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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-07, Page 1Exeter tax rate down by 10 mills; okay works shop, light purchase Vt Inn iv dr. lnd OE new works building in Clinton had cost $45,000 and Councillor Ted Wright said he didn't think there would be "much change out of $50,000". The $50,000 expenditure to Purchase the street lighting system resulted in a bit more debate, but the arguments of some council members against such a move was apparently diminished in part by the fact the money was available. Again, the debate had started at Monday's regular meeting, but members agreed to set it over until Tuesday. In fact, a motion had been presented at Monday's meeting — Please turn to Page 3 provincial grants coming in, It was broached for the first time publicly at Monday night's meeting when a tour of similar buildings in the area was set up. At that time, Mayor Jack Delbridge urged members not to build it too small "or you'll be adding on in five years,". He also suggested construction be of the type that would result in a low insurance cost, At Tuesday's budget session, Deputy-Reeve Helen Jermyn questioned if the cost would be $50,000, noting that buildings she had seen when investigating fire halls had been much less than that. Clerk Eric Carscadden said a municipal building in the future, but there was no designation given the money, so it can be used for whatever purpose council decides. Last year, $9,000 was put into a special fund for a new town building. The new works department building will be erected on land purchased two years ago on Nelson St. The PUC owns a portion of the land, and will erect their new water storage tower there some time in the future. The new works department building had not been considered this year, but council members had apparently discussed the matter in view of the new surplus to keep the reduction to the 10 mills. Approved in the budget was $50,000 for a new town works department building and another $50,000 to enable the town to purchase the street lighting System from the Exeter PUC. Another $12,000 was added for the construction of more sidewalk, the Waterloo St. storm drain to be installed in con- junction with Stephen and for dog control. The portion of that for the drain is around $9,500 with $1,500 for sidewalks and $1,000 for controlling dogs, In addition, $27,000 was put into a reserve fund. There was some mention of using that for a new Hoogeni5oom said his main eoncern was the fact that the grant may not be forthcoming next year and the rates would have to be increased by as much as they were reduced this year. "I don't agree with reducing it by 16.2 mills," stated Councillor Ted Wright, "Neither do I," replied Reeve Derry Boyle, suggesting a drop of 10 mills would be a good reduc- tion. Mayor Jack Delbridge agreed he wouldn't want to see too much of a drop in the rate either. However, council members came up with several programs to eat up portions of the provincial grant and the 1972 WINS BICYCLE SAFETY CONTEST - Qne division of the first annual Kinsmen club Zone B bicycle rodeo was won by an Exeter youngster. Above, Bradley Baynham is shown with Constable Alex Balazs and the trophy he won in the grade 5 and 6 section at Listowel Saturday. Seek alternate site for dump grounds One Hundred and First Year EXETER, ONTARIO, JUNE 7, 1973 Price Per Copy 20 Cents Exeter council is searching for a new dump, and four local in- dustries have been advised they should be considering other methods of dumping and disposing of their waste products in view of the fact the present facility in Hay Township may be closed. The action was taken by council at a special meeting last week after they were advised by the ministry of the environment that a six-inch earth cover must be placed over all wastes deposited at the dump each day. Mayor Jack Delbridge said At a special meeting Tuesday, Exeter council set the 1973 tax rate which cut approximately 10 mills off last year's rate. Clerk Eric Carscadden still has to detail final calculations, but the current rate should be around 137 mills for commercial and 124 for residential, Last year's corresponding figures were 147.5 and 134.8. Council members found themselves in a rather unusual position, as the main debate centred not so much on how to cut the tax rate, but how to keep it up. The "dilemma" was created by new — and sizeable — provincial grants of $90,417 and a surplus from last year of $39,756.30. Had those two figures been used to reduce taxes, the rate would have dropped by over 32 mills, Members were reluctant to reduce the rate any more than 10 mills, and Councillor Ben Hoogenboom even wondered if the rate had to be reduced at all. Reeve Derry Boyle replied that council had no obligation to drop the rate, but the provincial government would certainly take a dim view of the situation if they didn't because grants had been given to municipalities to reduce their rates. Teevins finally okayed to fill vacancy at