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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1977-03-30, Page 1NO.13 FIRST WITH LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1977 Road committee report Price Per Copy 20 Cents Huron eligible for $283,448 extra winter subsidy Huron County Engineer Jim Britnell told County Council last Thursday that Huron would qualify for extra subsidy on all winter control costs over $283,448.93 in the first four months of 1977. "By adding to the actual known costs in January and February of $302,961.62 our best estimate of the costs of March of $50,000 we get a total of $352,961.62 to March 31 and qualify for additional subsidy under the formula an- nounced by the Ministry in the. amount of $51,467.79," he ex- plained. Mr. Britnell did note however that he felt "a fairer way to have distributed the extra money would have been to base the extra subsidy on the average cost of the four month period over the past four years which in Huron's case is $165,448.93." Under the system laid down by the Ministry, a municipality must have exceeded 120 percent of the highestexpenditure overJanuary 1 to April 1 (the period in question) in the past four years. Mr. Britnell also told the' councillors however that to qualify for this extra money "we had to spend more than 20 per- cent more than we did in 1976 and if, this cost trend continues through the rest of 1977, as it did in 1976, our total expenditures for snow plowing could reach $600,000 or 140,000 over our budget estimate of $460,000. In other business arising from the Road Committee report Council agreed that a new land purchase policy, in connection with road widenings, be im- plemented. Property owners will now receive $500 per acre plus a new fence or a cash allowance of $12.00 per rod (the approximate COMMUNITY PRESENTS DONATION — The Shipka Community Centre raised $5.00 through a dance and other activities and donated it to ARClndustries in Dashwood to enable them to purchase some wood -working and silk-screening equipment and supplies. Left, Don Campbell accepts the check on behalf of ARC Industries as it is presented by Velma Russell, Mary Dietrich and Olive Ratz. photo by McKinley County sets new severance policies Huron County Council agreed to a number of new policies with regard to applications for severances when it met for its March session in Goderich last Friday. Clause one provides that Wills of Agreements signed prior to the passing of the County Official Plan should take precedence. Wills of Agreement dated after that passing should not be con- sidered in arriving at a decision, it was decided. In future the applicable section of the Official Plan or Secondary Plan is to be stated in the ap- proval or denial of any severance. Decisions will be made under the Secondary Plan of the Municipality after the Plan has had first reading. In notifying an applicant of the date of hearing of a severance, a form must now accompany the notice informing the applicant of the agencies or persons objecting to the severance, to enable the applicant to prepare an ap- propriate defence and save time in dealing with the severance. A copy of the objecting agency's report is also to be forwarded to the applicant. Where there is a conflict bet- ween the Planning Department's report on a severance and the possible decision of the Land Division Committee, it was agreed the policy be continued whereby the severance is to be referred to the Planning Board for comment prior to a decision being made and a member of the Land Division Committee is to attend the Planning Board meetings to explain differences of opinion and the reason for the referral. In addition, the Planning Staff is to advise, if requested, in connection with a proposed severance, whether in the opinion of the staff, the proposed ap- plication for severance would be in conformity with the Official Plan or Secondary Plan. The applicant may then choose whether or not he or she wishes to proceed with the application since the Land Division Com- mittee actually makes the Please turn to Page 2 Organizational steps taken to build Hensall arena The organizational steps in preparation for the erection of a new community centre complex in Hensall are well underway. A fund- raising committee chaired by Eric Luther has been formed and are presently getting a program of activities arranged. The Parks board and Council have joined forces to send members to form a building committee which will be responsible for actually getting the building in place. This committee is chaired by Coog Knight with Homer Campbell, Bill Soldan, Paul Neilands, Bob Caldwell, Bev Bonthron and Wayne Reid also on the com- mittee. The building committee is meeting regularly and are presently waiting for a preliminary rough plan to be completed so they may begin to invite contract bids on the new arena complex. According to Wayne Reid, who is also Chairman of the Parks Committee, the arena com- munity centre will be one floor only and will include an ice surface and community hall. "The building will be pre- engineered, that is everything is built to size and then put up," says Mr. Reid. "This is the way most of the new arenas are being built and as there are no architect fees the building is cheaper." Even so, the cost of the new facility has been tentatively estimated at $500,000 to $600,000 of which $125,000 to $150,000 would have to be raised through public subscription. Chairman of the fund raising committee Eric Luther says he is optimistic the committee will reach this goal, but he em- phasized the fact the committee is in the very initial stages. Their only responsibility is to raise the required funds, but Mr. Luther says no press releases will be given until the committee is completely organized and can present a well -thought out plan of action. Zurich Lions busy with Crippled Kids The response to the Zurich Lions Clubs' Crippled Children's Drive has been fairly good so far, but they are still $500 short of their goal according to Lions member Russell Grainger. The campaign started March 1 and while donations are ap- preciated any time, the drive will only last until the end of March. Rather than having a door to door canvass, Mr. Grainger said the Lions decided to send 1500 cost of the fence.) The former Road Committee policy for compensation per acre was set many years ago at $200 per acre plus a new fence or a cash allowance if the owner did not require a fence. That fence allowance was increased from $2.50 per rod to $5.00 per rod last year. Mr. Britnell told the meeting however that each year it became more difficult to pur- chase land under these terms and after a recent meeting with some land owners effected by a road widening project on County Road One the recommended increases in rates was drawn up. Exhibition hockey The Zurich arena will be the site of an exhibition hockey game Wednesday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. The game will be between the Hensall Old -Timers and the Bedard Family. A silver collection will be taken at the game and proceeds will be sent to Bunny Bundle. The Bedard family team of Zurich will consist of six brothers, three brother -in-laws and nine grandsons. Don't miss this chance to see some great hockey and help in the Bunny Bundle campaign. Six injured in accidents Six people were injured in one of two accidents investigated this week by the Exeter OPP. On Sunday, a vehicle driven by Wendy Robson, Windsor, rolled over on concession 12-13 of Hay township after striking -a fence. Ms. Robson was the most seriously injured, suffering a broken collar bone and internal injuries. She was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in London for treatment. Sustaining minor injuries were Gerard Ducharme and Ralph Mathonia, RR 2 Zurich; Patrick Groot, RR 1 Zurich; and Cathy Roberts, Windsor. OPP Constable -Jack Straughan investigated and listed total damage at $1,600. The only other accident of the week was reported on Thursday when a vehicle driven by Francis Denomme, RR 2 Zurich, went out of control on an icy section of Highway 84, about one mile east of Highway 21. Damage was listed at $1,000 by Constable Bill Osterloo. During the week, the local detachment officers laid 20 charges under the Highway Traffic Act, five under the Criminal Code and five under the Liquor Licence Act. drive letters with stamped return envelopes inside for donations. So far Mr. Grainger says they have received 300 of the envelopes back with donations. The area being covered in the drive includes Zurich, Hensall Hay township and part of Stanley township. The goal of $1650 set by the Lions is not an exceptionally high one and Mr. Grainger is hopeful the goal will be met.