The Citizen, 2019-04-25, Page 28Continued from page 1
had been mulling a 10 per cent
increase to the levy, staff, at the
time, recommended reducing the
levy increase to three per cent.
Council, however, went its own
direction and opted for a seven per
cent increase, directing staff to aim
for that figure in the final draft of the
budget.
The remaining funding was then
transferred to the working capital
reserves, which had been reduced
drastically over the course of the
budget process.
Huron East had also received just
under $300,000 in additional federal
gas tax funding, which council
transferred to the municipality’s
bridge reserve, as it has with all gas
tax funding since that program
began.
With the OMPF reduction and
increase to the municipality’s
policing costs, Huron East’s net
government funding came in just
under $500,000 for the year.
Two hot-button issues discussed at
length in last fall’s election and then
again during budget deliberations
were left out of this year’s budget: a
new municipal website and the
hiring of a recreation director.
A new website for Huron East has
been referred to the economic
development department, while the
hiring of a recreation director has
been referred to the administration
committee for review.
Capital spending in 2019 will be
$7,299,010 – spread between
general government, health,
protection, transportation,
environmental and parks and
recreation – compared to just over
$2.7 million in capital spending last
year.
In this year’s budget, capital
spending is up over $4 million
largely due to a pair of major
projects in the municipality this
year.
With Huron County
reconstructing County Road 12
through Seaforth, Huron East is
taking the opportunity to install a
waste water main to service
Egmondville on the Seaforth waste
water system. The project requires a
contribution from Huron East of just
under $1 million for roads,
sidewalks and storm sewers and
another $1.32 million from the
Seaforth waste water systems fund,
which explains some of the
increased spending for both
transportation and environment.
Council approved the budget,
which will be adopted by way of a
bylaw at a future meeting.
By Bev Craddock
Members of the Brussels Majestic
Women’s Institute met on April 10 at
the home of Doreen Marks in
Belgrave to celebrate a year of the
institute.
The meeting was called to order
by President Kathy Bridge and
started by reciting the ode Mary
Stewart Collect and grace. A pot
luck lunch was served and enjoyed
by all.
After lunch, the meeting was
called to order. Kathy did a reading
and after a short business meeting
the year was closed with Margaret
McInroy releasing members from
their offices and ending the year. She
then installed the new officers for
the coming year.
Looking back over the year,
donations of bears, books and
blankets were made to the Goderich
Women’s Shelter, and medical dolls
cut, sewn and stuffed for hospitals.
Community shut-in boxes were
prepared at Christmas, the Institute
held the quilt raffle and made cash
donations to local charities.
We look forward to more
community projects and we’re quite
excited about celebrating our 80th
birthday this November. Thank you
for your support over the years.
Fit for the capital
Just days ahead of the opening of The Pigeon King at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, the
creators behind the show that proved successful at the Blyth Festival in its 2017 and 2018
seasons held a special concert and album release at Memorial Hall. The artists took to the
stage and performed a number of songs recorded for the production’s soundtrack, which was
also made available to the public that night. Above, Rebecca Auerbach and J.D. Nicholsen
perform one of the show’s tunes. (Denny Scott photo)
PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019.
Majestic WI looks back
at a successful 2019
Quite a visit
Thanks to the Friends of the Village of Blyth hosting Easter
on the Trail on Saturday along the Blyth Greenway Trail, a
number of local young people were treated to not only an
Easter egg hunt, but a visit with the Easter Bunny as well.
Here, Leia Scott prepares for a hug. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Huron East budgets
for work in Seaforth
The Citizen
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