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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-04-29, Page 1Objections stall Laidlaw move Later in the meeting, when a bylaw was presented to amend the zoning for the Hawleaf Developments Limited shopping centre, Campbell moved to have the matter tabled and this met with approval from council. Mayor Bruce Shaw said he presumed Campbell had a good reason for tabling the bylaw and that It was not a matter of "tit for tat" in view of Hawleaf's objection to the zone change for Laidlaw Transport. Campbell said the ob- jection by Hawleaf indicates the firm's view of the development of the north end -is ` different- tlfiih council's and the planning board. He added that their action in filing the objection is inconsistent with things that he thought were already agreed upon by council and Hawleaf regarding the ex- panded uses of the firm's shopping centre holdings. The bylaw that was tabled was to extend the approved uses in the shopping centre. He said to Shaw that his action was not a tit for tat situation. The proposed move of Laidlaw Transport to a new location on Highway 83 at the eastern limits of Exeter will be delayed due to objections filed over the planned zoning changes required to facilitate the move. The property is presently zoned as M1 (restricted industrial) and must be rezoned to M2 (general in- dustrial). The necessary bylaw has already been passed by council, but an Ontario Municipal Board hearing may now be required to get a ruling in view of the objections. Objecting to the rezoning are R.C. -Baptist, Hawleaf Developments Limited and Len Veri's Landrush Inc. Baptist said the rezoning would result In his property value being depreciated. He owns property within 20 feet of the proposed Laidlaw location on Highway 83. "Any development in the north end of the town is inappropriate at this point unless it takes place on full municipal services and in this regard, we would point out that the developer, Laidlaw Transport, should be required to hook into an existing storm sewer just west of the property being rezoned," contended the Toronto law firm of Siegal, Fogler, in filing an objection on behalf of Hawleaf Developments Limited. "New development on any other basis would be totally inappropriate and possibly damaging from an en- vironmental standpoint to the entire town," they added in their letter of objection. Hawleaf Developments Limited installed a storm sewer to service the north end shopping centre and as land is developed to the east of the centre, the developers will be expected to pay a portion of the original drainage costs. It has been proposed that the drainage for the new Laidlaw site would be carried north of Exeter in another existing drain. Veri had previously written council regarding his objection, citing the drainage problems that could be created for his mobile home park and other lands he owns in the vicinity. He also noted that ap- propriately zoned land was available. While agreeing that property owners should have the right to voice their ob- jections, Councillor Jay Campbell said the potential development was in the best interest of the community as a whole and said he would like to see the OMB meet as quickly as possible to resolve the matter. Council agreed to send a resolution to the OMB asking for an early hearing on the rezoning change. The townships of Hay and Stephen wrote council regarding the rezoning and indicated they had no ob- jections. In another comment on the situation, Councillor Tom Humphries said the move by Laidlaw would help Exeter in attracting industry and suggested that some of the objections over the zone change seemed to reflect personal priorities rather than those which would benefit the community as a whole. BALLET STUDENTS — During Saturday,'s ballet dance lesson at Exeter Public School, a number of girls receive instruction from Barbara Westman. Back, left, Shelly Maguire, Sherry Regier, Ann Marie Mittelholtz and Shonnon Baynham. Front, Jessica Blackler, Erin Kraftcheck and Sarah Darling. T -A photo LITTLE BO PEEP — Jim Loucks of the St. Marys lions club dressed as little Bo Peep as part of the fashion show which the Lions put on in Grand Bend for the Lioness district rally. Grand Bend lioness Lee Thomas gives Bo Peep a big hug in appreciation for his/her visit. The rally was held in Oakwood Thursday. Staff photo Want discussions on water account Exeter Councillor Bill Mickle this week called for a closer relationship with the local PUC, especially in the matter of the latter's water department budget. Reading from the Public Utilities Act, Mickle said he believed the surplus in the PUC water account actually belongs to council and there should be some discussion regarding this. He said council should oversee the water rates and budget in calling for a closer relationship with the PUC in that regard. His comments came after auditor G. Mills outlined that the PUC water depart- ment had a surplus of $188,- 000. of which a substantial amountwasin cash or short term investments. Mayor Bruce Shaw, saying that it was perhaps unfair to put the auditor on the hot seat, questioned if council should be approving the PUC water budget prior to any water rate increases being approved. Mills replied that this was logical as council shpuld have the budget available to base a decision on whether rate increaseswererequired. Shaw also asked if council could lower water rates if they felt the surplus was too ,high in the water depart- ment. Mills replied that he couldn't see any reason why council couldn't be em- powered to do so but pointed out there may be very good