The Citizen, 2008-05-01, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008.Continued from page 2196 cremated remains. He also offered other options forconsideration. The first would be a cremation
scattering ground. “This would
make use of areas in our cemeteries
not suitable for burial. A fee would
be charged for scattering,” he said.
“And the beauty is there would be
next to no maintenance, while
providing another option for the
public.”
Both Blyth and Wingham have
areas where ground burials would be
difficult or impossible and the
scattering ground would be suitable,
said Ritsema.
There would be some limitation
on markers. “And rightly so,” said
Ritsema.
“You don’t want huge markers in a
scattering garden.”
He said he had contacted three
other cemetery operators, in Owen
Sound, Guelph and Waterloo. The
scattering fees, respectively, are
$150, $250 and $265.
Memorialization fees are $250,
$350 and $300-$350.
The size of markers would be
24”x18”, bronze plaques 11”x7” or
trees with small plaques in front.
The percentage of sales compared
to niche wall or inground interment
is 10 per cent in Waterloo, four or
five sales in 10 years for Owen
Sound and 10-20 per cent in Guelph.
The first two are municipal
cemeteries while Woodlawn in
Guelph is not for profit.
A second option was a niche wall
inside the Wingham chapel. “It is
not used at all. It’s a good structure,
but would need some updating.”
The approximate cost per niche
for the township would be $180-
$250 with a suggested retail price of
$1,000 to $2,500, depending on size
and location.
“This sounds like a lot of moneybut it’s a new era and people don’tmind spending money on this.”The Blyth chapel could be utilizedthis way as well, he said.
The final option is cremation
graves. At present the Wingham
cemetery only sells single 3’x9’
graves for $800 allowing an upright
monument at the head. Ritsema
proposed that multiple cremated
remains be permitted per grave.
“This would increase the revenue
and make better use of the land.”
Only granite flat-to-ground
markers would be permitted.
Most of council’s questions were
reserved for the chapel niche walls
as this would be the costliest to
implement. Ritsema said that niche
walls would be purchased by units.
“We would put one in and sell some
of those to buy another.”
“I will be interested to see how
that one that’s coming sells,”
councillor Archie MacGowan,
adding that there would need to be a
long-term plan in place for option
two.
Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell
said options three and one were
something council could “look at
very quickly”.
Ritsema said it would be a benefit
to North Huron for the cemetery to
offer something that no other in the
area can.
He encouraged council to consider
the scattering garden and the
cremation graves. “If we could make
3’x3’ graves available it’s less
money for the consumer, and better
use of our land.”
A scattering garden, he added,
could take about a year, thought it’s
relatively simple to put in place.
MacGowan agreed with both
suggestions, but added, “I think we
need to look at where everything is
going to go.”
Benefit
Mike and Katie Ansley, with daughter Mikayla, enjoy a moment together as the crowd
assembled in Blyth arena on Friday night in support of the little girl, who is currently
undergoing treatment for retinoblastoma. According to Bev Blair, one of the organizers more
than 600 people attended and while the final figure isn’t known Lions treasurer Steve Howson
estimates the event raised in excess of $30,000. (Vicky Bremner photo)
NH council considersoptions for cemeteries
With North Huron council’s
approval, there may be a bit of a
change to the race schedule at
Auburn Hills track this year.
At its April 21 meeting council
considered a temporary zoning
bylaw amendment to permit
motocross and motorcycle racing at
the East Wawanosh property. The
bylaw could be in effect for up to
three years with the renewal
requiring another public meeting.
Three applications have been made
for three extensions over the
years.
The purpose of the amendment is
to allow property owner Tom Bitz to
hold three, two-day motocross meets
per year. This year, however, Bitz
had to cancel the spring race due to a
“clerical error” on his part he
said.
“I didn’t get the paperwork done
on time. So I wouldn’t do something
that I shouldn’t be doing, I just
cancelled the event.”
Racing is also allowed on Sundays
and Wednesdays at specific times for
recreation.
Bitz would like to hold the Labour
Day races this year, then return to
the former schedule in 2009.
However, since making the
application, Bitz lost an ATV
national sponsorship and would now
like to offer a trail ride in its place on
the long weekend. “I’m just looking
for something to entertain
spectators. In my opinion this would
not be as disruptive as motocross
races as it won’t be a competitive
event.”
Also, rather than the Saturday and
Sunday, Bitz is considering holding
the race on Sunday with the ATV
trail ride on Monday.
In response to a question from
councillor Alma Conn regarding the
number of times a ‘temporary’
amendment could be made, Huron
County planner Sandra Weber said,
“It is maybe time to start looking at
what the use of this property is going
to be, and whether it’s feasible to put
policies in the official plan.”
Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell
said that with a permanent change
council could put controls in place.
Councillor James Campbell said
that there have been concerns
expressed by the Blyth fire chief
regarding trailer parking and said
that if the zoning was permanent a
site control plan in place would
address this.
Bitz said he would be happy to
follow any guidelines adding that he
has been making improvements
through the 10 years since he began
the events.
A neighbour, Paul Chamney
wondered if the issue was no longer
reviewed every three years what they
could do to voice concerns.
Snell said that the site plan
controls would have to be followed
or Bitz would be out of compliance.
In response to another ratepayer’s
concern, Weber said that any
structures would have to be
approved through the zoning
process.
Snell addressed the concern of
liquor, saying that the township
would have to be notificed about a
liquor licence.
“The only thing with a permanent
re-zoning is that we wouldn’t have
to go through with this every three
years.”
The neighbours, however, didn’t
see this as a problem. “It’s been
working well,” said Lynda Chamney.
“And believe me, we went through
a lot to get to this point,” added Paul
Chamney.
Bitz was less enthusiastic,
however. “It’s been a problem on my
end. When spring is up there’s not
enough time to rezone for the spring
race. That’s what happened this
year.”
It was noted, that Bitz could apply
before the three years is up.
Snell reminded again of the
benefits of site controls, adding that
they can’t be done until this could
get into the official plan.
A remark by Campbell about
bikers on Bitz’s property on a
Thursday, came as an unwelcome
surprise to Bitz. Saying the parties
had been there without his
knowledge he added, “I hope
everyone involved is rigid with
(enforcing) this. They’re trespassing.
It’s unacceptable.”
Councillor Greg McClinchey
suggested council go ahead with the
temporary amendment and have
staff consult with the applicant and
community on the possibility of a
permanent change.
“That’s the recommendation from
staff,” said Snell. “To ensure
everyone is getting what they want.”
However, Weber reminded council
about Bitz’s plan to hold a trail ride,
which had not been included in the
bylaw amendment. “You need to
consider whether the change is
minor or not.”
If not the bylaw will have to be re-
circulated with the change to the
landowners again.
“If it’s anything other than minor I
will rescind it,” said Bitz.
After an assurance that by re-
circulating the bylaw there would
still be time for Bitz to proceed with
the Labour Day weekend events,
council passed a motion to that
effect.
Before everyone’s departure,
Campbell commended Bitz. “He’s
come a long way with this. He runs
a tight ship.”
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Small changes suggested for
Labour Day weekend races
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen