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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1990-01-17, Page 44A — THE HURQ.N E POSITOR. *N4)ARY.at, 1990 An Mpoclu Ineurea Wphln LImle. Rates fabled To Vedflwtlon. Serving Ontaao since 1976 Ivitn 15 lova. tons for your convenience SEAFORTH DISTRICT. HIGH SCHOOL "YOUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL" INVITES PARENTS OF GRADE 8 STUDENTS (GRADE 8 STUDENTS WELCOME) to attend an OPEN HOUSE and Information Session on WED., JAN. 24 at 7,00 p.m. Representatives from all subject areas MR be present to answer ques- tions and a tour of optional subjects will be provided. Please contact the school (527-0380) if unable to attend or for more information. Huron. Public Education Opening lip the World SPECIAL STARTS WED., JAN. 17 •Incudes cup to S Utres of Oil •New Filter NOW DOES THIS WORK AGAIN? IT'S EASY! •Do you have papers, orders, documents, that have to be In Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, or Listowel today? Right now! •Ever faced with deadlines? MEET THEM WITH FAX Instant Document Transmission The Huron Expositor has a FAX machine In our office that lets you contact any other FAX machine In the world ... Instantly. The Expositor offers you the service of the FAX for $4.00 for the first printed 81/2" x 11" sheet and $1.00 for each additional 81/2" x 11" sheet fqt transmission to Canada or the continental U.H. For transmissions to machines outside that area, or for sheets larger than 81/2" x 11", call for details. Our FAX number Is also your number so If you want to be reached Instantly — we will receive your FAX message for $1.00 per 81/2" x 11" sheet. Huron . xpositor e• `• 527-0240 Call us at 627-0240 for details, Business TAIL ARREARS The Town of Seaforth showed a total of , $113,472.74 in tax arrears as 01 Jamtuy 1, 1989. That total represents 0117 p1' cent of the total tax revenue. The 1908 tax arrears amounted to $82,213 or seven per cent of the total tax revenue. Tax arrears in 1987 CO-OP STUDENT totalled $118.796. Public Works Superintendent John For - r cj tion BRIEFS ASSESSMENT VALUES A comparison of the 1989 and 1990 Assessment Values in Seaforth shows an increase of 1.9 per cent - to $46,613,250 from $45,733,875. Broken down, the largest increase can be found in the business set ate assessment, which has risen -from ,460 to $724,285 (or 5.5 per cent). The business public assessment has rise! from $3,095,660 to $3,250,310 (five percent); the commercial separate assessment has risen from $2,031,425 to $2,111,038 (3.9 per cent); the commercial public assessment has risen from $7,433,830 to $7,604,467 (2.3 per cent); the ' residential separate assessment has risen from $7,077,710 to $7,222,888 (2.1 per cent) and the residential public assessment has risen from $25,408,790 to $25,700,262 (1.2 per cent). UNDER BUDGET The Town of Seaforth has been advised verbally that the CNR culvert replacement undertaken this summer, came in under budget at $213,206.17. Seaforth's share of that cost at 13.5 per cent is therefore $28,782.83, substantially less than its budget estimate of $31,725., SUPPORT TERMS Seaforth Town Council has given its sup- port to a draft Terms of Reference for the Huron County Restructuring Committee. The committee will be responsible for undertaking a comprehensive, long term review of the provision of local governmen- tal services, and the structures that deliver them to the residents of Huron County. This review will attempt to determine the best structure to deal with social, economic, environmental and physical development policy well into the 21st cen- tury. Such a review is seen as a cooperative venture among all the residents of Huron County and the two levels of government that represent them. The objective of the Huron County study is to define the most appropriate form of local government for Huron County in terms of strategic planning, policy develop- ment, services, municipal structure, boun- daries, organization, administration and responsibilities of the county and the local municip:I'ties. Recommendations will be made with an aim to ensure the needs of the community are met efficiently, effec- tively and with sufficient access and ac- countability. As this study attempts to look many years into the future, it must delve Into a wide range of issues and involve all levels of government and the citizens of Huron County. The structuring of County Councils is be- ing studied province -wide by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. BUSINESS APPRECIATION NIGHT Seaforth