HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-06-27, Page 1z
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Wednesday, June 27, 1984
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• Clinton taxes increase ser cent
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By Shelley McPhee
CLINTON - Council approved a $2,018,809
budget at their regular meeting on June 21.
The 1984 budget marks a small increase
from the 1983 figure. This year's budget is
up just over $2,500 from last year. The
overall tax increase this year is 9.5 per cent.
In dollars and cents, a public school
residential supporter with an assessment of
$3,000 will see taxes go up by $83 this year.
With a mill rate of 319.407 the taxpayer will
pay $958.22 this year, compared to a mill
rate of 291.695 in 1983 and a tax bill of $875.08.
The same commercial supporter will pay
$1,127.31 in taxes this year, compared to
$1,029.51 in 1983. The mill rates are 375.771.
Last year they were 343.170.
The separate school residential supporter
with a $3,000 assessment will see taxes go up
by $83.77, from $874.25 last year to 058.02 in
1984. The mill rate is set at 319.342,
compared to 291.418 last year.
The separate commercial ratepayer, with
an assessment of $3,000 will pay $1,127.07 in
taxes this year. Last year the same
ratepayer paid $1,028.54. The mill rate has
risen from 342.847 to 375.693.
Clerk Cam Proctor noted, "It (the budget)
could have gone up more but cuts had to be
made."
The 1984 budget shows that the Clinton
taxpayer is continuing to finance several
major projects, including the town hall -
library renovation work and sewage
Prevention is the key
Huron health officer says
By Stephanie Levesque
An increased emphasis on prevention and
health promotion has the Huron County
Medical Officer of Health believing the
county health unit "can and will make a
significant impact on the 20th century
lifestyle diseases". '
MOH Dr. Harry Cieslar made these com-
ments in his annual report for 1983
presented at the June session of Huron
Coimty Council.
"The Huron County Health Unit continues
to affect the daily lives of the 56,000 people M
Huron County," said Dr. Cieslar.
Hensall Reeve Harry Klungel
that there is a lot of "overlappin
services by various agencies in
and he wanted to know who is re
ed in the health unit.
"The health unit is involved M y Oar
life," said the MOH noting that redispianitiud
are checked out by the health unit's in-
spectors and public health nurses are in the
School system.
"You can't go, anywhere where we haven't
been first," said Dr. Chrlar.
In outlining the health unit activities for
1983, the medical officer of health noted that
the compulsory Immunization Act resulted
in the nursing staff seeing that all school
children are immunized or had either a doc-
tor's certificate or a religious exemption. •
"It is hoped with' the completion of the
compulsory immunization program,
measles, in particular will be a thing of the
past," stated the MOH.
However, school immunizations are not
the only activities of the health unit. .
"Mental health needs in our community
were studied with the formation of the
Huron -Perth Mental Health Task Force on
which I sat throughout most of 1983. With the
reduction of psychiatric hospital beds over
the last three decades. the number of disabl-
ed in the community has greatly increased
without a corresponding increase in com-
munity facilities and services. Mental il-
lness and alcoholism are major causesof
• disability in -our society. Emphasis will be
placed upon increasing services in our coun-
ty to meet these needs," said Dr. Cieslar.
Back to health promotion, the MOH said it
is a "positive sign" that both the education
and promotion aspect of health are becom-
ing of great interest to society. -
"We are very pleased with the efforts of
our health educator and the Ministry
(Health) funding in this most important
area. Nevertheless, this is only a pitifully'
small amount to combat Major lifestyle
disease epidemics that confront our society
today," Dr. Cieslar said.
Two new programs in 1983 were the
chronic home care program funded 100 per
cent by the ministry and a triministry pro-
ject to determine the needs of developmen-
tally handicapped adults in homes for "0
Special care and nursing homes in both
treatment plant upgrading. ,
The library budget for 1984 was set at
$66,000, up over $36,000 from the $29,953
spent last year.
Clerk Proctor cited a number of reasons
for the increase including, caretaker's
salary, leasing for temporary library
quarters, a $2,000 utility bill and a $1,000 gas
heat bill, $500 for insurance, $9,,629 for extra
shelving, $4,000 for drapes and $20,560 for
restoration and carpeting.
