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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-12-22, Page 28PAGE 6A—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1977 Leslie Cole of the Stratford School of Nursing, left, the instructor of the third class of the Homemakers course at Conestoga poses with three of the graduates of the course. Left to right are Muriel Workman of Clinton, Viola Riley of RR 4, Seaforth, and Virginia Floyd of Vanastra. (photo by Elaine Townshend) MVCA sets flood plain priorities Repairs to the Listowel conduit and replacement of the washed-out Gorrie dam are high on the list,of,projects to be undertaken next year by the Maitland Valley Con- servation Authority, authority members were told at a general meeting recently. " Both projects,are included in the authority's proposed budget for next year; it ex- pects to hear by the end of this month whether, funding has been approved and the budget should be finalized in early January. Listowel has now given approval in principle to the conduit repairs and, the authority.is awaiting only the funding and the approval of the minister of natural resources to move ahead. The project was allotted a grant of $150,000. this year but more than two thirds of that was withdrawn when it became 'obvious it would not proceed before next year. The new budget proposes $70,000 for detailed engineering of the conduit and $350,000 'for the construction of downstream improvements. Authority members were told Maitland Engineering, Wingham, has submitted a revised estimate of the cost of replacing the Gorrie .dam. It now appears it could be done for less than $50,000. The dam is "quite a sore subject in this area," Chairman Lorne Murray noted, and he promised to "get political" ifnecessary to get the project approved. "This is the third year it's been in our budget," he said, suggesting the authority has been "pushed around by a couple of civil servants". Mr. Murray dlso announced the authority's share of the project's cost will be levied over the entire watershed rather than designating Howick Township the special benefitting municipality and assessing it the cost, TWO ZONE CONCEPT Authority members L e their approval at the meeting to a plan that would allow controlled development in floodplain areas of qualifying municipalities. The plan hinges on the "two zone concept" of a floodway and a flood fringe. Those areas that would be affected by flooding during a very severe regional storm (one in 100 year storm) are considered to be in the floodway while areas beyond this that would be flooded only during a storm with the intensity of Hurricane Hazel make up the flood fringe. MVCA Resources Manager Ian Deslauriers, in explaining the proposal, said he feels there is justification for allowing development in both areas under some cir- cumstances. Development in the floodway will be discouraged, however, while flood fringe development will normally be approved subject to certain floodproofing conditions. He later noted what the authority approved at the meeting was the setting up of criteria: conditions to be met by a municipality for it to, MORE NEWS MORE FEATURES Keep informed with the News -Record quality as a special policy area. He listed the conditions as: 1) floodplain mapping to regional storm criteria; 2) assuming there is a sub- stantial amount of floodplain a remedial measures study must be done to show how it could be reduced through engineering works; 3) if a large amount of floodplain remains even after the remedial measures of the studyshows nothing economical can be done to reduce it' then the municipality qualifies 'for special policy designation. Presently, only Listowel and Harriston in this watershed meet all the conditions he said, but Lucknow is in the process of having a floodplain and remedial measures study done and a number of villages such as Gorrie and Wroxeter could also qualify. , The authority has received a letter from Harriston requesting the special policy designation and is expecting one from Listowel. It will refer the requests on to the ministry of natural resources where the final decision is made. Under the special policy designation a permit from the authority is required for development in the flood- plain; the permit ,can be refused if floodproofing conditions are not met, although a developer can appeal the refusal. '"In effect this gives the authority complete control over (floodplain) develop- ment in a municipality?" member Bill Crump of Lucknow asked. Mr. Murray confirmed that this it true. Prior .to this no control whatsoever existed over development in floodplain areas, Mr. Deslauriers said later. He said the authority acts as a consumer. advocate in making sure the necessary floodproofing conditions are met before the go-ahead. Hay Council okay Phone debentures In a meeting that was delayed one day due to the storm, Hay township council authorized the issuance of debentures in amount of $200,000 for improvements on the Hay Municipal Telephone system, An underground conduit system is to be constructed in Grand Bend so as to allow for the placement of new feeder cables when the village and outlying areas expand. Council accepted a petition from the residents around the Datars-Merner