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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2007-03-29, Page 24It was another late night for HuronEast councillors at their March 20meeting.With three deputations, a visit from the Seaforth firefighters and a 45- minute mid-meeting in-camera session, councillors didn’t even start into the budget until after 10 p.m., three hours after the meeting began. After the March 6 meeting, treasurer Brad Knight made several adjustments to the second draft of the budget that would bring the deficit from $768,046 down to $264,146. However, one of these adjustments was taking the budgeted cost of the new firetruck in Seaforth from $350,000 down to $300,000, an expense that was quickly shifted back into the maybe column after the firefighters’ visit. Subtracting from the budget’s bottom line was $400,000 from reserves, $136,900 in an additional tax levy, $25,000 taken from the dust control and gravel fund as well as the $50,000 taken off the firetruck expense. However, added to the bottom line was $52,000 added to legal costs, $50,000 in additional construction to Elizabeth Street in Brussels, $3,000 added to the conservation authority and $3,000 added to bylaw enforcement. When deliberations started on this second draft of the budget, it was suggested that two road projects be delayed until 2008, the repaving ofHydro Line Road and thereconstruction of Oak Road Thiswould cut over $300,000 out of thebudget.Deputy-mayor Bernie MacLellanproposed a 13 per cent tax hike. With the three per cent for inflation that council had already decided on, MacLellan wanted to add an additional 10 per cent. “It might not sound friendly,” MacLellan said. “Next year we might get away with just inflation, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.” While many of the councillors were uncomfortable with taking so much out of reserves, councillor David Blaney reminded them that reserves are there to be used, not to be kept as a safety net. MacLellan stood by his proposal of a 13 per cent tax hike, saying that right now, Huron East has one of the lowest tax rates in the county. “We’ve been short-changing the bill for a bit too long,” he said. “If we short-change it each year, we’re going to be in the same position as the county.” MacLellan added that he would rather see a 13 per cent raise in taxes now as opposed to a 25 per cent raise in three years, which would be a possibility if rates stay the way they are. One major thing hanging over the councillors’ heads is the looming expenses of the Brussels Library as well as the medical project in Seaforththat should be coming up soon.After several attempts atdetermining the budget’s bottom line,the councillors quit just shy of midnight and set up a separate budgetmeeting for March 27. Councillors voted in favour of themeeting, hoping they’ll be able to ironout the budget’s details at a reasonable time of night at their next meeting.MacLellan joked that the meetingcould be over in 45 minutes when theyhaven’t been at the table working forfour hours already.PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2007. Coming closer With lots of rain and balmy temperatures melting the mounds of snow in the area through this week, waters of the Maitland River continue to rise. The river’s edge moves a little closer to property along it as the banks flood, and keep flooding. (Vicky Bremner photo) Budget debates continue for HE councillorsBy Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen Web site: www.howickhomes.com WROXETER, Ontario Proudly Serving Huron County for 25 Years 519-335-3156 ✓Complete Planning, Design & Construction Services CUSTOM HOME SPECIALISTSWWWWeeee BBBB uuuu iiii llll dddd CCCC hhhh aaaa rrrr aaaa cccc tttt eeee rrrr IIII nnnn tttt oooo YYYY oooo uuuu rrrr HHHH oooo mmmm eeee Ten Pas Decor • Carpets • Vinyls • Draperies • • Wallcoverings • Paints and Accessories • • Hardwood & Laminates • “Guaranteed Professional Installation” 122 Main Street East, Listowel, Ont. N4W 2B6 Ph. 519-291-4440 Fax 519-291-4223 “We enjoy our work and you will too!” building centre McDONALD HOME HARDWARE & BUILDING SUPPLIES - Brussels 519-887-6277 1-800-881-0030 COMPLETE LINE OF HARDWARE • Building Materials • Paint • Carpet & Flooring • Lighting fixtures • Plumbing supplies • Windows & doors • Kitchen cabinets • Installation 19th Century Charm Plan No. 7-3-934 The gently curving lower edge of the two gables lend this two-storey family home a touch of 19th-century Arts-and-Crafts charm. But inside, everything is up-to-date, with a layout that will delight the most discerning 21st-century family. The covered entry, a bonus in inclement weather, leads into the foyer. A coat closet is on the left, with a two-piece powder room opposite. Also off the foyer is a den, perfectly situated for use as a home office, since clients will not have to traipse through the house. The den’s closet will also allow it to double as a guest room. The great room, located at the back of the home, features a double-height ceiling and a built-in fireplace. Generous windows look onto a covered deck. The dining room, which also overlooks the back garden, features sliding doors that lead to the same deck, the perfect place for all-weather barbecuing. The kitchen boasts a spacious walk-through pantry, as well as an island with a raised eating bar, ideal for casual snacks and meals. The room is open to both the dining and great room, so the cook can keep tabs on family activities. The laundry room enjoys triple access—from the walk-through pantry, the foyer and the double garage. There’s enough room in the garage for a third car, a large wood-working project or an indoor play area, as well as a workbench. The second floor, reached via a U-shaped staircase, contains the master suite, with an extra-wide window sill that could serve as a cosy window seat. Beyond the large ensuite, which includes a soaker tub and a shower stall, is a walk-in closet. The second and third bedrooms jut out under dormers, and share a convenient split bath. Bedroom No. 3 features built-in shelves, as well as an extra- wide window sill. Outside, shingle siding enhances the home’s curb appeal. Painted trim and pilasters on river-rock bases, partly mullioned windows and a double front door add to its rustic charm, as do the barn-style garage doors. This home measures 42 feet wide and 61 feet deep, for a total of 2,256 square feet. An unfinished basement is included in the plans. Plans for design 7-3-934 are available for $636 (set of 5), $721 (set of 8) and $775 for a super set of 10. B.C. residents add 7% Prov. Sales Tax. Also add $25.00 for Priority charge within B.C. or $45.00 outside of B.C. Please add 6% G.S.T. or 15% H.S.T. (where applicable) to both the plan price and Priority charges. 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