More than $20,000 of the restoration costs
will be recovered by the County of Huron
library system over the next four years, as
well as $3,000 for the shelving costs.
Mayor Chester Archibald added, "In
future years library costs should be lower
than they have in the past, once these non-
recurring costs are paid."
Also on the expenditure side of the budget
is $24,639, set aside for interim financing..
Only $5,000 was budgeted for this last year
and no monies were actually spent.
Mayor Archibald explained that most of
the interim financing will be put towards the
town hall restoration costs. He added,
"Early next year we will probably
debenture to avoid interim financing on next
year's budget."
Town administration costs were also up
substantially this year from $137,800 in 1983
to a budgeted $172,900 this year. The clerk
explained, that again, the $35,000 increase
was budgeted for a number of reasons.
This year's financing includes the salary
of a new bylaw enforcement officer, as well
•as the re al lease on municipal offices. New
face ture for the town hall will cost
additional furniture for the
bers will cost $7,000. A budget,
hall steering° committee has
$3,100. A contribution to the
the
en s
iiron C" nty Atlas has cost $400 and
Huron and Perth Counties. The information. nrchases or the School On Wheels Golden
from the latter projeCt hanbeen dirned,over ifigiaikediiriony ha&been financed at $500.
to local developmentally handicapped Environmental services costa, are up over
associations. 7 $49,000 this year. A engineering report on
the sanitary sewage system, currently being
Statistics presented by the MOH show that compiled by B.M. Ross and Associates of
the largest reported communicable disease
last year in Huron was influenza. There Goderich, has been priced at $20,000. This
study includes the costs of recent smoke
were 2,128 reported cases.
Chickenpox was the second largest testing in the sewage system.
Another $25,000 was spent on upgrading
reported communicable disease in the coun- work at the Clinton disposal plant. Earlier
ty last year. There were 88 reported cases. this year changes were made to the liquid
There were 35 cases each of Salmonellosis alum system being used at the plant, as
and Giardiasis last year and in response to a required by regulations set out by the
question from a county councillor few of the ministries of environment and labor.
names tagged to the diseases have a lay Parks and recreation costs are up this
term. •. • year by $23,693. Councillor Jim Hunter
• There were 13 cases of measles and 12 explained that the increase, from $103,852 to
each of venereal disease and cam- $127,545, is necessary because the
pylobacter. ' • recreation committee is providing- new
From here the numbers drop drastically programs and new facilities this year. As
for the communicable diseases. . well the recreation committee has a new
Other statistics show that as of Dec. 31 of fulltime employee on 'staff - the recreation
last year, there were 193 clients of the fami- • director.
ly planning clinics in the county. 7. Not all expenditures were higher than last
There were also 294 rabies investigations year. In sone areas cutbacks were made.
last year compared to 228 the year before. • The Clinton Public Hospital, for instance,
However, the number of positive rabies requested a $10,000 grant this year to help
cases numbered 70 last year compared to 38 offset . equipment costs, but the final
allocation remained at. $5,000, the amount
given in past years.
The police budget, at $251,546 was higher
than -the $24176 spent last year, but Mayor
Archibald dated that the 1984 police budget
proposal,stabad to be cut.
The orlgipal police budget included the
purchase price of a new cruiser, but council
has suggested that the car be ordered later
this fall, andfinanced on the 1985 budget.
Mayor Archibald noted that the present
cruiser is tiie years old and repair bills on
the car haye amounted to over $900 this
year. He hopes, "the present car will last
without further big expenses."
The street lighting budget is up by $10,000,
to $38,750 from the $28,050 spent last year.
While $35,000 was budgeted for street
lighting costs in 1983, this cost was not met
because no new lights were installed. '
Fire protection financing is down by $2,000
this year. Lant year $32,710 was paid for fire
protection and in 1984 the town is budgeting
$30,000 forthe service. Clerk • Proctor
explained tbat the budget is lower because .
the Fire AretiBoaid has a $10,000 surplus. '
The town' i street reconstruction budget
was reducecrby more than $25,000 this year.
