the building. The inquest was told that the car was equipped with a high-powered engine. This testimony led to the recommendation that the Canada Safety Council be asked to research and develop guidelines "for restricting hersepower-tb-weight ratio in passenger vehicles," public use, members of county council learned Thursday afternoon. While representatives from Tuckersmith and the Town of Clinton are particularly anxious to get the project fully underway, county planner Gary Davidson warned that careful steps must be taken before the property can be a registered plan of subdivision, He said presentations must be made to all the local municipalities concerned and following that, reference must be made to the Planning Board for any modifications of the plan. A public meeting will be set for late May or early June. Final approval of the County Planning Board is expected at its June meeting with presentation of the plan and acceptance by county council at its June session, Friday, June 30. "We must move quickly on this," insisted Alex McGregor, Tuckersmith, "There may not be a future to consider if we don't. The new owner cannot be expected to wait much longer. The property is now all taxable land and he is anxious to get going, He's already lost two potential industries because of the delays." An 'elaborate display of drawings from the base were on display as made by the planning department. Davidson and his assistant, Nick Hill, said that the effect of the base will be felt in an area much larger than the base itself. Direct or indirect relationship to the development of the base are being investigated—existing land use pattern, transportation, waste disposal, education services, proximity to existing urban areas, existing commercial and service facilities, employment potential, existing labor force (especially female) and health services, "From our analysis of these factors, four distinctive impact areas evolved," reported Davidson. "The largest area was a commuter shed. That is, the population living within approximately a 30-minute drive of the base. It is probably that much of the original labor force at the base, especially the female labor force, will come from this area." "Secondly, the Hayfield River system must ,be,eppsidered as a separate.intpact area due to the very real limitations of the Hayfield River and its tributaries to accept additional effluent," Davidson continued. "The Tuckersmith Township Council, Tuesday night completed its schedule of mill rates for 1972. In February council had approved a 21.6 mill municipal rate for farm and residential property compared to 18,6 mills for last year and the commercial rate was increased to 25 mills from 22 mills last year, The County rate this year is 22 mills, up from 20.4 mills of last year. The public school elementary rate for residential was set at 20.5 mills, down from 21 mills of last year and the commercial rate was set at 22.6 mills, down from 23 mills. The secondary school rate residential is 15.5 mills (13 mills, 1971) and commercial is 26 mills, up from 24,6 last year. The levy for street lights remains the same as last year— Egmondville, 6 mills; Brucefield, 3 mills; Kippen 6 mills. Clerk-treasurer James McIntosh said a public school supporter on each $1,000 of assessment will pay $79.60 this year compared to $73.00 in 1971 and Separate School supporters with the same assessment will pay $82.50 this year compared to $74.00 last year. The levy development of the base, to utilize its existing buildings, and allow for additional growth must attract low water using and effluent producing industries," Davidson reviewed the two remaining impact areas—the long term impact area whichis essentially a triangular shaped area bounded by Clinton, Seaforth and Brucefield; and a shorter term impact area which is a small triangular shaped area bounded by Clinton, the Base and the Adastral Park Road. "The first phase is the utilization of the buildings and area of the existing base," Davidson noted. "The second phase does not commence in full until the base itself is almost fully developed. At this juncture development will occur outside of the existing base." "Assuming the first phase is successful there are three basic alternatives for development in the second phase," Davidson reported. "Each of these patterns has certain advantages and disadvantages, There is no correct or right one. Trade-offs must be made in the consideration of which is the best alternative. However, the choosing of an BY WILMA OKE Albert Shirray, R.R.2, Hensall, was named chairman of the commissioners of the Tuckersmith Municipal Telephone System at its 63rd annual meeting in Brucefield Wednesday. He succeeds Harvey Coleman of R.R.1, Zurich, who was re-elected to a three- year term as commissioner. The other man on the three-man commission is Arthur Nicholson, R.R.2, Seaforth. • In his report the secretary-treasurer of the system, Mel Graham of Brucefield, reported the total revenue in 1971 amounted to $98,002.00, with expenses at $90,869.00. giving a net surplus of $7,133.00 which compares to a deficit in 1970 of $1,397.00, Mr, Graham explained new equipment and alternative via the plan amendment process is critical to the completion of the secondary plan and, hence, final registration of the base plan." The three alternatives are; continuation the present trends which would slowly reduce ready access to the base because of built-up "ribbon development"; development of the base as a separate community; or development of existing urban areas such as Clinton and Seaforth where community services are already available. "Wide public exposure to the alternatives is called for and, in general, the wider the better," observed Davidson. "However, there is a cost in time and this cost must be considered," Once a decision is reached as to which alternative the county will take, the secondary plan and zoning bylaws will be prepared, Once the secondary plan has been submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, work on the required zoning bylaws can commence. "Once the base ceased operation, all the ground rules changed," Davidson explained. putting in extra cable in 1970 accounted for the deficit that year. In 1971 $6,000 was spent in cable equipment at the Hydro Sub Station at Seaforth and this year possibly $12,000 may be spent. There are 125 miles of poles and 5,200 miles of single wire in the system which covers the rural areas and some urban areas in Stanley and Tuckersmith Townships. There are 494 subscribers in Bayfield, and 404 subscribers in Clinton area; 452 in Hensall area and 410 in Seaforth area for a total of 1,760 subscribers. This is an increase of 88 over 1970. Following complaints of subscribers `Sometimes' talking for an hour or more, Mr, Coleman said he hoped people would phone oftener and limit calls to about five minutes, McKillop taxes go up after year of respite Coroner's jury investigating Mustard death recommends horsepower guidelines Albert Shirray heads Tuckersmith Telephone System Tuckersmith taxes take another hike