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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-04-08, Page 143 • a= k. •pa n Employees get three hikes in two-year pact Town gives 25.8% pay boosts Employees of the Town of the municipal office and the will bring his salary to $30, - Exeter have. negotiated a two-year contract with coun- cil, calling for three pay in- creases during the term of the agreement which was approved by council, Mon- day. All employees will receive a 9%n pay hike retroactive th January 1 of this year, a further5%boost on July 1 of this year and an additional 10%ion January 1, 1982. The compounding nature of the agreement results in an actual pay boost of 25.895%. The salary/wage grids which have been established by council for employees of CHAMP IN CATION - Catherine Patterson of South Huron shows the form which won her the individual intermediate championship in Monday's Huron -Perth gymnastic final. Industry considers locating in Exeter Industrial promotion com- mittee chairman Bill Mickle said this weeek he remains hopeful that Exeter may be successful in attracting an industry presently con- sidering the municipality as a site. In a report to council this week, Mickle said the com- mittee had met with the in- terested parties "and remains in contact hoping that Exeter will be chosen as their site". He indicated it may be some months before the firm announcesits plansand added that he believes from con- versations with them that Exeter has not been eliminated from their con- sideration. From meetings with the firm. Mickle said three fac- tors appear to be important to an industry seeking a location, taxation costs, availability of buildings for leasing and nearness to markets. To try and have on file answers for future inquiries, the committee members have asked industrial lan- downers to forward informa- tion that could be helpful to interested parties. "We would encourage all landowners to keep us current with this infor- mation." Mickle com- mented in his written report. The committee also met recently to discuss a promotional brochure and two local companies presented cost estimates relating to different promotional approaches. However. until the town's budget is passed, any final decision as to the type of program the committee un- dertakes will be held in' abeyance as it will depend on funds available. "I can assure this council and the citizens of Exeter that the committee is dedicated in trying to secure added industry for Exeter. It is important to note that results are not easy to attain and will require continuous dedication by the committee and patience of the citizens in achieving results,' Mickle concluded. The committee members have also met with Huron development officer Spence Cummings and discussion centred around county and community promotion and how Exeter's promotion could supplement the coun- • ty's campaign. Cummings presented a copy of the county's latest brochure which will have broad distribution within Canada, the U.S. and also in Canadian embassies throughout the world. From the discussions, it was the consensus of the committee that they should be working closely with the county program. Cummings also announced a county development Please turn to page 2, works department will be 214.80. First class constables on the police force will go from their present $19,800 to 824,- 927.21 next January. Clerk Liz Bell will have her salary increased by $5,- 709.84 over the two-year term, bringing it to $27,- 759.84. Deputy clerk - treasurer Laurie Dykstra will end up at 817,625.30 and Donna Glanville's salary will go to $10,826.97. Building inspector Brian Johnston goes to $15,485.08 from his current $12,300. Cemetery manager Albert Hummel will receive an in- crease of $3,754.77 over the two years, bringing his salary to $18,254.77 on January 1, 1982. He also receives a car allowance of $500 per annum and a house allowance valued at $1,800. Neither of the latter two figures have been increased. Employees at the cemetery will go from their current hourly scales of $5.95 to $6.50 to the new rates of $7.49 to $8.18. The salary for Exeter's new recreation ad - amended to reflect the changes. In his report, negotiating committee member Gaylan Josephson, described the changes to the grids as "inflationary increases". The actual increases for the various employees were not detailed in the report, but based on the last salary details available to the public, the agreement results in pay increases ranging to $6,214.80 over the two-year pact. Police Chief Ted Day gets that increase on his current salary of $24,000, and when the final hike is made on January 1 of next year, it Fire cause not known The cause of a March 27 stable fire that killed standardbred pacer Dangerfield Bruce, has been listed as undetermined. Bob Kaufman of the Ontario fire marshal's office In London said