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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-05-21, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN,THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2009. At its May 4 meeting, Huron East council carried a bylaw that would have the fire dispatch agreement signed with the City of Stratford. The decision had been made months ago, but the final bylaw was passed recently as the rest of Huron County’s municipalities had to be brought on board with the new serv- ice as well. Clerk-administrator Jack McLachlan says he expects the serv- ice will be up and running by the middle of May. *** The bylaw to officially establish the 2009 tax rates, with a six per cent increase was carried. The budget, however, with several issues left to be ironed out, can still be amended, despite the finalization of this year’s tax rates. *** Huron East council took its last steps towards finalizing changes to the municipality’s official plan. Huron County planner Carol Leeming was in attendance explain- ing several changes in policy and some in wording in the document, which will be considered for final adoption at council’s May 19 meet- ing, which will be a public meeting. Council has been working on the document for several months, attempting to clarify and accommo- date wind turbine technology in the municipality among other things. The public meeting is on May 19. *** Council finalized the sale of a lot in Seaforth to Habitat For Humanity of Huron County. Initially there had been discussion of a straight donation of the lot. However, the sale was finalized by Huron East for $25,000. Councillor Joe Steffler said, how- ever, that Huron East would be donating any costs incurred with water, sewer or building permits. The official bylaw will come through council at its May 19 meeting for council’s considera- tion. Currently, the plan is for the house to be built in 2010. *** Council named June Seniors’ Month at the request of the Minister responsible for seniors. *** Council approved $548,216.17 in accounts payable. Huron East is on-board with Huron County’s new emergency notification system, Prism 911. Council received a presentation from Huron County manager of emergency medical services, David Lew at its May 5 meeting, and said they would participate in the pro- gram and reach out to its citizens for assistance. Clerk-administrator Jack McLachlan says that forms for resi- dents to fill out with their contact information should be mailed out to Huron East residents with their final tax bills at the end of July. While Huron County has nearly 60 per cent of the county’s phone numbers through Bell Canada, for the other 40 per cent, those involved will be relying on municipalities and resi- dents to submit their information. The system, which has been pur- chased at a capital expenditure of $85,000 by Huron County, is an internet-based system that notifies the public in the event of an emer- gency, such as a missing child, a boil-water advisory or a chemical spill to name a few. The system was officially launched in Goderich earlier this year. Huron County is the first jurisdic- tion to buy into the system, besides the system’s developer, Quinte West, which is part of the great deal the county got, Lew says. Questions were raised by council- lor Larry McGrath about the tech- nology and how long it would serve the county’s needs. Lew responded by saying the system should serve the county well into the future. While Lew thinks the system is already set up to provide for the county for several years to come, in the annual fee, which would come in between $25,000 and $30,000 depending on how often the system is used, upgrades are included for approximately $2,000 to $3,000 of the cost. The Citiz e n Get Your Message AROUND THE WORLD IMMEDIATELY If you have important papers that need to go somewhere FAST ... use THE CITIZEN’S FAX MACHINE! Our fax machine can contact any other fax machine, in the world, instantly. We offer this service for a cost of $4.00 per printed sheet for the first one and $1.00 per additional sheet. (Or $1.00 per sheet if it is not long distance) Our fax number, is also your number, so use it to receive your messages at $1.00 per sheet. WE CAN RECEIVE 24 HRS. PER DAY! This service is only available in our Blyth office PP hh ..:: 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --44 77 99 22 FF aa xx :: 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --99 11 44 00 PP hh ..:: 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --44 77 99 22 FF aa xx :: 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --99 11 44 00 Hot off the grill Grade 8 students from East Wawanosh Public School held a fundraising barbecue over the weekend in Belgrave. From left: Evan Wesselink, Laura Higgins, Sarah Cook, Katelyn Casemore, Heidi Raynard, Rene Splettstoesser and Caitlin Daw. (Vicky Bremner photo) HE finalizes tax rates; dispatch agreement Councillors meethousing manager Huron East council briefs Huron East supports Prism 911 system By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen At the May 6 meeting of countycouncil social services administrator Dave Overboe introduced the new housing manager, Barbara Hall. *** Participation in the Good Food Box was up 33 per cent for the month of April. *** The county approved the recom- mendation for acceptance of a tender submitted by Joe Kerr Ltd. for plow- ing and sanding operations during the winter season at $111 per working hour/per truck for three trucks in the Wingham patrol. *** The quote submitted by Nortrax Canada Inc. for the purchase of a2005 John Deere 744J, at a total cost of $140,394.60, excluding GST was accepted. This is within the budgetted amount of $160,000. *** The tender submitted by Weathertech Restoration Services Inc. for the Belgrave bridge rehabil- itation project at the price of $168,691, excluding GST was approved. *** Jarlian Construction Inc. has been approved for the Benmiller Mill Race bridge rehabilitation. The ten- dered price, excluding GST is $312,570. Huron County council briefs