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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-04-24, Page 1 (2)• Exeter to force sewer hookup; okay pact with Humane Society • Only two "major" decisions were made by Exeter council at their special meeting at the Exeter Public School library, Monday. Council voted to bring to an end the virtual freedom of animals running at large and also decided to have a bylaw prepared making it mandatory for all ratepayers to hook up to sanitary sewers within 15 months of therompletion of the sewer service in front of their properties. To end the dog problem, which has been an issue debated an- nually by council, they decided to enter into an agreement with the London Humane Society to provide a patrol in Exeter at a cost of $1,600 per annum. Oddly enough members weren't certain what service that $1,600 will provide. The letter from Ross Knight of the Humane Society didn't in - Roads better than expected Some Exeter streets may be in poor shape this spring, but they're not as bad as Councillor Ted Wright thought they would be. "I was predicting we would have one of the worst messes ever," he said this week. However, the roads have settled down well, the street committee chairman noted "and we are very fortunate." He paid tribute to the work done on the roads by the works department and added that areas where pot holes still existed would be corrected shortly. dicate what length the weekly patrol would be. "It could be an hour or just 20 minutes," suggested Councillor Ted Wright. However, he urged council to make the decision at Monday's meeting rather than accept a suggestion by Reeve Derry Boyle that members be given some time to give the matter more consideration. Wright said it would soon be garden and flower time and "we owe it to the people" to take action against dogs running at large. Harold Patterson noted that under the contract with Harvey Hillman last year, council received a total of eight hours in patrol time each week, and at a cost $400 below that being offered by the Humane Society. It was indicated that the contract with the Humane Society would have to be for one full year because theyhave to establish routes to provide ser- vice locally. - Reeve Boyle explained that a few years ago, council had used the services of the London Humane Society to patrol town streets and at that time "we were not too thrilled about their work." He added, however, that dog control was an intangible thing, and Che "fear element" of hiring a control officer was helpful in itself in controlling animals. Wright said that the Humane Society appeared to be poorly organized at the time of the previous contract. "They've improved con- siderably since then," Mayor Bruce Shaw told council. Councillor Lossy Fuller, chairman of the social services committee, recommended that Delay hiring foreman; oppose meters in GB Grand Bend council decided Monday night to delay until late summer the appointment of a road foreman to replace Jim Rumballwho resigned recently. After discussing the matter in private, the decision was made to appoint John Stein and Phil Dehne as acting road foremen for the summer months. The two young men, both students at the University of Western Ontario have worked for the village during the summer months for the past four years. Stein and Dehne appeared before council and said they would be willing to take charge until a permanent foreman was hired. They assured council they knew the work. when it should be done and could operate all machinery necessary to clean streets and beach and do road repairs. • Reeve Bob Sharen said the streets would be cleaned every Saturday and Sunday this summer. He added "We can't have a mess like last year. That Vandals smash resort windows Officers of the Ontario Provincial Police detachment at the Pinery Park are currently investigating a series of broken window incidents in Grand Bend. Thursday night windows in business premises of the Harbour House, Angelo's Pizzeria and Ravelle's Gift Shop were broken and Saturday night, the glass in the front door of the Grand Bend village office was smashed. was pathetic." The two young men will start Weir duties on May 5 and will receive $3.50 per hour A schedule for the summer months for garbage collection in the village has.been drafted. Properties along Highway 21, north and south and Green Acres will be serviced on Fridays, Southcott Pines and south of the river—will be taken care of Wednesdays and garbage north of the river will be collected Mondays. Heavy commercial garbage will be picked up six days per week. but not on Saturday. Medium commercial collections Will be three days per week and small commercial will be ser- viced twice a week if required. Council took no action on a letter from a survey firm wishing to do a parking survey in the village and provide parking meters. On the matter of parking meters, councillor Harold Green was very vocal. Green said, "No way. 1 hate them. All parking meters mean is that people will go where they