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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-05-15, Page 3TN TNF N ,WWS Tines -Advocate, May 15, 1996 Page 3 The Exeter, Grand Bend, Stephen, Usborne Amalgamation Committee has been meeting for several months and as the study process unfolds, it is inevitable questions will arise. In order to answer these questions in a public forum, the communication sub -committee will submit a regular response to a "question of the week." Will there be a public vote (plebiscite) on amalgamation? The Committee believes on going public input is essential during the amalgamation study process. A plebiscite is one form of public input that has been considered, however the committee feels there are other forms that will be much more helpful in making the final decision. The issues around amalgamation are quite complex as our Committee The teginning to understand, and unfortunately a closed yes or no type of question cannot fully convey these complexities. As well, it does not allow the public the important input they can make by attending the committee's meetings and saying, for example, yes I agree with amalgamation, but under the following conditions. We therefore encourage the public to attend our meetings and provide comments or ask questions about their concems. It is this kind of public participation that will be most beneficial to the Committee. Cancer donation The South Huron Dlstrlct Nljj School Student's Council presented Pat Chovancek and Fran Ritchie of the Exeter Branch qf the Cancer Society with a cheque for $1,000 last Wednes- day. The money was raised.;lough student support of a Casino Fun Night held April 25 at the school. Park plans focus on safety improvements By Brenda Burke T -A Reporter LUCAN - Elm Street Park may soon be renamed to include the word 'Optimist'. With an emphasis on safety, the service club has big plans for the park. Improvements include adding a new sign and entrance, resurfacing the hall diamond and upgrading its seating, replacing and painting playground equipment, making its boulevard safer, constructing a permanent washroom, building a bas- ketball court and installing hydro for its automatic pitching machine. "We don't want (the park) to, jyystsit, ,dere;" Op- timist President Brad Laird told council at its May 7 meeting, explaining the club wants to "spruce it up," especially for the vil- lage's 125 anniversary celebrations in June. "I think it's exciting," said Coun- cillor Gahlinger-Beaune, adding residents will be pleased to hear about the improvement plans. The Optimist's budget for the park is $4,000 this year. Laird told council the club will take most of the financial responsibility for the park's enhancement, adding, "We "We aw bud restra We pa P. t are all aware of budgetary re- straints." He indicated the open ditch is a safety hazard and asked council for its input. Gahlinger-Beaune agreed parents are concerned about the ditch. Possible solutions were discussed including installing a hedge, fence, grate or warning signs. Laird ad- vised council to check into the vil- lage's liability prospects if signs are to be considered. "The trouble is," said Councillor Reg Crawford regarding the ditch, "it's open throughout the vil- lage." Regarding other safety improvements, the re- q)feernpn4, , of. - .outdated play, rpund equipmeit may include toys that }•spring only forward and back- ward rather than in all di- rections. Long-term plans, explained Laird, would involve gradually replacing the existing playground equipment, which is at least 20 years old, at a cost of $25,000. The park's ball diamond, which tends to get muddy, will be re- surfaced this summer with small stones, in hopes it will provide safer landings. Other Optimist park enhancement are all are of getary ints... don't ric) to ust fit here." suggestions include upgrading the park's lighting, building an outdoor', rink for roller and ice skating and forming a crosswalk at the new en- trance. Also, the construction of angled parking including handicapped spots, pointed out Laird, would "eliminate hazardous parking" along the park's boulevard. As for landscaping, he said there are opportunities for groups such as the Lucan and Area Heritage Com- mittee to plant trees and dedicate them to past members. "You're going to have to put a big tree in there if it's going to sur- vive," he added, referring to in- cidents of vandalism in the park. The Optimists have recently re- placed electrical outlets . and. have . also; been infouned of ,f1r4R, Aittlin. the!portablowashroom. iiv,. ,‘;�t Reeve Rob Brady noted the park on Market Street has endured smashed lights, broken glass in its pavilion and about a dozen vandal- ized trees. London has a bylaw stating no one is allowed in parks past dusk, said Laird, suggesting Elm Street Park may do well with signs that enforce such a curfew. "Unless someone complains," re- plied Brady, "How can it be en- forced?" Stephen Council awards grass cutting tenders STEPHEN TOWNSHIP - The Official Plan amend- ment will be deferred until the committee and other agency comments are available. Council passed a motion at its May 7 meeting to meet with the Ministry of Environment & Energy, Hu- ron County, the Ontario Development Corporation and Bluewater Recycling Association in order to assist the preparation of an application from BRA to es- tablish a waste transfer station. A motion