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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-02-04, Page 1There was a record-setting pace of building activity in Goderich in 1986, indicate's year-end figures recently presented to Town Council by the Goderich Building Departrrient. The total value of the 230 building permits issued last year exceeds $6.35 million, which is "higher than anything we have on record," said. Building Inspec- tor Doug Harrison. The exact figure of $6,353,842 for total construction value in 1986 represents an increase of more than 20 per cent over the 1985' figure of $5,349,267. Despite the signifigant value increase, there were actually 16 fewer building permits issued this year; 230, compared to 246 building permits issued in 1985. Building activity in the past two years shows a substan- tial increase from the &end of the previous eight-year period. Not once, from 1976 to 1984, did total construction value reach the $4 million mark; in fact, it fell to $2,195,435 in 1984 — the lowest since 1977. The last year comparable to the past two was 1975, when $5,134,615 worth of con- struction took place in Goderich. The most signifigant increase occurred in the area of residential building, with 90 new dwelling units created in 1986, compared to 54 in 1985. "The big difference is the number of dwelling units," said Harrison, noting that the construction .of a $1.2 million apartment complex underway on Hincks.. Street helped, boost the 1986 figures. Permits for 32 new single residences', valued at nearly eric $2.4 million, were issued in 1986. The total value of the 33 permits issued the previous gear was slightly lower, at $2.3 million. However, both years indicate a signifigant rise from 1984, when only three new single residences were' built, at a total construction value of $242,000. The 12 -year high for., this category was acheived in 1975, when permits for 68 single residences were issued, at a value of $1.9 million, The low was in' 1980, when only one single residence was built at cost of $30,000. A ten-year high of eight permits were issued for apart- ment buildings at a total construction value of $1.411 million; compared to to four buildings at $269,000 the previous year. Turn to page 3 139 YEAR - 05 GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1987 60 CENTS PER COPY Library Board resolves issue The Huron County Library Board has reached ' a settlement with its chief librarian, accepting a proposal that called for his immediate resignation and salary ,payments extending to September 30 in lieu of notice. The board unanimously endorsed a mo- tion at a closed session following its Jan.. 27 • meeting that said although the library •board and council was, prepared to work properly and productively, „it was in its best interest to accept a proposal from Bill Partridge to resign forthwith and that salary would be provided by thecounty un- til Sept. 30. The board will also provide a letter of reference for Partridge. Partridge has effectively terminated his employment . with the county and final terms of the separation are before the lawyers.Partridge said'he will hand in a letter of resignation: "There are a few details left to be work- ed out between the lawyers," he said. "These things, hopefully, have some 'up'. I will miss .Goderich and some close friends." Library board .chairman J.B. 'Robinson said the severance was completed under. "amicable. circumstances" adding that it' was not in 'the board's or Partridge's best interest to have him 'work until, June 3b, a ,term that was previously discussed by the parties. "He hasn't actually resigned . but the matter is finalized as fares we're concern- ' ed," he explained. "We did not ask for a resignation. We.'ve been in the middle of this thing all along and it's been. difficult. I think the matter has been' htandled satisfactorily for all concerned." . County administrator, Bill Hanly, said Partridge's employment Was terminated as of Feb. 1. The county will pay Partridge a lump sum of $26,197 as per the terms of the separation agreement. The motion passed at the board meeting was endorsed by Robinson, G.D. D'Arcey, ' Dave Johnston, Warden Brian McBurney, Isabel Elston„ Janis Bisback and Martina • Schneiker: Huron County Council meets Thursday, Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. and the matter will be brought before the entire council. The library board will meet again Monday, Feb. 9 in the council chambers of the.coUfr- thouse at 10 a.m. Domtar miners working ain. Production at the Domtar Sifto Salt Mine is "almost back to normal, this week, following a shut down which halted mining 'activities for over two weeks for safety precautions recently. "We're nearly back to our normal winter production level," said Al Hamiltion, pro- duction supervisor at the mine. "There are people, laid off, but it has more to do with the ( seasonal decline in) • demand, than with the eariler problems," he added. Mine production was halted on Jan. 19, when monitoring equipment detected a possible gas buildup in one section of the mine. A methane gas deposit was found on Jan. 24, and underground workers in- itiated steps to "bleed off" the gas pocket. The problem is now completely cleared up, said Hamilton. The discovery of the methane pocket prompted the mine to take precautions because two earlier explosions at the mine were believed caused by ignition of methane gas. Miner Dan Bizer was seriously injured in • the first explosion, which occurred Nov. 13, 1986. esl ent can't park on street A South Street resident has lost in his bid for an exemption from the town's over- night parking ban. Goderich Town Council, at their Jan. 25 meeting, adopted the decision of the Traf- fic 'Committee to take no further action regarding the complaint of Clayton Mizen, of 144 South Street. Mr. Mizen, who's residence is divided into apartments, has insufficient parking for his own vehicle and those of his tenants. He contends that since the town makes exemptions to the by-law for the Bedford Hotel, further up on South Street, and on Elgin Street ) which has wider boulevards), he should also be allowed to