are not.' Deputy -reeve Rollie Grenier agreed they would not be satisfactory for Grand Bend. He cited the short season as his main objection. He added "They may be okay if we had a year-round operation." Reeve Bob Sharen said some GB businessmen would be in favour of meters because they would keep traffic moving. Sharen was in favour of obtaining a parking survey. Councillor Bill Baird suggested council take immediate steps to procure a proper parking area. the Humane Society be hired. She said that in addition to the patrol work, the Society wanted to institute an 'educational program by getting into the schools to teach young people about the control and care of animals. While the $1,600 covers only one patrol each week, additional service can be provided at the rate of *6.00 per hour and 20 cents per mile travelled. This is the fee that would apply if the Society officers were called to Exeter for a specific task in addition to the one patrol. Later in the meeting, council received a resolution from the City of Sudbury asking for a new level of fines for people who allow dogs to run at Large. A minimum fine of *20 was recommended, with a maximum of 8100. A motion to concur with the resolution was defeated and the matter turned over to the social services committee for further consideration. Must hookup The discussion about making it mandatory to hook into santitary sewers was broached by deputy - reeve Tom MacMillan at the conclusion of Monday's meeting. Itis motion that a bylaw be prepared requiring ratepayers to hook up within 15 months was One Hundred and Second Year "gladly" seconded b Ted Wright. In answer to a question, MacMillan said the new regulation should apply to sewers in those areas already serviced, as well as those being serviced when the sewer project is com- pleted this year. In the past, members of council have urged people to hook into sewers, but it was only man- datory where pollution problems existed with septic tanks. The new bylaw is expected to be ready for approval at council's meeting in May and indications are that it will be approved with no opposition. OLD TIME PUNISHMENT -- A version of the old time stocks used for punishment in the 1 700's was built during Stephen Central school's re- cent History Fair. Above, Brian Roder plays victim for builder Randy Gowanlock. T -A photo EXETER, ONTARIO, APRIL 24, 1975 Price Per Copy 25 Cents ... Searching for water Stolen vehicles are recovered Two trucks were reported stolen in the area this week, but both were quickly recovered. Early Monday morning, Wayne Brunslow, Huron Park, reported his van missing from his driveway. OPP Constable Bob Whiteford located the vehicle in Crediton when he was on his way to answer the complaint. Another van stolen from Zurich was located on concession 12-13 of Hay' Tuesday morning. It had been stolen the previous night. Constable Jim Rogers is in- vestigating. LEARNING WRESTLING METHODS — A large number of Exeter and area boys participoted in a wrestl- ing clinic at South Huron High School sponsored by the South Huron Wrestling Association. Above, Egon Seiler one of Canada's best hopes in the 1976 Olympics gives instructions to Paul Mansfield and Tony Mattucci. T -A photo Osborne farmers endorse petition to stop Exeter from taking water The Exeter Public Utilities Commission test drilling for water in Usborne Township hasn't located an ample supply yet, but even if it is found, they may have a fight on their hands getting the water. A petition has been circulated in the township recently and over 100 signatures have been ob- tained opposing any use of Usborne water. Farmers are concerned that a pipeline into the township would deplete their requirements for crops and livestock. The petition is expected to be presented at the May meeting of the township council. However, PUC manager Hugh Davis explains that Usborne residents have little to worry about in view of regulations concerning water use. In the past the PUC has felt a "moral obligation" to ensure a water supply for any farmers adversely affected by wells opened up in neighboring com- munities. In 1960, when the Hicks well was opened, the PUC provided new wells for two farmers where tests showed their water supply would be affected. - "Now it is law," Davis stated. "There is no way you can rob farmers of their water." If an adequate supply for a new well is found in Usborne, he said all neighboring wells would be Monitored in test pumping. If the levels dropped, farmers would be provided new wells or would be hooked into a pipeline and given water at no cost to themselves. The PUC manager explained Third time charged, receives jail sentence A third conviction for driving while disqualified resulted in a seven-day jail term for Murray Alexander Paquette, when he appeared before Judge Glenn Hays in Exeter court, Tuesday. Paquette, who resides at 282 Algonquin Drive, Huron Park, was charged on January 18. He was driving a motor vehicle owned by his mother-in-law. She stated her car was missing for about an