The Huron Expositor, 1994-07-20, Page 66 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, July 20, 1994
Publisher pitches costly software
BY DAVID SCOTT
Expositor Staff
Seaforth has to decide whether
it's worth over $12,000 to establish
a municipal code system which
would make for easy access and
organization of town bylaws and
records onto a simple computer
program.
Michael Smithers, Publisher and
Editor of Municipal World, made a
presentation to Seaforth Town
Council on July 12 on developing a
municipal code for Seaforth. A
municipal code involves taking the
main bylaws a municipality regular-
ly uses (about 50 in a small town)
and code them or bring them into a
single document under easy refer-
ences.
Smithers demonstrated a Canadian
municipal code computer program
to council. Councillors would be
supplied with a copy of the town's
municipal code on a computer disc.
Also, lawyers who regularly deal
with municipal issues and bylaws
could purchase the time -saving
municipal code disc.
The approximate cost for a
municipal code to be developed for
the Town of Seaforth would be
approximately $12-15,000. The cost
includes 25 hard disc copies. A
yearly maintenance fee for the
system might range from $1,000-
1,500 or nothing if bylaws were not
amended from year to year.
"Never a day passes when I don't
use this system," said Smithers. A
benefit of the municipal code is that
council will be recognized as a
legislative body, not just administra-
tive, he said.
Also included with the municipal
code would be a copy of the
Municipal Act, which council or
town administration refers to reg-
ularly. Other federal and provincial
legislation is available from Munici-
pal World on computer programs
including the Charter of Rights.
Council referred the matter to
their Finance and General Govern-
ment Committee for review.
Council Briefs
Tenders for Subdivision
Four tenders were opened at the
July ,12 Seaforth Town Council
meeting for construction work on
the new Munn Subdivision. Lavis
Contracting Co. Ltd. was awarded
the tender with a bid of $192,596
subject to further review by the
municipal engineer and Marlen
Vincent, developer of the project.
the January 1 total of $184,436.
This compares to $56,668 (or 35.7
per cent) collected for the same
period in 1993.
1994 Final Town Budget
Municipal taxes are down two per
cent in 1994. $798,731 is to be
raised by taxation by the Town of
Seaforth in 1994. Of that amount
$198,247 is commercial taxes and
$600,484 is residential taxes.
Copies of the final 1994 budget
for the Town of Seaforth were
circulated at the July 12 council
meeting.
Items under Revenue include an
increase in traffic fines budget. The
target for 1994 is $1,600. The 1993
budget was $1,500 but the actual
was only $1,014.
The town has included $15,466
for "Donations from Public" in their
revenue for 1994. ($12,000 was
added as a result of a contribution
by the Munn Subdivision devel-
oper). In 1993, $2,955 was
budgeted under the donations cat-
egory but the actual amount was
$1,718.
Seaforth will receive $115,000 for
job creation (from the infrastructure
program grant) in 1994.
Radio dispatch costs for Seaforth
Police Services are rising from a
budgeted amount of $25,875 in
1993 to $35,128 in 1994.
Under "Transportation Services,"
the Town of Seaforth has budgeted
$3,500 for sand and salt for winter
road control, down from $4,500 in
1993.
Parks and Recreation is up to
$23,600 for 1994 compared to
$4,800 budgeted for 1993. ($21,000
was added as a result of a tennis
court infrastructure project).
Under "Capital Expenditures," the
roadways portion of the budget is
up to $351,000 compared to
$157,000 for 1993. (The amount of
$201,000 was added as a result of
infrastructure road work and Church
and West Streets and extensions).
Crack Sealing Tender
On behalf of the municipalities of
Goderich, Clinton, Mitchell and
Exeter, the Town of Seaforth
recently opened and award the
Connecting Link Crack Sealing
Tender to Road Savers Central Ltd.
of Rexdale, Ontario. Their bid was
$13,170.96.
The only other tender was from
R.M. Dobson Contracting of
Bayfield with a bid of $13,593.28,
according to the Report of the
Town Administrator for the month
of July.
Seaforth's share of the contract
price is $1,027.52 of which the
province will pay a 90 per cent
grant.