he "really can't prove anything, when it (the barn) burned to theiground." The fire, on the property of Dave Morrissey of McGillivray Township, destroyed a small two-storey barn and killed three horses. It was discovered early Friday morning by Perry Sereda of RR 1 Centralia. Sereda alerted Rick Morrissey who lives in a house near the burned barn. Secede also managed to save a fourth horse from the fire. "As far as we're con- cerned it started in the loft," said Kaufman, "Otherwise, how could he (Sereda) get that horse out?" Kaufman said there was nothing specific to look for as it was burned to the ground. He said there was lightning reported an hour or two before the fire was spotted. He said Sereda noted flames on the upper level of the barn, and the fire marshal has to follow the reports of those who first saw it. Kaufman also said there was a new hydro hook- up at the barn. Ontario Hydro inspectors were asked to investigate. Ted Learning of Ontario Hydro's Clinton office, said the cause was a "possible lightning strike". He agreed it was hard to pinpoint the cause, but said it "could have been a fault in the (Lightning) arrestor system". He said the arrestor was badly scorched and there were burn marks at the ground connection. Leaming said the barn had been .recently wired but there was "basically nothing wrong with the service -- everything looked 100 per- cent." TOPS MALI CONTRIBUTORS - Pete McFalls of the Exeter men's bowling league gained S130 In pledges In a recent bowiathon to aid Big Brothers. Above, McFalls is being con- gratulated by Exeter Big Brothers president Jim Chapman. Recreation head commences duties Exeter's new recreation administrator, Don "Boom" Gravett commenced duties, Monday, and was officially welcomed to the community by Mayor Bruce Shaw at Monday night's council ses- sion. "I'm certain you have a job cut out for you," Shaw told Gravett in wishing him all the best, adding that he was sure that the latter's qualifications and enthusiasm would pay dividends for area residents. Gravett. in a brief com- ment, said he considered Ex- eter his home town, having spent "the best 10 years of my life here". Gravett's salary has not yet been released by council or the South Huron rec cen- tre board and Shaw jokingly advised Gravett not to tell the press how much he was being paid. Monday's meeting of coun- cil commenced with only a basic quorum. Councillor Lossy Fuller was ill, Jay Campbell was in Toronto and Tom Humphries arrived a couple of minutes late. The meeting lasted for about an hour. .�✓ �Yr .w �hsF ministrator, Don Gravett, has still not been disclosed nor was there any indication this week how the pay in- creases will be handled in his particular' case. Facilities manager Alvin Willert will have his salary increased by $3,964.01 next January to $19,272.03. Secretary Janet Wedlake will go to $6.54 per hour and Steve Wells will be at $4.40. The custodian staff will go from their current $4.40 per hour to $5.54 next January. The salary for works superintendent Glenn Kells was raised to $20,500 as of February 23 when he was recently elevated to step 3 in his grid. Had that been in effect since January 1, it would have resulted in a total pay boost of $5,308.47 over the contract, bringing his pay to $25,808.47. However, it will be slightly less than that as the first9% increase will be on his Plan no increase for water in X81 Members of Exeter coun- cil were formallyTotified this week that the PUC an- ticipates no increase in local, water rates during 1981. Manager Hugh Davis said the final debenture payment on the Hicks well and the in- dustrial filtration plant was made last year and the Com- mission anticipates that this reduction in operating ex- penses should enable the ex- ifE�> �y§ isting rates to be retained. Council approved a suggestion for the addition of a fire hydrant at the south end of an extension of the water line in the Alexander and William St. area. The project at the north end will cost approximately $63,000 and is being installed primarily to improve fire protection. It will be done over a period of three or four years. S Serving Soutti Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Eighth Year aWMaarff previous salary of $19,500 for the term from January 1 to February 23 of this year. All members of the works department are on a salary grid with the hourly pay currently ranging from $4.75 per hour to $7.83, depending upon qualifications. The cor- responding rates of pay un- der the new agreement will bring those figures to a range of $5.98 to $9.85 next January. The assistant supervisor receives an additional 35a to 454 per hour on the grid and the working foreman gets 20e to 30e morethan the classification in which he would otherwise work. That extra hourly rate for those two positions is not subject to the inflationary increase In addition to the salary boosts, all