hour, but did not see the accused driving it. Another witness testified •he had seen Paquette driving; the vehicle on the day in question and the investigating officer, Con- stable Bill Lewis, reported that Paquette said in a statement he had driven the vehicle, but would not sign the statement. A London man, Beverley A. Pegelo, was fined $250 and had his driver's licence suspended for three months on a charge of failing to remain at the scene of an accident. The charge was laid by Exeter police after a car driven by a Kirkton area man was sideswiped on October 18 in Exeter. Damage to the vehicle was 8800. The accident occurred on a Friday and Pegelo was ap- prehended by London police on the following Sunday. Pegelo told the court that at the time, he did not realize he had hit another vehicle. Judge Hays reduced the nor- mal fine for creating un- necessary noise when he fined Bruce N. Dupee, Clinton, $23 for that offence in Exeter on October 28. Dupee had been stopped for speeding, and after receiving the ticket, squealed his tires as he pulled away. Dupee told the court he was driving a truck with a camper on it and it would not be possible for Award contract for Highway 83 Transportation and Com- munications Minister John R. Rhodes announced the award of a contract for Highway 83 in the Stratford district. The contract is for hot mix paving on Highway 83 from High- way 23 (Russeldale) westerly to Highway 21 (Port Blake) for 24.1 miles. Work on the project is scheduled to commence in May with completion set for Sep- tember, 1975. The contract is awarded to Huron Construction Co. Limited of Chatham at a cost of 8655.792. him to leave skid marks as the truck had a small engine. While noting that the evidence backed up the charge, Judge Hays said the accused may have unknowlingly squealed the tires. In levying the $23 fine, Judge Hays said the fine is usually $75 if paid out of court. Dupee paid $13 for the speeding charge of 70 in a 60 zone. A fine of $60 was levied against Peter Ralph Hummel), Sarnia, who was found guilty of creating — Please turn to page 3 Storm drain gets first test The new $150,000 Anne St. storm drain had its first big test with the weekend downpour and stood the test comparatively well. Works superintendent Glenn Kells said it handled all the water that could get to it, but noted that because it is not completed, considerable water in some areas bypassed the manholes and this resulted in some flooding. He said the new storm drain won't pick up all the water until the streets are paved and the manholes put at the proper levels. In the Friday night storm, some of the manholes were too high and the water flooded around them. He also told council this week there were three distinct areas of flooding in the community. resulting in several basements being inundated. The areas were Simcoe St., Carling St. and Pryde Boulevard. After the meeting, he added that some flooding occurred on High- way 4 north of the bridge. He said there were separate causes for all the areas ex- periencing flooding and these were now being studied. Kells also reported that some third party liability may be in- volved in one of the situations, although he did not elaborate. Water flowed over both wingwalls at the Exeter dam, creating a considerable amount of erosion. Some rural roads were also covered by water and a few wash- outs were reported. In Ilensall, basements in the business block were flooded and one store reported losses of about 81,000 in items stored in their basement. However the area escaped the major flooding that hit several other neighboring towns. that this is all done before any final decisions are made, because it is necessary to know at the initial stage what may be in- volved in opening a new well. If farmers' wells have to be replaced. this cost must be estimated before final approval can be given any project. In addition, tinder terms of an agreement with Usborne, far- mers living along the route of any proposed pipeline would be provided with water if they wished to hook into the system. They would have to pay for this water. Drilling by International Water Supply has been proceeding in Usborne during the past month. A number of tests have been con- ducted starting in the area im- mediately east of Exeter. While the PUC is "reasonably optimistic" that an ample source is avilable about four miles north east of town, the other tests were being undertaken in the hope that a closer supply could be located. Davis explained that the cost of a pipeline is about $10 per foot. "If we can whack off a mile, we can cut a lot off the cost," he stated". - However, the gamble hasn't paid off yet, because the required quantity hasn't been located. The PUC expects to spend around $25,000 in tests. The additional water is required because the present supplies are beng taxed— particularly in the summer. During the other months. the springs provide an -adequate supply. The daily use of water in Exeter fluctuates from a low of 300,000 gallons to 1,500,000 during the summer. The