Tourism Industry Meeting
The Central Huron Economic
Development Committee held a
special meeting on July 6 for
owners of restaurants, hotels,
motels, bed and breakfasts and
campgrounds. Representatives from
the Huron Tourism Association,
HITAC Training Opportunities,
Jobs Ontario Training and the
Huron Business Centre spoke to the
committee and business owners on
the services they offer.
"It was an excellent opportunity
for tourism -related businesses to
gain useful information...and to
network with other business
owners," wrote Economic Develop.
ment Coordinator, Cathy Garrick, in
her July report to town council.
Ice Cream Vendor
Seaforth Council's Finance and
Hullett awards firm bridge
Hullett Township Council
awarded the McCall Drain
Bridge contract to Theo
Vandenberk Construction on July
7 at the tendered price of
$86,956,, subject to Ministry of
Transportation approval.
* * *
Hulleu Township Council
appointed Tom Duizer and Tony
Middegaal as voting delegates at
the Association of Municipalities
of Ontario annual conference.
The decision was made at the
June 21 meeting of Hullett
Council.
* * *
Hullett Township Reeve Tom
Cunningham and Clerk Bonna
Rouse approved an agreement
with Frank and Kay Konarski,
on July 12, to excavate a diver-
sion channel on their land during
Council lists pay
The June meeting attendance
report was distributed at the July 12
Seaforth Council meeting. The
report is released monthly by Coun-
cil.
Mayor Hazel Hildebrand attended
two committees and regular Council
for a total of $190. Two events
were attended but not charged for.
Reeve William Bennett attended a
Transportation and Environment
meeting and a Central Huron Econ-
omic and Development meeting for
a totalof$90.
Deputy -Reeve Garry Osborn
auended a Transportation and Envi-
ronment Meeting and regular Coun-
cil for a total of $120.
Coun. John Ball attended a Parks
and Recreation meeting, regular
Council and Transportation and
Environment Committee meeting
for a total of $165.
Coun. Marjorie Claus attended a
Finance and General Government
meeting, regular Council and Cen-
tral Huron Mobility Service meeting
for a total of $165.
Coun. Brian Ferguson attended
regular Council and a Parks and
Recreation meeting for a total of
$120. One event was attended but
not charged for.
Coun. Michael Hak auended a
Finance and General Government
meeting, regular Council and
LACAC meeting for a total of
$165.
Coun. Irwin Johnston attended a
Transportation & Environment
meeting and regular Council for a
total of $120.
Coun. William Teal! - Information
not available.
HENSALL
SHUFFLEBOARD
July 12, 1994
High six game winners: Lloyd
Lovell (514); Ethel McMurtrie
(505); Pat Davis (496); Emma
Can .pbeli (476); Dave Kyle
(438); Alice Thiel (432).
Five game winners: John Pep-
per (423); Doug Insley (331);
Evelyn McBeath (304).
the replacement of the McCall
Drain Bridge.
Hullett Township also
approved an agreement on July
12 with Auke and Christine
Bylsma to excavate a diversion
channel on their land during the
replacement of the McCall Drain
Bridge.
* * *
The revised Hullett Township
roads budget for 1994 was
approved for a total expenditure
of $473,200.
• **
The Hulleu Township roads
superintendent's report, for the
month of June, was accepted as
presented at the July 12 meeting.
The Hulleu Township drainage
superintendent's report for the
month of June was also accepted
as presented on July 12.
Hullett Township's Chief Build-
ing Official's report for the
month of June was accepted as
presented at the July 12 council
meeting.
* * *
Hulleu Council granted $75 to
the Londesboro Business
Improvement Association to
assist in a portable washroom at
the small ball diamond.
* * *
Hullett Township Council
approved the following grants
for 1994:
Seaforth Agricultural Society -
$100.
Blyth Festival Theatre - 5100.
Clinton Hospital - 5500.
Town and Country Homemakers
General Government Committee
recently passed a motion that a fee
of $75 will be charged to anyone
wishing to operate an ice cream
vending business in the Town of
Seaforth. The vendor would be
prohibited from transacting business
on Main Street and on Highway 8.
The vehicle would be prohibited
from remaining stationary for
periods of more than 15 minutes.
Changes to Town Letterhead
According to a report by Seaforth
Council's Finance and General
Government Committee. in addition
to the Homecoming '95 logo being
added to the town's letterhead, there
has been a request to amend the
letterhead further by adding the
names of the Recreation and Parks
Director and the Public Works
Superintendent.
