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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1981-02-11, Page 5SEED GRAIN Orders are now being taken for spring delivery Oa, Agromart® "Helping Things Grow" Brussels Agromart Ltd. Brussels 88776016 Nethery doing the first one. - Members filled out the page to decide whether they were a beginner sewer or more experienced. All were begin- ners. Members had discussion on what to have in the sewing box and did measurements to decide what size of a pattern is needed. Material and pat- tern to make a skirt or vest will be brought to the next meeting. February 16. Leaders are Mrs. Alex Nethery and Mrs. Glen Mon- tgomery. Stereo System Reg. $1,049.95 Special Why not buy for less and get the best! ANN TV -AUDIO Where customers send their friends 9 Main St. Phone 527-1075 Seaforth Open 10-5:30 Fridays 10:00-9:00 Closed Wednesday PC7 Huron-Bruce Provincial Progressive Conservative Association Invites you to attend the NOMINATION AND ANNUAL MEETING Thurs. Feb. 12 1981 8 p.m. at Kincardine Community aentre (Kincardine Hall) GUEST SPEAKER—The Honourable Larry Grossman, Ministry of Industry & Tourism M O N LY M VOTING WILL BE By MEMBERSH I P ONLY, EMBERSHIPS' WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE 000Fla THE BRUSSELS POST, FEBRUARY 11, 1981 — 5 CO unty highways have deficit BY SHARON DIETZ Huron County Council learned at their January 29 meeting that for the year 1980, the Huron County Highways Department accumulated a deficit on a cash basis of $201,068. According to County Engineer Bob Dempsey, the deficit occurred when two projects during, the year resulted in substantial overruns. The road construction of County Road 11, from the Perth Boundary to Highway 23, was originally budgeted for $281,000. and yet, $584,000. was spent on the project. The engineer and the road committee decided to continue with the construction of County Road 11 beyond that originally anticipated in 1980 since weather conditions, manpower, equipment and time were available to continue with the work in August and September. It was understood, said Mr. Dempsey in his report, that this would result in some Overrun but it would also permit the possibility of paving the road in 1981 rather than in 1982. In light of the rapid increase in Farm operators who borrowed money for food production purposes at high interest rates last year can petroleum prices this would result in a substantial saving to the county by being able to pave the road one year earlier. "Unfortunately, due to unforeseen problems," commented Mr. Dempsey, "we came in with a greater deficit ma n anticipated." All underdrains were replaced along the road last year because the road department prefers to see them in for one winter; if they bubble, they can be replaced before the road is paved. Despite the department's efforts to learn the number o f drains to be replaced along the road before they proceeded, there were more drains along the road than anticipated. Bad weather also slowed down the road crews especially during the rains in September. The second project which saw a substantial overrun during the year was the construction of the Auburn Garage. The original estimate for the garage of $400,000. did not include the cost of buying the land or relocation of the radio tower and additional costs. The original estimate was the cost of providing a refund of up to 3 per cent of loans from banks, credit unions, or trust comp- , anies with interest rates that exceeded 12 per cent during April through December. This refund is available for loans of $75,000 or less. To be eligible for assist- ance under this program, applicants are required to have a gross farm income of at least $8,000 in 1980 and own leSs than 75 per cent of all assets. The amount of financial assistance is based on- the amount of money borrowed for operating and short-term purposes. Eligible purchases include food-producing items such as seed, feed, fertilizer, fuel, sprays, twine, feeder cattle, feeder pigs, machin- ery repairs and hired labor. Money borrowed for non- food producing purposes and capital items is not eligible under this program. Certification and applica- tion forms and information leaflets are available from local offices of the ministry. Completed applications should be forwarded by March 31, 1981 to the Rural Development Branch, Ontar- iO Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Legislative Build- ings, Queen's Park, Toronto, M7A 1A5. the bliilding alone and the final cost of replacing the garage is close to $700,000. Mr. Dempsey told council, anticipated revenues will reduce this overrun, such as the sale of the old property, and the sale of the well on that propertyb but. these cannot be budgeted because they could be misleading. Mr. Dempsey reminded council that it was decided to build a more expensive building because the overhead and maintenance would be low. In presenting the 1981 County Highways Budget to council, Mr. Dempsey noted that an attempt had been made to reduce the county rate to a recommended level by reducing and eliminating proposed expenditures in 1981. RATE UP 27 PERCENT The county rate in that 1981 budget rose 27 percent from $1,281,000. to $1,629,500. Cut from the budget was the resurfacing of County Road 20 from Huron County Road 1, west into Ashfield Township, a total of four kilometres, at a saving of $157,000. A revised estimate on the completion of Road 11 from Whalen's Corner, north four kilometres, has been reduced frOm $145,000. down to $130,000. A review of equipment replacement found that the replacement of one truck could be held over one year realizing a saving of $25,000. The county engineer pointed out he is reluctant to cut resurfacing projects from the budget because the county is falling behind in its resurfacing. If the county resurfaces 10 k's a year, it would take 24 years to resurface all existing paved roads in the county. The aniticpated life of a paved road is only 15 years, said Mr-. Dempsey. "I' am concerned that if we maintain the - present resurfacing policy, we will work ourselves into a. box in the future where we will not be able to maintain service unless we do more than 10 miles a year." observed Dempsey. —While we are spending more dollars, we are not getting any more miles of resurfacing for the increased costs." he added. Several Belgrave II 4-H met Mon- day, February 2 with 10 members present. Denise Nethery was elected Presi- dent, Joan Higgins, Vice- President and Heather Fen- ton Secretary. Press Report- er as roving with Angela councillors objected to the 27 percent increase in the 1981 road budget pointing out that if all budgets come in with such an increase, it would be impossible for the county to maintain the desired overall 15 - 17 percent increase in the county budget. Lloyd Mousseau, chairman of the 1981 road committee,told council that the increase in the budget this year is directly related to the replacement of the Auburn Garage which is "a one shot deal". Once the garage is paid for, said Mr. Mousseau, the road budget can be brought in line next year. County Engineer Dempsey suggested several alternatives could bring the budget down. If council resurfaces Road 20 and omits the paving of Road 11, the budget could be lowered to an increase of 14 percent. Mr. Dempsey pointed out,however, that if Road 20 is not paved in 1981, it will have to be maintained as a gravel road at a cost of about $15,000. The cost of paving it in 1982 would also be higher because of the steady increase in petroleum prices. Another alternative,said Mr. Dempsey, is to eliminate the resurfacing of road,16 which would bring the budget increase to '10 percent. DON'T CUT CONSTRUCTION Mr. Dempsey asked council not to cut construction projects such as, the planned construction of Road 17 from the Perth Boundary, west to Winthrop. He explained that the present labour force_is required to maintain the county's road system in ;the winter. If construction projects are eliminated there will be an impact on the county's labour force and experienced men will be laid off. Once that happens, said Mr. Dempsey, we'll lose experienced men. To eliminate paving or resurfacing projects from the .1981 program would not have the same effect, said Mr. Dempsey, because these jobs are tendered to outside - companies. Warden Fred Haberer suggested that council's approval of the road budget would not be final because it still must go to the executive committee for approval. Council accepted the budget. Interest refunds available to farmers apply now for refund assist- ance. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food is Denise-Nethery heads 4-H group