was also carried requesting the ODC con- tribute one third of the estimated $90,000 costs to re- place a 120 meter portion of deteriorated sewer main on Algonquin Drive. B.M. Ross & Associates will proceed with the necessary design and tendering to complete the work. Council accepted the drainage petition from Hank Brand affecting the Martin Drain 1963. Bill Dietrich of W.E. Kelley '& Associates has been appointed to study the problem. The 1996 arena budget was presented and approved. Contributions from taxation will amount to $50,000. The Dashwood Athletic Field and Crediton Parks Board grass cutting tenders were awarded to Doug Miners for 1996. Officer Bob Gilman, of the Exeter OPP, attended last Tuesday's meeting to advise council on the operation of the Huron Park Community Police Office. He in- dicated the office is being utilized an average of 20 hours per week. He also said OPP administration will be moved from Exeter to the Goderich office. The Exeter office will remain open and Staff Sergeant Brian Baldwin, from Goderich, will be responsible for the area including Stephen Township. Amalgamation study requested a- Continued from front page all four options," said Grand Bend Mayor Cam Ivey. Although the committee agreed to proceed with the request for pro- posals, at least one member was not satisfied with the justification for choosing the four options. These options are now possible under 13111 26 regulations however the ra- tional for each choice was not clear. ' erhaps we arrived at these four options too quickly," said Tri- ebner. "If you recall, they were just picked out of the air. Exeter's not prared to spend the money if thelre's not the political will to fol- low through." 'We're just wasting time asking soinebody to study it when it's not gong happen," added Stephen Dep- uty Reeve Tom Tomes. At this point a frustrated Ivey left the meeting and asked that Grand Bend Councillor Bob Mann take his place at the table. Ivey later re- joined talks. Thecommittee agreed this dis- cussion could continue at the same time proposals are being sought. "In order to determine the most cost savings, the committee needs to evaluate a single tier system," said McGrath. "To not have looked at it at all you may be opening yourself up for criticism," added Ministry Fa- cilitator Dan Hammond. According the Liz McGrath, a fa- cilitator from the Ministry of Mu- nicipal Affairs, the majority of the costs will be directed to the study of amalgamation. Another issue discussed at Thurs- day's meeting was determining the guiding principle behind creating a ward system. While Exeter be- lieves representation should reflect population, rural municipalities feel constituencies should be repre- The proposal that seven wards be established with two repre- sentatives at large, maintaining Us - borne Township's existing boun- daries as one ward, will be sent to Sub -Committee A for review. Us - borne Reeve Pat Down stressed Us - borne have representation in order to "sell" amalgamation to its rat- epayers. "I believe the first time around Ws important Usborne have a rep- resentative. 1 think that's a must," said Grand Bend Councillor Phil Maguire. The development of planning ar- eas was also identified as an issue that requires discussion and the es- tablishment of guiding principles. Although committee members agreed industrial development will take place where growth is logical and where services exist, the issue was again referred to Sub - Committee A. "There is a need to address these issues in broad and general terms, in accordance with the planning act," said McGrath. Usborne ,COuncil briefs •' Continued from front page In reply to a letter of concern re- garding the appearance of the for- mer township garage, council ad- vised the concerned party the old road shed property was sold in 1991, "with all ratepayers bene- fitting financially from the pro- ceeds of the sale." According to council minutes, the building does not appear to contravene the Prop- erty Standards Bylaw. A petition for drainage of lands in the watershed of the . Mayer Award Drain was accepted in order to replace the old drain. Bill Die- trich of W.E. Kelley & Associates will prepare a report. Amalgamation Amalgamation expenses to date amount to $904.60. For budget purposes, it is estimated councillor meeting fees and expenses will amount to $4,240 in total. Us- borne's share of other costs will in- clude 15 per cent of secretarial, fa- cilitator, consultant and office supply costs. Staff estimate these costs will total approximately $5,880. A final estimated total is $10,120. "WE HAVE IT ALL FOR GREAT CASUAL LIVING" • For outdoors • Pools • Garden Areas • Sunroonls A Tradition a Wr•ag'd bon • HAMMOCKS • ARTIFICIAL PLANTS, TREES & FLOWERS • SHADE HOUSES • ACCESSORIES c;RL.-I I PRICES ALL YEAR LONG 40 SETS ON DISPLAY WE ALSO MANUFACTURE UMBRELLAS, REPLACEMENT CUSHIONS, FURNITURE COVERS iiArt1'FAC77JRLRS • DIS 7IJBtfl"ORS G'" t D B D !twit W' 83 E. # (2 miles from the water L) zta U.==4', tali , 1. t• t.r.. ... ., I I to /1 P Nip34141 3s 30% Discount on DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS and _ ANNIVERSARY DIAMOND RINGS Over $2000.00 with Cash or Cheque 4111)1 TA id 10/106:. A41 25% Discount on DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS, ANNIVERSARY DIAMONDS and WEDDING RINGS with Craft Card or Layaway Plan from May 1 to May 31 •er,t1 N,f 111 Ark,- „,, 40, ` V u