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Times-Advocate, 1982-01-20, Page 1f • .Pay-as-youk-go ordered for next phase • Taxpayers Exeter taxpayers will be picking up the *22,769 deficit incurred by the community park grounds development Committee, bat the com-, mittee won't get an ad- ditional *10,000 from the town coffers to complete the soccer itch; they'll have to raise that through private canvasses. That was the result of a lengthy debate at Exeter council's session, Monday, when members reluctantly approved a ' compromise suggested by Mayor Bruce Shaw. The grounds development committee chairman Don zis ALL BUNDLED UP -- Julia Merner had her Minnie Mouse doll all wrapped up for winter Sunday afternoon os she went out for a visit. T -A photo Won't get holiday, but still celebrate Exeter residents .won't be getting that additional civic holiday on the third Monday of February as council had planned, but they will still be asked to join in on special celebrations planned to mark the birthday of Sir. John A. MacDonald. Council agreed with a Will use post office Exeter taxpayers will get their tax notices through the mail as usual, for the first installment at least, but future tax bills may be hand - delivered. Finance committee chairman Bill Mickle said his committee had looked at alternatives, but had decided to proceed with the 21 cent mailing rate because time did not permit them to organize hand delivery. Ile said that council should wait to see what comes from a confrontation between the post office and the City of Kitchener over hand delivery of city bills. The past office has threatened legal action if Kitchener decides to deliver bills door- to-door and bypass the post office. recommendation from the executive committee to proclaim the third Monday of next month as Sir John A. Mac Donald Day, but that it not be observed as a civic holiday. Councillor Lossy Fuller said council members would be asked to dress in period costume when they attend their regular session that .evening and noted 'that Mayor Bruce Shaw had agreed to give an ap- propriate talk on Canada's first prime minister on that occasion. She also reported that the story time hour at the library would be devoted to Mac- Donald and that the local schools and businessmen would be asked to par- ticipate through some special progratns. Council had planned to have a civic holiday, but found they were basically alone in that no other municipalities had followed the suggestion • which originated from Kingston. Councillor Bill Mickle, noting that Sir John A. often attended meetings after imbibing too much, said members should follow in those footsteps for the council meeting to give the event the full effect. LOTS TO PUSH Pushing snow Rat , aroma. Cameron had asked that council write off the deficit as well as provide the *10,000 required to complete the third phase of the project.. While giving the com- mittee approval to continue their canvass to raise the *10,000 heeded for the third phase, council narrowly approved a motion calling for strict guidelines to en- sure that the third phase is a pay-as-you-go project and will name a member to sit on the committee to make Says area now safer Exeter council received one of their infrequent thank_ you notes this week. It was from Bruce Eccles of the Exeter Scout Group Committee thanking council for their prompt action to the request for additional lighting on John St. in front of the Scout Hall. "The additional lighting has greatly increased- the visibility in the area in front of the Scout hall and, therefore, this area is now much safer for all the children using the Scout Hall," Eccles wrote. Landlords won't get '81 bills Exeter council agreed Monday to write off the out- standing sewer surcharge bills presented by the PUC, but decided to continue dis- cussion into the possibility of having futurenon- collectable accounts in- curred by tenants passed on to their landlords. Finance committee chair- man Bill Mickle said that un- der the Municipal Act, couji- cil could pass the accounts on to the landlords after tenants skipped out without paying, but said it would be unfair to -do this with last year's accounts when landlords had not been given any warning that this would be done.' ''He- alga said tile ritlittat would have to be'discussed with the PUC to see what course of action should be taken. Doug Parker, a local landlord, was in attendance at the meeting and noted he had been concerned that the town may have been con- sidering passingalongdelin- quent hydro accounts to landlords as well. He indicated little concern over having to•pay outstan- ding water or sewer sur- charge accounts as they were quite small in com- parison. to hydro costs that may be run by tenants who leave town without paying; He said it should be up to the PUC to hold deposits from tenants