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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-07-25, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019. PAGE 7. NH interment fees changed after loophole discovered An unexpected interpretation of the municipality’s fee bylaw had North Huron staff suggesting changes to the document earlier this month. Director of Public Works Sean McGhee explained that, under the current wording, cremated interments could be done three at a time for the same price as one, however that didn’t reflect the work that went on behind the scenes when making arrangements for the burials. He said the realization came as a result of a dispute brought forward by a ratepayer. “The way it was designed with regards to interment of cremated remains was that the first opening and closing of the niche was included,” he said. “That way, the first set of remains would be placed free of charge [with the purchase of the niche].” Niches can fit a maximum of three people’s remains, McGhee said, and someone wanted to inter more than one set of remains at once, resulting in the issue being noticed. The intention of the document was remains would be paid for currently at a price of $102.30, according to McGhee said. He explained the charge isn’t just for the physical act of opening and closing the niche, but for other work like updating municipal records. Council did approve the change, but had some questions about the process, starting with Reeve Bernie Bailey, who asked if stakeholders, like local funeral parlours, were consulted. “We had a very productive meeting with [representatives from] couple local funeral homes recently to talk about the fees and bylaws,” McGhee said. Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip asked who paid the “non-resident” fees that are double the resident fees, wanting to know how that was decided. He said that, during discussions under the previous councils, North Huron had said Morris-Turnberry ratepayers wouldn’t be considered non-resident. That practice has been upheld, McGhee said, and anyone outside of North Huron or Morris- Turnberry pays the non-resident fee. As part of the motion that approved the change in wording, a new fee was also added to the fee bylaw as a house-keeping issue. While the property standards bylaw for the municipality states there is a $125 fee to appeal edicts issued under the document, that wasn’t included in the fees bylaw, which staff wanted to correct. Council approved a motion changing the fee bylaw to deal with both issues. NEWS FROM BLYTH The Blyth Festival is pleased to announce a three-year sponsorship agreement with Blyth Cowbell Brewing company as its exclusive hospitality sponsor. Cowbell will sponsor the development of a new play, focusing on a remarkable, historic Blyth resident. “Cowbell Brewing is proud to support the Blyth Festival, a unique Canadian theatre company,” said Grant Sparling, Cowbell’s Chief Development Officer. “The Festival is integral to the culture of our community, the remarkable village that my family has called home for three generations. I am pleased that we are continuing a tradition begun by my grandparents, Grant and Mildred.” The Blyth Festival is pleased to receive continued generational support from the Sparling family. The Blyth Festival continues to forge a path as a leader in telling authentic rural Canadian stories on stage, providing a voice to this region and across Canada. “The Sparling family has supported the Festival at every turn, from the very beginning,” said Gil Garratt, Artistic Director of the Blyth Festival. “We are now continuing to grow as a community, as a destination, and as a true Canadian institution. The sponsorship with Cowbell Brewing ensures this tradition will continue. In our 45th season, we are pleased to have their support to continue our mandate of enriching lives through the arts.” Big Jobs Little Jobs Odd Jobs Even Dirty Jobs Place an ad in our classified section in The Citizen Good Employees are hard to find Let us help you find the ideal person! Feeling Dirty? Blyth Laundromat 191 Westmoreland St., Blyth 519-523-9687 Cowbell enters three-year Festival deal Big supporters Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company has signed on to be the exclusive hospitality sponsor for the Blyth Festival for three years, as well as sponsoring the development of a new play focused on a historic resident of Blyth. Shown posing with the iconic Absent Landlord illustration of Henry Blyth, which marked the brewery’s flagship beer, are, from left: Cowbell Chief Economic Officer Steven Sparling, Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt, Cowbell Chief Development Officer Grant Sparling and Cowbell Chief Commercial Officer Dave Clarke. (Photo submitted) Plunkett earns top euchre spot Happy birthday Haydan Hallahan who celebrates July 25; Belinda and Dave Marshall, July 26; Kelsey Kerr, July 28; Brooklyn Bromley, Belgrave and Doug Craig, Atwood, July 30 and Emily deCorte, Zurich, July 31. Happy birthday to everyone. Winners of the July 15 euchre were: first, Jewel Plunkett, 68 and Harry Smith, 74; second, Mary McIntosh, 65 and Nancy Turner, 70; lone hands, Pauline McMichael, five and Diane Clark, two; share the wealth, Bob McMichael and Edna McLellan. Next euchre will be on Monday, July 29 at Blyth Legion Hall. Doors open at 12:30 with cards beginning 1 p.m. Come out and enjoy the fun. Winners of the July 16 shoot party were: first, Peggy Parks; second, June Thomas; third, Mae Ritchie; most shoots, Sharon Freeman and share the wealth, Linda Campbell, Jewel Plunkett and Paul Moss. The next shoot party will be on Tuesday, July 30 at Blyth United Church. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with cards beginning at 1 p.m. Come out and enjoy the fun and fellowship in the coolness of the auditorium. As I am writing this column, the weather is rather pleasant; no humidity and the sun is shining. It is a welcome relief from the heat of last week. I think the only thing that liked that heat was the corn, it seemed to double in height and you could almost see it growing. The rain came when most of the crops needed it. By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk Touring the producers This year’s annual summer tour of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association, held last week, saw local producers like Blyth Creek Maple Farm, above, host hundreds of visitors. (Denny Scott photo)