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The Citizen, 2016-04-07, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016. Draft budget increase driven up by donation requests Continued from page 18 could afford it," Councillor Yolanda Ritesma-Teeninga, who is Knott's counterpart on the Wingham BIA, explained. "The expense was too much." Chief Administrative Officer Sharon Chambers asked if there was a deadline for requests and Knott said he believed it was still several months out. Councillor Ray Hallahan said he was against giving the BIA money because council wasn't giving the Wingham BIA money, however Seip pointed out the group hadn't asked. He also said the two groups should be encouraged to work together. The funding was put into the budget, though it was done "in pencil" according to Vincent until the questions council had regarding the program could be answered. 14/19 REQUEST The Blyth Arts and Cultural Initiative 14/19 Inc.'s R2R conference requested that North Huron Township sponsor the event for $5,000. The conference, which will bring rural innovators to Blyth to help foster the sharing and creation of ideas regarding success in rural Canada, is set for this fall. Councillors, however, weren't anxious to get involved with what they felt was a large donation, instead opting to make a $1,000 donation. "My comment is we've given a lot to 14/19," Seip said. "At this point I'm not okay with [the $5,000 request]. We have to make the decision at some point that our sponsorship is set at $500,000 to fix Memorial Hall. That is all we can afford to participate with at this point." Knott said he anticipated the sponsorship being like any other conference and that it would be available at different levels. He felt that, as the host municipality, North Huron's name should be on the banner. "We shouldn't necessarily donate $5,000," he said, stating Seip was right about the amount already given to 14/19 Inc. "We've committed a lot of money, but I do think we should get feedback on what a lower level of sponsorship is. They could have a $350 sponsorship and still have a name on the banner. I think we need to have a name on that banner." Council decided to include a $1,000 donation for the purposes of the budget discussion. CURLING CLUB REQUEST The Wingham Golf and Curling Club, which is actually in Morris- Turnberry, has been sending requests and letters to local councils for several months now seeking aid in replacing its aging chiller. Without the chiller, the site can't offer curling. "I always have issues with things like this that are such a narrow focus," Knott said. "It's not a municipal item. It's not a bad idea to help support the curling club, but it's money that's specified for their chiller... Do we have a problem paying for capital improvements for properties we don't own? If I'm not mistaken, we're not allowed to do that" After some discussion, council included a $1,000 donation in the draft budget. WATER TOWER Another expensive announcement was that the Wingham watertower would need to be replaced. While this year will only see $100,000 spent on the project, which is for the environmental assessment of the existing site, Chambers said it will be "an expensive project" going forward. "It was not anticipated at all in the long-term plans for the water department," she said during the meeting. Chambers said the construction would likely require another review of water and sewer rates which are already increasing annually as a result of a rate review that was completed two years ago. Former Chief Operator Don Nicholson had received a report about the standpipe in Wingham, according to Chambers, shortly before he resigned from the township. "He was working with engineers on a strategy and looking at whether we could defer the project," Chambers said. "It needs to be replaced. We are beyond being able to repair [the watertower]. I met with the engineers, and we talked about the possibility of installing a new water tower on the site or purchasing new property adjacent to the site and installing a new water tower there to leave the old one in place and make the transition." Chambers said the strategy is to figure out what is necessary, but the first step is an environmental assessment. "We can't defer the work any longer," she said. Seip pointed out this wouldn't affect taxes or the levy this year as a transfer from existing water reserves would cover the cost, however that doesn't happen without its own problems. "I think we're going to have to look at our [water and sewer] rates in light of some of the work that is being uncovered that needs to be done," Chambers said. "As we are updating our asset management plan we are definitely going to have to look at a rate study to see if we are funding our capital expenditures as they need to be." Councillor Brock Vodden asked if this issue was known prior to the previous rate study that was completed two years ago and was told it wasn't and had not been discovered until 2015. She added this is indicative of why North Huron needs more complete information about existing infrastructure. "This is part of what [senior staff] have been talking about in getting a Obituaries solid condition assessment and getting all of our infrastructure into the plan because we're looking at rate studies and we really need to set out a 25 -year horizon for our capital projects," she said. "There could be times where we're getting into cash flow issues if we have some major projects that need to