and not landlords as the latter were only able'to charge the first and last month's rent when they rent accommodation. The total amount to be written off from a dozen non - collectable sewer surcharge bills was about *95 for the past year. Parkedcars hit by thieves Three accidents, two thefts and one impaired driving incident were investigated by Exeter pope this week. On Thursday, a vehicle driven by Helen Bieman, 105 Riverside Drive, went out of control on Edward St., and struck a pole. Damage was set at 5400 by Constable. Kevin Short. The other two collisions were on Friday, the first involving vehicles operated by Cornelia Penninga, 95 Huron, and Jane Bowerman, Huron Park. They collided on Main near Gidley and damage was listed at $450 by Constable Dan Kierstead. The other collision also occurred on Main near Gidley and involved vehicles driven by Randy Lovie, RR 2 Zurich, and Norman Walper, 61 Sanders E. Damage was estimated at *800 by Con- stable Short. The two thefts were • reported on Saturday. A collector's plate was stolen from the car of Mrs. Pat Cottrell parked behind the Junction, while Bob Swart - man had two bags of groceries taken from his vehicle parked behind his store. Constable Brad Sadler is investigating both thefts. Constable Jim Barnes arrested a male driver Sunday and charged him with impaired driving. The driver will appear in court on January 26. was a popular past -time Sunday afternoon and Chester Dunn was in action in front of is Carling street home.. T -A photo certain no work is started without funds being available to pay for it. Shaw's compromise solution was approved by a 5- 2 vote with Councillors 8111 Mickle and Dorothy Chap- man in opposition, both expressing concern that the taxpayers were being asked to pick up the deficit when it had been originally intended that the project would be completed solely through contributions from the private sector. In making his suggestion, Shaw said the park project was something to be proud of and added the committee should be encouraged • tb complete it on a pay-as-you- go basis. He agreed they would have to be told that they "don't spend a nickel until you have that nickel." Councillor Lossy Fuller noted that Cameron had said in his letter that the group "has exhausted its fund raising energies" and Shaw replied that if they can't raise any more money, nothing will be done on the project. et Mrs. Chappell wpt;idered if council ` t were setting a ' ' t by agreeing td pkNt = . the current deficit and fid the fact the canvass ltd not been succesefuPy col t;pleted may indicate where the public stands n the project. The suggest on to flame a council member/to sit on the committee wits made by Shaw when gtembers ex- pressed some Aoncern that there wits no antee that work ttt►ttuld *tasted on phase three e funds had been raised,: No mem' - vghmteered for the job and Shaw then said he and Mickle would sit down to draw up the guidelines for -the committee and would Mao recommend someone to act as liaison between council and the grounds development group. At the end of the discussion, Mickle said another local group had made representation to the rec board to *tirt a canvass to install lig at the hard- ball diamond'td he said he feared this would hamper U eCr, aR,n• 4' -Y -•*•x.111.• • N •-'.. 7 • • $22,769 deficit the fund-raising efforts of both groups. "Things clash," he commented. Turnover building At the commencement of Monday's session, members of the South Huron rec cent;e board of management were on hand to have Shaw turn over to.them the keys for the new agricultural building. However, before that happened, Mickle (who is a member of council as well as the rec board) wanted to make certain' that the facility was completed and ready for operation. He said board members were concerned that in accepting the building they may be taking on added capital expenses to com- plete. Building inspector Brian Johnston reported that the building was completed and all inspection reports had been filed with the clerk. Mickle then wondered if council had considered the extra costs the board would incur through operating the Ames Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Ninth Year facility, such as insurance a other operating costs. taw said that it would be up to Mickle through his eloquence to convince council to up their ante to the board for operating costs, adding that council had always been very supportive of the rec board "and will treat you well at budget time." Shaw then handed over the key to chairman John Pym, and quickly mused "now you have responsibility for the maintenance and operation." The Mayor said he was certain the rec board would promote the new building to • its maximum use. In another related matter, Councillor Gaylan Josephson expressed concern that the old fair buildings were a hazard to