After an examination of the exist-
ing letterhead, and samples from
other municipalities, the committee
decided to redesign the town's
letterhead by deleting the name of
the Chief Building Inspector and
adding the following to the bottom:
"Seaforth and District Homecoming
'95 - August 3-6, 1995."
Charges for Property Assessments
In the Report of the Town
Administrator, distributed at the
July 12 Seaforth Council meeting,
the Province of Ontario has advised
that beginning July 1, 1994 munici-
palities will be charged $120 for
supplementary assessments that
require field inspections and 550 for
those that do not require an inspec-
tion. The first 53,000 in fees will
not be charged. Any charges
exceeding that amount will be
invoiced in January of the following
year.
"This is yet another example of
provincial downloading on munici-
palities without priorconsultation,"
wrote Administrator James Crocker
in his report.
Tax Arrears
To date 5166,192 (or 63 per cent)
in tax arrears have been collected of
the January 1 total of 5184.436..
This compares to $56,668 (or 35.7
per cent) collected for the same
period in 1993.
contract
- $500.
Vanastra Recreation Centre -
$1,000.
* * *
. Hullett Township's Clerk
attended a ' municipal sector
workshop in London on July 19.
• * •
Hullett Township Reeve Tom
Cunningham and Clerk Bonna
Rouse signed an agreement with
the Ministry of Transportation to
provide a written indemnity for
the streetlight installation at
Highway 4, Anthony's Lane.
•
• **
A bylaw agreement was estab•
fished with set percentages for
payment of a recycling program
in the village of Auburn.
Doug Elliott, B.Math
CLOSED FOR
HOLIDAYS
We will re -o en
MONDAY A C.8
trnuestmentGenire
Investment & Tax Planning
Secure Investment Products ... from people you can trust
SEAFORTH 96 Main St. 527-0420
St. Patrick's Church
Dublin
Mass Times:
Beginning July 2
Saturday
Sunday
8:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m.
St. Vincent de Paul
Mitchell
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m.
i__
McMaster Siemon
AINSURANCE
BROKERS INC.
AUTO - HOME
FARM M TRAW!&L
- COMMIERCIIAIL
LIFE INSURANCE
BR `ERS;!
BILSIEMON
VIC' SIEMON
ANETTEMcTAGGA
DAN PROCTOR'T .
68 Ontario Rd.
Mitchtll
348-9150
1-800-561-0183
HEALTH ON THE HILL
A Review of activities at
SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
The Activation Group would like to thank Rod Lyons of Lyons
Food Market for donating all the annuals for the patio tubs at
Seaforth Community Hospital. They really look lovely. Thanks.
Seaforth Community Hospital Activation Group is thanking its
volunteers for time during the year by providing them with
lunch. With their support and time it makes it much easier for
staff and comforting for patients.
Seaforth Perinatal Information Sessions: To be held at
Seaforth Community Hospital in Conference Room 2 at 7:30
p.m. Free Admission. For further information call 527-1650 -
Seaforth Community Hospital or 527-1770 - Seaforth Medical
Clinic.
rt
Wednesday,
July 20
Wednesday,
Aug. 17
Breast -Feeding
Parent Support
Dr. Carolin Shepherd
Kathy Ryan,
RN, Public Health
Dr. Robert Shepherd
Group Marguerite Falconer,
RN, Public Health
Huron County Long Term Care Planning Committee: East
Huron (Seaforth & Area) invites you to attend monthly meet-
ings,- the fourth Thursday of each month at Seaforth
Community Hospital, Board Room - 10:00 - 12:00 neon. We need
you for the planning process. Next meeting will be Thursday,
August 25, 1994. Call Yvonne Kitchen at 527-1650 for more
information.
"Where you
can trade with
confidence"
WE ARE READY FOR HARVEST
RECEIVING'
Soft White Winter Wheat . Fundulea Hard Red Wheat
Walton Elevators
ire -Harvest Weed Control
Custom Application of Roundup on
Wheat and Beans - Call Us
WALTON
527-1540
887-9261 or 887-6130
ATWOOD
356-2292
Atwood Elevators
Invision of
Parrish & Hetmt)eeker Limited