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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-01-29, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1997 Morris Twp. receives smaller provincial grant Though the cut was not as much as expected, Morris Twp. council­ lors were told al the Jan. 7 meeting, that the province's Municipal Sup­ port Grant would be reduced by 6.75 per cent for 1997. The grant will be $393,640, a $26,570 drop from last year. Deputy-Reeve Keith Johnston was appointed Maitland Valley Conservation Authority representa­ tive for Morris and East Wawanosh Twps. and Blyth. The funds tagged for the Blyth fire rescue truck was placed in reserves as the municipalities will Blyth council briefs Councillors prepare for ROMA Blyth councillors held a general discussion on the ramifications of provincial financial changes at the Jan. 21 session. Members were in agreement that there would be winners and losers, but without further clarification from the province, it was too early to determine how the village would fare. Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart said most small municipalities would not be able to administer the programs downloaded. It would probably be done at the county level, making them stronger. Responding to Reeve Mason Bai­ ley's belief there is a consensus among municipal politicians that the downloading will go to the county, Councillor Doug Scrim- geour said, "Isn't that the big pic­ ture. There will be just the county (level)." Councillors discussed the amal­ gamation of the Greater Toronto Area and expected the result of that move will influence change in the rest of the province. Stewart received verbal confir­ mation that council's resolution regarding education finance reform will be discussed on the floor at the upcoming Rural Ontario Munici­ palities Association (ROMA) con­ vention. Bailey said he had spoken to approximately 100 reeves and may­ ors, in a phone blitz, and received overwhelming support for the cam­ paign. The ROMA convention, Feb. 9- 12, will be attended by Bailey, Students tops on computers Two former East Wawanosh Public School students took top honours in the F.E. Madill comput­ er programming competition recently. Jason Howatt and Robin Sanders, both of RR1, Belgrave were among the 20 Grade 10 students taking part in the contest, organized by teacher Terry Walker. Runners-up were Mike Irwin and Adam Cameron. The students were divided into teams of two. Each group was then given up to 1 1/2 hours to solve the problems on a computer using the Turing programming language. Also in the competition were Crystal Semple, Richard Arm­ strong, Gavin Van Camp, Aaron McBumcy, Adam Fenton, Jacque­ lyn Elston, Yolanda Ritsma, Jeff Andrews, Dillon Moore, Deborah Pike, Jay Leitch, Desiree Lapierre, Paul Miltenburg, Josh Luchies, Melissa Rhodes and Josh Leeman.1 I f 1 i k , ;. ‘ ; t 11 ( j i l m u. not be billed until later in 1997. A bylaw was passed to authorize the borrowing of up to $500,000 for 1997, from the Canadian Impe­ rial Bank of Commerce,Wingham. Council supported an application* by Wingham and District Hospital for Underserviced Designation for General/Family Practitioners. Con­ cern was expressed about the work­ load of doctors and the increasing age of several physicians. If posi­ tions are not filled, councillors said residents would have to travel 20 miles to another centre for care. An extension was granted to Scrimgeour, Slewart and Council­ lor Gerald Kerr. Kerr, Scrimgeour, Slewart and Road Superintendent John Rinn will attend the Good Roads Con­ vention, Feb. 23-26. »»» A resolution was passed, setting the mill rates for the interim tax bill. The mill rates will be: residen­ tial public, 8.771; residential sepa­ rate, 8.715; commercial and business public, 10.319 and com­ mercial and business separate, 10.253. The due dates will be March 26 and June 26 for residential and commercial and March 26 for busi­ ness. ♦♦♦ A motion was passed increasing the fee for tax certificate requests from $15 to $20. »♦» Council had no objection to the Children's Hospital of Western Ontario Foundation selling raffle lottery tickets at financial institu­ tions in the municipality. Council was notified of an inter­ im rate increase by Union Gas of 2.4 per cent or approximately $1.40 per month for a typical residential customer. An application from Union Gas is also before the Ontario Energy Board for another rate increase to Johns defends position Continued from page 1 per student across the province. They will add dollars to special items that affect different areas. She explained that these included a number of areas that have transportation problems as well as children whose first language is not English. The Huron board, when amalgamated with Perth County, as proposed by the provincial government, will be one of the smallest boards in the province. The Ministry of Education is in the process of establishing a committee to oversee the process throughout the province. The five-member Education Improvement Committee will oversee the actions of local committees that are to be established to work out the process of amalgamation. Johns slated that those who will sit on this local committee has not been established as of yet, but she would lake one Huron trustee's recommendation of having at least one trustee on the committee back to the ministry. Trustee Joan Van den Broeck questioned Johns on what she is doing to protect her constituents, not only in education but in health Maitland Engineering Services, to prepare reports for the Grasby Drain Branch A, Sellers Drain and Blyth Creek Drain. The reports are to be completed by March 1. The company will also update drainage maps of the township. Membership for the drainage, clerks' and road superintendents' associations, were paid for the coming year. Council received a letter of per­ mission from Blyth council to erect a plaque at Blyth Union Cemetery in memory of the late Susannah Lattimer. The plaque will com- recover costs from a jump in natu­ ral gas prices in 1996. »»» Scrimgeour informed council that the new emergency van was expected to arrive by March.