children and something should be done quickly to rectify the situation. The buildings have been sold and the metal has been stripped off one, but none has been totally removed from the site as yet. Clerk Liz Bell said she would check the situation with Dalton Finkbeirrer to see if some action could be taken to have the structures removed. GET BUILDING — The South Huron rec centre board of management received the keys for the new agricultural building, Monday, in a brief ceremony staged in the council chambers. Mayor Bruce Shaw gave the keys to board chair- man. John Pym and said he knew the group would prostate the facility to its maximum use. & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, JANUARY 20, 1982 Price Per Copy 40 cents FOU D A FRIEND -- When grade eight students from Usborne Central School visited the Don Dearing form Fridoy, Julie Lamport found the family dog in o friendly mood.T-A photo Plans underway for Heritage Days A weekend of celebrating and recognizing the many cultures which have blended' together making Exeter a tremendous place to live in is tentatively scheduled for July 16, 17 and 18. Mike Williamson, newly elected chairman of the Exetgr Heritage Days committee told the T -A the idea is to create an event which will bring recognition to Exeter along the lines of the Zurich Bean Festival. the Elmira Sugar Festival, 'the 'Clinton Klompenfest, etc. About 20 representatives of a variety of community organizations voiced their support for the event at a meeting in the Scout Hall Wednesday evening. Because of the enthusiasm shown by those in - at- tendance. the committee will proceed with making a list of possible activities and should be in a position to announce the complete program within a few weeks. Because so many organizations are involved, with more expected to get behind the activities as additional help is, needed, the Heritage Days concept could possibly become the major event of the year Williamson stated. "The main objective is to have family oriented fun activities with all ' of the profits going toward a community project to be determined by the com- mittee," he added. Some of the activities . being checked out that could find their way on to the program are: • A wine and cheese party at the Rec Centre Friday night to welcome visitors and kick off the event. - An old fashioned barn dance and square -dance competition to be held at the Agricultural building at the Fair Grounds. - A gigantic flea market with a wide selection o goods and crafts available. - An old-fashioned box lunch social MAR held on the Sunday at Riverview Park. - An- English -style pub at the Olde Town Hall with a British piano player, darts, genuine British beverages, etc. • - • iry and Lois Armstrong are inviting campers from up to 75 clubs to participate in Heritage Days. Several suppers, each with a specific Heritage Please turn to page 3 Want rules' for program Exeter's industrial and tourism . promotion com- mittee are m favor of the es- tablishnient of a Bed and Board program for the com- munity but want some guidelines set down before the program is undertaken. Reporting for the com- mittee. Monday. Councillor Bill Mickle said the com- mittee wanted to meet with the town's executive com- mittee to ,discuss the guidelines He indicated the guidelines would include parking. adequate insurance by homeowners who offer their homes for the program. and assurance that the town would not be held liable for any damages aris- ing out of the program. It was also reported that 120 of the newtownbrochures have been mailed. The committee plans to have the brochures translated into German'•and to take nut advertisements in a German industrial parser to extol the merits of the community to foreign in- vestors Value of building lowest since local records kept The value of building permits issued in Exeter last year declined to the lowest level since comprehensive records were established in 1974. In his annual report to council this week, building inspector Brian Johnston reported that the value of permits issued in 1981 was *803,049. In 1980 the total was 51,100,515. Coupled with the in- flationary factor, that's far below the previous low of *1,879,816 in 1975, the second year for which local records are available. The highest figures recorded in the community were in 1978 and 1976, when the totals were *3,858,545 and *3.800,849 respectively. It was probably back in the '60s when the total previously fell below *1 million. Last year, there were only two new houses built at a .total value of $105,000. The previous year there were only seven new homes, both years being well below the average since 1974. The community's biggest number of housing starts -was in 1976 when there were 41 houses erected. The average between 1974 and 1978, excluding 1976, was about 23 houses annually. During the '.7tks there were also a large -number of apartment .and town house units constructed and there were none in 1980 or 1981. It is not known how far back in the town's history one would have to go to find a year in which housing starts were as low as 1981. Residential renovations and additions in 1981 reached *268,451, compared to 5337,241 the previous year and commercial renovations declined from ;97,250 to, 82;745. Other totals for last year (with 1980 figures in brackets) are as follows: government and institutional buildings and renovations ;130,408 (;22,5,224), garages and tool • sheds *24,595 ($23,150), industrial buildings and renovations *178.450 47.500), swimming pools $11.400 ($41,400x. There were nine demolition permits issued both years. Boost mileage rate Huron County Board of Education has increased its mileage rates and added an escalator clause. Rates increased from 25.7 cents per mile and 16 cents per kilometre to 29 cents per mile and 18 cents per kilometre. The escalator clause allows for an increase every time the price of gasoline in- creases. Mileage is paid to board employees. including ad- ministration and teachers while on board business. A HANDFUL Donald Dearing hands over o couple of baby lambs•to Koren N. Tim my Howe or1,f Christine Coates during a Friday afternoon visit by Usborne Cent•r c4er. to the Dearing form in Stephen township. 1 A ri'r'r Averted major destruction Librarian commended Local library Elizabeth Schroeder will receive a letter of appreciation from council for her concern for the library during last week's storm. On the evening of January 8. Mrs. Schroeder braved the Local blizzard to inspect the facility and found that the furnace had failed and pipes had frozen Her concern "averted major destruction- at the library commented the town's executive committee in recommending the latter of appreciation for the' librarian. The conrinittee further recommended that the. public works employee who is on call during the weekends land particularly,. during power failures and storms* check all municipal buildings once in the mor- ning and again in the evening to ensure that every building is in order. The recommendation was approved by. council. Mon- day. • Also approved was a recommendation that all teen employetc' ,salaries wages be frozen nn- mediately until iiebniplovee pertt'rrnanee review has heen undertaken That is ex- pected to he completed in mid-March Town employees received a 10 percent pay hike cin January 1 as set out in the two-year pact signed last year Several 'staff members have heen elevated in their respective grids and the move has heen the source of periodic heated debates at council The decline in swimming pools probably also reflects the difficult economic times that affected other local construction. There were four pools built in 1981, to equal the lowest total since 1972. The highest year was 1975 when • 12 pools were added to the total, while the average for the other years in the past decade was eight. Johnston reported there are 84 pools presently in existence in Exeter. The only area in which the community grew -in 1981 was in the number of signs. There were permits approved for 28 permanent signs. com- pared to 23 in 1980. There were 32 temporary sign permits in 1981 and only 10 the previous year. Johnston also reported that there were five com- plaints received last year under the controversial property and maintenance standards bylaw. Four of those resulted in satisfactory completion and one is still in progress. - In 1980. bnly three com- plaints.were received under the bylaw which council had to pass to get provincial funding for the BIA's .downtown ' restoration project Action to remedy an in- fraction under the bylaw is ctnnnienced when a signed c�ritten coinpla\int requesting an investigation has iven received by the Developer must wait Local subdivider Jack Taylor has been advised by the ministry of municipal af- fairs .and housing that no new local subdivisions will he approved until a decision has bees made to expand the . local.' sewage .treatment plant A copv of a letter from the ministry was received by council this week and notes that. there is insufficient sewage treatment capacity at the Exeter sewage treat- , meth plain for development Taylor was asking for a re\it'w of his, subdivision application for Stoney Ridge lxrve'lopnicnts inc It is expected council will make a decision on the proposed Si i million sewage treatment expansion this year when details regarding provincial aissistance for the prince! are available. ' An enYirtintuental assess- ment hearing was held regarding the project last week and there were no ma- im ohtee'tions to it. although at couple of neighbouring property owners in Stephen cited problems with some seepage from the present cells at the lagoon property west of Canadian Canners.