HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-11-02, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988. PAGE 15.
20 turn out for Morris Twp. ratepayers meeting
Recreation, fire protection and
severances in the farm community
will be top priorities for Morris
Township Council in the next three
years, council members said at a
public meeting held last Tuesday
evening. Although all members
have been acclaimed to Morris
council, the meeting updated rate
payers on the activities of council
over the past three years and what is
in store for the township in the next
term of council.
The meeting was attended by
approximately 20 people, including
a group of Girl Guides from
Belgrave. Reeve Doug Fraser,
Deputy Reeve Clem McLellan and
Councillor Bert Elliott, who all will
be returning to council, gave brief
comments, as did the two newly-ac
claimed councillors, Delores Souch
and Wayne Riley. The new council
will be sworn in early next month.
Councillors Bob Grasby and
Howie Morton, who are stepping
down as council members, each gave
farewell speeches. Mr. Grasby has
sat on council for 21 years and while
he enjoyed his years on council, said
he felt it was time someone else took
over the reins. Mr. Morton said he
joined council three years ago to
meet more of the people of the
township and learn about how
municipal government and he has
done both. He cited recreation as a
major priority in the community over
the upcoming term of council, noting
that the township recreation budget
has nearly tripled since 1985.
Mr. Riley and Mrs. Souch eaeh
were given an opportunity to speak.
Mr. Riley said he decided to seek a
council seat in Morris, even though
he resides in Grey, because he was
born and educated in the township
and continues to own land in Morris.
He said he sees widening the south
end of the seventh concession as a
priority.
Mrs. Souch said she places a high
priority on roads in the township and
roadside spraying.
Brian Jeffray of Turnberry Town
ship, acclaimed as representative
for Morris and Turnberry on the
Huron County Board of Education,
also attended the meeting.
Some of the highlights of the last
three years on the board for Mr.
Jeffray have been: initiating energy
conservation in the schools; recyc
ling of waste; co-operative education
and the introduction of an AIDS
education program.
In the next three years, Mr.
Jeffray said the school board will
continue its energy-conservation
efforts and expand its recycling
program. With a number of schools
in the county nearing the 25-year
mark, he added, they could require
maintenance soon, such as roofs.
In conclusion, Mr. Jeffray told the
assembled group that there are
10,000 students currently enrolled in
the county system, 900 employees
and the board’s 1988 budget was
close to $50 million.
Before the question-and-answer
period, Mr. Fraser briefly outlined
what he feels is top on the agenda for
council over the next three years.
The reeve said he hopes to continue
the township’s extensive road
building plan, including sidewalks
and paving in the hamlets. Brown’s
Bridge also must be completed.
The township also will continue to
pursue government grants, Mr.
Fraser said, because if the money is
there, Morris Township might as
well be getting it. He also would like
to see more severances on marginal
land to bring new assessment to the
township.
Doug Garniss opened the ques
tion period by asking how sever
ances would be permitted under the
township secondary plan. Although
he admitted the secondary plan is
rather restrictive on severances, Mr.
Fraser said he felt it could be
changed to allow more severances in
the township, not on good agricul
tural land, but on land that is
currently growing only weeds.
Mr. Garniss said he would be
concerned about opening the town
ship up completely for development.
However, as Mr. Morton explained,
council must do something to build
up its assessment, which has been
eroded in recent years through
foreign ownership. “We’re talking
about (opening for development)
naturally-segregated chunks.’’
In answerlo a question by Mr.
Garniss, Mr. Morton agreed the
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right of the farmer to natural farming
practises also must be addressed if
the township were to become more
lenient in its severance require
ments.
“If you go to the city and build in
an industrial zone, you have to put up
with it,’’ said Don Procter, adding
the same should be true in the
country. In another vein, Mr.
Garniss asked how the wages of
Morris Township employees com
pare to those in other area munici
palities.
While Clerk-Treasurer Nancy
Michie will earn $31,000 in 1989,
replied Mr. Fraser, she does all the
administrative work herself, unlike
some townships which have extra
office help.
Mr. Morton also pointed out that
theclerk-treasurer’sduties have
increased in the past three years
because the township now has a
building inspector and drainage
superintendent.
The wages paid to township
roadmen are lower than those paid to
county employees, said Mr. Fraser
and the council members are among
the lowest paid in the county.
“Well, remember there’s lots of
people just scraping through (in the
township) and they’re the ones who
have to pay (for the increases),” said
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