• In 1983 Clinton, budgeted $115,000 for road
work and $131,021 was actually spent. This
year $105,641 has been set aside for street
construction and repairs and Clerk Proctor
noted, "it's not quite as ambitious as last
year." •
• The Public Works budget was also cut and
the department's request for two new trucks
will not be met this year. Both trucks are
over 10 years old and council has discussed
their replacement at budget time for the
past two years.
Reeve Ernie Brown said he wanted to see
a reserve fund set up to work, towards
rchaning ' the trucks and Councillor
f
-,7, • tinter 4aid he wantad420,000 budgeted.for-
+ e trueld this year, rather than paying for
both trucks next year, which could cost over
$45,000.
Mayor Archibald said he'll be looking for
expenditure decreases in the library and
town hall, street lighting, police costs,
disposal plant and, sanitary sewage study M
1985.
• "If all these things happen," he said,
"then we could buy the trucks."
The revenue side .of the 1984 budget
showed the biggest increase in the revision
. of provincial grants and subsidies. This will
bring in an additional $25,000 in 1984. The
system, previously based on a per. capita
rating, has changed to per household and
Clinton, like several local rnunicipalities,
have benefited.
While other municipalities were faced
with a lower road rebate from the County of
Huron, Clinton's was up by S3;:100th's year.
A noted increase also came under the
miscellaneous revenue category for fines.
Last year fines only brought in $600, but in
1984, with the services of a bylaw
enforcement fficer this will increase to an
the year before. , 2 estimated $3,300.i
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The colorful pageantry and music of the Wikwemikong.'D;UmCommittee contributed to
the festive mood at a special birthday party in Blyth on June 22 when the Blyth Festival
kicked off its 10th season. Native dancers and singers from Manitoulin Island performed
for theatre erowds before the performance. (Shelley McPhee photo)
Maureen Forrester, Canada's premier opera star and Chairman of the Canada Council
was a special guest at the opening of the Blyth Festival's 10th season on June 22. Miss
Forrester opened the Art Gallery, was the guest speaker at the 10th anniversary dinner
and led the full house theatre audience in singing 0 Canada. The internationally
recognized conralto last visited Blyth in 1981 when she performed on stage. (Shelley
McPhee photo )
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Hordes of children dove into summer at the Clinton Pool last Friday to officially open the
pool for another season. For a detailed story on the pools see the sports pages (Rod Hilts
photo)
Hullett budget held
to 6.3 per cent increase
By Rod Hilts
HULLETT TWP. - Council here was able
to avoid an increase ' in the township tax
rate; however, residents will still be faced
with a 6.3 per cent increase in their taxes.
According 'to Hullett Clerk Harry Lear,
the council could do little about decreasing
the budget since the County of Huron tax
rate raised 22.6 per cent over last year's
figure. The county rate increased from 32.90
mills to 40,32 mills for residential and farni,
mainly becanseof an increased county road
budget Of.$30000 • • -
The general talt. rate in Hullett Township
actually decreased marginally from 56.68 to
56.62 mills. Clerk Lear explained that the
tax rate is down because the township has
fewer capital expenses coming up this year.
He added that the only major capital
expense coming up is with Blyth on the
landfill site.
In the 1983 budget, Hullett Township
Council had the building cost share of the
Seaforth and District Fire Hall as a major
expenditure, which raised last year's
general tax rate.
An average public school residential
taxpayer with an assessment of $5,000 will
face a 5.6 per cent increase in their taxes
this year. Taxes will rise 'from $98Q.60 to
$1,042.30.
•The same commercial supporter will pay
$1,226.20 up 6.3 per cent over last year's
figure of $1,153;65, an increase of $72.55 over
1983.
The separate school supporter will see
their mill tate increase from 61.02 mills to
65.02 mills. With a $5,000 assessment, this
means a dollar figure of $1,059.30, up 6,6 per
cent from last year's figure of $994.
But not for long
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The separate commercial taxpayer will,
see taxes rise by $76.80. This year, their
portion amounts to $1,246.20; as compared
to $1,169.40 last year. , • .•
In Auburn, taxpayers will face a 6.4- per - ; • •
cent tax increase. The mill rate went from ' •
233.99 to,248.91. On a $5,000 assessment, this
means the taxpayer will pay $1,244.55, over
$1,169.95 in 1983. ,
"Education and county portions increased
Auburn's tax rate. It's all to do with county
and education," Clerkitear said. •
-41,egidentli4smmotAkithAtAgRour*
rose $43;i65 over last year. Clerk -Lear- •
explained that this was because of the
construction of new houses, barns and
'Sheds.