resort Cites concern over site lack but it had not arrived. He estimated total costs were in the range of $41,000. The approved federal grant was $49,000. One of the major works during the program was the installation of traffic circle or turn-around at the westerly end of Main street. Anysymiw said his department would still have about two weeks work left in "picking up the ends and pieces of Winter Works." Council authorized another letter being sent to Lambton MPP Lorne Henderson objecting to the manner in which the recent equalization grants announced by the provincial government were arrived at. Acting Reeve Douglas Martin argued that summer population figures should be used when the higher figure for assessments is used. An explaining letter from — Please turn to Page 3 Council authorized the pur- chase of a street sweeper at a cost of $1,500. The machine has tentatively been approved by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Road foreman Vic Anysymiw told council members the sweeper would be able to clean the sand off Main street in half a day. Previously it took five men close to three days to complete the chore. Councillor Murray Des Jardins originally against the purchase said he would be in favour if the machine could be used 300 hours per year. By doing this amount of work he felt the sweeper would pay for itself in three years. Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce president and Winter Works co-ordinator Dick Manore told council most of the projects had been completed. Manore said he had hoped to have an audited financial report Firemen answer two false alarms A false alarm at Huron Park Sunday evening is going to cost someone $400, The call was answered by the Exeter Fire Brigade truck on an agreement whereby the local truck is covering Huron Park for about 12 days while the ODC truck is in Quebec for a major overhaul. The rate set by the Exeter Area fire board for the service is $400 for the first two hours or part thereof, plus $100 for each sub- sequent hour. Clerk Eric Carscadden said Monday he had already billed $400 for the trip to Huron Park, Sunday. On Tuesday morning the firemen also answered a call to Dashwood Industries when the 14: fire alarm system malfunc- tioned. The lack of serviced lots is apparently costing Exeter some prospective home builders. At least that was the in- formation revealed by Councillor Ted Wright this week. He said he knew of five persons who had planned to build homes in Exeter and had now gone elsewhere. Two had decided to go to London, two more to Lucan and one to Clandeboye. Part of the problem is the fact council has turned down several permits lately for homes in the Dow Subdivision because sewers were not available. These are the responsibility of the subdivider. He agreed council didn't have much choice in the matter, but said it perturbed him to see the prospective • home owners go elsewhere. He said the loss in assessment from the cases cited would be over $120,000. "It's sad we don't have more choice in building lots," he said, adding that council may have to consider opening up new avenues for home owners. One optimistic note was given by works superintendent Glen Kells. He said several vacant lots would be available to home builders once they were serviced with sewers when the local system was completed. This is planned for next year. Wright's remarks about lack of lots failed to generate much discussion as it came just prior to adjournment and few other members showed any concern over the situation. Despite the appointment of another councillor Monday night, the strength of Grand Bend council was only four men. During recent months, council population has varied from three to four to five. In the absence of Reeve John Payne because of illness, Mon- day's session started with only three members present. Councillor Douglas Martin who was recently appointed to fill one of two vacancies which occurred some time ago was named acting Reeve for the night. The other councillors in attendance were Murray Des Jardins and Robert Sharen. Part way through the meeting, the matter of naming a fourth councillor came up and a call was put through to John Teevins who was named May 7 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Walter Crumplin. The appointment of Teevins was challenged at the May 22 meeting by Reeve John Payne who claimed the proposed councillor was ineligible because he lived in Bosanquet township and did not own property in Grand Bend. Teevins argued he was an administrator for his mother's estate and thus qualified. Teevins arrived midway though Monday's meeting and was sworn into office by clerk Mrs. Louise Clipperton. GETTING A LITTLE HELP - The youngest participant in Saturday's Lucan Lions club walkathon from Gronton to Lucan was three year-old Stephen Avery. For part of the walk he received some help from his mother, Barbara Avery as shown in the above picture, T-A photo Still seek solution to canine problem Monday night that this action is already being taken, In view of the requirement, which council learned about last November, it was decided to locate a site more suitable for carrying out the daily covering process, Council members are also awaiting a proposal from C.A., McDowell, who expressed an interest in providing a site and disposal method. He has been asked to appear before council to outline his plans and approximate cost figure. The industries contacted by council are Canadian Canners, Exeter Produce, Algoma Tire and Custom Trailers. All four dispose of considerable materials at the dump and, council noted, in view of the fact the present dump may be closed, they should consider other methods of disposing of their waste products. There was little discussion about the dump situation at Monday's regular meeting of council, The letter from the ministry noted that council had prohibited burning at the site since last August and suggested that with this restriction plus covering the waste daily, "the Town should be able to maintain a method of operation quite acceptable to your residents". "Perhaps at that time we could discuss any further activities concerning waste disposal facilities, particularly the discussions held on in- cineration," the letter concluded. Members of council have shown little interest in in- cineration. The ministry recently advised that Seaforth was considering this method of disposing of waste and recommended Exeter discuss the matter with them. That letter was filed by Exeter council. Working In St. Marys Lois Johns, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Johns, RR 1, Centralia received her diploma as a Medical Secretary from Fanshawe College. Lois has accepted a posi- tion with the Medical Clinic, St. Marys. Lambton College Grad Dianne Marie Adkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Adkins, Ex- eter, graduated from Lambton College with a diploma in Early Childhood Education. Dianne has accepted a position with the Listowel Day Care Centre, Listowel. Stephen taxes down by about four mills Says no liability in basement flood An attempt by Mrs. Grace Galloway to recoup over $1,000 in damage caused to her belongings by a flooded basement have been unsuccessful. Mrs. Galloway had many of her possessions destroyed when sewer water backed into the basement apartment she oc- cupied in the home of her mother, Mrs. J. Allen, Carling St, Several other homes along Carling St, were also inundated with sewer water, a problem they have faced on several occasions. However, an insurance ad- juster advised Exeter council this week the claim has been refused because his investigation showed that the municipality had not been negligent in any way and was not liable for the loss, was paid a flat rate for each dog picked up in Exeter, but he would consider the job on a straight stipend basis, After learning that Stephen pays $2 per hour per mileage f or animal control, council asked that Councillor Harold Patterson discuss such a deal with Hillman, Police Chief Ted Day gave the May report to council, showing the following statistics. Fourteen accidents with two injuries and damage of $7,822; 37 charges and 59 warnings under the Highway Traffic Act, eight charged under the Liquor Control Act, seven charges pending under the Narcotics Control Act, three places of business found insecure, six animal complaints with one charge being laid, one charge of dangerous driving, three mischief investigations with three juveniles being ap- prehended, six parking tickets issued, two cars reported stolen and subsequently recovered, four thefts with total loot of $41,05 with all but $10 being recovered. Construction Technician Douglas Webber, son of Mr, and Mrs. Lee Webber, RR 1, Hensall, graduated from Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology with a diploma in the two-year Construction Technician course, He is now employed with the Ontario ministry of transpor- tation and communication in Stratford. Most „ratepayers in Stephen township will benefit from the recently announced resources equalization grant form the Ontario government. Tuesday night township council Nursing Graduate Mrs. Elizabeth McHugh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Hill, RR 2, Luton, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the graduation ceremonies at the University of Windsor, May 26.Elizabeth has accepted a posi- tion as a public health nurse with the Huron County Health Unit. Fire levels Stephen barn Fire of unknown origin destroyed a barn on the Stephen township farm of Ralph Weber, Tuesday night. The barn located at Lot 21, Concession 11 was completed gutted along with valuable farm machinery. The Dashwood volunteer fire brigade was called to the scene but the fire was out of control when they arrived. Included in the list of machinery lost was a self propelled uniharveSter, hay bale elevator, two bean cultivators and a new camper trailer. Value of the machinery was estimated in excess of $7,000 with a building loss of more than $5,000, "As the governing body we