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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-03-12, Page 1Government News Issue of waste management still a mess for county See page 7 Local youth returns from volunteer mission work • in Haiti See page 8 Blyth Bantams take WOAA series from Lion's Head See page 10 Brussels ends year $107,000 in the black 70c + 5<J GST75CBy Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff The future may appear uncertain for municipalities, but financially, at least, Brussels council got some good news al the March 10 meet­ ing. Accountant Robert Loree of Ward and Uptigrove told council that the balance sheet, which shows a surplus for 1997 of $107,455, gives "a picture of the municipali­ ty's health." In presenting the audited finan­ cial statements to council, Loree highlighted several areas. He noted that tax arrears per person are $48, which is more than in the past. "This is similar to what I've seen in other municipalities, however. It's been a little tougher to get the money in." Cash in account is $289,141 up from $197,309 in 1995. Taxes receivable are $54,149, up about nine per cent from the previous year. Loree said he didn't sec any problem with this figure in that none of the taxes due were out­ standing business taxes. Grants and user charges were down over $30,000 to $33,986, pri­ marily because the money from the province for roads did not exist this year for the first time. Transactions with the Ontario Clean Water Agency were not shown in the statements. The bal­ ance owing to the sewage reserve fund of $119,141 as of Dec. 31, 1996 was shown on the balance sheet as an account receivable and represents the balance of funds owing the property owners. The recreation board had a sub­ stantial surplus, $35,272, because of increased fundraising and capital Continued on page 2 Vol. 13 No 10 Wednesday, March 12, 1997 County not being honest saysHullett Twp. reeve Huron County is misleading tax­ payers by not making it plain money originally intended for capi­ tal projects is now being used for operating expenses, two county councillors told the March 6 meet­ ing of council. Tom Cunningham, reeve of Hul- lett, told council that it's "simply by good luck we happen to be in a good position.” He noted the coun­ ty had raised the mill rate in 1986 to raise money for the building of the homes for the aged. Later, most of this money ($1.25 million a year) was transferred to a fund for developing a county landfill site, a plan since abandoned. " If we didn't have that $1.25 mil­ lion we would be raising our mill rate to cover increased costs," he said. The county is saying that the money will still be used for capiLal costs on roads, he said, but in the past capital expenses for roads had always been included in the operat­ ing budget of the highways depart­ ment. Bill Mickle, reeve of Exeter, warned that the capital money was likely raised for specific purposes under a bylaw. "I think it would be wise to go back and look at the bylaw." Morris gets word on dump’s future Morris Twp. council has received word from the Ministry of Environ­ ment and Energy regarding the future use of its landfill site. In response to a 1995 Plan of Development and Operation report filed by the township, the MOEE issued a draft of proposed amend­ ments to the existing provisional certificate of approval, with condi­ tions included. The most notable condition, said Morris Twp. Reeve Bert Elliott in a press release, was the necessity to drill at least one exploratory bore­ hole in the western portion of the site, before beginning operations in the Stage 1 area. The borehole would verify the depth and charac­ ter of the till and allow a sample to be taken of the ground water. The township will proceed with the borehole as soon as a formal amendment is issued, he said. The current amendment deals with the first two stages of the four- stage plan of operation. The work­ ing life of Stage 1 and Stage 2 is 20 years and 17 years, respectively. Further hydrogeologic work will be required before approval is received for the final two stages. The issuance of an amended cer­ tificate of approval will secure the long-term waste disposal capacity for the landfill's service area. As part of the plan of develop­ ment and operation, monitoring sites were established for ground water and surface water testing to ensure no negative impacts on neighbouring land. Information regarding the Morris Twp. Landfill Site Plan of Devel­ opment and Operation report is available at the township office. A valiant fight Members of the Blyth and Brussels Fire Departments spent hours battling a blaze in Morris Twp. on March 5, shortly after 1 p.m. Fire broke out in the basement of the farm owned of Tom Miller at Cone. 6, South Half Lot 27. Firefighters arrived at the scene to find the house totally involved. "There was smoke coming out of every window when we got there," said Blyth's Fire Chief Paul Josling. "It was well underway by the time Brussels got here. They could see the smoke from the county road ." Estimate of damage is $50-60,000 The cause is undetermined. Blyth's Deputy Chief Bill Burkholder and auxiliary firefighter Mike McDonald were working at the south east corner of the house.