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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-03-19, Page 1INDEX Births /A11 Brussels /A5 Classified /A16, 17, 18 Dublin /Al2 Entertainment /A20 Family /A10, 11 Farm /A13 Hensall /A9 Legion /A20 Obituaries /A11 People /A14 Sports /A7, 8 Walton /A4 Refuse separation a future consideration, pee page A3, Centenaires tops heading into semi-final series. See page A8. Council to present 'budget tomorrow. See page A19. Serving the communities and areas of Seaforth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensel) and Walton • xposi r SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986 — 20 PAGES Records show deficit Funds Both the electrical utility and waterworks departments of the Seaforth Public Utilities Commission operated at a deficit in 1985, according to a draft of an auditor's report, presented at the March 12 commission meeting. The report, presented for approval by David Atkinson, of Touche Ross Chartered Accountants, shows the electrical utility deficit at $34,200, while the waterworks operated at a deficit of $4,898. 50 cents a copy questioned The money had been budgeted to be transferred, to over anticipated expendi- tures, such as the watermam crossing the CNR tracks. When it appeared the utility would be in a break-even position at year-end, with only a $5,000 transfer from reserves, Mr. Phillips and Commission Chairman Jim Sills discussed the matter and decided to make only half the budgeted transfer. Mayor Alf Ross questioned both the process by which this decision was made and The electrical deficit was caused by a the reasoning behind it. He asked if a combination of circumstances. Mr. Atkinson stipulation allowing any PUC budget surplus said electrical revenue was lower than to be transferred to the Town of Seaforth had expected in 1985, partly dll to a• major fire on any bearing on the decision not to transfer the Main Street, which affeed a number of full $10.,000. commercial and residents power users, and "If you threw this outfit into a deficit, partly because of an increase in the power solely to avoid putting money into the town of rate charged the PUC by Ontario Hydro. Seaforth.... T ' questioned the Mayor. "It was a management decision and I don't know how to defend it (to council)." Mr. Sills pointed out the commission's aim for the year was to break even, so he and Mr. Philips saw no reason to go ahead with the transfer which, it appeared, would create a surplus. At the time the transfer was made (December 20. 19115 ) it looked like if we had Warm weather in April, and again in the fall of 1985, also contributed to the loss of anticipated income, noted PUC Manager Tom Phillips. The waterworks apparently resulted from a decision to transfer only half, of a budgeted $10,000 transfer of funds from maintenance reserve to the general operational account. taken the whole amount, we would have had a surplus of about $5,000. Why take it out of reserves, if you're working toward a zero balance?" he asked. "Basically, we're trying to break even," said Mr• Phillips. "At that point, you didn't feel it necessary to call an emergency meeting of the commission?" asked Mayor Ross. Mr, Phillips replied the decision was made at a time when the Mayor was ill and would not have been able to attend a meeting if one was called. Possible loss of interest on the $5,000 if it were transferred from reserves was also discussed by himself and Mr. Sills at the time of the decision, Mr. Phillips said. Part of the confusion regarding the financial position of the utility was created when an additional bill for the CNR crossing work came in after the fund transfer had been completed. "W hat really threw this whole thing for a loop is we got two different bills from the railway," said Commissioner Gordon Pull- man. "Year-end expenditures threw it all out of whack," agreed Mr. Sills. Town has administrative officer The Town of Seaforth now has a Chief your job?," questioned Councillor Carolanne Administrative Officer. Doig. In following a trend being set by a number "Yes," replied dMMr. ry MONEYCrocker. of other small municipalities around the province town council voted last week in favor Town council also agreed to pass a by-law of passing a by-law which names clerk-trea- authorizing the Seaforth Public Utilities surer Jim Crocker as Chief Administrative d g ssioon (PUC) othe year borrowing thcertain ai sale sums Officer for the municipality. f According to Mr. Crocker his duties as debentures. Chief Administrative'i'}ffit+erwilTheintych the This borrowitleof money is. a standard same as the duties hells performing now, practice employed by various facets of the although the new jole'description will allow town. According to the Municipal Act, a him to take on some statutory, duties, and corporation may borrow to meet expenditures other duties assigned by council. incurred up to the amount of the debenture The by-law states the Chief