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The Citizen, 1989-09-13, Page 1Brussels changes building permit process Brussels village council decided Sept. 5 that beginning immediate­ ly, no building permits would be issued without approval of the Public Utilities Commission (P.U.C.). The decision was made after Gerry Wheeler of the P.U.C. attended the meeting to explain to council the problems that were arising because council was pass­ ing the permits without getting input from the commissioners. “Once you pass a building permit it looks like the P.U.C. has to provide service,’’ he said. Problems arise, however, when it becomes costly to service the lot on which the house is to be built. Mr. Wheeler referred to one new house being built which he estimated it will cost $1500 to service with water when the P.U.C. charges only a $350 hookup fee. Mr. Wheeler said that the $350 charge currently covers only going out into the road for a hookup. “Anything more than that, we lose money.’’ Some of the lots are not on current water mains. He said he could see other examples that might come up that would cost the PUC thousands to service. “We’re going to have to have a policy or we’ll go broke, he said. Councillor Dave Hastings agreed the policy of council approving building permits without reference to the PUC should be changed. People, he said, are buying cheap­ er, unserviced lots and having the municipality service the lots while more expensive lots that are al­ ready services, are being ignored. Reeve Gordon Workman agreed. “It’s not right for taxpayers to pay a lot to give these people money,’’ he said. Donna White, deputy clerk-trea­ surer told Mr. Wheeler that the P.U.C. has the authority to recover 100 per cent of its capital costs. Mr. wheeler said the problem is chang­ ing policy in midstream. “It makes us really look good if we just put a $10,000 (water) main in on one street (to service seven lots) and recover $350 a lot then turn around and say we’re going to make people pay the full tab somewhere else,” he said. “I can’t believe there are Continued on page 6 Morris man injured A Morris Township man sustain­ ed major injuries following a dirt bike accident at his home on Saturday afternoon. Brian Oldridge, 28, of RR 2, Blyth was jumping hills on his 1982 Honda motor bike when he lost control on the muddy surface and .was thrown. Wingham OPP state that Mr. Oldridge was travelling at a speed of 60 kilometres when the mishap occurred. He was taken by ambulance to Wingham and District Hospital and was later transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospital in London. The hospital would not release details of the injuries. O.P.P. said their was no damage to the motorcycle. VOL. 5 NO. 37 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1989.45 CENTS Hitchin9 a ride While thousands of people suffered from tired feet attending the 28thannual Huron PioneerThresher Reunion last weekend, some lucky youngsters got to hitch a ride in the old wagon owned by Gary Courtney of Blyth. Just along for the ride are (left to right) Sheila Dickson, Nicholas Courtney, Michael Walshand Elisha Courtney. Despitethe threatening weatherthe three-day event matched last year’s record attendance. Huron view admissions freeze delayed Decision on a proposal to restrict admissions to Huronview in pre­ paration for the day the county will operate two smaller homes for the aged was postponed when County Council considered the issue Thursday. The problem arose when the Committee of Management of Huronview proposed a policy that would freeze admissions to Huron­ view until the Huronview popula­ tion is reduced to 180 instead of the current 240-250 residents. The issue thoroughly confused most councillors as they tried to play with the numbers involved in the present Huronview versus those in the two new units, one in the north of the county and one at the current Huronview site. The current Huronview has 18 extended care beds and about 240 residents altogether. The new Huronview, expected to be finished in the 1990-91 provincial budget period would actually gain extend­ ed care beds to 184. The new Huronview sites will have a total of 40 residential care units, called alternate housing: likely to be one bedroom apartments. Currently Huronview has about 60 people living in residential care units after closing a wing of the home earlier because of the number of people seeking residential care had dropp­ ed drastically as more people opted to stay in their homes longer by using such services as Homecare. At one point council had voted before Bill Hanly, the county s against the proposal to reduce the clerk-administrator pointed out to population of Huronview altogether Continued on page 16 Fair offers new display There will be two new events for visitors at the Brussels Fair this year. A mini-tractor pull for young­ sters will take place on Wednes­ day, September 20 at 2:00 p.m. Parents must register their child­ ren before the event. Forms will be available at the fairgrounds on Tuesday evening or Wednesday prior to the event. Classes are for 30-50 pounds, 51-75 pounds, and 76-100 pounds. Following the popular Baby Show on Tuesday evening there will be a Pet Show taking place. Registration is at 7:30 p.m. and the show will run from 8:00 to 9:00. Categories include best dressed dog and master, first dog to bark, dog retaining paper bag on head for longest period, fastest dog to eat milkbone, best dressed cat and owner, biggest cat, cat with most number of natural colours, best trick by cat, most unusual pet. There will be prizes for all participants and pets must be leashed.