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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-02-12, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2009. The value of building permits issued in Morris-Turnberry in 2008 jumped nearly 17 per cent from 2007, despite the fact the number of permits was down. In his annual building report, Steve Fortier, chief building official, reported 87 permits had been issued, compared to 94 the year earlier, but the value jumped to $5.7 million, up from $4.9 million. Value of new houses climbed from $1.5 to $1.9 million with eight permits issued in each year. There were 13 additions to dwellings valued a $612,000 in 2008 compared to five addtions worth $183,000 in 2007. Last year saw only two permits issued for new agricultural livestock buildings worth $1.2 million, down from six for nearly $1.5 million in 2007. However, there were 27 permits for $903,831 in agricultural accessory buildings in 2008 compared to 21 for $612,900 in 2007. In total, the municipality collected $61,253 in permit fees in 2008, leaving the building inspection department with a deficit of $4,539 for the year, in part because it had to contract out building inspection for the early part of the year when it had no chief building official. Councillors passed a bylaw that will increase permit fees three per cent per year for the next three years. Before passing the bylaw the councillors questioned the idea of the three-year increase. After councillor Bill Thompson wondered at committing to the three-year increase, Nancy Michie, administrator clerk-treasurer said councillors could always decide not to implement the increases in the second and third year. “The main objective is to be revenue neutral,” she said. “We can leave (the fees) the same next year if we end upwith a surplus,” mayor Dorothy Kelly said. 29 in attendance for Seniors’ meeting A warm parting gift Leona Armstrong, right, presented Cathrine Campbell with a queen-sized quilt from Melville Presbyterian Church as a retirement gift. Many people from the community signed the back of the quilt and helped with the quilt. (Photo submitted) The Belgrave Seniors meetingbegan with the president, MurielCoultes welcoming 18 members and11 guests. Grace was sung and apotluck lunch enjoyed.The program began with a poem,The Valentine Box then Barbara Anderson introduced Bruce and Linda Campbell who told of the Mediterranean Cruise they enjoyed last October. They first visited Sicily where they saw the large cathedral which houses the Black Madonna statue and an old Roman town uncovered by archaeologists. The next stop was in Greece totour a temple built in 5 B.C. It isadorned with painted murals andtapestries decorated with gold andjewels.From there they went to Istanbul,Turkey which is the only city built on two continents, Asia and Europe. It is a rapidly growing city with thousands of new homes constructed every year and traffic causing major problems. The main attraction is the Blue Mosque Temple, completed in 1660, which is now a museum. The roof is supported by 107 columns, built ofmany colours of marble, and ithouses unbelievable wealth in jewelsand armour.They also visited the GrandBazaar, which is 4,000 small shopsunder one roof. Some government- inspected shops sold hand-knotted carpets and costly jewelry. The final stop was the island of Malta where many houses are surrounded by walls to keep the topsoil from blowing away. A photo album and history book was on display also. A short business meeting followedwith secretary and treasurer reportsgiven and notice of a Valentinedessert shoot party to be held onFriday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. The lateGordon Bosman’s name will beentered in the USCO Book of Remembrance. Happy Birthday was sung to Lois Chamney. The field man for Zone 8, Charles Reid, was present to tell of grants available for seniors and the importance of sending in resolutions. The next meeting is a potluck lunch on Friday, April 3 at noon. The meeting closed with the singing of God Save the Queen. NEWS FROM BELGRAVE The Evening Unit of the Belgrave UCW met at the home of Donna Shaw on Tuesday, Feb. 3 with Pat Hunking’s group in charge of the meeting. She opened with a poem, Thinking and recited the UCW purpose. Muriel Coultes read the minutes of the last meeting and gave the treasurer’s report. Pat Hunking reported six cards had been sent. During the business it was decided to make more turkey and beef pies on March 3 and 4. Orders can be left with Barbara Anderson at 519-357- 3317. The women also volunteered to make squares for the ARC meeting in East Wawanosh School on Thursday, Feb. 12. Everyone is encouraged to attend that public meeting. The World Day of Prayer, Friday, March 6 hosted by the Presbyterian ladies, is in the United Church at 2 p.m. London Conference UCW Gathering of Women will be held in Sarnia, April 19-20. The roll call was answered by naming a Biblical person. Sheila Nixon opened the worship on Love with a Call to Worship and prayer. Scripture 1 Cor. 13 was read, and she gave a meditation. The worship closed with prayer. Pat Hunking based her program on Genesis – and raised questions about all the emotions that were found in that book of the Bible. Some were rage, temptation, jealousy, grief, intolerance, patience, hate and love. As each member related those words to what happened in Genesis, they also made reference to the fact that all those emotions and feelings are still alive today. The next meeting will be at the home of Muriel Coultes, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. Following the benediction and grace, lunch was served by Barbara Anderson, Muriel Coultes and Donna. A social time followed. Evening Unit Belgrave UCW program based on Genesis The community extends congratulations to Amelia Pletch who was presented with a Trivial Pursuit board game on Jan. 25 as a prize for winning the Alzheimer Society poster contest. Her poster Healthy Brains also won her entire Grade 5 class at East Wawanosh Public School a pizza party. Presenting the prize was former caregiver Gordon Coultes and Huron Alzheimer Society rep Cathy Ritsema. The Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) which has been planning for the future of the five public schools in the area, will be holding a public information meeting at East Wawanosh Public School, on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. They want to encourage parents, grandparents, seniors and other community groups to attend this open meeting. There will be a chance for questions or question sheets, so concerns may be addressed. By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188 PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE Building value up in M-T for 2008 By Keith Roulston The Citizen The eyes of North Huron councillors will soon be securely fixed on the municipality’s budget. At council’s Feb. 2 meeting, Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell said he wanted to present a “realistic budget” to council with as little of a tax increase as possible, proposing an initial two per cent increase to work with. In the first draft, Snell said there were plenty of worthwhile projects in the budget that may have to be cut. “Right now, there is $700,000 more in this budget than we wanted, but it’s full of a lot of worthwhile projects,” he said. “Today, however, we cut $450,000 out of it in capital spending. Right now, we’re only putting money into buildings that are leaking.” However, after additional cuts, Snell said $250,000 remains that still needs to be cut by council. Snell said that council will have to look at the municipality’s operating expenditures and possibly into downgrading or cutting some services. While he knows times are hard, Snell said, cutting capital spending will not be a permanent solution for North Huron. “We can’t keep slashing capital though. It will catch up with us,” he said. “If we don’t do anything here, in this building soon, town hall will start to look pretty rough.” Snell added that just before the budget was compiled, he had an estimate on how much it would cost to paint town hall that came in at approximately $200,000. With the new cuts, Snell said he would circulate an updated draft of the 2009 budget at the council’s next committee-of-the-whole meeting, giving council a week to think the current and potentially more cuts over. “Council is going to have to make some very hard decisions,” he said. “I think we should invite the public in to participate in this process as well.” NH council working on budget By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen