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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1983-04-20, Page 1Incurparalmg 4Brussels Post 50c' per cop, xvi flrtni, xpositor SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1983 - 20 PAGES Town awards road tenders i;aaavx�ztae<,v�;. • Seaforth council received nine tenders for its summer road reconstruction program at council Apr. 12. The tender was awarded to Lavis Contracting Co. Ltd of Clinton after engineer Burns Ross opened and inspected the lot. Lavis was the low bidder, at $137,14RR4 Next closest was Omega Contractors of, London at $139,298.90 and the bids ranged up to a high of $181,153.46. • Council accepted the tender with the proviso that part of the work. on five short sections of various town streets. will be done only if funding is available. "Council .has budgeted $160,000 for the work. Do you feel that's sufficient to cover engineering supervision fees?"clerk Jim Crocker asked Mr. Ross. "I doubt it," the engineer replied, adding that supervision fees with the Lavis firm were usually 15 per cent. If there were no problems, could the engineering fee. be 'less, councillor Henry Mero asked and Mr. Ross replied "yes". The clerk asked the Ross firm to document any problems with delays in the work this summer. The penalty for failing to meet construction deadlines has been raised to $150 a day on this project. The engineer told council thatNMTC policy is to take the lowest bidder and the ministry pays a 50 per cent subsidy on most of the work. "if council chose not to take the lowest bidder, many contractors wouldn't bid in the municipality again," he added. Part two of the construction. will see the final cost of asphalt applied to Market St.. which was reconstructed by the Lavis firm last summer. Part one involves detailed reconstruction...storm sewers, curbs. side - ,A t Ne i hbours • A letter of complaint from two neighbours and a small delegation brought the issue of keeping horses inside the town limits to Seaforth counpil at its Apr. 12 meeting. - Ken McLlwain and Doug Anstett wrote council to complain about a horse barn owned by Murray Dalton behind their North Main St. homes. An electric fence around the Dalton property which they felt could be dangerous to small children and manure" tied outside were their special concerns. Police committee chairman Wayne Ellis aid Mr. Dalton had been given a copy of the town's 1968 bylaw dealing with animal 'housing in Seaforth by the chief of police. But Mr. Ellis didn't know about Mr. Dalton's response. "We haven't had a police -committee meeting to discuss it." The bylaw says any stable must be 300 feet from human habitation and sets out drainage, manure handling, and general maintenance requirements. After a good deal of discussion, council agreed to write Mr. Dalton, telling him the walks and first lift of asphalt...on E. W illiaii Si.. while part three. the optional work. involves paving in five areas of town. Mr. Ross explained to council that because of an error his firm made in setting up specs for the tender, an additional 38 m of pipe will be needed. He calculated the extra will increase the Lavis bid by $3,942.50. complain to council barn is in contravention of the bylaw and that charges will be laid if the property is not cleaned up within 10 days, on the suggestion of councillor Paul Ross. Councillor Henry Mero had argued that the matter should be routine under the bylaw. "it's not up to council to say he should be charged.' As of Monday night, Apr. 18,' Mr. Dalton said he hadn't received an official letter from the town. There are two ponies in the barn and Mr. Dalton said the neighbours hadn't complained to him. "It's not going to amount to anything," he added. Mr. McLlwain, who attended the meeting, noted that the electric fence is not mentioned in the bylaw "but it's one of the main problems." Clerk Jim Crocker agreed to investigate the legality of electric fences in town. "(Is) my letter just a waste of time?" Mr. McLlwain asked. The clerk replied it would appear the property contravened the bylaw and perhaps horses can't be kept in the barn at all. "Suits me," Mr. McLlwain replied. But another Seaforth ratepayer who has a horse barn in the same area of town, Gordon Pullman, also attended the council meeting. Noting he's had no complaints abouthis barn, he said he'd just learned of the 1968 bylaw and was "curious" about how it might affect him. Telling council he'd gotten a building permit 22 years ago to convert an all-purpose barn for horses, Mr. Pullman asked "what -happens if someone new moves in and you get a complaint about my barn?" Adding hes painted, and sprayed for flies in the past, Mr. Pullman said he'll "do anything to keep peace and avoid problems. "If 1 comply with that act (the bylaw) would 1 have any worries in the future?" he asked council Mr. Pullman. who said he did not intend to interfere with the Anstett and McLlwain complaint, told council he' -d appreciate knowing of any future bylaws "1 had no knowledge of that one in 1968. i think,1've followed proper procedure but wouleaporeciate knowing of any changes." PUC financially healthy, may want bigger r TRAPPER, a five year old German Shepherd, loves kids but hates drugs and criminals, says Constable Gleq O'Rourke of Mount Forest O.P.P. The pair visited students of St. James', separate school in Seatorth, giving several demonstrations of how Traprer sniffs out drugs and finds lost children. Michelle Etue was treated to a kiss from Trapper. David - Middegaal waits his turn to pet Trapper. (Wassink photo) Obscene phone calls increase Obscene phone calls are on the increase in Seaforth this year, says police chief. Hal Claus. The Seaforth police department has recently received five or six complaints of obscene phone calls in the area. Some of these calls are being made to the hospital where women could be sure to answer the phone. says chief Claus. Discovering the identity of the' obscene phone caller is difficult because the calls are hard to trace. "Not many people want to stay on the line and listen to that crap," says chief Claus. The police department recommends that anyone receiving an obscene phone call should hang up immediately and inform the Bell Canada office. Bell Canada can give you a new unlisted phone number which you should give only to your closest friends and relatives. if you should decide to listen, try to pick up background noises that could identify the caller. And, if you do identify the caller, inform the police as soon as possible. The police department has also purchased two engravers which Seaforth citizens are free to use to mark their valuables so that they can be identified if stolen. items that have a resale value, such as hubcaps, televisions, stereos, and tools are recom- mended for engraving. Interested citizens can borrow an engraver at the Seaforth police station. Council seeks contractor for new police office Seaforth council has decided a contractor is needed to supervise the renovation of the old fire hall. in the rear of the town hall. for use as police headquarters. Last month council agreed in principle to re -locate the police office there. and $0.480 in funding has been received under a federal - provincial employment program called ('OED. At its Apr. 12 meeting. council agreed The Seaforth Public Utilities Commis- sion is financially hlealthy and in a strong position to meet its obligations, both electrical and waterworks, according to its 1982 audit. The PUC made more money than last year from its electrical utilitiefi but it also spent more -money, leaving it with a net income of $7,690 (53,488 less than it made last year). Decreases in water heater rentals and in late payments by customers (which are subject to a penalty) were some of the reasons for the decreased income. The total current assets in the electrical operations increased by $42,128 during 1982 mainly because of the new lines and increased hydro going to the arena. Equity in Ontario Hydro- also increased by 528,765 because the Seaforth PUC has made contributions to assets owned by Ontario Hydro. Income earned through interest went up by $1,494 because of the high interest rates in the past year. Total revenue in waterworks increased by '57.491 from 1981's total of 598,014 with the .majority of that revenue generated by the ,arena. But, total expenditures also went up .from 581.570 to $102,097 because of the cost Horry Scott will be f -e , rnet p. a Harry Scott. now vice-principal at people and discuss the possibility of coming Seaforth District High School, will become back to school "for one course or more." the school's new principal in September. As well, Mr. Scott says changes from the He succeeds Bruce Shaw, whose appoint-' ministry of education will mean changes at ment as principalt South Huron District SDHS. For example a special education High in Exeter was announced last week. Mr. section, -headed by teacher David Onn, has Scott, 58, a native of Seaforth, has taught at been set up to handle the school's responsi- SDHS since 1965. He and his wife Maureen bility under new- legislation. "Eventually it live on Goderich St. W. may mean we send fewer kids' to Clinton Interviews for the SDHS principal's job (where technical courses are a specialty)," were held Friday. all with applicants from Mr. Scott says, "but we are taking it step by within the Huron County system; said step.' Director of Education. John Cochrane. Mr. Scott was notified of his appointment late Friday afternoon. - "He has some good ideas on how to make the school really hum," Mr. Cochrane said. Mr. Scott's plans include making the semester system at the school "available to more people." He hopes to set up an information night for adults. "anyone from 18 to 80" to visit the school, talk to guidance "Bruce has done an excellent job here and 1 want to maintain the atmosphere." That means that at the county's smallest school "the kids feel free to come into our office and discuss things," Mr. Scott adds. Student behavior is not a problem at SDHS where there are "not a lot of rules. It's a really different school. And I want to keep it that way," Mr. Scott says. Past postmaster, Orville Oke dies whh its police committee mat a contractor could both co-ordinate the work and work out the total cost of the project. fhe poli;c committee was given th go-ahead to prepare specs for the work, advertise for proposals from contractors and make a recommendation to council. Three qualified unemployed people will he hired to work on the project