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Times-Advocate, 1979-01-24, Page 2Pag* 2 Times-Advocate, January 24,1979 Stephen, Bosanquet and Grand Bend Fire agreement to be negotiated Negotiations are expected to get underway shortly between the village of Grand Bend and the townships of Bosanquet and Stephen on new cost sharing agreement 4 for fire protection. Bosanquet reeve Charles Srokosz said his municipality would meet with Grand Bend February 12 to discuss splitting the costs Several deficiencies still exist at centre With the South Huron Rec Centre well into its second year of operation there are still several problems with the facility the South Huron Rec Centre Board learned Thursday. Rec Administrator Kirk Armstrong told the board Cambrian Consultants, the engineers for the project and their contractors have failed to rectify any of the problem areas which were detailed in a November letter sent to Cambrian and Northside Construction. Armstrong said there were 15 deficiencies still existing among those being the im­ proper working of the ex­ pansion joint for the arena floor, ineffective control of thewater temperature in the dressing room’s showers, the leaking of the east wall after a heavy snow or rain and the improper operation of the thermostats controlling the furnaces in the hall. After the meeting Arm­ strong said that he received a call from the contractor with regards to weather stripping around the exit doors in the hall two weeks ago but to date no action has been taken on the matter. Armstrong said his next course of action would be to inform Cambrian that if the problem areas are not rectified within 30 days of receipt of a communication from the rec administrator, entre staff or local con­ tractors would do the repairs with amount being deducted from the $8,600 which is still owed by the centre to Cambrian. Howard Pym said having roller skating for the entire summer could see the revenues fall off. “How do we know the hockey school won’t turn out to be something great?” Pym asked. If the school was going to operate in Exeter this summer they would have contacted the board by now Gerry MacLean said. The price for the ice time should be set by Armstrong and the board with no bargaining to take place, MacLean added. The board instructed Armstrong to contact the hockey school to see if they would be interested in using the facility this summer. equally between Grand Bend, Bosanquet and Stephen. Clerk Wilmar Wein of Stephen township told the T- A Tuesday morning that councillor Allan Walper, the Stephen representative on the Grand Bend and area fire board has been authoriz­ ed to negotiate a new agree­ ment. Under the present agree­ ment Grand Bend pays 40 percent of the fire costs and Bosanquet and Stephen each contribute 30 percent. Srokosz said as council is already paying 30 percent he doubted they would “nit­ pick” over another three percent. Grand Bend council decid- ed last week it may withdraw the service within 60 days if a new agreement couldn’t be reached. The village objects to paying nearly half the cost of the service. Srokosz said he doubts Grand Bend will cut off the service after the 60 days, because it could jeopardize township residents. The village’s proposal is reasonableand shouldn’t pre­ sent too much of a problem to the three municipalities, he added. However, Srokosz said Bosanquet would likely be able to provide its own ser­ vice if a new agreement isn't reached. He said the township could extend its agreement with either Thed­ ford, Forest or Arkona to serve the area already protected by Grand Bend. Bosanquet also has funds available to set up its own fire department if necessary, he said. No deci­ sion on that will be made un­ til meeting with Grand Bend. The village’s decision comes on the heels of an On­ tario fire marshal’s report suggesting Grand Bend seek a new agreement. Grand Bend Reeve Bob Sharen said any new agree­ ment should give the village authority over fire depart­ ment changes with a liaison committee allowing township participation. Under the old pact, the three municipalities had to meet whenever changes were proposed. Srokosz said he doesn’t HERITAGE EXECUTIVE — The recently installed officers at the Heritage Foundation are President Bruce Shaw, treasurer Kay Snelgrove, past-president Doug Gould, secretary. Pat Solomon, building fund treasurer Jerry McDonnell, and membership Pat Fletcher. T-A photo Upon suggestion of new board member Gerry Parsons of Exeter, the board decided the town should obtain a lawyer to write the letter to Cambrian. “If it makes a $1,000 we should hold it,” was the reaction of Mayor Derry Boyle to the discussion concerning the plans for the rec centre this summer. Armstrong told the board the Huron Hockey School held last year made the $1,000 after considerable discussion with the hockey school’s operators. If roller skating was held during the same period time $2,500 could be realized, Armstrong stated. New board chairman Gould never though he'd see it Town hall debts paid By MARY BLEWETT . was thanked hv the fnunrla- roes for fho rlnnU in The Exeter and District Heritage Foundation met Monday night at the old town hall to install their new ex­ ecutive. Elected president was Bruce Shaw; secretary, Pat Solomon; treasurer, Kay Snelgrove; building fund treasurer, Jerry McDonnell; membership collection, Pat Fletcher; and fun raising, Bev Read. Past president Doug Gould chaired the meeting as his last official duty. Mr. Gould Trust Company Certificate Rates Annual Interest 10’/2% was thanked by the founda­ tion for his work at the old town hall, and he offered a list of suggestions to the new executive. Mr. Gould announced that the financial situation for the foundation was looking up. The $17,500 grant from the town was matched by $17,500 from a Wintario grant. This allowed them to pay off the contractor the $10,153.33 owing in full. They then applied $18,500 on their loan at the Bank of Nova Scotiaf which left $4,000 ow­ ing. The foundation has a further credit with Wintario of $6,832 which leaves them with a surplus of ap­ proximately $1,900. After an­ nouncing that all the major debts were paid off, Mr. Gould said !