drain on rnnC('«ionc 1'r and 13 that requested that the upper portion of the drain be cleared out. Prior to the commencement of work an engineers report will be conducted along with notification being sent to the Ausable-Bayfield Con: servation Authority. In other council riews, an application for a tile drainage loan from Grace Merner for $12,000 was approved. Authorization for the repair of the lower end of the Forrest -Thompson drain was passed. A motion from the township Of Sandwich "', alterations in the Highway Traffic Act to allow the owner of a motor vehicle to be charged when violating school bus safety procedures was approved. Hay concurred with a resolution from the Zurich and Area Fire Board that specified a fee of $1000 should be paid by Hay and Stanley to the ' vOlage of Zurich as compensation for the housing of the tank truck. Taxes in the amount of $2010 were written off: Joe Miller - $50, Ray Hartman - $180, Harry Hayter - $1170 and Walter Vermunt - $610 Fire Chief urges Christmas fire safety A happy Christmas can change in a few moments into a ' family tragedy, warns Clinton Fire Chief Clarence Neilans, in homes where fire safety precautions are neglected. Such precautions should head the list of every sensible family's preparations for Christmas, he says. The Fire Chief urges the public to exercise special care in the setting up and decoration of Christmas trees, and draws attention to the following important points: If plans call for a natural tree it should he bought fresh and green, and kept outdoors or in an unheated garage before being brought into the home for decorating, "Then, one or two inches should be cut diagonally from the butt, and the tree should be set up with the butt in water which should be maintained above the level of the cut. Best Interest *91/4% We represent many Trust Companies. We are often able to arrange for the highest interest being offered on Guaran- teed Investment Certificates. * Subject to change 1 Gaiser-Knleale Insurance Agency Inc. Formerly K.W. COLQUHOUN INSURANCE 14 Isaac St., Clinton, Ont. Phone 482-9747 n 0011 .......... . ly May your Christmas be filled with the serenity and quiet contentment that - is born in the may Spirit. And all your p v days be graced with health, happiness, peace 7-40) and our deep gratitude. Joe and Tina Van Dyke - Joanne Poelman Hans and Joanne JERVIS ALUMINUM Owned and operated by Joe Van Dyke WINDOW -DOOMS -AWNINGS -RAILING -SIDING -EAVES TROUGHING -GRILLS -ORNAMENTALS SALES -SERVICE -INSTALLATION -REPAIRS -GLASS CUTTING P 14 Albert St.Clinton Caul Joe Von Dyke 482-9390 Check strings of electric lights carefully for worn insulation, broken plugs or loose bulb sockets. Only CSA - approved lighting sets and only non-flammable decorations should be used. Declare the tree a no - smoking area and keep matches out of the hands of children. Do not allow discarded gift wrappings to accumulate under the tree. Dispose of them as soon as the gifts are opened. Even a green tree will burn if ignited by burning paper around the base. Set up the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, TV sets or radiators. Do not allow it to block access to doors or windows in the event of fire. Switch off tree -lights at bedtime or when leaving the house. Fire Chief Neilans points out that tests have proved that the safest tree is a tree with its butt set in water. However, if a tree has dried out before it is set up, it cannot regain its safe moisture level. A dry tree can be- ignited by a single match, to burn violently to a charred state in a few seconds. .Even artificial trees can he serious fire hazards. Metallic trees are conductors of electricity, and should not be decorated with strings of lights, but illuminated with floodlights. Some plastic trees, made from styrene materials, are flammable, unlike those made from polyvinylchloride. All trees should be removed from the home as soon as possible after the Christmas celebrations. Christmas tree tips When purchasing a Christmas tree, there are a few points to keep in mind, says Burke McNeill, Ontario ministry of agriculture and fr od horticulturist, `l1✓Ir•. McNeill suggests that the Scotch Pine is ideal, should you p,la'rl to keep a tree in your home for a long period of time. "The needle drop ' is minimal and it can be kept safely for about three weeks." Spruce and fir are also traditional Christmas trees, but should be used only for short periods of time. "They tend to dry out more quickly and the needle drop is heavy." To help reduce the fire hazard of having a Christmas tree indoors, Mr. McNeill suggests setting the base of the tree in water with a bit of sugar to help .keep the tree .from drying out. He advises people who are cutting their own trees this season to let the tree warm up indoors for about one-half hour before . beginning to decorate it. BALL-MACAU LAY BUILDING CENTRE _ _ BALL - MA.CAULAY LIMITED Clinton Seaforth 482-3405 527-0910 Hensall 262-2418 ‘4, The beauty of Nature and the glory of the Yuletide bring a fulfilling sense of wonder, peace and hope to all. ft is our pleasure, as we share the majesty of the season, to extend every good wish for your, happiness. From the Management and staff of: HAUGH TIRE SUPPLY 267 Victoria St. tl • • • • • •