under COED. Seaforth's budget, taxes, coming May 10 Seaforth residents who are wondering what the town's 1983 budget will do to their tax bills won't get the answer for a few more weeks. Although last war's financial statement will he presented at a special open meeting on Monday. Apr. 25. the budget will he reviewed by the whole council in private session. It will he presented publicly at - Farm meeting says no to 100% rebate /A14 count 1Cguiar mecung. May 10. Clerk Jim Crocker told the Expositor that the change from the usual procedure of releasing the financial statement and the budget at the same meeting is a result of council's wish to go over the entire budget together. so that councillors who are not members of a particular committee fully understand each committee's budget t 4 Seaforth postmaster for 19 years, Orville Garfield Oke died Wed. Apr. 13, 1983 in University Hospital. London. He was 68. Born in Goderich, he was the son of the late Charles Oke and the former Ann Blake. and grew up on the family dairy farm in Goderich., township. Mr. Qke, who retired as postmaster in Dec. 1919, served overseas with the Royal Ordinance Corps as an electrician. He was wounded and invalided home to Westminster Hospital in London. Moving to Seaforth in 194', he bought the Royal Apartment block in 1949, in partnership with his brother-in-law. • of testing the PUC wells and the rising costs of hydro. wages and computers. The commission is prohibited by law from making a surplus in the waterworks opera- tion. 11 achieved a balance of nil between the assets and liabilities by transferring 53,309 to the municipality and $99 to the reserve fund. The reserve fund, established in 1977 for the purpose of upgrading and extending the water distribution in Seaforth, passed the limit of$25.000 on December 31, 1982 with a total of $26,224. Unless a new limit is granted by town council, no money can be added to the reserve fund except the interest. Auditor Archie Leach. of the accounting firm Atkinson, Leach and Neill; recommend- ed that the commission conduct an engineer- eserve fund ing study to show why the reserve fund exists and how the money is going to be spent in the future. Mr. Leach presented the Seaforth PUC's financial audit at the Apr. 13 regular meeting. The commission voted to get in touch with an engineer in regards to the study so that it could justify asking town council to up the' limit on the reserve fund. PUC chairman, Gord Pullman said that the reserve fund should be increased if only because of inflation over the past five years. Other recommendations from the account- ing firm included using quarterly financial statements, keeping a detailed inventory system. and stamping invoices to shoW that the figures have been checked several times. and operated Oke's Billiard and Tobacco Shop there. He is survived by his wife, the former Wilma Rowcliffe, and two daughters, Elaine, Mrs. Raymond Baker, of London. and Mary. Mrs. Mitchell Moore, of Burlington. Three granddaughters, Alanna and Adrienne Baker and Kristin Moore also survive, as does a brother, Graeme, of Comber. The late Mr. Oke was predeceased by two sisters, Jessie, Mrs. Allan Walker and Ella, Mrs. George Fagean and five brothers, Wilson; Albert; Irvine; Ira and Stuart. - Please turn to page 3 Bill Scott Ontario rep to CEMA Bill Scott of Seaforth is Ontario's new representative at the Canadian Eg Market- ing Agency. The Ontario Egg Producers' keting Board, of which Mr. Scott is the Director for Huron County, elected him as their repre- sentative on the C.E.M. A. Board of Directors at their April meeting. He replaces Stan Steen of Ariss, who served on the C.E.M. A. Board for six years. The C.E.M.A. Board of Directors consists of one representative for each province. plus a federally -appointed chairman and member• at -large. The agency is responsible for national activities such as central pricing and the allocation of total, or global quota. while the provincial Egg Boards are responsible for dividing their share of the global quota allocation among producers. and for collect- ing levy monies from producers. A director of the Ontario Egg Board for six wars, Mr. Scott operates a 15,000 -bird egg laying operation, which includes a custom hatchery. He holds a Master of Applied Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Toronto. Prior, to commencing his farming activities on the family farm in the mid-I960s, Mr. Scott worked as an engineer for the National Research Council. i TOO BIG—Hensall nursery school students toured the Hensall fire hall last week, learning how their local fire department operates. Melissa Masse became an overburdened firefighter for several minutes when she modelled a fireman's coat and helmet. She said the coat was heavy, but was determined to grow Into It. (Wassink photo) How to make someone a non -person /A10 It's school ploy time: the Wizard of Oz is in Ethel, Tom Sawyer is coming to SPS /A8 Brussels Tradefest was better than ever /A6, 7 Births /A9 Brussels news /A6, 7 Classified /A16, 17 Dublin news /A4, 5 Entertainment /A8 Family /A9, 10 Farm /A14 Hensall news /A14 Kids /A11 Obituaries /A11, 14 People /A8 Smiley /A2 Something to Say /A2 Sports /A 12, 13 Walton, Londesboro, /A18 i 1 miniiimmINE1111.1111111111111111111111111