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The Huron Expositor, 1975-05-01, Page 1Whole Nq. 5590 116th Year HPRC budge • Separate school supporters in Huron and Perth counties face •an average increase of 3.41 mills on their 1975 tax bills following the approval of the ' Huron Perth Roman Catholic Separate School's budget for this year v Thursday night. The HPRCSS board approved a budget of $3,432,258, up 18.4% from 1974. Of this amount, less than 14% or $451,753 has to be raised locally. $2,236.40 comes ftom , provincial grants, while revenue from other sources and ' from other boards will contribute $94,000. The average mill rate collected last year from supporters in the kwo counties was 24.05. This year the average will be 27.46. Some municipalities will be higher than this and some lower but none will pay more than 3.5 mills that they did in 1974, Ron Marcy • of Stratford, the board's finance committee chairman said. Senior management and teacher salaries and instructional "supplies are budgeted at $2,053,000, up $355,752 from last year. Plant operation expenses - •chiefly salaries for custodions - have increased to $184,020 , up $14,729. Administration expenses are calculated at $189,655, an increase of $33,808 from 1974. Transportation, expenses for board, owned buses are up a relatively slight $16,799 to "$341,500 for 1975. Plant maintenance expenses, including $30,000 for renovations to the board office, amount to $70,000, up 133,288 from 1974 expenditures. Other services, which include debt charges, capital from current funds and $700 in municipal taxes, will cost the board $377,483, up a,53,088 from last 0 year. In 1974 the' board had an overlevy of $21,700. About $9,006, of this amount will be applied to the 1975 tax yield so that no municipality will face a rate increase of over 3.5- mills, The board" went over the 1975 apportionment schedule, listing the mill rate required from each -municipality in order to break ven on the 1975 budget, before Alexander Easton Trustees change Tuckersmith tax 1• There was one unexpected change in the mill rates presented to the Huron Perth Roman Catholic Separate School Board' for approval Thursday night at a special meeting in Seaforth. Trustees were all set to pass the 1975 rates that levy an average increase of 3.41 mills on the various municipalities, when *trustee Michael Connolly of Kippen told them he had already received his tax notice from Tuckersmith Township. "And they are billing at about 1.5 mills over what we had required." Mr. Connolly's tax notice from Tuckersmith set the mill rate for separate school purposes at ' 29 mills. The board's finance committee had planned to set the irate at 27.46 mills, HPRCSS board chairman David Teahen of Stratford said the township had in effect billed for Trustees Jook at curriculum Over the objections of two, trustees, the Huron Perth Roman Catholic separate school board decided to set up an ad hoc committee to report to trustees on what is being taught in the ibehools. 'We should get beyond transportation, buildings, policy and finance and into edcucation-- that's the name of the game.", said freshman St. Marys trustee John O'Drowsky, who introduced the motion. The curriculum committee will also study subjects that are not now taught in the HPRCSS system for possible jeture implementation. Dublin trustee Joe Looby (Continued on Page 7) the board. Business administrator Jack Lane said the township had every right to do that. He sad he had had discussions with the Tuckersmith clerk last week and had told Him the board expected to set mill rates at Thursday night's meeting. , Mr. Lane said he had been under the impression then that Tuckersmith would wait to send the • notices until the separate _ board had set its rates. He said the township was ahead 'of the deadline set by the province for tax notices to go out by about a week. "I don't want to aggravate anything", Mr. Connolly said. "The clerk is just trying to do his job." He said he was just concerned to make sure that the taxpayers of Tuckersmith are credited with the money (the difference between the 29 mills and the board's planned levy of 27.46 mills) for next year. "How can he set this mill rate. Why are we meeting here tonight?" Dublin trustee Joe Looby wanted to know. "So the rest can't do the same thing," board finance committee chairman Ron Marcy of Stratford suggested. If the board set the Tuckersmith levy at the estimated 27.46 mills, the township could hold the almost 1.5 mills for this year, Mr. Lane explained. The township will only give the board what it asks for, he said, Mr.Connolly ' and