Administrative authorized by the Ontario Municipal Board. Officer' will . have general control and The money borrowed by the PUC is required management of the administration of the to meet expenditures on capital works until government and administrative affairs of the the proceeds of the sale of debentures and municipal corporation. He will also perform other sources of capital financing are such duties as the council by-law prescribes. received. LiEGUV►TE TRAFFICThe by-law states the Chief Administrative Officer will have general control and The town also passed a by-law to regulate management of the administration of the _. government and administrative affairs of the municipal corporation. He will also perform such duties as the council by by-law prescribes and is responsible for the efficient administration of all town departments to the extent that he is given authority and control over them by by-law. For the most part I'll be doing the duties t m already doing," said Mr. Crocker. "There is a trend toward this type of administration in smaller municipalities. What the title and the by-law does mainly is, it clarifies what's being done." CRAFT CLASS — The Seaforth Recreation Department organized an arts and crafts session description tithis�by lath a tthterminologyeenis juussrttga job s for area youngsters during last week's March Break, Nine-year-old Julie Medd, of Seaforth, /list an actual factual presentcion toe. the was one of about 20 children who participated In this session last Wednesday. Bettis photo name of the job? There is no real change to Separate school board in black Last year was a better than expected financial year for the Huron -Perth Roman Catholic Separate School Board. "Lt turned out to be very favorable," superintendent of business and finance Jack Lane told the March 10 meeting of the school board. The school board had a total budget of $9.4 million for last year, but ended up spending only 59.1 million realizing a savings of over 5300.000. The Catholic school board faced debts last year for the additions to three schools, Precious Blood in Exeter, St. Joseph's in Clinton and Sacred Heart in Wingham. However, the portion of the salary increases the teachers gave up as well as the proceeds Perth council Perth County council could be going to its 14 municipalities for 6.9 per cent more money this year but that's not as high as the 17 per cent initially thought The county was presented with its $5 million budget at its regular March session. The budget will be finalized at a special meeting at 3 p.m. on March 20. Clerk -treasurer Sim Bell said last year's general account and mad surplus of $385,528 plus $6,796 from the reserve fund is lowering the amount that the municipalities might have to pay. The municipalities share of the The Seaforth Public Utilities Commission budget is expected to be $1.6 million. has run into a potential snag which could The largest portion of the budget is the hinder or delay the installation of a new road department's 1986 expenditures which transformer at Main Station No. 1, in early are at $3 million. Overhalf this year's budget, April. $1.8 million, is for construction. A mobile transformer to supply 1 power The largest project is a $175,000 resurface while the changeover is being made, was to ing job of 3.8 kilometres of road north of be rented from Ontario Hydrd's Central Rostock. Also, there will be paving of 3.2 Region, but may not . be available when kilometres of road north of Flillarton. 'This needed• by the local commission. will cost $155,000. PUC ManagerTom Phillips reported at the Socia) services, the county welfare depart- March 12 commission meeting, that the ment, has the next largest budget at mobile unit is currently in use due to $686,945. Of that amount, $545,750 is problems in northern Ontario, expected to be paid out in the form of Theresa 50-50 chance we will get it on financial assistance. The rest covers adfnini-qday we need it (April 2)," Mr. Phillips from the $500,000 debenture sold, money used to finance the additions, have cut the unfinanced portion of the capital fund. The ministry of education didn't provide any funding for the additions.. "You have no long term liabilities except for the debentures," Mr. Lane told trustees, The financing has also left the school board with a $170,000 reserve fund. The business superintendent said this will be kept for the proposed addition at St. Boniface in Zurich. That addition is to house the children which will be corning from Ecole Ste. Marie in September of 1987. Also. $279,100 planned for roof replace- ments last year was not approved by the provincial education ministry which would the use of streets and boulevards in Seaforth. The by-law calls for some changes in wording to a by-law approved In 1985. It also states that parking on the west side of Main Street south from a point 37 metres north of Railway Street to the north edge of Railway Street is prohibited anytime. APPROVE BUDGET in other council business a recommenda- tion from the Finance arid'Gelntral GbveYn- ment committee that council approve the Seaforth and District Community Centres 1986 budget estimate, was adopted. That budget is estimated at 8231,730. In_ 1985 the estimated budget was 8193,686, but came in at $203,112. Of the amount estimated for 1986 approxi- mately 870,850 will be spent on, full and part time wages, 543,650 on capital expense, 828,000 on utilities and 826.000 on booth supplies. have funded most of the project. But, these roof replacements have been given the green light for this year. Not doing the roof replacements is the reason the school board was under budget, Mr. Lane said. The school board also spent less on ICON computers, $50,000 less than the 8204,795 initially expected. However, that will be back up this year, said the superintendent. The board has a five year plan to put ICON computers in all of its schools on a permanent basis. Both Mr. Lane and his assistant, Randy Brown, were applauded by the board because of the under budget financial statement. to solicit more money It will cost $135,311 to operate the county planning department this year. That covers salaries and benefits and other administra- tive costs. General govemmee t, inelucting the costs for county councillors and the operation of the county buildings, has been budgeted at $397,375. The county budget also includes $60,000 which at the end of December will be added to $40,000 from the 1985 budget to make Continued on page A19 Transformer installation could face possible delay straiten costs. 1D Mr. Phillips said he is currently looking at several possible sources of a back-up Mobile unit, in case one is needed. Mr. Phillips also reported the Seaforth Creamery has requested a water -supply hookup for the extension to the building. The water was hooked up and turned on during the first week in March. A co-ordinating coinmittee for local repre- sentatives of utilities, Ontario Hydro, Union Gas and Bell Telephone companies will be formed in the near future. The purpose is to enhance communication between the groups and provide easy access to the proper representatives to call about such matters as digging near underground cables and pipes, said Mr. Phillips. TITLE MATCH — Jason Papple of the Seaforth Pee Wees accepts a trophy on behalf of Ns team alter it won the C championship at Young Canada Week. Seaforth defeated Harriston 5-4 in overtime. Seaforth Pee Wees win C championship Determination to win, strong skating and good goaltending led the Seaforth Peewees to the "C" championship at the (ions Young Canada Week held in Goderich this past week. The fourth and final game was held on Saturday against Harriston. This was a real championship game and at the end of regulation time the score was tied 4-4. This forced the game into a 10 -minute sudden victory. At the 2:06 mark Ray Murray picked up a pass from Brian Cook and scored the winning goal to give Seaforth the champion- ship. At the end of the first period Seaforth was ahead 2-1. Harriston scored the only goal in the second to tie it up. In the third Harriston went ahead with only 12 seconds gone in the period. Seaforth came back with two goals to again go unthe lead 4-3. With only six seconds to go in the game and with a lot of scrambling behind the net, Harriston managed to score to tie the game 4-4, and this forced the 10 minute sudden victory. Scoring in the game for Seaforth were Ray Murray and Brian Cook with two, and Jason McNichol getting one. Assists went to Jason Schoonderwoerd with two, Brian Cook with two, and Ray Murray, Jason Papple and Jeff Gemmell with one apiece. The first game' in the tournament was played against Forest with Seaforth control- ling this game by a score of 4-1. Flay Murray picked up two goals while Jason Papple and Jason Schoonderwoerd got one apiece. In the second game Seaforth met up against Lambeth and won this game by a score of 3-1 advancing them farther along the "C" division championship trail. Jason McNichol, Jason F a'—ppie and Jason Schoon- derwoerd scored in this game. The third game in the division was played against Palmerston, a rival in their own league. This gameproved to be the roughest of the four. The referees cracked down right off the bat by calling penalties. Ten were called altogether in this game. Seaforth held in and won the gahne3-2. The score was tied 2-2 in the middle of the third period and with 4:70 left in the game Seaforth scored and hung on for the win. Jason Papple scored the fust period goal and Jason McNichol scored the tying goal and the winning goal in the third period. Jason Patterson did a great job netminding for. Seaforth in all four games. The PeeW'ee line up was Ray Murray, Jason Schoonderwoerd, Jason Papple, Pau! McLlwain, Brent vandenAkker, Bnan Cook, Ted Sills, Karsten Canoll, Jason McNichol, Jeff Gemmell, Jason Horan, Mike Murray and Jason Patterson. Absent were Brad Schroeder and Jeff Weber.