Business and commercial assessment
increased $21,155 over 1983. Clerk Lear said .
some businesses in the township have
upgraded their facilities.
The 1984 budget approved by Hullett
Township Council revealed that revenue is
projected to be down $20,686. The 1984 total
revenue figure is $542,990, down from last
year's $563,676.
One of the major budgeted revenue
declines is in the area of Province of Ontario
Grants. The Ministry of Transportation and
Communications subsidy grant for
roadways is projected to decrease $6,100.
Last year's figure was $186,300 and the 1984
figure was budgeted as $180,200.
The per capita grant is now formulated
through a per household grant structure,
which means Hullett Township will lose an •
estimated $3,020. This year's budgeted
figure on the per household grant is $17,880,
Turn -to page 2.
Clinton Hospital in the red
By Shelley McPhee
The 1983 warning; given by the Clinton
Public Hospital (CPH) board of governors
has held true in 1984.
Last year the hospital finished the fiscal
year with a small surplus, however in 1984
the hospital is in a deficit position,
amounting to $18,653.
While 1984 revenues 'at the hospital
amounted to $3,231,802 the expenditure side
of the books were slightly higher at
$3,250,455, resulting in the deficit.
Board chairman Leen Rehorst explained
that the deficit resulted from the 1983
construction of the out-patient and
emergency wing, "The activity of the
hospital increased tremendously in the out-
patient departments, resulting in us having
to increase our staff and expenses, which we
were not reimbursed for by the Ministry of
Health. This meant we had to find the funds
locally resulting in a deficit for our ,
operations of over $18,000. This we feel can
be rectified during the upcoming year."
Patient care expenditures were up by
$340,759 this year. In that categorx„ nursing
salaries increased $76,827 from $12.22,179 in
1983 to $1,299,006 this year. General service
costs increased by $135,332 in 1984 while
technical salaries went from $307,568 to
$423,461 this year, for an increase of
$115,893. Costs for drugs, medical and
surgical supplies increased from $286,212 to
$298,919, for a jump of $12,7087.
The expenditure side of the budget did
have one break this year In administration
costs. With the completion of the hospital
adminlstraion expenses decreased by
just over $67000 this year, from $289,509 in
1983 to $222,478 this year.
CPH administrator Dan Steyn's report
compared statistics from recent years and
he pointed out, "our new emergency wing is
really being utilized and appreciated."
Over 1983-84 the hospital save 25,620
emergency and out-patients, compared to
only 17,925 in 1 2-83. Day care visits
increased from 617 to 732.
CPH continued to operate with 47 beds and
admissions in 1983-84 amounted to 1358,
compared to 1375 the previous year. The
number of operations at the hospital
increased from 484 to 504.
One hundred and two babies were born at
CPH in 1983-84, down only two from the year
before.
While the average length of stay for active
patients remained at just over six days, the
figure tor chronic care jumped from 151.1 to
210.6 days.
One hundred and two babies were born at
CPH in 1983-84, down only two from the year
before.
While the average length of stay for active
patients remained at just over six days; the
figure for chronic care jumped from 151.1 to
210.6 days.
Future plans
Continuing yearly increases in the birth
and chronic care statistics at CPH have led
the board of directors to propose future
renovation and expansion of the obstetrics
and chronic care wards.
Chairman Rehorst said, "We are in the
process of negotiating with the Ministry of
Health in trying to obtain approval for
improving our obstetrical service and the
same time improve the conditions for our
chronic care patients. We feel that
sometime in the very near future we will
have to start another fund raising drive to
accomplish the need for the obstetrics and
chronic patients."
He also commented on the proposed
medical centre and said that the board
wants to make it a reality by 1985. He
stressed that the centre, "will be an asset to
Clinton and surrounding area. The proposed
facility will be self-sufficient and not rely on
public funds."
The chairman pointed out that public
financial support was also needed to help
purchase equipment. Local municipalties,
Turn to page 2
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