Mr. Lane attempted to phone the Tuckersmith clerk to make sure they understood the situation correctly, but reported to the meeting that there was no answer at his house. Trustees decided to accept the mill rate of 29 as set by Tuckersmith, instead of the 27.46 set by the board audio apply the over levy as a redation on the 1976 mill rate for Thckersmith separate supporters. • cv FIRST SECTION PAGES 1 — 12 THE HURCIS,, POSITORtJHURSDAY, MAY '1, 107.5 — 20 PAGES Not approved •yet tl A FEW RABBITS SAVED — Seaforth fireman Jim Glew carried a couple of about ten rabbits which were saved from a burning shed at the home of k_eslie Holmes (in the background at left), R.R.4, Walton. There were about 200 rabbits in the shed and all but ten were destroyed by the fire. "(Staff Photo) I HP board hires new assistant superintendent • 4 Ir they accepted the budget, on the suggestion of Dublin trustee Joe Looby. ' "I don't know why we should accept the budget before I know what my mill rate is," Mr. Looby said. Trustees were also given figures on the mill rates for each municipality over the past 8 years. Finance chairman, Roy Marcy said that the assessment equilization factor, a percentage which is set by the Ministry of Educatidn, has a lot of bearing on the mill rate, as well as the actual assessment figures. "The lower the equalization factor, the higher the mill rates are going to be". Board business administrator Jack Lane said the equalization factor is set by the Ministry for their use . . . "it's untouchable." Zurich are trustee Ted Geoffrey commented "one minister told • me they grabbed a figure out of the air to arrive at this equalized ' assessment percentage." Vince Young of Goderich wondered how much cutting the amount the board spends per child would affect the mill rate. Not much, finance chairman Marcy replied, because the board only has to raise about 14% of the total budget. The finance committee had worked out that removing an expenditure of $20,000 from the budget would only reduce taxes by 1/7th of ,.a mill. About 25 of the municipalities "are getting hit with" close to the maximum, Mr. Young estimated. The new mill rates will "raise - what's required, taking into account the 1974 overlevies and still leave some surplus", Mr. Lane said., The budget increasethis year is not out of line, "considering the teachers', strike, raises and oar raises", trustee Looby commented. The 1975 mill rates, with the 1974 figures in brackets are: Clinton 29'.92 (27.66), Exeter, 25.59 (29.09), Seaforth, 26.141 (23.13), Goderich, 33.57, (30.18), Wingham, 31.95 (29.29), Bayfield (Continued on Page 6) A new supervisory officer has been hired by the Huron Perth Roman Catholic Separate School Board. He is Alexander Easton of Strathroy who, takes over a new 'position as Assistant Superintendent of Programs on August 1. Mr. Easton who is a school principal in Strathroy was hired Seaforth ' Lions are investigating the possibility of becoming involved in provision of additional senior citizen housing to serve the town. At a meeting Monday night the club instructed the executive to name a commie-tee to examine all aspects of the , question in conjunction with council, Central Mortgage and the Ontario Housing Corp. The. decision was taken following rernarks by Frank French and Tom Falus 'of the community sponsored housing branch of the Ministry of Housing. Mr. French who was introduced by Gordon Rimmer told the meeting that any group or organization could sponsor a housing project either for senior citizens or for families on a rent geared to income basis. he said that as a result of recent A two car crash at the intersection of the first sideroad east of Seaforth and Highway 8 sent two young people to Seaforth Community Hospital Sunday night. Goderich OPP constable Gingerich who investigated the accident said Brian Dietz, 17, R.R.4, Seaforth was south bound on the side road. he and his passenger, Brenda Savauge, 17, Seaforth, were admitted to . hospital, Briah with a fractured vertebrae at the back of his neck and leg lacerations, and Brenda with a broken clavicle, lacerations by the •board 'recently and approval has. been received from the Ministry of Education. Mr. Easton's salary will be $27,000 annually. Board chairman David' Teahen said the •Assistant Superintendent's job is a new position but it replaces two people who have been lost to the board,-"a primary consultant and a, special " education teacher. changes in the Federal Act the Federal Government -now can provide full financing at 8% over 50 years. 