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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1990-06-20, Page 3THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JUNE 20, 1990-3 w B3iiLrII.-OOR$ETT. A committee, which has no fits- ding. no, budget, and no salaries for its members is going to be tackling sotge-of:the toughest hisses facing, :mitt :.ckles heaitiiiso.da1 tss.� tma County. Wiling* has been es .. _ tablished to act as a go-between for the. public and, those ageneses that Mde health and social;le>~vtces 1 the county, At tient ;meetings'tius fall, the J.ittzn'n liealtl Soc>itl , er vices Liatst t ' Comiruttee -.will - act- , rices¢ dOeare needs.youth needs, affordable housing, gaps in family services, and the process .of how government :funds health cam. DOUBLE WHAMMY - The Seaforth Community Hospital Building Fund was given a double dose of dollars this week. Seaforth Lioness secretary Mary Ma aret Nash (right) presented CEO Don Smith with a cheque for $500, proceeds from a Lioness raffle ticket -sal , and ,Yvette Binnendyk represented the pharmacy department when they, in Conjunction with the Physio department, put $2600 into the building fund coffers, proceeds from last month's giant hospital yard sale. Elliott photo. The ,cotturt}ttee membership represents a carne &action of .the cellnty1 and all of. the health and Wild services. It was formed in 1989 afteribe Huron County, Health Unit held several public meetings on the topic of health planning. "What they came to was a recom- mendation" that theree should be some sort of body in the county to look at health and Social services, with a purpose to monitor and point out any gaps," says Paul Carroll, a Seaforth resident who is co-chair- man of the committee. The other chairman is Donna Wood, a resident from Clinton. The committee's first meeting was organizational and at the second meeting, the committee heard some of the "gaps". One problem recognized was the the. availability of service information in the county. "Some agency should be available to provide access to information on all county services," says Carroll. He adds that some groups with government grants have compiled such lists, but not regularly. "Our job is not to find an agency that could provide this information," says Carroll. "Our job is not to provide services at all." There are representatives from many groups on the committee, so its messages will be brought to county council, the medical com- munity, hospitals and the commun- ity service network. "Our role is to facilitate that flow of information and find solutions to problems raised to the committee," says Carroll. The committee ;meets at Oa " quarterly to he the tonal—is needs as the public perceives them, and meets once per year at a public meeting to report everything- it .has done in the previous year. Huron County does net have a health planning council, as do most regions of Ontario, and CantoU points out this committee is neither a substitute for a health planning council, nor a steering committee for a council. He said it may pick up some of the loose ends that result from the county not having such .a council. The committee has been asked to be made aware of the results off an affordable housing survey, a study on daycare needs, and a youth needs survey. "Our job is to confirm the need and find the solution," says Carroll. Not provide the solution, but con- tact the agency that can." CIVIC CORNER The SEAFORTH STREETSCAPE COMMITTEE will meet Wednes- day, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Town Hall. The RECREATION COMMIT- TEE will meet Tuesday June 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Seaforth Com- munity Centre Board Room. The ECONOMIC DEVELOP- MENT COMMITTEE will meet Thursday June 28 12:00 noon in the Council Chambers, Town Hall. Sewer surcharge rate rises by 50 % to raise funds for improvements BRIEFS TENDER Seaforth council approved a tender from Lavis Contracting Co. Ltd., Clinton, Ont. for work instal- ling a force main on Brantford Street at a cost of $128,447.50. The force main will pump sewage to the lagoons and is part of a $2.6 mil- lion project to update and expand the sanitation system in Seaforth beginning this July. RECYCLING Mike Ash presented a 250 name petition to council on recycling. He said some of the names were not from Seaforth, however, they shop or go to school in Seaforth and therefore generate waste here. He congratulated the town and Mr. Noble for their work in the town concerning sanitation. He said the rational for recycling is many faceted and reduces the need for landfill sites. Mr. Ash then went on to describe the different methods of recycling available. He said the bin system doesn't fully work as most people are too