PUC hopes to find a source ' in Usborne that will provide about 400 gallons per minute. Preparing plans for new offices Floor plans . and working drawings for the renovations to the former post office could be available to Exeter council within two weeks. Reeve Derry Boyle reported that the architect ,has already commenced work on the plans for the town's new administration building. Boyle said the architect went along with the suggestion that the three air conditioners now owned by the town could be used in the building without going to a central system. "Ile said this would be more than adequate." Boyle an- nounced. The property committee chairman also reported that new carpets would be installed in the children's library within the next week. He said the cost would be ap- proximately $1.000. The job was awarded to Discount Dave's who submitted the lowest of four prices received from local firms. OHC considers name suggestion A suggestion by Exeter council that the new Ontario Housing Corporation senior citizen apartments on Sanders St. be named in honor of former deputy - reeve Helen Jermyn is being considered by the OHC board of directors. In a letter this week, council were advised that a decision in this regard wduld be made shortly. Following the death of Mrs. Jermyn last month, council members suggested this would be a fitting tribute because she had played such an important role in getting the OHC units con- structed in the community. Mrs. Jermyn was the first woman to serve on Exeter council. Canners take bigger share Work on the completion of Exeter's sanitary sewers could commence in the immediate future. The Ontario Municipal Board has approved the project up to a cost of $902.950. Clerk Eric Carscadden said the contractor was anxious to get started with the project and that only one matter had to be cleared before an agreement could be signed with the ministry of the environment. A piece of correspondence required for the final approval was sent out of the clerk's of- fice,Friday. Council members were overjoyed Monday._ night with correspondence received from Canadian Canners Ltd. in- dicating the firm would assume a greater portion of the cost in view of the overall increase in the project: The firm had originally agreed to pay approximately 810,000 per year. However.when costs escalated, council held a meeting with executives from the firm asking that . the figure be in- creased. A reply this week said Canadian Canners would pay a minimum of $12.500 per annum. Noting their increased mill rate to meet sewer costs. the firm said their total cost would run around $13.750 per annum. The agreement runs for five years. at which time either party can ask for a review of the agreements. Council members voted quickly to accept the new otter and to write a ietter of thanks to the firm for their consideration. - Lose some sleep on this weekend Daylight Saving Time goes into effect this weekend. Clocks should be moved ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night. The lost hour will be regained in October. e a Y= • ;.d,el ;h, THE DAM RUNNETH OVER — The rainy weather during the latter port of last week -caused flood con- ditions on the Ausable River in the Exeter area. The above picture shows the water going over the sides of the Exeter dam Saturday morning. • County school costs take 1 8 percent jump The Huron County Board of Education approved a budget at a special meeting Monday night totalling $15,783,772. The new budget is an increase of $2,396,233 or 17.9 per cent over the previous year's expenditures. The budget presented to the board by budget committee chairman Marion Zinn represents a mill rate increase of 5.95 bringing the total mill rate assessment to 47.08. In her presentation to board. members, Mrs. Zinn stated that the budget was a realistic appraisal of the board's needs for the year 1975. The budget total is comprised of 87,814,356 in elementary school expenditures and 87.969,416 in secondary school expenditures. Provincial grants. totalling 811,529.314 make up 73.05 percent of the total while municipality and township assessment totalling 83.554.761 will make up 22.52 percent of the total. The remaining 4.43 percent or 699.697 will be made up from tuitions of non -county resident students and miscellaneous revenues. In the elementary panel of the budget 84,787,164 of the ex- penditures are paid for labor and benefits and office supplies. Capital building expenditures, transportation, bus purchases, debenture costs and other non- operating costs will total $1.399,446. The remainder of the elementary school expenditures is comprised of books and sup- plies. custodial maintenance costs and transportation ex- penses. In secondary school ex- penditures a total of 85,036,136 has been budgeted for salary and benefits and office supplies. Extra ordinary expenditures which include ' capital building projects, transportation, debenture costs and non- operating expenses total 81,061,1)63. The remainder of the secon- - Please turn to page 3