employees will now join the.members of the police department in being covered under a preven- tative care dental plan. It provides 80% reimbursement with no deductible. It was the only benefit change outlined by the negotiating committee. Employees currently get 11 statutory holidays each year and their holidays range from two weeks after one year of service to five weeks after 15 years. A SIDE FLIP - Melanie Lovell of South Huron engineers a side aerial at the Huron -Perth Conference gymnastic final held in Exeter, Monday. T -A photo 3YS dvoc & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, APRIL 8, 1981 r es Price per copy 40 Cents A BACK SOMERSAULT - Rosemary Gielen of SHDHS is in the midst of a back somersault during Monday's Huron -Perth Conference gymnastic finals. T -A photo Pipeline cleaning planned this month The Lake Huron water supply system pipeline from Grand Bend will undergo spring cleaning throughout the month of April. The cleaning is done by pumping five swabs - bullet-shaped masses of soft foam -- each measuring 54 inches in diameter and 11 feet long, through the 48 inch diameter pipeline. Superintendent William Sturdevant said that this is the first time any such cleaning has been at- tempted. Some users will be temporarily inconvenienced by the work. Sturdevant says that the cleaning has been un- dertaken for a variety of reasons. "There's a bit of a Wild up of alum from the treatment," Sturdevant said, The cleaning should remove any build up, and increase the flow of the water. During the summer months, a greater flow may be required he explained. Sturdevant added that the pipeline should be cleaned so that there is no danger of bacterial growth. Work will be done on Saturdays when flows are low. Some work was already completed on April 4. Municipalities or areas expected to be affected: Grand Bend, Bosanquet Township, Pinery Park and Stephen Township will have lower than normal water pressure April 25. Parkhill and West Williams township should have normal water pressure, but customers are asked to restrict water use on April 25 to ensure adequate fire protection. McGillivray township could have low pressure on April 11, and 25. A pump is being installed at the West McGillivray reservoir to supply the township as well as Ailsa Craig, Nairn and Dashwood. Shipka and Dashwood area could have lower pressure on April 25. In Ilderton, residents are asked to restrict water use April 11 and April 25 to en- sure adequate supply for fire protection. Denfield will be tem- porarily without water on April 11 and 25. The city of London will have lower pressure on April 25 and 26. Permit value down slightly The value of building per- mits issued during March declined slightly this year, but the 1981 total is running slightly ahead of last year. Monday night. building in- spector Brian Johnston reported ,that 17 permits were issued in March for a value of $45.385. The total in March of 1980 was 146,200. The total during 1981 now stands at $94.835. compared to $76,420 for the first three months of last year. Twelve of the, permits issued in March were for residential renovations and additions. Four sign permits were also issued and three tem- porary sign permits. ;Separate school rate up slightly more than 7.6% The Huron -Perth County Catholic School board ap- proved a 1981 budget of $5,- 820,716. Tuesday, up $410,000 or 7.67 percent over last year. Local taxpayers will have to pay 18.3 percent of this budget ahiountiftk to $1,114,- 955. while provincial grants will provide 79.5 percent amounting to $4.627,148, and the remaining 4.1 percent or 878,613 will be raised by mis- cellaneous revenue such as tuition fees from other boards. The projected fax increase will cost home owners in Huron and Perth counties an average of $15.00 based on an assessment of 85.000. Ronald Murray, board chairman. said. "ft's a pret- ty good budget. We have cut as far as we could, especial- ly the property committee for the cutbacks made in maintenance." Jack Lane, superintendent of business and finance, ex- plained the percentage of in- creases in expenditures. partly due to a catch-up in inflation. He said the maintenance program shows an increase of 23.6 percent although it was cut by 815,- 000 leaving the amount to be spent in this program at 864,- 000. The cuts included reduc- tion in the painting program. removal of fence projects and resurfacing of play areas. He said the painting program was indicated to be about five years behind. However. he said this was one area the board could make cuts and yet not affect the education program for the students. Plant operation showed an increase of 12.2 percent. One item here was a 84,000 con- version from oil to gas planned for the heating system at St. James school, Seaforth providing the government comes through with the promised grant in this program. Last year the board con- verted