HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-04-20, Page 1Community J Education J Special_____J Entertainment
Former Duff’s
pastor returns to
promote book
See page 7
English teacher
on exchange at
Grey Central PS
See page 8
Automotive tips
in The Citizen’s
‘Gearing Up ’94’
See page 13
Young reviewer
finds puppet show
‘unique’
See page 27
The North Huron
Citizen 90 turn out to first
rail line meeting
By Janice Becker
A contentious issue was
discussed Monday night by
approximately 90 people gathered
at the Auburn Community Centre.
The meeting was the first in a
scries to be held to determine the
interest in, and the use for, the
abandoned CPR railway line which
runs from Goderich to Guelph
passing through Bly th and Walton.
Hullett Township Reeve Tom
Cunningham is the chairman of the
Public Advisory Commission set
up to seek community input.
"The provincial government is in
the process of purchasing the land
and is looking for appropriate uses
for the line which are compatible
with the landowners," he said.
Jane Muegge and Nancy Ross for
the Ontario Ministry of Agricul
ture, Food and Rural Affairs
conducted the meeting. "This
meeting is just a "catcher's mitt for
ideas", said Ms Muegge. To keep
the meeting moving, Ms Muegge
set out four topics for discussion -
suggestions or proposals for interim
use, who may, or is, willing to sign
an agreement with the government
to take responsibility to manage
sections of the line, what criteria
should the commission use to make
the final decision and any
remaining questions.
The first stumbling block was the
issue of "interim use". The group
was told by a committee member
that the government plans to use
the corridor for a utility (such as
pipe line or communications line)
in the future though the timing for
its use is uncertain. That being the
case, the group was told that use for
the property should be semi
permanent. Any structures planned
for the property should be
moveable.
Two groups from Goderich, the
Menesetung Bridge Association
and the Maitland Trail Association,
made presentations concerning the
desire to keep the property as a
continuous corridor for parkland,
recreational use and environmental
protection. Both groups staled a
willingness to manage the length of
the trail, the Menesetung Bridge
Association from Goderich to
Highway 21 and the Mailland Trail
Association from Highway 21 to
the Maitland River, in phase one of
their proposal.
Dave Lee, reeve of Blyth, said
the village would be willing to look
after the section of the corridor
which runs from the arch to
Highway 4 and is the sight of the
old station. "It could be used for
walking trails, a parking lot for the
theatre or as playing fields," he
said. Jim Phelan of the Blyth
Optimists stated that his club would
be willing to assist in the
maintenance of the property
through Blyth.
The Colbome Snowmobile Club
wished to continue to use the line
for their trails and to manage and
upkeep it as they have been doing
Continued on page 6
Blyth ends year with
net revenue
By Bonnie Gropp
With an accumulated net revenue
for the year of $29,607, village
councillors are anticipating no
increase in the millrate for general
purposes for Blyth ratepayers.
Auditor Paul Seebach presented
the annual report to councillors at
the April 13 meeting.
The village began 1993 with an
accumulated net revenue of
$66,602. Total revenue for general
purposes came to $601,845, up
from the budgeted figure of
$554,578 and from 1992's figure of
$537,205. Unfortunately expendi
tures were also greater than the
budgeted figure by $17,660. Total
of $29,607
spending was $638,840.
When questioned by Councillor
Mason Bailey as to whether or not
this report meant that council could
hold the mill rale, Mr. Seebach said
that he felt that barring any unfore
seen problems it shouldn't be a
problem.
"Unfortunately we still have to
cope with the county and education
increases," Councillor Steve Spar
ling said.
Noting that council had prepared
for the drainage work on Hwy 4 by
building the reserves, Reeve Dave
Lee said that the first priority was
going to be to try to build up the
reserves again in the near future.
Blyth council considers salt/sand storage facility
By Bonnie Gropp
The possibility of a salt/sand
storage facility is being looked at as
an option for Blyth’s Infrastructure
Works Program.
Al the regular meeting of council
on April 13, councillors received a
report from the road committee
with details on the proposed build
ing. Village Foreman John Rinn
and Reeve Dave Lee had met with
Allan Domm of Domm Construc
tion, following advice from Jim
Walker the Municipal Advisory
from the Ministry of Transporta
tion. Mr. Domm looked at the pub
lic works property to determine the
right location, size, design and esti
mated cost of a four bay facility,
which would be basically the same
height as the new addition on the
present shed, located on Mill St.,
next to the fire hall.
The suggested structure has an
eight foot concrete wall with four
feel in the ground and four feel out.
The 14 fool side walls would be
lined and strapped, the floor asphalt
and the doors 12 feel high by 16
feet wide. The estimated cost
would be $25,000.
After Councillor Mason Bailey
questioned the need, Councillor
Steve Sparling noted lhal the esti
mate had "shocked" him.
Reeve Lee explained that a facili
ty would be useful in that presently
the salt is being stored al the shed
and at the rail line, which the vil
lage crew can't get to in the winter.
Mr. Rinn added that there would
be a cost saving factor as well, in
that they have to use bag salt now
as they have no room to store bulk
salt.
Councillor Sparling said that
while he understood the project, its
merit and the fact lhal it is "good
long-term planning", he wondered
if there was any flexibility in the
estimate.
Reeve Lee said that Mr. Domm
felt that while n was possible to
build the structure for S20,000, he
"was more comfortable saying
$25,000."
Clerk Treasurer Helen Grubb
said lhal council needed to look to
the future. "We don't know how big
Blyth is going to be or for that mat
ter who Blyth is going to be. What
we build must be a saleable piece
of property."
"Again, I don't dispute the long
term planning," Councillor Spar
ling responded. "1 just hadn't
expected the figure to be that high."
Taking into account Lhal with the
grant money, the village share
would be $8,000, Councillor
Eugene Coburn said he fell it
would be a good investment. "It's a
reasonable deal.”
"I agree as long we hold the taxes
on line," added Councillor Bailey.
Reeve Lee said that if council
wanted to put the facility on the list
of potential projects he felt it would
be good public relations to go and
inform the neighbouring property
owners that the building is being
considered.
Other options council gave con
sideration to were improvements to
Gypsy Lane, renovations to council
chambers to make them accessible,
watcrmelcrs, waler main work Fom
Mil) to Morris St. and trom
McConnell to Morris.
Continued on page 3