'Of this amount $10,000 is forgiven and an additional $10,000 is made available as a start up fund. Ontario also proviltes a $10,000 grant amortized over 15 years. Mayor Betty Crdno who was a guest at the meeting, said while Seaforth already has senior citizen accommodation there is a long waiting list. The town has been waiting for nearly a year for the Ministry to carry out a survey as to need which it had requested. Reporting for the park committee, chairman Gordon Rimmer received the past years financial statement. He said revenues included pool $4966.75, booth $3704.00, picnic 344.50, ball fees $115.00 and grants from Seaforth $2,500.00. McKillop and Tuckersmith each and bruises. Wednesday morning Brenda had been released from hospital and Brian remained in satisfactory condition. The driver of he other car, William Kerslake, 21, of R.R.1. Staffa, who was east bound on Highway 8, had an injured knee and other I erations, but was not ' admitted hospital. Constable Gingerich said damage to the cars was estimated at $1500 and $1200. "Put it this way, they won't be back on the road", he said. $300.00. Car stickers brought in $414.55 and public donations $3912.24. In addition the carnival raised $2781.11, car club $2,000.00 and 50th anniversary fund $700.00 for total receipts of $22038.35. Qf this amount more than half or „ $11,670.48 was paid out in wages. Other major•expenses were booth supplies $2,994.34 and repairs $1,872.82. Capital expenditures included payment on dressing room loan $2,000 and to Tuckersmith on dam account $270.00. The year ended with a deficit of $197.50. Mr. Rimmer said that with a further increase in wages as a result of a 40 cent an hour (By Nancy Andrews) The plans for the arena are still at the talking stage and many councillors refer to it as a "dream". An arena board meeting was held Tuesday night to discuss the province's grant structure and the feasibility of getting the townships to foot part of the cost. Don Reid of the Sports and Recreation Bureau of the Ministry of Culture and Recreation said a new grant system would allow Seaforth to get 25 per cent of the cost of construction to a maximum of $150,000 for the, combined community hall and skating arena. • The cost of the proposed construction is $289,000 and This would give Seaforth about $70,000 in grants front the province. At the same time, this would leave a balance of about $71,000 in grants for future large scale improvements on the arena. Mr. Reid said a lot of arenas were built just after the war, many of which have come due for repair. Flames destroy barn and rabbits A wind change took flames from some brush burning in the corner of a field -to completely destroy a shed containing 200 rabbits at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Holmes, R.R.4, Walton, Saturday afternoon. Jim Holmes, a son, said that he belongs to a club and sells rabbits for meat. Only about 10 rabbits were saved • from the burning building. The Seaforth Fire Department answered the alarm and kept the blaze from spreading to the house next to the shed. There was no insurance on the shed and contents, he said. Jim Holmes said the family is tearing down the remains of the shed and plan to rebuild it. He hopes to continue raising rabbits, he added. increase in the provincial _minimum there would be an even greater need this year for public assistance. It was intended to continue the fund raising campaign and car stickers, he said. Jack Pickard told the club that there had been a deficit of Si40.00 on the urban rural night program. He urged members to co-operate in pressing the sale of Stanley Cup tickets. Marlen Vincent. who heads the Beef BBQ program said tickets for the June event were now available. Plans for the summer carnival set for July 17 - 18 - 19 were presented by Leo Teatero who (Continued on Page 7) Mayor Betty Cardno said there should be some way td encourage municipalities to get together to help fund recreation facilities. Mayor Cardno said: "Let's face it, they should share .in capital costs." She said the province is "not encouraging this in any way." "Right now, there is only a moral obligation" to encourage participation of surrounding townships, she said. Mr. Reid was optimistic about the ,possibility of future co-operation for he said: "At least they're talking about it now." Just last year if joint funding of an arena was mentioned many would have gotten upset, he said. He said: "It is my opinion that all people who use the facilities should share in the cost." Three surrounding townships, Hibbert, Hullett and McKillop $),,Q.fki A *ear *Advance 1' $inglegit05eeetS agreedieveral weeks ago to pay a share of the costs on the existing building. • A user fee , of $15 will be charged all residents from non, participating townships, Councillor Charles Campbell said the three municipalities are charged -on capital costs and assessed on usage. He said "all the money helps to defray interest costs" and "the fee wasn't hitting anyone too hard." Most'of those present felt they made headway last yeavand will gradually awaken the townships to their responsibility. Mayor .Cardno said the reluctance of surrounding townships to participate has been Council's fault too, because communication has been bad and it "has not given municipalities 'Continued on Page 10) people to sit down and talk about health care services,' said Dr. Mills. He mentioned it would be the committee's duty to make recommendations or proposals for improving health services in Huron and Perth, and about such things as costly duplication of services. Some skepticism was evident in the council chambers. Warden Anson McKinley warned this was an untried venture. "We do not know what authority the ,Ministry will give to these health councils," said the Warden. 'We're going into what is an unknown., I only hope it doesn't st art the bureaucratic structure of the Mustard Report." Warden McKinley told council it is safe to assume that the health council would cover a much wider area of health services than the present ,county health units. Reeve Stan Profit of Goderich saidhis greatest fear was that the Ministry of Health would not accept the persons recommended by the steering committee to a health council for Huron and Perth. Reeve Profit expressed further apprehension by reviewing some of the points in the controversial Mustard Report, adding that health councils could be the first step toward implementing the Mustard Report. Dr. Mills, indicated that by studying the possibility of a Health Council for the district, there was no reason to assume the rest of the Mustard Report would also be implemented. In fact, Dr.Mills said that the concept of a Health Council for Huron-Perth was envisioned by Huron's county representatives prior to the Mustard Report. Dr. Mills said it was still not clear how members of future health councils would be named, but he suggested their representatives could be elected. He said Health Councils could function similarly to county school boards, for instance. Crash sends two to hospital. Lions may sponsor senior's housing CARS TOTALLED IN SUNDAY NIGHT ACCIDENT— tfifte people were injured in a two car accident about 10:80 Sunday night at the first mile and a quarter east of Seaforth on Highway 8. Brian Dietz, R.R.4, Seaforth, the driver of the car on the left and his The Huron County Board of Health received permission at last Thursday's general meeting of • county council to make appointments to a Huron Perth Steering Committee, the first step toward a Huron-Perth District Health Conned. The possibility of a- joint health council has been under discussion for sometime between Huron and Perth. On the steering committee from Huron County will be the chairman of the Health Unit Board, one representative of the medical- society, ' one representative of the Hospital Planning Council, one representative of a consumer or voluntary organization and one other representative. Perth County will have . the same number of representatives. The Warden and the Medical Officer of Health from both counties will be cx officio members of the • steering committee. - "This is an important aspect of promotion of health in Huron," said Reeve E. W. Oddleifson, chairman of the Huron County Board of Health. Reeve Oddleifson said Huron has met twice with Perth County to discuss the possibility of a Health Council. ' He said that while the appointment of a steering committee doesn't "commit this county to anything", the Minister of Health for Ontario is "very, favorably inclined" toward some agreement between Huron and Perth where health matters are concerned. MOH Dr.Frank Mills said that after the steering committee has met with both Huron and Perth Health Unirs, names woufd be submitted to the Minister of Health for membership on a joint District Health Council. The Minister of Health reserves the right to either acceptor reject the recommendation of the steering committee as to the .composition of the Health Council. "It is an important step to get., Arena boar talks ad iti Huron takes step on health councH passenger, Brenda Savauge of SeafortW were admitted to Seaforth Community Hospital, whore Brian remains satisfactory condition. Williart Kerslake, R.R.1, Staffa, driver of the Oar at tiObt, was hot admitted to hospital. (StaffOhoto) is . , „