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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-06-21, Page 1Weddings — A5 Obituaries — AB Hensall — AB Walton — AB Dublin — AB - A9 Sports —AlO - All Births — A17 General level $t 'deserve better. See page AS. Serving the communities and areas of Seatorth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensall and Walton Seaforth, Ontario HURON EXPOSITOR, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989 GIDDY UP - Young Justin Rowberry, 4, proved one is never too young to be a cowboy. Justin and his pony "Peaches and Cream" competed .in a number of categories at a show sponsored by the South Huron All Breeds Association (SHABA) on Saturday at the Seaforth Agricultural Grounds. Mcilwraith photo. 50 cents a copy Tuck•ersniith to bey backhoe Tuckersmith township has bought a backhoe. In spite of a petition of 165 signatures, a delegation of ratepayers opposed to the pur- chase, and the general controversy the backhoe purchase issue has raised in recent weeks, a motion was passed three votes to two in favor of buying what many in the township feel is an unnecessary piece of machinery. Councillors Rowena Wallace and Larry McGrath were outvoted by Reeve George Cantelon, Deputy -Reeve Bill Carnochan, and Councillor Bill Dejong. But before the backhoe came to a vote council heard from a delegation made up of ratepayers Cleave Coombs, Wilmer Kelly and Ina McGrath. "We're deeply concerned about this big tractor you want to buy," started Mr. Coombs. "Taxes are high enough without jacking them up." Mr. Coombs then pointed out that the peti- tion of ratepayers against the backhoe pur- chase had increased to 165 signatures. "I think when you get that many there should be some concern about it." Mrs. McGrath noted that a high percen- tage of the people who were asked signed the petition. Only three who were asked, she said, would not sign it. "And we didn't twist anyone's arm, we just went to the door with the petition." Mr. Coombs then went on to discuss many of the familiar topics surrounding the backhoe purchase, like the price of repair- ing and maintaining a backhoe, hiring a man to operate it, and liability insurance. He said the township would be better off hir- ing the two contractors in the township to do their backhoe work as has been done in the past. Mr. Kelly said the township is starting to look "like a toy factory." "We've got a hundred thousand dollar Mack truck in the township and I've seen them out gathering branches with it in spr- ing, when a pickup would do the same job," he said. He then pointed to the new grader the township just got last year. When a coun- cillor said the grader was purchased with provincial grant money, Mr. Kelly countered with "where does the provincial money come from? -Our taxes. And it's not the big industry (paying taxes), it's the little guy who has to work his ass off. I think it's time you guys slowed down." "All you've got is a toy factory and a make-work program," said the outraged ratepayer. Deputy -Reeve Bill Camochan spoke for council, saying that taxes are not going to rise additionally by the purchase of this backhoe, because the budget for the coming year has been set. "I'm sick of paying taxes like everyone else, but this isn't going to affect our tax assessment," said the Deputy Reeve. "I think the reality is that we're upgrading our road program to make it more efficient and more economical, to eventually result in a saving to the township -rather than paying it out hand over fist and at the end of the year having nothing to show." To questions of finding an operator for the backhoe, Mr. Carnochan said township employees will be able to handle it. "We have people running around on $165,000 graders who don't seem to do much damage." Of the petition he said: "we hale 900 plus households in Tuckersmith. As a council sit- ting here, how do we lmow this (petition) represents the whole township?" He said the petition is a good way for people to bring their voices before council, but added that he could find 165 people in the township who would sign a petition in favor of the backhoe purchase. Councillor Dejong said he talked to six or eight people who had signed the petition, who after hearing his side of the story agreed with the purohase of a backhoe. Two, he said, .even asked that their signatures on the petition be disregarded, but he declined to name the signatures. Mr. Carnochan admitted he has been get- 2urn to page 15A • Sign by-law sent back for possible revision A by-law to prohibit or regulate signs and ject to a maximum time period during other advertising devices in the Town of which it may occupy a particular site. It was Seaforth, has been sent back to the Planning also his opinion that portable signs should and Advisory committee for further study, not be classed as temporary signs, but after comments made at a public.tsleeting rather be dealt with on their own. last week. fy "The terminology used in the sign by-law Dave Hemingway of WWo dustrres ist m ding, gpid IYiT,. 