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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-02-16, Page 67 News and Views Costs higher for sewer works project BY DAVID SCOTT Expositor Staff r. Seaforth Council began its Febru- ary meeting with words of dedica- tion by Mayor Hazel Hildebrand for Coun. William Pinder, who recently passed away. Council held a minute of silence in remembrance of Bill Pinder. Mayor Hildebrand talked about Bill's years of community service and the committees he was involved with including the 1995 Seaforth Homecoming. Board Appointment At their Feb. 8 meeting Seaforth Council appointed Paul Vander Molen as the town's 1994 represen- tative to the Maitland Valley Con- servation Authority. Huron County Voting Structure Seaforth Council discussed a letter received from the Town of Goderich asking that each munici- pality, including the County of Huron, rethink their positions on the "one vote per municipality" alterna- tive recently approved by the county. Goderich is not in support of the one vote system. "It could get way out of line in the future when villages and town- ships have one vote as towns grow (in population)," said Jim Crocker, ` Administrator. l Seaforth Reeve Bill Bennett found the letter "surprising" since Goderich initially was in favour of the one vote system. "They want support for the county to repeal its bylaw," said Crocker. When Seaforth was asked for its input on county voting structure in the past, the town twice supported a "multiple vote system." A motion was passed by Seaforth Council supporting in principle the Goderich position of "representation by population." Sewer Works Expansion Some strong opinions were voiced over an increase in engineering fees to $413,400 from $398,000 for a Ministry of Environment Sewer Project being paid for by the Town of Seaforth and the province. Most of the work has been completed in this project which involves the installation of wells on the prop- erties of Peter Spittal and the late Dr. Stapleton, and the proposed installation of an in-line macerator/grinder at the return/waste sludge pumps from the Seaforth sewage lagoons. "It is our estimate that an addi- tional $15,000 in engineering fees Council Briefs "We don' t have a lot of choice but to complete it. If we ever have another project...establish a fixed amount." will be generated in the completion of this project," stated Richard R. Anderson, P. Eng., with B.M. Ross and Associates Ltd. of Goderich, in a Teter to the Ministry ef the Envi- ronment and the Town of Seaforth. Reasons stated for the increase were extra administration costs (one of the subcontractors on the project went bankrupt). The matter of the installation of a well on the Stapleton property remains out- standing due to the objections of Dr. Stapleton before his death, according to the letter from B.M. Ross. In addition, costs are arising for solving the clogging in the sludge pumps from the lagoon. Coun. Brian Ferguson was told by Administrator Jim Crocker that the project did not have a fixed price contract. The first contract for the project was signed almost four years ago. "In my opinion there were legit- imate reasons for an extension," said Crocker. Approximately 75 per cent of the project is being paid for by the province. Deputy Reeve Garry Osborn said the engineering problems and costs associated with them should have been settled by the Ministry of Environment before work began and changes should have been made. Now the costs have turned' into "a guessing game," said Osborn. "We don't have a lot of choice but to complete it. If we ever have another project like this we should establish a fixed amount," said Coun. Marjorie Claus. Council approved a recommenda- tion that subject to approval by the Ontario Clean Water Agency, the engineering fees limit as set out in an agreement with B.M. Ross & Associates be increased to $413,000 from the previously approved $398,000. Raise the Flag Day A Seaforth Municipal flag will be sent to Ottawa to be used in the Canada Day festivities, according to a report of Seaforth Council's Finance and General Government Committee. The committee also Seaforth helps out palliative care services Seaforth Council has agreed to provide bookkeeping services on a temporary basis - to the Palliative Care Services of Goderich, Clinton and Seaforth, until the group receives funding for their Palliative Care Volunteer Visiting Initiative through Long Term Care Reform. MILTON J. DIETZ LTD. invites you to attend the introduction of a major new HERBICIDE FOR CORN & SOYBEAN GROWERS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 1:30 t1"t3:00 P.M. VINCENT'S FARM EQUIPMENT SEAFORTH Please call to confirm your attendance 522-0608 THE HURON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP ON AN ANTIRACISM AND ETHNOCULTURAL EQUITY COMMITTEE this Committee, consisting of hoard rnernbers, staff members and community members, will nssist the Huron County Board of Education in developing n policy on antiraclsm and ethnocullural equity es well as a plan for Implementing Its policy. Boards must submit their policies and Implementation pinns to