lazy to use it. He said he thought the blue box system was the best way for Seaforth to go. The blue box system is now available to municipalities with 50 per cent of start-up costs coverage available through government grants. Mr. Ash said this was an advantage because start-up costs are high, but the costs do go down drastically in the second year and after that stabilize. In the long run the price of recycling would be less for Seaforth if the blue box system was adopted, said Mr. Ash. Mr. Ash also suggested the town consider become involved in a composting system by selling com- posting units to ratepayers. By so doing Seaforth's garbage mass could be reduced by up to 50 per cern, said Mr. Ash. Councillor William Teall told Mr. Ash Seaforth is proceeding with the issue and had a meeting with coun- cil, the clerk -treasurer and the sanitation engineers in town. He said the town is being careful with its decision of which recycling system to adopt and receive grants for because the town wants to be absolutely certain it was making the best decision. He pointed out that the grants are available only once and that hopefully council will be making a decision soon. Jim Crocker told Mr, Ash that although the town office does recycle paper, he hasn't seen many products made from recycled paper. Mr. Ash said that is a problem and that eventually the government will have to give money to in- dustries wanting to use recycled resnnrrpa CORRESPONDENCE Among this months correspon- dence were two letters from D'er Sills voicing his concern about the condition of Victoria Park. He said the conditions have deteriorated and now the park wasn't an enjoyable place to be. Council referred the letter to the parks and recreation committee. STREETSCAPE The Streetscape committee reported it had a successful meeting with petitioners from Goderich Street West who weren't pleased with the proposed location of the west entrance sign. Tom Lemon, at that meeting, gave an overview of the project. Mrs. Haley, who lives beside the school board property location, said the petitioner's con- cern was over the location as the sign would obstruct driver's view of the crosswalk. Also her view would be less frorn her driveway.,^ The -committee - and" petitioners then agreed to a different location for the sign. The new location is also on school board property and Paul Carroll, a school board representative, said he will convey the consensus of the meeting to the school board through the ap- propriate committee. Pertaining to the proposed east entrance sign, Jim Crocker reported that the Hospital Board has re- quested that the sign be located further east of the present hospital sign. The Steetscape committee and Tom Lemon favoured the new location closer to the creek as being better for visibility. Mr. Crocker will convey this information to the Hospital Board. Concerning the sign at the main corner of Seaforth, Mr. Crocker advised that Bill McLaughlin in- dicated that he would approve the sign and its location and advise the committee soon of his expected amount of compensation. Cathy Vida will refer the downtown por- tion of the Streetscape project to the LACAC committee for comments. The Queen's Tavern owners ad- vised the committee that they would approve the improvements to the area on highway 8 and would donate the necessary land. As com- pensation they have requested that the town agree to maintain the private sewer connection from their building to the main trunk or dig up the line and fix it The committee will also inves- tigate the feasibility of improvements to that area near Seaforth Plumbing & Heating store. The county engineer had reviewed the north and south main street sign and agreed with their location and suggested the hydro for lights on the north sign be placed in the same trench as the sewer services for the McTeague subdivision, reported Mr. Crocker. The account of McNaughton Hermson Britton Planning Ltd., $3074.44, was approved at the committee meeting. The Streetscape committee recom- mended: the calling for and awar- ding of proposals for the restoration and landscaping of the Main Street north and south signs; authorization for the committee to proceed with the final design and construction drawings of the east and west signs; authorization to proceed with the Queen's Tavern area final design; and authorization to proceed with the final design of the entrance feature at the northwest corner of Main and Goderich Sts., subject to successful final negotiations. LACAC The Pletsch residence, 19 Sperling Street, had its Notice of Intention to Designate approved by council. Council approved a $3,000 grant to Paul Carroll, 131 Goderich St. W. towards the cost of a new roof. The council approved a commit- tee motion