use the street for overnight parking year-round. • The committee informed Mizen he should provide parking on his own proper- ty. Also that the overnight parking ban is only for a few months, not all year, and if he parks his vehicles on the boulevard or street he is liable to receive tickets for the violation. "I appreciate the time council and the Traffic Committee has spent on my ac- count, and like it or not, I will abide by your decision. However, it is somewhat hard when the law is not enforced equally in . our town, as was brought out at the meeting of Jan. 21. Maybe, it would be wiser to dispose of this law until you can work out the bugs," said Mizen iii a letter received by council at their Jan. 26 meeting. • In other business at the Jan. 21 meeting, the traffic committee reviewed the Bed- ford Hotel's exemption to the overnight parking ban, in view of the availability of the newly-aquired Livery parking lot. Bed- ford management indicated concern over adequate lighting and the condition of the surface - of the lot. The committee will reconsider the matter in the fall of 1987, after' studying the condition of the lot. Events added to Snowblitz The. Goderich Snowblitz Winter Weekend offers activity for the whole family. and many new events have been added to the day -long affair. - A Valentine Pancake Breakfast spon- sored by the Goderich Pasthfinders will kick off the day's : events in the arena auditorium. Breakfast of pancakes and - sausage will be served: from 7 ,a.m. to 11 a.m. The annual Snowpitch Tournament featuring 16 mixed teams begins at 9 a.m. and runs through to 5 p,m. Entries are.still being accepted. Contact Don Johnston at. 524-7758 or phone the recreation depart- . ment at 524-2125. The Maitland Country Club is holding a Curling Fun Day' which is open to all .curlers and teams of four people. The first draw.is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and the se- cond at 11:30 a.m.. The cost is $5 Per curler. • . •. The Goderich Kinette Club, is hosting this year's Trivial Pursuit ,Tournament in the community, room in the grandstand. The tournament; open to anyone over 15 years of age, begins at noon .and runs to 5 p.m: Teams of four players are required and the .. .cost is $10 per team. Contact Adele Dren- • nan at 524-6675 for.details. The North Huron' Big. Brothers Associa- ' tion is holding its annual Bowl For Millions and Saturday, Feb. 14 is Celebrity Day at Little Bowl. Sponsor sheets for the event Turn to page 2 INSIDE 1° Olt F GNAL-ST R Winter weather perfect for Goderich District Collegiate Institute students didn't let a little snow deter them from having a good time outdoors during last week's Winter Carnival. In fact, the weather was just right for the outside ,activities which capped off the carnival on Friday after- noon, Jan. 30. Top: the tug-of-wat was one of the most keenly con- tested events of the carnival, as the determined expressions of these students indicates. At left: the building of human pyramids was quickly followed in most cases by the crumbling of human pyramids. Right: a teacher -student road hockey game rounded out a busy week. (photos by Patrick,Raftis) MEMORMSSMIMIMOMIMIZI Meeting crucial to local recxeation complex issue The future of recreation in the town of Goderich and the possibility of pursuing the construction of a recreation Complex will be discussed in detail Tuesday, Feb. 10 at a special public .meeting at The Livery ,on South Street at 8:30 p.m. Months of preparatory work has,gone in- to the to aster plan for recreation" and the r.esulti t feasibility study dealing with a recreation'complex. Ro'n Bushell is chairman of the special committeeealing with the subject and he said Tuesday's meeting will be ti,)re final public meeting before recommendations are made to town council March 16. Both the roaster plan and the feasibility 4 study were researched and prepared by consultant John Stevenson of Stevenson and Associates of Toronto. He suggests that his recommendations, unveiled at the meting Tuesday, will provide a basis for provocative discussion. "It will certainly he interesting because we've taken an innovative approach to the matter of 'the aquatic complex," he ex- plained by telephone'f'uesdak. "This isnot your typical pool but it meet.' the needs of the community in an innovative way and it represents a facility that a lot of people could use and be proud of. "Theitey to a recreation complex is to challenge people to begin fund raising and to make, the project a community effort." The purpose of the meeting is{tp present the recommendations to the public and to discuss the location of future facilities and• examine ways of financing the types of facilities people want. "I will present a slide present tion of community centres in other zMtt unities and w€ ILta.lk about the costs of construc- tion and operating and maintenance costs," Stevenson said. "The"master plan covers the broad issues of recreation and helps set priorities. It has helped that the recreation department here is very active. "I will comment on potential sites for a complex in town and we have completed a " survey 01 similar sized communities with pools." Bushell said that if any citizens hae any second 'thoughts or opinions on the issues of recreation and facilities, they should present them at the public meeting. Flyers have been mailed to each household, noti- fying people df the meeting. l'n termcreiation, it is a crucial meeting. Recreation director ,lane Netzke hopes that as many people as possible take the time to attend the meeting and explore the possibilities ',available to the people of Goderich. " Bruins win tourney The Pike Lake ( Mt. Forest) Bruins Won the ninth annual Recreation League Hockey Tournament by defeating O'Briens' Porkers 2:1 in the championship game. For pictures and a story of' the weekend tournament," see the Sports section. Sailors defeated Tile Goderich Junior C Sailors lost their hockey games over the weekend to the Port Elgin Bears and the Walkerton Blackhawks. They will conclude their regular season here Friday With a game against the Hanover Barons at 8:30 p.m. For story, see the Sports section.