♦♦♦ Morris Twp. Deputy-Reeve Keith Johnston was officially appointed as the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority representa­ tive for Morris and East Wawanosh Twps. and Blyth. Council instructed Stewart to contact the president of the Blyth snowmobile club and request mem­ bers use extreme caution while travelling on village streets. ♦♦♦ After questions from the gallery regarding the use of clear garbage bags, Slewart said he had spoken to Landfill Site Board Chair Bob Szusz, Hullett Twp. councillor, and indicated there would be a delay in implementation of the plan until later in the year. This would allow clarification on the types of bags allowed as well as time to inform ratepayers. Permission was granted for Stew­ art to enroll in the Municipal Tax Administration program, Unit 2. The cost is $275, to be reimbursed after successfully completing the course. care, social services, etc. "I am here to represent the communities of Huron," said Johns, "and I think people believe that. We have difficult issues to deal with. The people of Huron voted for me because I'm a different kind of person. I can make the hard decisions for the county that are also good for the province. I am making sure that Huron County is not taking more than its share of the cuts. This government is fulfilling its promises. In the next election the people will decide. I have until then to represent you in the best way I know how. These are the way things have to go. We have to find savings in education. You can question my integrity and question what this government does, but we'll let the people decide. They will change it if they feel we will not do the right thing." Trustee, Abby Armstrong expressed concern with the amalgamation with Perth and asked if their schools are not up to date like the ones in Huron, whether the taxpayers will be penalized? "We are committed to deal with these issues," said Johns, adding that they will ensure that everybody is under fair and equal treatment. memorate her donation to the cemetery for the replacement of the mausoleum roof. The township will purchase a lot­ tery ticket from the Heart and Stroke Foundation with any win­ nings going towards recreation. Approval was given for the sale of Nevada tickets at Walton Inn for the Walton Sports Club. General and road accounts were approved for payment in the amounts of $30,409.71 and 22,577.83. A consent application for Glen Warwick Farms was approved at the second meeting of the month, Jan. 21. The application for Lot 31, Cone. 1 was recommended on the condition that if any written letter of complaint concerning the smell or odour from the bam is received, the bam will be removed within six months. The conditio-, was to be registered on title. A letter was presented regarding secretarial fees for the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Cen­ tre which were increased to $3,500. Council referred the matter to board representative Deputy-Reeve Keith Johnston, who will ask for a breakdown of secretarial expenses. Society sets fair date Continued from page 18 Optimist hockey tournaments and the quilt draw were successful. Homecraft President Leona reported that entries were good again this year. Having Monday night available for people to bring in exhibits was well received, she said. Nicholson gave a report on her activities since she became ambassador. Ralph Watson gave the auditor's report. The Society had a good year at the 1996 fair and the bottom line showed it. It was moved by Don Armstrong and seconded by Bev I The Citizen’s Wedding PlannerI A multi-page insert featuring articles and advertising geared specifically at couples preparing to be wed, will be published February 5, 1997. To take advantage of this advertising opportunity, please call Les Cook or Jeannette McNeil at (519)523-4792 before January 31, 1997. I Total fire costs for the township in 1996 were $48,002. A budget of $71,500 for the Blyth and Area Fire Area Board for the coming year was approved. The total cost for recreation was $35,030.89. Barbara Langer-McDougall will represent Morris Twp. on the Seaforth Community Hospital Board in 1997. Animal Control Officer Dale Sparks told council he had received no complaints and things were working well. He will count dogs and issue tags in March. Bylaws were passed authorizing repairs to Mills Drain and Dockett Drain. The township remitted $5,692.71 to the province for repayment of receipts in the Ontario Home Renewal Program Fund. Reeve Bert Elliott, Johnston and Councillors Kevin Pletch and Melody White-will attend the Good Roads Convention. White was appointed to represent the township on the Brussels Medi­ cal Centre renovation committee. A Hewlett Packard HP 5 printer will be purchased, on a trial basis, from Harris Computer, for $648. Palmer, that Ralph and Pat Watson remain as auditors for another year. This year's fair dates are Sept. 16, 17 with the main theme being "Homecoming" and "Country and Western" a minor theme. The executive for 1997 is not filled. President is Dorothy Cummings; Homecraft President is Bev Palmer. The other seats are vacant and will have to be filled at a future meeting. Everyone was reminded that volunteers will be needed for Saturday, Aug. 2 as the fair board is catering at the Homecoming barbecue.