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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-02-09, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9,1994. Morris says no to fire agreement renegotiation Morris Township Reeve Doug Fraser gave county councillors notice Thursday that his township has no interest in renegotiating the Grant cut sparks debate A decision to allow the Town of Goderich to present financial infor­ mation on the operation of the Goderich Municipal airport in an effort to convince the county not to cut its grant led other reeves at the February county council meeting to state their intention to fight for pro­ jects in their own municipalities if Goderich wins its argument. Goderich had presented its case at the Jan. 20 meeting of the Administration, Finance and Per­ sonnel Committee and the commit- Prog, would aid welfare recipients If the province approves, Huron County will undertake a program to help welfare recipients find jobs and get off public support, county council decided Thursday. Under the Municipal Employ­ ment Program the Social Services department would be eligible for 80 per cent funding for the $114,000 cost of the program. It would see a special staff member dedicated to matching welfare recipients to existing job opportunities. Patricia Carrier, reeve of Bay- field and chairman of the Social and Cultural Services Committee, said the program was an important part of trying to bring in the Social Service budget at a zero per cent increase this year. If the new staff member could help 10 welfare recipients a month find jobs, it would reduce the county's share of welfare costs by $32,000 a year, she said. That would drop by $65,000 if jobs could be found for 20 welfare recipients a month and $97,900 if 30 jobs a month could be found. John MacKinnon, administrator of social services, said the special­ ized case worker would take on a function that used to be carried out Continued on page 9 Centre’s set up cost, $75,000 Continued from page 1 the students, considering the finan­ cial restraints." The report indicated a $75,000 set up cost for the centre (budgeted for) and there would be transporta­ tion cost savings as well as improved facilities for the students, said Mr. Mathers. Group plans special dinner Continued from page 2 of great musical numbers including, marches and a chorale. Joan Stamper from Town & Country Homemakers thanked Mrs. Perrie for coming and for the lovely music. She also thanked the students for their weekly participation as volunteers in Community Dining. Their help is greatly appreciated. The door prize was won by Herman Garland and the 50/50 draw by Jim Mair. Cards were signed for Edna Evers and Kate Wilson. The next meeting will be held Thursday, Feb. 10 and Valentine's is the theme. Anyone wishing to share a story, card or memento with the group is encouraged to bring them to the meeting. fire agreement for Huronlea home for the aged as the county wants. The Health and Seniors Commit­ tee reported to county council that tee voted to defer final decision on the request to reinstate the grant. Bill Camochan, reeve of Tucker­ smith, asked if he should also have representatives of the Vanastra Recreation Centre bring financial information to the committee. Vanastra has the only indoor public pool in the county, he pointed out. Tom Tomes of Stephen Town­ ship said he would come forward to argue the case of the Huron Coun­ try Playhouse that its grant should not have been cut if the Goderich grant was changed. Dave Lee of Blyth said he would put forward a similar claim for the Blyth Festival. The Festival means "thousands and thousands of spin-off dollars for the county" he said. However despite the hurt the grant cuts would mean to the various organizations, the county should stick with its policy, Reeve Lee said. "We made a deci­ sion to cut off grants and people are going to have to live with it." But Norm Fairies, reeve of How- ick, and Pat Down, reeve of Usbome, argued that the airport grant might be a special category. Reeve Fairies argued the potential economic loss would be large for the entire county if the airport should be closed. It is important for companies locating here to be able to get in and out in a huny, he said. He suggested the airport should be considered part of the transporta­ tion system of the county. "I think we have two kinds of grants," agreed Reeve Down. "I'd like to suggest that this be an item we discuss at the next Strategic Planning Committee meeting," she said. From Birds Creek to- Tiirkey Point, communities across Ontario are flying high! Playing your favourite lottery helps communities across Ontario spread their wings. 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The cost covers such things as an annual inspection of the homes plus orientation of the local fire depart­ ments and instruction of home staff Service could cost $3,500 Continued from page 1 animal control would likely be about $3,500 a year, including his two patrols per month at $60, a couple of emergency calls a month, plus boarding fees and the cost of destroying and cremating dogs no one claimed and no one wanted. Currently the village pays $100 a month for two patrols and very sel­ dom has any additional costs because few dogs are being caught Mr. Trick advised the dog bylaw should be revised to change fines into administration fees and give the animal control officer more authority. Council also might want to look into the amount of the dog licences, he said, pointing out Brus­ sels was considerably below neigh­ bouring communities. Such a licence structure could reward those with neutered animals and those with only one dog, he said. Those fees brought more discus­ sion later in the evening after Mr. Trick left the meeting. When it was pointed out the licence fees would have to increase to tty to offset the additional costs of using Mr. Trick, Councillor Bruce Hahn objected to dog owners having to pick up too large a part of the costs. "It's not the owners of the dogs who have by the fire departments. Many county councillors have objected that non-profit homes in communi­ ties such as Zurich and Hensall pay no special fees. But Reeve Fraser put his town­ ship's displeasure on the record right off the bat His township has already spent $2,000 in extra costs because of meetings to discuss the fire agreement, he said. Bill Camochan, reeve of Tucker­ smith, said he is awaiting negotia­ tions. Tuckersmith, he pointed out, is just one of the participating complaints. It's the people who don't have dogs who complain, therefore all taxpayers should pay." After a chorus of disagreement from other councillors Councillor Hahn agreed dog owners should pick up a fair share of the cost but he still warned against setting the new fees too high. "A guy buys himself a $10 pet dog and you're going to turn around and charge him $35 for a tag," he Water mains concern Wilson Continued from page 1 again. Brussels can spend up to $117,584 under the joint project. The federal and provincial govern­ ments will provide $78,389 with the municipality being responsible for $39,175. "I know you're not prepared for something like this (providing the village's share) but these opportuni­ ties are getting fewer and fewer," Mrs. White said. Councillor Dave Hastings thought the possibility of using the funding for a fire hall was wonder­ ful, saying there would never be an opportunity to get two-thirds fund­ Operation of Hospitals HOW LOTTERY PROCEEDS municipalities in the Clinton Fire Area board. County Clerk-Administrator Jocelyn Murray explained that the higher rates at Huronview date back to the time when the old Huronview was in use and did not meet fire standards. This resulted in extra work for the Clinton Fire Department. When Huronlea opened, the old agreement with Clinton was used as the basis for negotiations of a fire agreement with Morris and the Brussels Fire Department said. Councillor David Hastings noted that no matter how high the dog licences are, they're not going to cover all the costs of the service so taxpayers are going to have to pick up part of the cost. Councillors agreed to give notice of termination of the current ser­ vice and prepare bylaw amend­ ments and a new rate of dog licences so that Mr. Trick can be hired. ing again. Councillor Greg Wilson agreed, but said there are other possibilities as well. "I wouldn't object to a new fire hall, but all I can see are these rotten water mains breaking six and eight holes through our new streets." Each time a water main breaks it costs $1,000 to repair the streets, he said. "Last year we spend $14,000 fixing roads. We've got a rotten fire hall and we’ve got rotten water mains." The need for improvements in storm sewers was also discussed. Mrs. White was given authorization to get more information on all three possibilities. Culture and Communications Tourism and Recreation Trillium Foundation Citizenship