HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-02-12, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12,1997
Brussels Council briefs
Council to get second insurance quote
Brussels council will be investi
gating a new broker for municipal
coverage following a presentation
on Feb. 3 by representatives from
Frank Cowan which indicated an
increase in premiums of 13 per
cent.
The local broker for Cowan is
Cardiff and Mulvey.
While all members of council
expressed reluctance in making a
change from the present service,
the increase as Councillor Greg
Wilson said, meant they "have to
look into something else."
Noting that a similar investiga
tion had earlier resulted in a change
of auditor for the village, Clerk-
Treasurer Donna White, added,
"We have been 100 per cent happy
with the local broker, but I was 110
per cent with the auditor. But it
comes down to saving money."
White told council she had met
with people from Phillip's Utilities
regarding the intended provincial
sale of the Ontario Clean Water
Agency (OCWA).
Brussels is currently locked into
a four-year agreement with
OCWA, but, White said, when it
runs out council will probably want
to prepare a tender for management
of the sewage treatment. "You'll
want comparisons before you sign."
***
Councillor Mary Stretton brought
to council's attention a survey cur
rently being circulated in the Town
of Seaforth to get input from resi
dents on issues affecting them.
Councillor Joe Scili suggested
that Brussels could do a similar
study at minimal cost if it was cir-
cultacd with the tax bill. "It would
be good to know what people think
about certain things," he said.
An insurance cheque in the
amount of $568.11 was received
towards the costs of damage to the
fire hall base station, which was
struck by lightning. The cost of
repair was $1,100.
Majestic Women's Institute
expressed concerns regarding the
traffic at Mill and Tumbcrry Sts.
White said she had spoken with
the county engineer, Sandra Law
ton, to inquire about having the
speed limit in that area changed to
40 km. Lawton said this was typi
cally associated with school zones
and could still be difficult for the
village to enforce.
Six signs would have to be
changed.
Councillors expressed frustration,
noting that it is a high volume cor
ner, and that, despite talking to
many people about it, there seemed
to be no workable solution.
A bylaw passed amending the
name changes for the purpose of
911. The duplication has been cut
for Thomas, John and Queen Sts.,
while Anne St. will now be Stretton
St.
Council had no objection to an
increase in management fee for the
recreation budget to offset staff
costs for Grey Twp., whose Assis
tant Clerk Rhonda Fischer, is secre
tary for the board.
Stretton said Morris Twp. had
asked for a break-down to see why
the fee was so high. "We did it and
it's certainly not a money making
proposition for the time she puts
into the job. She's not even making
$8 an hour.”
Following comments about how
the position used to be an unpaid
voluntary one, White said, "Bud
gets have become far more compli
cated, and since GST came in
there’s a lot more to (the job)."
"It's pretty much a business on its
own," said Councillor Ralph Wat
son.
White added that she couldn't
handle the position on her time so
if it fell to her, the board would
have to hire someone. "And the
other aspect is you're getting excel
lent work for your money," she
said.
A quick review of the budget
showed the village with a surplus
of $8,000. A $5,000 recreation
grant, for which the village has
applied, but has not been con
firmed, would be in addition to this
figure White said.
**♦
The bill for snowplowing for Jan
uary was $6,253.08.♦♦♦
A resident has expressed concern
about a break in the dam fencing.
The Maitland Valley Conservation
Authority is being contacted.***
The total operating budget for the
fire board is $28,500, up from
$27,000. Of this $4,000 has been
allocated for equipment, including
pagers for two new members of the
department and a new hose and
nozzle.
***
Stretton, the council's representa
tive on the recreation board, said
that raises had been approved for
arena manager Murray McArter
and staff, Abi Corbett and Clarence
McCutcheon.
Reeve Gord Workman said he
wasn't making any complaints, but
he remembers when one man was
expected to look after that arena on
his own and now it takes three.
"And they say they can't get the
work all done, "said Stretton,
adding that there have been com
plaints about the cleanliness of the
facility. Members of the board did
a surprise inspection recently, she
said, and addressed certain problem
areas, which were then cleaned up.
"We're going to have to keep
doing this I think because people
have been complaining. "*♦*
Council endorsed a resolution
from the Township of Kepple stat
ing that teachers are an essential
service so should be unable to
strike.
A concern over the snow piled by
H
Construction Ltd.
Quality Residential Builder & Renovator Since 1956
the IGA has been dealt with, White
said.*♦*
White and Deputy-Clerk Treasur
er Lori Pipe are attending the
municipal elections seminar in
Goderich, March 7. Cost is $160
per person.
Brussels Mennonite
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(519)887-6388
Worship Service 9:30 a m.
Jesus Is Lord
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HEARING AID CLINIC
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289 Huron Street, Stratford 271-9322
Brussels Bridge.
The next WI euchre party will be
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