owe the people better control of dogs than we have now," stated Councillor Ted Wright during a debate on canines at Monday's session of Exeter council. The subject had been broached by Police Chief Ted Day, who wanted to know what plans council had for controlling dogs. He said his department was doing the best it could, but faced the problem of not having any place to take stray dogs if they did catch them. Exeter's former pound, operated by Exeter Veterinary Clinic, has closed. The clinic previously provided dog control as well with weekly patrols of the community and these too have terminated. Reeve Derry Boyle, who was asked to investigate the matter some weeks ago, admitted he had found no solution. He had contacted Harvey Hillman, who patrols in Stephen and Huron Park, and reported that Hillman was also at a loss as to where to take dogs because he also used the local veterinary clinic facilities. Boyle said Hillman was not interested in a deal whereby he THEY MADE It AND MORE MONEY - Four members of a Luton bridge dub made the trip from Grantor; to tucan Saturday using d bath tub as a conveyance and gained more than $160 for the Lucca) Lions parks project. in the above picture, Barb Wraith and Mary Dykerean are ready to pull, Ileane Richardson is reclin- ing in the mobile tub and Marg Root is providing the steadying influence, T-A photo set the 1973 tax rate and a reduction of about four mills from a year ago applies to most taxpayers. Farm and residential tax- payers supporting the Huron County Board of Education for public school purposes will pay an overall mill rate of 69,38, This compares to 73.51 mills in 1972, Supporters of the Huron-Perth separate school board will be taxed 74,71 mills as compared to 81.35 mills last year. In explaining the tax rate, clerk Wilmer Wein said the equalization grant was actually worth about seven mills to the municipality, Six mills of this is to be used by the township and one mill by the County of Huron, To make up the overall rate of 69.38 mills, the township rate is 9.7 a reduction of 3.8; the Huron county rate is 19.1, a decrease of 1.35 mills; the secondary school .rate is 17.72 mills, a rise of 1.51 mills and the public school rate is 22.86 mills a drop of ,49 The three police villages in the township will also receive similar reductions in their tax rates for 1973, Centralia and Dashwood will pay 79,68 mills and Crediton residents will be charged 04.68 mills, All are decreases of 4.43 mills, Clerk Wein also explained that the decreases for, public school supporters would not apply to all. In previous years, the rates were different for those residents who paid support to Exeter, Hay and McGillivray publie schools, Starting this year all public Please turn to Page 3 '11s7INAM Young bicyclist hurt in collision with car Receives Scholarships Ronald Kendrick Durand, son of Mr. and Mrs. Pete Durand, Exeter, graduated on June 6 with an Honours Bachelor of Business Ad- ministration degree from the Business School of the University of Western Ontario. Ron has received a Rhodes Scholarship nomination; has been on the Dean's List for two years; has won the Captain Jack Birnie Smith Scholarship; and has been awarded a student assistantship. He is entering Law School of Western in the fall, Dental Hygienist Kathryn F. Hendritk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hendrick, Kippen, groducned May 29 from the University of Toronto, Division of Dental Hygiene. Kathryn has accepted a position, in Toronto and will also continue her studies at the University of Toronto. A seven-year-old Mt, Carmel girl sustained head injuries when the bicycle she was riding was in collision with a car on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Eaten McCann was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in London for treatment. Driver of the car was Gedelieve Aetssen, RR 3 Dashwood, The mishap occurred on the Dashwood Road at Mt.Carmel and damage was set At $70 by OPP Constable Al Quinn, On Friday at 12:30 a.m, a car driven by Allan Sawyer, Exeter skidded out of eontroI on sideroad 20-21 west of Exeter and collided with a hydro support pole, Total damage was listed at $475 by Constable Don Mason. There were two accidents Sunday the first at 7:15 pan. on Highway 134 in Hensall involving cars driven by Douglas Ferguson, Exeter and Gary W. Deitz, RR 3, Kipper. Damage was listed at $450 by Constable bale Lamont. The other crash occurred at 10:15 p.m. involving a car driven by Larry John Coesitt, RR 1, Hensall. He had been proceeding south from Hensel' on Highway 4 and when he applied his breaks behind a slow-moving truck, his car veered into the ditch and through a fence owned by William Roweliffe, There was $25 damage to the fence, but none to the vehicle. Constable Bob Whiteford in- vestigated, During the week the OPP detachment officers charged 27 persons under the Highway Traffic Act and issued warnings to another 20, There were 12 charges under the Criminal Code and three tinder the Liquor Control Act, Cy