that applicants whose loan has been approved by the Heritage Trust Fund Administrative Guidelines must, upon receiving notification of their acceptance;; within 30 days inform the Seaforth LACAC of their acceptance or declination of the approved loan. PLANNING ADVISORY Council approved thee planning advisory• committee's' decision' not to support the town of Exeter in its application fees for plans of sub- divisions issue. Council declared that Seaforth does not object to the Huron County Planning Dept. having a fee for processing sub- division and condominium ap- plications. Council passed the Blanchard zoning by-law, clearing the way for Mr. Blanchard to build a 2,304 sq. foot garage for a tractor trailer unit. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT The town office now has two recent government publications available for public use: Strategies for Change: A Comprehensive Reform of Ontario's Long Term Care Services, Ministry of Com- munity and Social Services; and Statistical Profile of Disabled Per- sons in Ontario Volume II, Office for Disabled Persons. Both applications for severance, Design Concrete and Ewart Wilson, have been approved as they comply with the general intent and purpose of the official plan and zoning by- law. The final appeal date for both applications is June 27. DEPUTY CLERK -TREASURER The deputy clerk -treasurer reporter! the GST seminar she at- tended was a worthwhile investment for the town and that when the new tax law comes into effect January 1 1991 Seaforth will be prepared. The seminar provided a general over- view of the GST, addressed some of the specific implications to municipalities and their local boards and commissions, transitional is- sues, compliance to the legislation, cash flows, purchasing, input tax credits and rebates. Following a decision by council last month to better publicize the Ontario Home Renewal Program, the deputy clerk -treasurer reported she has received several inquiries and will keep council informed of the progress of these inquiries. An application from Jean Thompson, 122 Victoria Street, requesting permission to cover the board and batten siding on her home with vinyl or aluminum siding, was rejected. The main reason the house had been desig- nated was that it is one of the last board and batten houses in Seaforth. The committee decided to inform Mrs. Thompson of a grant available to paint the house exterior. The deputy clerk -treasurer reported that Mrs. Thompson rejected the LACAC committee's offer of a designated property grant. Mrs. Thompson asked that the by-law designating her property be repealed. Council approved to refer the matter back to LACAC for discussion. MAJNSTREET Seaforth Mainsheet co-ordinator reported the BIA. is planning a sidewalk sale for the Canada Day Weekend, with a children's prize of a plastic ride -on tractor purchased from Vincent's. Since there will be visitors in Seaforth for the Agricul- rural Society's Tractor Elimination Draw and Dance, stores are being encouraged to decorate their win- dows in a rural theme and a prize will be awarded for the best dressed window. The seminar on the GST for business attracted about 70 people and was a success. The BIA seminars, Winning Strategies for Women, and Customer Service and Customer Relations, were offered in May and June as part of the BIA's education program for 1990. The remaining three seminars will be offered in the fall. FINANCE AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT Council agreed to enclose a brochure from the Huron County Board of Education in final tax notices. The brochure outlines needs for the increase in education taxes. Council approved an increase in sewer surcharge rates from $8.40 to $12.15 per month, beginning in July, to help raise money for the planned sewer expansion and upgrading. Council agreed to donate $50 toward the Special Olympic Fund. As Implementation Project Leader for the Municipal Freedom of Infor- mation and Protection to Privacy Act, Police Chief Hal Claus will submit a written report to the July committee meeting. Council was told by the commit- tee that the tender for a 1991 police cruiser will be deferred until Sep- tember for delivery in 1991 because of the benefits of the implemen- tation of the GST. Council is still not sure where it will be locating the parking space for the disabled. Council approved a committee motion to contact the hospital, medical clinic, arena, Lyon's food market, Canadian Tire, the Legion and schools to enquire if they wish to provide a parking space for the disabled under the same by-law. TRANSPORTATION Seaforth council authorized superintendent John Forrest to hire student Troy McLeod on a part time basis for eight weeks to work on road construction. The