Town Council hasgiven its ap- proval to a request from its Economic Development Cotnrnittee, to transfer $2,000 from the 1989 EDC budget to the 1990 budget, in order to accommodate a Business Appreciation Night scheduled for March 1. The money was originally set aside for such an event in 1989, but that event never materialized. The purpose of the Business Appreciation Night is to ,provide an opportunity for business owners or managers to meet socially in order to get to know one another and share ideas, and to be educated. Two guest speakers, Bryan Allandorf, 'an associate with Touche Ross, and former Mainstreet Coordinator Tom Lemon, will attend the evening. Mr. Allan- dorf will discuss the new general sales tax, and Mr. Lemon will discuss Seaforth's pro- gress as a Main Street Canada project. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS The Seaforth . Business Improvement Association (BIA) is offering Associate Membership to those businesses in Seaforth that are not currently BIA members. The move comes out of desire by the BIA executive to provide Seaforth and area businesses with the opportunity to become an associate member in the BIA, and as such to take part in its joint promotional and educational opportunities. Belonging to the BIA, current members say, also allows members to make a contribution to the physical and economic revitalization of Seaforth, which is of primary concern to all citizens, but particularly to those in the business sector. Membership fees are based on individual realty assessments and then adjusted ac- cording to a "minimum/maximum" fee. NO FUNDS The Town of Seaforth has received no funds for damage to one of its police cruisers, and will therefore be forced to make a claim against the insurance com- pany. The claim will be for approximate- S ly $400. rest has been given authorization to ar- range for a Seaforth District High School Coop student to work with the public works department half days from mid- February to mid-June. The department presently employs Jason Poulton as its co-op student and has been "quite pleased" with his performance. CAPITAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASES Public Works Superintendent John For- rest has been given authorization to pur- chase a chain saw prior to budget ap- proval, at a price not to exceed $500. The chain saw will be required to complete the annual tree trimming and removal in February. TRANSFER FUNDS Seaforth's Clerk -Treasurer has been given authorization to transfer $1,000 from the 1989 capital streetlight budget to reserves, for the completion of the West William Street project in 1990. The installation of the three streetlights on West William Street, in front of Wallbank Springs, had not been completed as of December 31, 1989. Transferring the funds to reserves allows for the completion of the project in 1990. CERTIFICATION PROGRAM Superintendent Forrest has achieved the designation of Certified Road Supervisor with respect to the Road Supervisors Cer- tification Program sponsored by the Association of Ontario Road Superintendents. SUPPORTS RECOMMENDATION The Town of Seaforth has adopted a mo- tion made by its Local Architectural Con- servation Advisory Committee in support of a recommendation of the Ontario Heritage Society that Bill 31 be withdrawn, and that extensive consultation with the Ministry of Culture and Communications and with the heritage community be under- taken, prior to the passing of any such bill, in order to address the heritage com- ponents that are missing from the legisla- tion. Bill 31 is an act to amend the Ontario Cemeteries. Act, so that it no longer pro- vides for the maintenance of historical cemeteries. AUTHORIZES PERMITS The Town of Seaforth has accepted a re- quest for consent for the completed ex- terior painting of the facade and sign at Boussey's Beauty Boutique, and approved the sign permit application submitted by Oscar's of Seaforth. IIt also authorized the issuance of a demolition permit, after the fact, to Bill McLaughlin for 7 Main Street North. ADOPT FORMAT The Seaforth LACAC has agreed to adopt a format which would permit public par- ticipation during: its committee meetings. The- format: specifies. It+ will, develop a rule for In camera sessions at the metting; have delegations make a request to be placed an the agenda; and provide a 15 -minute question period at the end of the meeting for those in attendance. PAY FOR MEETINGS Members of Seaforth Town Council were paid a total of $1,465 for meetings attend- ed in the month of December. Mayor Hazel Hildebrand