The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1995-03-15, Page 1Sports Government Vol. 11 No 11 Wednesday, March 15, 1995 61¢+4o GS1650 itizen The North Huron Hullett dispute ends Breaking out Spring break and warm weather had local kids taking to the streets for outdoor games. Here, a group of them play a winter favourite under springtime skies. Family loses h ome Tragedy In dense fog and rain a motor vehicle accident at Conc. 8/9 in Hullett Twp. shortly after noon on March 7 claimed the life of Steve Kochis of RR1, Londesboro. His 1976 Dodge stake truck collided on a bridge with a 1985 Champion road grader snowplow, then burst into flames. Blyth Fire Department attended at the scene. The driver of the grader was Doug Dolmage of Londesboro. County Ashfield Twp. holds meeting to oppose landfill See page 6 Community Local youth darter prepares for nationals in Regina See page 9 Blyth Bulldogs split OMHA semi-final action See page 10 MP discusses budget with FOA members See page 15 A Jamestown family barely escaped with their lives when fire ravaged their home early Sunday morning. Wingham Fire Chief Harley Gaunt said that Cecil McNall, his wife Carol and their son Steve, were sleeping at their Lot 30, Conc. 2, Morris Twp. residence when fire broke out. Chief Gaunt says the ceiling was falling around them as escaped the building. There will be no increase to Brussels taxpayers to pay for oper ations of the village this year. At a special meeting Monday night, council accepted a budget that will see no increase in the mill rate. Council was helped along by an accumulated surplus of $59,211 plus a slight increase in assessment which meant an extra $1,800 could be raised without any tax increase. Council was able to restore $9,000 for sidewalk construction to 19951- an item which was dropped last year because of the large expenditure on the new fire hall. There will be more than $30,000 to A 74-year-old woman was hospi- talizcd follow ing a three vehicle accident on Hwy 86 at County B& Eat Br ussels Wingham OPP are investigating a break in which occurred at the Brussels Municipal Office this past weekend. Entry was gained by removing an air conditioner from the north win- dow. Once inside the cupboard doors were smashed open on the front counter and a small amount of money was stolen. Police say an attempt to break into the safe was unsuccessful. There arc no suspects at this time. install a sewer line on George St. to serve the new fire hall. Capital expenses planned for the year include $2,000 for a new snowblower (already purchased), $5,000 for purchase and installation of a new computer for the village office, $2,500 for half the price of a new photocopier (the rest may come from the PUC), $4,000 for landscaping at the fire hall, $3,500 for more bunker suits for the fire department and $2,000 td fix a leak in the water tank of the old fire truck. Major increases in expenses Continued on page 2 Road 12 on March 10. Wingham OPP state that Anna Kieffer of RR1, Bluevale was stopped at the intersection, then travelled north into the path of an oncoming westbound car, driven by John Michaluk, 52 of Dundas. Mr. Michaluk's 1990 Honda Civic col- lided with the 1986 Plymouth Reliant, driven by Ms Kieffer, pushing it into a tractor trailer, which was stopped, facing south, at the intersection. The driver was Paul Belanger, 37 of Regina, Sask. Ms Kieffer sustained major injuries and was taken to Wingham Hospital by ambulance. She was charged with failing to yield. Damage to her car and Mr. Michaluk's was listed as moderate, while minor damage was done to the tractor trailer. By Janice Becker Months of dispute ended relative- ly calmly in Hullett council cham- bers on March 7, with an agree- ment reached for the construction of a new municipal building. Councillor Bob Szusz made a motion, seconded by new council- lor, Dave Armstrong, which will see the construction of a new municipal building at Part Lot 24, R.P. 22R-3137, Parts 1 and 2, for a maximum cost of $225,000 com- plete. Controversy arose shortly after the township received infrastruc- ture grant money and talk turned to a new building instead of renovat- ing the existing structure to make the facility wheelchair accessible. At the February meeting of coun- cil more than 100 residents attend- ed to voice their opinion against the proposed plans. Last Tuesday, residents once again attended to present options to .council for improvements to the existing building. John Radford showed councillors a sample drawing of renovations which could be done to accommo- date the needs of council, township workers and possibly an area for public purposes. Lawyer Mike Donnelly outlined the residents' concerns regarding the proposed construction. "The people's first request is that council pass a motion to re-open discussions for the consideration of constructing a new building." There has been considerable interest shown as a petition sup- porting renovations has been circu- lated and approximately 580 signatures have been obtained, he says. "The two major concerns are the cost of the new facility and the necessity of a new building for only two employees and a council cham- ber." "Is this the best use for the other piece of property? Could it be put to use for other purposes in the future or possibly sold?" asked Mr. Donnelly. "Hullett Twp. does not need the Cadillac model (of municipal build- ings)," he says. "The township can work with the architect to cut costs." The residents' committee also suggested looking at the Grey Twp. project which was constructed for $125,000, less than half of the $300,000 estimate for Hullett Twp. Reeve Tom Cunningham said the Grey office had been studied. The engineers and road superin- tendent had strong concerns about the ability to adapt the project to suit the configuration of Hullett's property, says Reeve Cunningham. "They were strongly against an extension of this building as well as renovations which would take over a bay, costing $250,000, "I also had reservations, before becoming a councillor, about the necessity of a new building, but I have toured other facilities and looked at alternatives and I don't see too many," says Councillor Armstrong. As well as the township trucks being boxed in at the rear of the building because of an addition, Councillor Bruce Bergsma ex- pressed concerns about the proxim- ity to the road. "Do we want to build a wall across the front to protect the win- dows from snow thrown by plows going by at 30 or 40 km/hr?" he questioned. In reference to Grey's facility, Councillor Szusz says they do not have computers at present and Clerk-Treasurer Brad Knight says this will shrink their work space. "A second problem is providing enough work space. The required footage for a municipal office is 2,400 and this sample plan has only 1,800 because the second floor can- not be counted. We have a respon- sibility to put in adequate footage," says Mr. Cunningham. The township's lawyer, Barry Card, added that provisions must be made so that the entire facility is wheelchair accessible. "With employment equity to be in place, you may soon have dis- abled people on staff or as council- lors. Wheelchair accessibility will be legislated in a few years." Other considerations in selecting an option for the building were ade- quate parking, drainage, zoning requirements and life span of pre- sent building. In making his motion, to set the maximum cost for the new facility at $225,000, Councillor Szusz stressed that the figure was for the completed work, ready to walk in. "If the estimates come in over that amount we will look at other options." The residents were assured by Reeve Cunningham that extra money would not be taken, through Continued on page 6 It is believed that the fire started in the kitchen area. Chief Gaunt says the caus e has been attributed to electrical problems. Estimated damage is $ 40,000. To help the family, friends and neighbour s have established a fund at the Brussels and Seaforth branche s of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Donations can be ma de in the McNall's name. Ther e is also a donation box at Dies el Car Diner. No increase t his year for Brussels taxpayers Worn n hurt in crash