two schools for a total cost to the board of $8,- 000 as no grant program was in effect in 1980. St. James is the last school to be con- verted as other schools are not in a "gas supply" area. A 11.1 percent increase in transportation expenditures has been set. Mr I,ane said but it could be that the budget in this arca for $622,- 000 might not be sufficient to meet increasing costs such as operators' salaries, replacement of two buses at $45,000. Although there is sharing of busing with both the Huron County and Perth County hoards of Education it still required 80 school buses total in the two coun- ties to teansport the two- thirds of the school student body who require it. The increase in the in- struction budget amounts to 8.9 percent. This part of the • budget which includes teachers' salaries and classroom supplies has been set at $3.936.969 which is 67.6 percent. of the total budget. The increase in ad- ministrative expenditures amounts to 3.79 percent. Goderich trustee Vincent Young said the board is spending just about at the maximum allowed by the ministry with expenditure per pupil at $1959. If more had to be spent it would have to come from the ratepayers. Mr. Young said. "It's good news for the local ratepayers." said Mr. Lane, "as $1730. is the maximum allowed per pupil but that this is adjustable according to the individual board due to such expenditures as special education costs which allows increases of 81959." The board chairman said the average mill rate is lower than last year at 3.18 mills and this is due in part to increased assessment. Mr. Lane stated theincrease in assessment indicates the continued confidence in the catholic shoot board and the quality of education main- tained. Mr. Lane said included in the budget is $10.000 to assist in the operation of a summer school program at St. Patrick's school in Dublin and a library program in Stratford. Ministry approval is required but trustees hope assistance will be available to hire teachers and also college and secondary students in July and August for these projects. Following the meeting Mr. Lane was asked how the board ended up its 1980 year and he said with a deficit of 835.000. He said this was due to costs not budgeted for such as salaries which were What about the nuts? 11 may not pay dividends for current taxpayers in Ex- eter. but their children and grandchildren may have some relief in their tax bills if a suggestion put forth at council this week comes to fruition. Rather than send out tax notices. future councils may just be able to call on the services of a lumberjack to pay their town bills. The idea presented this week by Councillor Bill Mickle is for the property committee to investigate the possibility of starting a pro- ject of planting black walnut trees. His suggestion. only partly in jest. came after Coun- cillor Tom Humphries ex- plained that black walnut trees are worth about 84.000 each. However. the catch is that they have to be about 35 to 45 years old. Mickle suggested they should be considered for the future investment of local taxpayers and his idea of having the investigation was supported by his cohorts. Humphries broached the subject in reporting on a tree planting seminar he had attended in Mitchell recent- ly. There was no discussion of what revenue may be generated by the nuts' (No pun intended. i; higher than expected. He stated that while in 1980 the board exceeded the maximum grantable ceiling, this year the board is right on ceiling. "We have re -organized the staff of 132 •" full time equivalent teachers". and while enrolment is down by nine pupils in our system. we have 2475 pupils now." Mr. Lane said. "The ministry is recognizing 60 percent of the decrease of the nine students." Loses licence over speeding A Zurich area man was given the maximum fine and had his licence suspended after being convicted of speeding at a rate of 70 km. over the limit. in Exeter court. Tuesday. A fine of $227.50 was levied against Dale R Conlan, RR 3 Zurich. by Justice of the Peace Douglas Wedlake. Conlan was convicted of speeding at a rate of 150 km. in an 80 km. zone on February 22. The court learned that he had 12 demerit points and his licence was suspended for 30 days. Suspensions can be levied when the speed limit is exceeded by more than 50 km. David S N'alzack. St. Marys. was fined 8503 for be- ing the owner of a motor vehicle and allowing its operation without insurance The charge was laid on March 14 A fine of 828 was levied against Julia A. Brown. Hen- sall. after she was convicted of failing to wear a complete seat belt assembly on February 26 • • A VISITING MPP - A visitor of Saturday's Members of Parliament Day sponsored by the Huron Federation of Agriculture was an NDP member of the Ontario legislature Donald MacDonald. Above, Tuckersmith former Jim McIntosh and Jim Popple chat with Mr. McDonald. T -A photo