1emingyvay. "A expressed his concerns a,iiiat,Se on 13 Of :portable -sign should not be considered a the proposed sign bylaw, which:addresses temporary sign. That's a misnomer." `temporary signs -portable". Ramis his opi- "And the set back for portable signs is Mon that a portable sign should+ be allowed unrealistic, as is the nature of time limits on to be located closer than the stated three portable signs. I don't see where this is me �s .o a _ ..reetline, and should not be sub- necessary," he said. Tuckersmith may get rural garbage pickup an office at the Vanastra Recreation Centre, as a place for people in the township to be able to get in touch with the OPP. PLUGGED DRAIN The Papple Drainage Works in the Southwest corner of Egmondville is still plugged with willow tree roots, but council has decided upon a course of action. Earlier council looked at removing the trees or in- stalling steel pipe to solve the :drainage pro- blem. But recently council opted to do a temporary repair job, and next time the drain plugs have a proper engineers report done, as the watershed for the drain has changed. LOAN SEWAGE' TREATMENT Council agreed to provide Harbour Lights Condominiums of Bayfield with sewage treatmentat the.townshipfacilities, at triple the regular rates. The facilities are current- ly running at about one-third capacity. The regular ,price is $2.50:per thousand gallons, and Tuckersmith :will charge $7.50, resulting in payments of roughly $50 per week over a renewable eight week contract period. Tuckersmith Township may be getting rural garbage pickup. Warren Bennewies attended the June 13 meeting of council to ask the councillor's permission to send let- ters to rural ratepayers, to determine how many would be interested in regular pick yup. Mr. Bennewies says he would pick up. everything the landfill site will take, and he has facilities to separate articles for recycl- ing if the township at some time adopts a recycling program. Mr. Benewies says his intention is not to interfere with existing garbage pick up in Egmondville or Vanastra, but only to get rural customers. Councillor Rowena Wallace said she Thinks it is an excellent Odea, and noted that many of her neighbors felt the Holmesville landfill site is too far away to be practical. Council passed emotion granting�perrnis- sion to Mr. Bennewies to send letters to: 'ratepayers. POLICE COMMITTEE The policing committee which has been established in the township Will be setting :up RUCK AND DOES On recommendation from the recreation director, council established that at any stag and does held at the Vanastra Recrea- tion Centre two security officers will have to be provided at the expense of those renting the facilities. Council looked at similar policies in neighboringmunicipalities nicipalities in arriving at this decision. TOWNSHIP FLAG Council will be looking into the cost.of buy- ing a township flag. The issue cameup when the Seaforth and District,arena board asked for a flag and bracket:mount from each of the participating municipalities to be mounted outside the arena. There is cur- rently no flag to represent the township. RESIGNATION Council has received a letter of re ' a - tion from Mary :Lou 'Murray, Assi>nt Super nsor of :the:Imdy Diaoa Nursery. The resignation was accepted with regret. NEXTiMEETING The next meeting of council be -Wednes- day, July 5. IRK in good position after close of,1988 Looking over its waterworks and elec- The electrical utility generated $1,161,138 =trical financial statements, the Seaforth',primarily from the sale of electricity to ;Public Utilities Commission can report a residential and commercial customers, and ;fruitfu119/18. Phillips Manager Tom illips.says in the water - ;works department the utility is right on ; budget, has completed planned,capital tworks, and finished the year with increased 4reserves. The hydrodepartment:was:also•on sbudget with •expenditures but .sold more $power than .forecasted, thereforegenerating greater revenue. "We're in a,' better ;position than we �an- ,iticipated; ' said the manager. a further. $26,474 in revenue was garnered from ,water heater rentals and miscellaneous. Expenditures included '$917,992 to purchase power from Ontario and nd $216,899 to operate•and ad- minister the utility. So the excess of revenue over expenditures was $52,721 for 1988, com- pared to:only aan $8;080excess in 1987. Mr. Phillipsexplains that the higher than ianticipated�eleetricitysales;are theresult:of ,the;droi ht: last,summer;and,higher,use ,of air ,coalitioners; fans etc., as well... as an in- ; 7f74F:a,.4 crease in customers such as the new medical clinic and .addition to Seaforth Manor. In waterworks the;utility received$187,159 from the .sale of water, fire protectioi1,,;ac- ci l iated -revenue; and other:sources. This to x$182,102 An 1987. This capital was applied ,to cost ,of :$187,159 for ;water transmission and ,distribution, power and pumping, administration, and capital operations, and reserve funds. $72,121 wantransferred to reserve funds. The PUG now has •reserve of;$21,136;to A)e appliedto-maintenance u<ttenance..expenses,andaae- cond reserve of $189.02 8,for capitalpro ects. The secpiidreierveiriinte_nded to:even y replace the water tower. On tbeatatistics;pageit •wasnotedthatithe water utility serves 2,153 customers.; has 12.6 miles ;of :watermain, and diel b .about 116,000,000;jxperial;galloas,of-sva rr in 1988. .WATERt•,TOWER Afterhearing ,an ,assessment Rossand.Assoeta Ltd the ep�(tigers decide i toepatch Elle two leaks.,in:the water .tower,ltdreinspecthetower,age <t;trp Y The ct on is 0t$0J' . ;At lacing a to r, ;sand r J ,aside'funds 04410tatibiitsc0-._ Posstblesltesfortle;aewtower investigated. • Mr. Hemingway noted the Ministry of Transportation had once had the time limit, but had abandoned it and were now issuing permits,every six months. He also noted the Town of Mitchell and villages of Brussels and Hensall had no set backs, and Clinton was going thrpagh the 'whole exercise all over ;again, because their -by-law was so unenforceable. "I think Seaforth has seen evidence of people gearing up for the sign by-law by put- ting up permanent signs before the by-law Turn to page I5A • OW,lP • .ile a t` WellAs, P t �t1p�'to' -104 b , di$ Wen trreets together the ' ate ydt+era, „8rtt 0401,10104040l ;tient 4144410* , , • n010,1 h 0164.,. rt ' f Y untir .1ft • , Vd .t 0.. w+4. vet,un- • .t •