be done at certain times." In addition, there are two projects at the Wescast Community Centre that could result in significant expenses for North Huron taxpayers. Both the pool liner and the roof will be the subject of work this year that could lead to more expensive projects in the coming years. When addressing the pool liner, which has been an issue for years, White pointed out that there had been a plan to put $85,000 in reserves for the centre, however that was changed to $45,000 with $20,000 being earmarked for the study. White said the size of the project would likely mean that the municipality would have to borrow money to fix the problems in the pool. "Depending on what comes out of the studies, it's definitely quite a project that we will have to schedule," she said. The budget will be reviewed at a public budget meeting on April 11 before being brought to council during its April 18 meeting for final approval. BARRY HOEGY Barry Hoegy of RR 1, Walton, passed away at Seaforth Community Hospital on Thursday, March 31, 2016. Born in Grey Township on Nov. 14, 1940, Barry was in his 76th year. Barry was the beloved husband for 51 years of Karen (Brindley) and will be sadly missed by his children Darryl and his wife Ruthann, Lucan; Ben and his partner Darlene, Brussels and Sherry Delay and her husband Eric, Tennessee. He was the loving grandfather of Derek, Justin, Ashley, Amanda and Fletcher, the dear brother of Norma and Barry Eveleigh, Lions Head and dear brother-in-law of Dorothy and Mike Gulutzen, Bluevale; Doug and Judy Brindley, Goderich; Brian and Janice Brindley, Huron Haven; Glen Brindley, Vanastra and Velma and Fraser Hubbard, Calgary. Barry was predeceased by his parents Clifford and Blanche, his sister Betty and his mother and father-in-law Lloyd and Margaret Brindley. Friends were received by the family on Saturday at the Schimanski Family Funeral Home, Brussels. The funeral service was conducted on Sunday, April 3. Rev. Randy Banks officiated. A remembrance of Barry was given by his grandson Derek and as a musical tribute, Gloria Wilbee performed, "Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness" and "Precious Lord Take My Hand." Carrying floral tributes were granddaughters Ashley and Amanda. Pallbearers were Derek Hoegy, Justin Hoegy, Paul McCallum, Ron McCallum, Jason Gulutzen and Alex Gulutzen. Interment is in Mount Pleasant, Cemetery, Ethel. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to the Seaforth Hospital Foundation or LHSF — Dialysis Unit would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www. schimanskifamilyfuneral home.com loved by her sisters Josephine and Rose. Friends were received by the family on Monday at the Schimanski Family Funeral Home, Brussels and on Tuesday, April 5 at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church where the funeral mass was celebrated. Rev. Father Keith Morrison officiated. Burial will be at St. Ambrose Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to the Huntington's Society of Canada would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www. schimanskifamilyfuneral home.com 4 CAROLINE KERNAGHAN Caroline (Ditner) Kernaghan of Ashwood Manor, London and formerly of Brussels, passed away at Victoria Hospital, London on Friday, April 1, 2016. Born in Wilmot Township on June 9, 1925, Caroline was in her 91st year. Caroline was the beloved wife of the late Peter Kernaghan (1977), the dear mother of Michael and Debby Kernaghan, Glendale, Alberta; Anne Scott and Brian, London and Mary Jean Simpson and Joseph, Stratford and the loving grandmother to Bruce, Erin, Kelly, Lisa, Matthew, Kari, Ian and Phil. Caroline was also RUTH EDNA SAUVE-SCHADE Ruth Edna Sauve-Schade passed away peacefully at Huronlea, Brussels on Thursday, March 31, 2016. Ruth resided in Brussels and was born 95 years ago in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Ruth was the beloved wife of Neil Schade and loving mother of Glen and Judi, Stouffville; Sandra, Dale, Beth and Don, all of Brussels. Ruth was the stepmother to Don and Kent, Brussels and Carol, Stratford and sister to Glady who lives in Calgary. She was a grandmother to seven, a great-grandmother of 10 and she will be remembered by many nieces, nephews and friends. Ruth was predeceased by her first husband Clayton Sauve and her brother Glen Gaskell. Ruth lived a long full life and was blessed by the love of a good man during her final years and having her family live close by. She is missed. We let her go but are keeping the memories. A celebration of life will be held at the Brussels United Church on Friday, April 8 with visitation from 1 p.m. until the time of service REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. ALL ARE IN COLOUR 4x6 - $4.00 5x7 - $5.00 8x10 - $8.00 Phone to order 519-523-4792 X, or 519-887-9114 at 2 p.m. Pastor Sandra Cable and Rev. Mark Gedcke will officiate. As expressions of sympathy memorial donations to Brussels United Church would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements were entrusted to Listowel Community Family Funeral Home in Listowel. #1 And We Still Try Harder Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community -Owned Since 1985 ■ Stay Connected In print, online or on the go, your local newspaper keeps you connected to what's happening in your community and surrounding area. The Citizen www.northhuron.on.ca Facebook r3 www.Facebook.com/NorthHuronCitizen Twitter @TheNHCitizen Blyth 519-523-4792 The Citizen Brussels 519-887-9114