reasons for the cash surplus, such as expansion needs etc. He also noted that if the PUC chose to pay out their debentures they would be down to zero and still have a substantial long-term debt. Mickle noted that council were responsible for the She's busy! Exeter council this week filed a resolution from the Township of Tilbury West calling for the "right to own and enjoy property" to be part of the Canadian con- stitution. Noting that the con- stitutional debate has moved beyond the point of more ad- ditions, Councillor Jay Campbell said the resolution would have to be sent direct- ly to Her Majesty or it won't get included. "She's busy with a wed- ding," Councillor Bill Mickle interjected. i PUC debenture debts. "Big numbers always at- tract questions," Mills noted during the discussion on the PUC portion of the audit. Council took no steps to open discussion with the PUC, but there was a hint that they may do so. Mills reported that the town's surplus in 1980 was $147,494 and there were no problems in the town books. Buy your own law While it was suggested at Tuesday's session of Exeter council that the red tape should be removed from minor variances for the pur- pose of approving building permits. deputy clerk - treasurer Laurie Dykstra noted it was "a cheap way to getting your own bylaw". She said that a consent for minor variances granted by the committee of adjust- ment was in effect a matter of a property owner buying his own law. The discussion arose over a minor variance request by Niali and Rosemary Straw to add an addition to their Andrew Street home. The proposed addition would be in line with their home but would require the minor variance. Councillor Bill Mickle said there should be some way to relieve the red tape or irri- tant to such minor matters. Councillor Jay Campbell agreed there was a lot of red tape involved, but the bylaws were implemented for the community as a whole and Mayor Bruce Shaw said there had been problems in the past when the proper rules were not followed for zoning matters. Mrs. Dykstra, secretary for the committee of adjust- ment, said it takes about six weeks at the minimum to get a committee ruling as neighbouring property owners must be notified of the plans. Ames -... .moi: dvoca Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 One Hundred and Eighth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, APRIL 29, 1981 Price per copy 40 Cents Exeter increase held to 1.36%, bridge walkway for study only Exeter ratepayers will face a 1.36 percent mill rate increase in the municipal portion of their tax bills this year. The commercial Mill rate, set by council on Tuesday, will be 117.64 mills or an increase of 1.58 mills over last year, while the residential rate will increase 1.34 mills to 99.99. That will result in $591,283 being raised by (oCa1 taxation for the $1,684;370 budget established bye, council. The balance conies;.: from government grants and other revenues generated by the town. However, local ratepayers won't be as fortunate when it comes to other portions of their tax bills. The county rate for both residential and commercial has increased 15 • percent this year, bringing the residential total to 27.17 mills and commercial to 31.97. The Separate School rate has increased six percent, bringing commercial rates to 68.2 mitis and residential to 57.7. The Huron board of education levy won't be known until today at the earliest, as board members planned to set their budget at a meeting in Clinton last night. The budgets approved Tuesday night were basically the same as those detailed in last week's edition of this newspaper. The budget includes a grant of $76,354 to the South Huron rec centre board of management, a figure which includes their deficit from last year of more than $4,000. The only item debated to any length by council was the proposed walkway on the east side of the Main St. bridge. The $30,000 expenditure was not included in the budget although Councillor Jay Campbell and Deputy - Reeve Alvin Epp managed to get general agreement from members to spend up to $15,000 of the reserve for working capital figure of $100,000 to conduct studies on the best method of im- proving the safety of the bridge. Campbell presented a list of some suggested solutions to the unsafe bridge in- cluding the proposed walk- way on the east side. Other suggestions were for a crossing guard `north of the Stephen ends year with good surplus The township has been informed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment that the maintenance service contract on the Dashwood water system is nearing completion. The one year of warranty provided on the system by the province will end on May UP, UP AND AWAY -- This boat was designed for the water, but along with several others on the weekend, it had its day in the air as a London crane firm corns to Grand Bend to hoist boats of all sizes into the water in Preparation for the season ahead. Thompson - Warner employee Wayne Shaw is shown going for a ride along with the boat before it was eased into the river. Eight of these Targe craft were moved In Tess than two hours.Stoff photo About 500 people have signed a petition asking Bell Telephone to provide extend- ed area service for customers on the Kirkton, Lucan and Centralia ex- changes. The petition was im- plemented by Sam Skinner and Howard Pym and has been endorsed by Usborne and Biddulph conucils and the Blanshard Telephone System.. Stephen council held a decision in abeyance until they determined how many people wanted the ser- vice extended ni their area. "We got a lot more sup- port and enthusiasm than we expected." Pym