the Ministry of Education & Training no Inter than March 31st, 1995. Applicntions, including n brief statement outlining the reasons for ' wanting to he n committee member, should be forwarded to the undersigned prior to March 11th, 1994. Pard Cnrrotl t Director Paul Carroll Secretary -Treasurer Huron County Board of Education 103 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario NOM 11 0 te 40) hhl' Graeme Crnlp Chair decided Seaforth's Main Street will be decorated with Canadian Flags prior to May 14, Raise the Flag Day. Tax Penalty and Interest Charge The Finance and General Govern- ment Committee for the Town of Seaforth reviewed the current rate of 15 per cent tax penalty and inter- est charged on tax arrears which has been in effect since 1983 when the prime rate of interest was much higher. The committee noted the interest rate charge should be a deterrent to not paying taxes when they are due. Tax arrears at Dec. 31, 1993 were at an all-time high. The committee noted the function of charging interest should not be seen as a money -lending business. A motion vvas passed stating "the penalty c e for non-payment of current tax _ and the interest rate for tax will remain at 1.25 per cent per month." Infrastru re Grant to Town Seaforth's allocation under the Federal/Pro ncial/Municipal Infra- ct • •gram is $365,333. The town will be responsible for $182,666; bringing the total avail- able for potential projects to $547,999. The Seaforth and District Com- munity Centres Board has requested the five municipalities (who provide funding to the arena) provide a share of their allocation toward a $60,000 capital project to expand the washrooms at the arena. Seaforth's share of the allocation would be $19,320 from their $365,333. The remaining one-third of municipal funding for the arena project will be raised from the arena's reserve fund. It was recommended Seaforth Department Heads be advised of the Infrastructure program, and be requested to submit prioritized capital works proposals prior to the next finance committee meeting. The arena proposal will be con- sidered at the same time municipal proposals are reviewed. Council Vacancy According to the Finance and General Govemment Committee Report for the Town of Seaforth, a motion was passed that in accord- ance with the requirements of the Municipal Act, the Council Seat of the late William Pinder be declared vacant and the administrator be authorized and instructed to contact those persons who had previously submitted their name to fill a coun- cil vacancy enquiring if they are still interested in letting their name stand to fill the current vacancy. Job Creation Program The T,wn of Seaforth will apply for two persons u !der t',e current Unemplu'me nsur tnce Job Cre- atior P. o, there is no cost to the town oti.e. than supplies and equipment for the program which allows the hiring of unemployed workers for a period of up to 12 weeks. It °was recommended the town assign one person to complete a LACAC project and the other per- son to complete a number of paint- ing projects in municipal buildings. Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 (Established in 1876) Provides Full Insurance Coverage for Farm Properties New Applications Are Welcomed DIRECTORS & ADJUSTORS Larry Gardiner, R.R. 2 Staffa Uoyd Morrison, R.R. 1St. Marys Lome Feeney, Mitchell Jack Hodgert, R.R. 1 l irkton Joseph Chante, R.R. 5 Mtctell Michael O'Shea, R.R. 3 Granicn AGENTS Ross Hodgert, Exeter John Moore, Dublin Joseph tlniac, kitchen Head Office, Exeter 345-2678 229-8277 348-8853 229-6152 348-9705- 225-2600 235-3250 345-2512 348-9012 235-0350 A refund from surplus was declared for all policy holders who qualify, are on record and in good standing as at December 31, 1992. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, F.bruary 111, 1!04-11 GO FO OLD Pick Your "Medal" and You'll Get One of these Discounts off Regular Prices GOLD Medal SILVER Medal BRONZE Medal 50"\\,7 OFF Reg. Price 0% OFF Reg. Price OFF Reg. Price SEAFORTH jawnaLif Mon.-Thurs. 9:30-5:30; Fri. 9:30-9; Sat. 9-5 7 Main St. S. Seaforth 527-1588 • Come in and See our Special Racks of LADIES' DRESS SHOES ONLY 19.95 IV)to2rtl) $ ' SHOES •I .-t "��n T1;. l ' a Tr a UT[L Main St. Seaforth 527-1506 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS AN IN-DEPTH FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE, SERVICES & PRODUCTS WHICH MAKE SEAFORTH AREA BUSINESSES UNIQUE - Taking Care of Business will let the people who matter most, YOUR CUSTOMERS, find out more about the various services & products which make Seaforth Area Businesses a valuable part of Our Community. This Special Section will consist of a picture of your business, as well as information about how you see your business' future and an informative look at your business' current structure and past history. Special Prices for "TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS" 1/4 Page $74.00 1/2 Page (Colour included) $137.5O Full Page (Colour included) $250.00 • DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 26 To Reserve Space For Your Business CaII Terri -Lynn or Tom at The Huron Expositor 527-0240. I