Ontario Good Roads As- sociation's effort to retain con- ditional road grants and to en- courage the Province of Ontario to improve the current road grant system was supported by council. Council also supported the As- sociation's effort to present the concerns of municipalities regarding road wear safety considerations, the impact of longer trucks on the capacity of municipal roads and the added design features to municipal roads that will be necessary to accommodate longer trucks. RECREATION AND PARKS Council was informed of the Canada Day festivities: Firemen's Breakfast, Walls -a -intron (Poker Walk). and firevrotlrs diti)iilay. The BIA will have sales promotions during the long weekend and a dance will be provided by the Agricultural Society. The Lioness Club will collect for the fireworks and a food booth will be there. Council was also informed that Milissa Whitmore will be replacing Jennifer Watt on the Youth commit- tee. ARENA The arena committee reviewed its financial report for the period en- ding April 30, 1999 and expen- ditnenenneenOtalled .. $103,657. and revenuestotalled$103,332._-_--.-- _ The summer maintenance program is almost completed with benches fixed, floors and dressing rooms cleaned. An energy audit is in progress and the Maitland En- gineering firm will be contacted as to a probable completion date. It is unlikely the Retrofit Program will begin in 1990. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Council heard recommendations from the committee's guests, Gary Sadler and Elsie Kitzman, that there is a need for 'ready to rent' in- dustrial buildings in the area and the possibility of building an in- dustrial mall for rent to new in- dustry should be explored. Mr. Sadler also suggested that the town should appeal to the school board to expand the technical courses available to high school students, since they found that the local workforce is lacking technically skilled labourers. Cathy Vida reported to the com- mittee that she received a letter of congratulations on receiving a scholarship for the Economic Development Certificate program at the University of Waterloo. She also reported that she has received her certificate of membership to the Ontario Industrial Development Council Inc. BIA REPORT Council heard that the Ministry of Transportation is completing a feasibility study for another office in Seaforth and will probably hold a competition for a new office location. Miss Vida reported to the BIA committee that the Sears store is closing June 30 and may be reopened by tendering out to a different location the operation of an agency store. MID -HURON LANDFILL Councillor Bill Teall reported to council that the price of dreifeom cars and trucks entering the landfill site will be $2.00 per tire commen- cing June 1, and the price of tires from vehicles other than cars and trucks will be $200 per ton as of June 1. PAY FOR MEETINGS Seaforth council members received a total of $2,365 in pay for meetings. Mayor Hazel Hildebrand received $280 for one council meeting, three committee meetings and one economic development meeting. William Bennett received $210 for one council meeting and three committee meetings. Peg Campbell received $255 for one council meeting and four committee meetings. Marjorie Claus received $435 for one council meeting, three committee meetings and three days at a OSUM convention. Irwin Johnson received $120 for one council meeting and one com- mittee meeting. Pat Malone received $210 for one council meeting and three committee meetings. Gary Osborn received $300 for one council meeting and five committee meetings. William Pinder received $300 tor one coun- cil meeting and five committee meetings. William Teall received $255 for one council meeting and four committee meetings. • Wed., June 20 1:30-4:00 p.m. — Senior Shuffleboard at the Arena 3:30-5:00 p.m. — Skateboarding et the Arena 8:00-9:00 p.m. — Fitness Is Fun at Arena Thurs., June 21 8:30-9:30 a.m. — Fitness is Fun at SDCC 7:00 p.m. — Soccer - St. Cotumban 2 Squirt vs. Lucan 2 at Dublin 8:00-10:00 p.m. — Men's Ball Hockey at SDCC 8:00 p.m. — Bolleramlth vs. Hoge 9:00 p.m. — Beachwood vs. Topnotch Fri., June 22 7:00-10:00 p.m. — Rollerskating at Arena Sat., June 23 All Day - Mixed Parra Lawn Bowling Tournament Sun., June 24 1:00-8:00 p.m. — London Kings ve. Merchants O.H. Mon., June 25 7:00 p.m. — St. Columban Atom 2 Soccer vs. Grand Bend 1 at Dublin Field Tues., June 26 8:30-9:30 a.m. — Fitness is Fun at socc 7:00 p.m. — Soccer - St. Columben Pee Wee 1 vs. Exeter St. Columban Field Wed., June 27 1:30-4:00 p.m. — Shuffleboard at SDCC 3:30-4:00 p.m. — Skateboarding at the Arena 7:00 p.m. — St. Columban Mosquito Soccer vs. Bryanston at St. Columban 8:00-9:00 p.m. — Fitness Is Fun at Arena 1.119