received $190 for one council and two committee meetings; Reeve Bill Bennett received $255 for one council and four committee meetings; Deputy -reeve Peg Campbell receivedn$165 for one council and two com- mittee meetings; Councillor Garry ,Osborn received $255 for one council and four com- mittee meetings; Councillor Bill Teall received $165 for one council and two com- mittee meetings; Councillors Irwin Johnston, Pat Malone and Bill Pinder received $120 each for one council and one committee meeting; and Councillor Mar- jorie Claus received $75 for one council meeting. ENDORSE LETTER The Town of Seaforth has endorsed a let- ter, and motion, from Bathurst Township, regarding recycling in Ontario. The motion acknowledges the waste managment crisis being faced by most municipalities in Ontario, and asks the pro- vincial government to take more initiative in regards to the recycling efforts being made by those municipalities. Bathurst Township feels the government is taking the wrong tact in creating more landfill sites and trying to ensure they are environmentally safe. It feels legislation needs to be inacted to require industry to recycle and to restrict excessive packaging of consumer goods, which results in un- necessary waste being produced. PURCHASE COMPUTER After much persuasion, the Town of eaforth has given early authorization to the Recreation Department to purchase a County • from page 1 tions should prompt the county to again review renovation prospects. Several years ago, both the county and the province, which provides most of the costs to run the facility and would pay half the cost of new buildings, ruled out renovating the existing Huronview. An ar- chitect said then that renovating would be as costly as building a new facility. But Tom Tomes, who chairs the Huron - view Committee of Managemerit, told council Jan. 6 that new information from the province indicates the Ministry of Community and Social Services may again ask the county to renovate instead of building new. "We're like a yo-yo," Tomes told coun- cil"Huronview's Lester said last week, criticising constantly changing provincial policies. It was the province which directed the courtly to undergo a major county study to decide what kind of residence seniors want. And it was also the province that vetoed that study's recommendation that three homes be built. Provincial officials refused to fund a county facility in 'the south of Huron because Bluewater Rest Home now provides the service in the south. Huronview's Lester said last week that today's meeting with ministry officials should clear up the confusion. He said both the new homes Huron is planning would include private, home -like, apart- ment units called alternate housing. That type of facility is what the province ap- pears to be urging counties to establish through renovation rather than new construction. He said today's meeting at Huronview should determine what impact the pro- vince's new directive may have on the Huronview redevelopment plans, if any. "Right now there isn't any change in our plans," Lester said. "It was a sur- prise, but it hasn't really changed anything yet...we don't know the ramifications." PUC • from page 3A Work on Pay Equity implementation is well underway at this point, and Manager Tom Philips exacts that the commission will have something posted by March 31 1990. Any changes persuant to the Act will be retroactive to January 1, 1990, when Pay Equity officially came into effect. compute;, punter. and mare package' as per a ,,quote from the Ag o Admh4stsator in the amount of $4,941, subject to the '.ap- proval of a 50 per cent grant, from the province. Recreation Director Mary Bedard ap- peared before the town's Finsnce and General Government Committee, re- questing council reconsider his request to purchase a computer for his offiGe."His re- quest had been previously deferred to the budget process. Mr. Bedard told the com- mittee the Town was eligible for a 50 per cent grant if application was made to the Ministry of Recreation and Tourism prior to January 31, 1990. SALARY INCREASE The annual salary of Seaforth's Deputy - Clerk was increased by $103.92 effective January 1, 1990, in accordance with the town's Pay Equity Plan. SURPLUS FUNDS The Town of Seaforth will ask the Ministry of the Environment to apply some of its sewer surplus funds towards reduc- ing the principle outstanding amounts for the two sewer works. This decision came following receipt of correspondence from the Ministry, suggesting the move. A mon- thly savings of $763 on operational