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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1978-01-19, Page 1FIRST WITH LOCAL NEWS THURSDAY JANUARY 19, 1978, Building inspector ups fees, village raises rates In theinauguralmeeting of the year, Zurich council plowed through reams of material with few significant actions carried out, Prior to the start of the business, Reeve Fred Haberer gave a somewhat altered version of the head of council'sforecastfor the new' year. In his remarks to council Reeve Haberer said, "but with senior levels of government's controls and red tape and until our committee have had a chance to meet and assess requirements and set priorities, I feel it would be impossible to make any kind of forecast at this time. The reeve assured council that no changes in the committee system would be made. "I realize that a three member -committee system controls decisions," he stated, "but with enough information forthcoming and proper debate, I'in sure that satisfaction will be reached in an amicable fashion." Considerable discussion took place when councillor Isidore Laporte gave the streets, sidewalks, and drains committee report. After Laporte had stated that the snow from the sidewalks and roads had been removed promptly following last week's storm, Ray McKinnon asked if any thought had been given to action being taken against homeowners who put snow on public streets. After it had been men- tioned that the work's superintendent was cleaning out the entrances to the driveways, Councillor Claude Gelinas stated "the town should not be responsible for the cleaning of driveways after the plow had gone by." Council then passed a motion calling for the placement of an ad in the local newspaper informing residents that snow was not to be moved on to municipal property or the land of other ratepayers. In his report to council, Laporte said that Huron Motor Products have taken delivery of a truck that meets the specifications of the tenders that were put out by the committee. The village should be able to take delivery on Tuesday or Wednesday, • Laporte reported. Laporte said that in the 1978 "we hope to be able to complete the paving of the streets in the village." An engineer will be called in to study the paving of the Goshen north. When asked by Reeve Haberer to give a summary of 1977 from his committee's standpoint, finance chair- man McKinnon stated that "Roughly, 1977 was suc- cessful...we should end up with a reasonable surplus." A rosy picture for 1978 was painted by recreation chairman Claude Gelinas who expressed his thanks to Haberer for leaving the committee system in its present state. "I feel that we've accomplished something," Gelinas stated. He pointed out that on his four years on the committee they have gone from a deficit of over $11,000 to this year where the breakeven point was almost reached. Council then went in - camera to discuss correspondence received from the village's lawyers with regards to Gordon Hess. After the in -camera session, Snow dumping to continue Permission was gained from the Zurich Agricultural Society for the dumping of snow on their property at the meeting of the streets, sidewalks and drains committee. Their per- mission was granted after the village had been dum- ping snow on the property without permission. a motion was passed requesting that the village's lawyer, and Charles Eckel, manager of Hydro -Electric Commission meet to discuss "further action with respect to the outstanding account of Gordon Hess." An increase in building permit fees was approved by council with most of the increase forwarded on to building inspector Harvey Clausius who raised his rates. For the first $1000, the new fee will be up $15, up from $10, the second $1000 will cost $10 while the rate of $2 per thousand thereafter remains the same. The rates went up because as McKinnon said, "We have to collect enough money to pay him." In other business Several appointments to committees were made. Committee of adjustment - Mrs. Isabel Gascho, recreation, parks and community centre board - George Haggitt, Lee Regier and Norm Koehler, in- dustrial development con- tact -Ray McKinnon. The authorization of a bylaw that allowed borrowing up to $91,000 from the Zurich branch of the Bank of Montreal for emergency expenditures was passed. A resolution from the town of Collingwood calling for. the reinstatement of the death penality for capital murder along with alterations to the penal system and gun control legislation was passed. An invitation to attend a council meeting will be extended to the students of Zurich Public School. An increase of $500 from the ministry of tran- sportation and com- munications for the road subsidy was indicated in a letter sent to the village. There will be $8,700 alloted for construction with $10,000 earmarked for maintenance. Price Per Copy 20 Cents GOING OVER THE ROUTE — AH persons attending the'Snowerama' reception at Hully Gul- ly were keenly interested in the new route which the snowmobilers'will be taking this year. Go- ing over a map of the run with this year's 1978 Timmy for the London district, Danny Ruthven are Richard Erb and Russell Granger of the Zurich and Area Lion's Club. Staff photo Ginn takes warden's chair Goderich Township Reeve, Gerry Ginn succeeded Douglas A. McNeil as warden of Huron County following the election of warden in the council chambers in Goderich, Thursday. Ginn, 50, was selected as the 11th warden of the County, defeating John Tinney Reeve of Hay Township on the second ballot. Robert Lyons, West Wawanosh reeve, was eliminated on the first ballot. He told fellow councillors that his election was the fulfillment of a dream ad- ding that most county councillors look towards someday occupying the warden's chair. Ginn is the third generation in his family to act as reeve of Goderich township but the only one ever elected warden, although his father tried once. The last Goderich Township reeve elected warden was Walter J. Forbes in 1963. SWORN IN — Judge William Cochrane was sworn in as Provincial Court Judge in Goderich Wednesday. Congratulating Judge Cochrane are Huron County Judge F,G. Carter and Judge Harold A. Rice, Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court, Criminal Division. (left) Judge Cochrane sat on the bench in Provincial Court Monday. In his opening remarks warden Ginn said he would like to institute the use of agendasfor county meetings so councillors will know who and what will be appearing at each session, He claimed the use of an agenda will give councillors the opportunity to formulate relevant questions. Despite a suggestion from Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt that the county would have to review the government structure, Warden Ginn said the restructuring would not be considered during his tenure as warden. After offering his congratulations to the new warden, Huron -Middlesex Liberal MPP Jack Riddell, reprimanded council for their tardiness in voicing objections to Bill 98, an act to revise the Municipal Elections Act of 1972, and change the election date to early November. Riddell said he was sure that material concerning Bill 98 was circulated to county council members from his office. "I heard of your objections after the fact but if I had known your feelings earlier I could have made a lot of noise about it," he said. "If I don't hear from you it means you are relatively happy but it is awkward to stand up in the legislature and comment if you don't know the people are behind you. Riddell explained that he has not had much time to sit in on county council sessions because of his 'over bearing' workload but added it should not have an effect on con- stituents ma king known their views. "I want to hear your views and I will represeE'r hem in the Legislature," he said. "I have to rely on you people to give me your views and it can be done by letter or whatever manner you choose." Murray Gaunt, Liberal MPP for Huron -Bruce, said council will face two Major decisions in this session, property tax reform and implementation of the trespass law which is ex- pected to be introduced in the Legislature February 21. Gaunt said the property tax reform is a prominent piece of legislation that is politically sensitive. He said the trespass law, when passed, will mean that written permission will be required before hunting, fishing or anything can be done on private property. More than 100 people jammed the council chambers and corridor for the election. No increase for hydro At a meeting of the Zurich Hydro and Electric System in December it was decided that increase in hydro rates for the municipality would not be necessary due to the rebate from Ontario Hydro and information gathered from a study of projected revenues and expenditures. In the same meeting a pay increase of $600 to Helen McAdams was approved subject to MB control. Charles Eckel manager, will receive three weeks holidays starting this year. + +. + Norm Koehler was elected chairman of the recreation, parks, community centre board while Ray McKinnon, once again assumed the position of secretary. It was learned that a change in the design of the roof structure for the new dressing rooms that was advised by the engineer would cause the cost of the structure to increase from $14,000 to $19,000. A meeting with the agricultural society will be arranged in order to define the possibilities of an alteration to the ball diamond.