said this week. Skinner said he •was hopeful Bell Canada would approve the move to allow free toll service between the three exchanges, but noted he didn't expect it to happen in a hurry Several businesses also signed the petition or forwarded letters to Bell supporting the extension. One noted that customers within one mile had to pay a toll to call his place of business and this was not only expensive, but in- convenient 23 and the township will he responsible for all repairs after that date. The 1980 audit report for the township of Stephen has been received and accepted by council. The township operation shows a credit for the past year of S56,000 and an ac- cumulated credit or surplus of $30,200 wiping out a deficit from the previous year. An application is being made to the Ontario Housing Corporation for 570,000 in funds for the Ontario Home Renewal Plan for the fiscal year 1981-82. A township spokesperson said there is a waiting list of applications. An application from John Keller to establish an auto body at part of Lot 23, Concession 16 was approved. No objection was made to a recent zoning bylaw change by the township of Bosanquet. Five tile drain loan ap- plications totalling $98,700 were approved for processing. Office employee Sharon Romphf was given per- mission to attend a meeting of Zone 2 of the Ontario Clerk -Treasurers Associ- ation to be held May 14 in Hanover. Two resolutions from Ontario municipalities were rejected. They were from the township of West Nissouri regarding natural gas transmission lines and the town of Aylmer concerning the recent pay raises for Ontario Provincial Police officers and provincial employees. Township employees are being instructed to install a new weeping bed sewage system at the township office in Crediton. bridge, a bus shuttle service or a regularized pathway joining Riverside Drive and Hill Mill St. Mayor Bruce Shaw commended, council for moving so expeditiously on this year's budget. The April approval was one of the earliest on record. Finance committee chairman Bill Mickle noted the need to keep within the budget in all departments and said that the increase in the county levies was due to a lack of budget control. "I don't want that to happen here this year," he said in reference to the fact the county ended up with -a huge deficit that necessitated the 15 percent increase. Future debate In presenting his report Mickle had five pages of comments and recom- mendations regarding town finances, but the recom- mendations were not approved as members asked for more time to consider them before making decisions. Hit; recommendations included one to look at ways to be more efficient in the operations of the town. He said he had reviewed computer printouts of Please turn to page 2 BROWNIES SELL COOKIES — Members of the Exeter Brownies were on town streets Scour day selling Brownie cookies. Above, Heidi Klatt makes a purchase from Lynette Kramer Brenda Souders and Christine Chappel. T -A photo Mickle gives his away Pay boosts criticised Pay increases granted to themselves and their employees have resulted in criticism for member of Ex- eter council, both from within and outisde their own ranks. Councillor Jay Campbell reported Tuesday night that he has received more com- plaints over the pay raises than on anv other issue but one since he joined council. Members of the Exeter Business 1rnprovenient Area voiced their concerns through Councillor Lossy Fuller. "They're really up- set about it. she said, noting that the business peo- ple were finding that their employees were seeking in- creases similar to the 25.8":- given 5.8'Tgiven town staff in a two- year pact Campbell said his girls on staff 1 were lining up 10 get application forms to work for the town. although he said the increases were in line with other private and public pay scales. Commenting on a sugges- tion that council had guaranteed inflation with the pay increases in the two- year pact. Campbell said the only way to second guess in- flation is to go on a weekly basis The local jeweller cited several advantages of the All employees go on mileage All employees of the Town of Exeter will be paid a rate of 16 cents per km or 25 cents per mile when using their private vehicles for town business. The decision made by council this week will put all employees on the same basis, rather than the flat rate mileage allowances previously granted Members of the town, cemetery and recreation staff will he given one-third of the mileage allowance to cover the first four months of this year and will go onto the new system on May 1. Employees will be required to keep a log itemizing all use of their vehicles and will be reim• burled no oftener than monthly. two-year agreement. noting that the 10e,, granted for 1982 may be low in view of infla- tion and that it won't be necessary to negotiate a new benefits papkaae wr'h em )Ioyeeitin t9g.'-.. " Ile suggested the pay scale , left Exeter near average or below for municipalities in Huron and was consistent with what the town could af- ford and was cheaper than contracting out services Campbell said the jots un- dertaken by employees should be better explained to the ratepayers and said the letter should look at the positions and not the per- sonalities holding the positions He concluded by' noting that Clerk Liz Bell had gar- nered more interest for the town than site was pard last year Councillor lull Mickle termed the increases generous -1 am also very concerned that the salary awards are inflationary and creates added problems for our business community." He charged that changes have been,, made in the ('lease turn to page 2 •