costs could be realized by applying the $80,000 to loan 1, and $150,000 to loan 2. PUBLIC FOR The Town of Seaforth has ssed a mo- tion that special purpose committees adapt a format to permit more public participa- tion in the local government process in Seaforth. The format requires that: meetings be publicized and open to the public; delega- tions and deputations be received only when they have requested to be placed on the agenda; a maximum 15 minute ques- tion period be provided at the end of each meeting; meetings be permitted to move into a Committee of the Whole to ensure security of property of the town, for disclosure of intimate, personal and finan- cial information concerning employees or members of the committee; or, to discuss information in respect to negotiations or performance appraisals of employees, the acquisition or disposal of town property and/or litigation affecting the town; and any other issues deemed sensitive by the committee. CAPITAL RESERVE FUND The Town of Seaforth has approved a motion that its working capital reserve fund of .:,614.44 be divided into a sub - ledger system , and the following specific allocations be made (with interest to be applied to each account on a pro -rated basis): 1. Fire Department - Pumper - $35,000. 2. Police Department - Cruiser - $8,500. 3. Transportation Department - Con- tracted Services - $3,000 and One Ton Truck - $6,411. 4. Environmental Department - Landfill - $25, .,1 and, 5, Miscellaneous, $11,114.44. GUIDELINES APPROVED The Town of Seaforth has given its ap- proval to the Strategic Business Plan Guidelines For Implementation as submit- ted by Catherine Vida. The plan for implementation suggests the formation of committees to study how Seaforth can best improve its services for seniors, expand its retail sector and ex- pand its small manufacturing sector. AUTHORITY AGREEMENT The Town of Seaforth has approved an agreement with the Ausable-Bayfield Con- servation Authority, to maintain the CNR floodway. The agreement states that the flood con- trol works consisting of the enlargement of the CNR culvert over Silver Creek, be in- spected routinely by the Authority; that the Authority undertake minor and major repairs to the works as identified in the in- spections, and which are necessary to en- sure the long term integrety of the works; that the Authority advise the town of any proposed maintenance works in time to allow proper budgeting; that the Authori- ty not be held liable to restore the struc- ture in the event of its total or partial destruction by flood or other disaster, unless the town contributes towards the cost; and that the Authority be discharg- ed of any claim for loss, damage, injury or otherwise, caused by or arising out of the structure being wholly or partially destroyed by flooding or any other means beyond the control of the Authority. COUNCIL REMUNERATION The Town of Seaforth has adopted a mo- tion made by its Finance and General Government Committee, that special coun- cil and special committee meetings held in conjunction with regular couincil or com- mittee meetings not be eligible for pay. ATTEND SEMINAR The Town of Seaforth has given permis- sion for two of its municipal office staff to attend a one day seminar in London on February 6 entitled, "How to Deal with Difficult People". Cost of the seminar is $95 per person. HONORARIUM GIVEN Seaforth Town Council has agreed to give Auxiliary Police Constables Jim McNichol and Norman East, a $100 honorarium in recognition of their valued service in 1989. POLICE BUSINESS The Seaforth Police Department was saddled with an unforeseen expense recent- ly, when its 1985 Ford Cruiser had a com- plete breakdown of its electrical system. The car required a new alternator, and because of the amount of electrical equip- ment on the cruiser an original replace- ment was required to produce the required amount of electricity. Total cost of the necessary repairs was $380.86. POLICE OCCURRENCES The Seaforth Police Department record- ed a total of 47 occurrences during the month of December 1989. Twenty-three parking tickets were issued, 22 of those for overnight parking; and sisx accidents were investigated, four of those resulting in pro- perty damage. SNOW REMOVAL The Town of Seaforth has passed a mo- tion to contract out snow removal from the cul-de-sac on North Street to McLlwain Construction Ltd. According to the town's Public Works Superintendent it is becom- ing increasingly difficult to plow and remove snow from that cul-de-sac with the snow removal available to the department. 11