‘I never thought we’d see the day”. Mr. Gould also said that an anonymous donor has given them a public address system, and Earl Campbell will be donating new brass cogs for the clock in the tower. The cogs are valued at $200 for each of the four clock faces. Mrs. Doreen Adams will be donating two gallons of paint. In other business it was decided that: Membership fees would be the same as last year, at $2 for an individual, or $3 per family. ’ The heating contractors would be contacted with regards to moving the ther­ mostat to a more suitable location in the building. This was decided as a result of complaints from tenants about being cold. A quarterly newsletter will be sent to all members. Acme Signs would be ap­ proached about making a sign more suitable to the older style of the building than the plans they have sub­ mitted. The present cleaners would continue their work, and take the job of snow removal. Semi-Annual For a 5 Yr. Term. Ellen Bean • 344 Andrew St., S. Exeter, Ontario 235-2140 Cottrell is lauded for past BIA efforts We'll Do the Job Right... We've Moved Our Office we are now located at our Exeter shop Whatever the project, call on us for Ready-Mix Concrete • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • FARM (Including Manure Tanks) FREE ESTIMATES C. A. McDOWELL LTD. EXETER, ONTARIO Plant: 235-0833 office: 235-1969 Bob Swartman, newly- appointed chairman of the Exeter Central Business Im­ provement Area lauded the work of last year’s board members in his opening remarks at the association’s first meeting of the year Thursday night. He told outgoing chairman Ron Cottrell that he had done “one hell of a job” in the face of a lot of flack and criticism that wasn’t justified. Swartman stressed the importance of having every B.I.A. member know exact­ ly what the association is do­ ing and what its goals are. “Every person in the im­ provement area paying business tax should be in­ formed of the efforts the board is making on their behalf,” he added. The im­ provement area is the por­ tion of the Main Street between Simcoe and Gidley streets. The new chairman also said he would like to see other businesses in town, although not located in the specified area, included in several of the retail promotions that take place during the year, He was referring to events like mid­ night madness, sidewalk days and the Santa Claus parade. “Several businesses who want to join in these events could be assessed their fair share of the costs,” he stated. Planning committee chairman, Gerry Gray said that it would be possible to expand the business im­ provement area to include additional businesses along Main street north but added he didn’t think it was prac­ tical. He felt existing businesses were spread out over a large area with many residences in between. Former chairman, Ron Cottrell told board members he considered his past two years “a pleasure and a challenge.” He said he en­ joyed the work despite the many ups and downs faced by the board. Cottrell emphasised the importance of all the business people working together. “We’re a unit and not just a group of individuals competing with each otherhe said. Cottrell’s original efforts had been the driving force behind the founding of the Business Improvement Area. consider this move a ploy by Grand Bend to convince the townships to stop fighting village annexation plans. He said Grand Bend would like­ ly suffer as much as the townships if a new pact isn’t reached. Sharen said last week that seeking a new agreement was not connected with Grand Bend’s plans to annex parts of both townships. The village had been considering a new agreement long before it got involved with annexation, he said. . Grand Bend wants to annex parts of the townships to reduce public service costs and bring rural residents into closer contact with the government that affects them most. Parking and finance are top priority Parking and finance are the two main priorities fac­ ing the board of manage­ ment of the Exeter Central Business Improvement Area according to chairman Bob Swartman. Swartman told board members Thursday night that quick action will be necessary in the acquisition of the Fopex property, behind G&G Discount and also that the other im­ mediate project for the board is discovering what grants are available frdm the government for the re- juvination of core areas in communities of under 30,000 population.’ Many months of work and negotiations have been put into reaching an agreement with the property owners on the west side of Main Street between John Street and the Fopex property but this is not enough stated planning chairman Gerry Gray. He said just as things were proceeding smoothly with the owners granting a 30 ft. easement to the town, the board has now been in­ formed by Reeve Si Sim­ mons that additional easements will have to be received from the owners of property south of G&G to Ann St. This includes the businesses of Sanders Grocery, Thomas Organs, and Ersman’s Bakery. Gray said that additional time will be needed to try and get similar agreements for the easement from these owners. He also added that costs will have to be worked out for how much the im­ provement of the area will cost each owner. Before land for parking can be improved by the Business Improvement Area, it must be owned by the municipality according to the guidelines set down by B.I.A. groups by the provin­ cial government. This is why the town of Exeter must own the property before any B.I.A. funds can be used for paving, drainage, lighting, etc. Bob Swartman said the verbal option for getting the Fopex property for $15,000 was nearing the expiry date and that every effort should be made in completing the deal quickly. The delaying factor, however, could be in getting additional agreements with property owners to the south of the lot. It was at this stage in the conversation that councillor Harold Patterson said he wasn’t familiar that these ad­ ditional easements were necessary before the purchase could be made although other board members had stated that Reeve Simmons said they were required. Patterson, asked whether Simmons was speaking for himself or for council regarding the ad­ ditional requirements, said he wasn’t aware that council was taking this stand. A committee comprised of Mel Gaiser, Ron Cottrell and Earl Campbell will at­ tend a joint meeting with the parking authority in an ef­ fort to make some progress before the next council meeting. CONSIDERING Many Canadian farmers are taking a hard look at in­ corporating their farm business, according to the latest issue of the Bank of Montreal’s Farm Profit Management newsletter. One major development in this area, the newsletter says, was the recent govern* ment ruling that the transfer of farm business shares to children is not subject to a capital gains tax. ASKS FOR HELP — Coach Derry Boyle appears in a meditative mood prior’to Saturday's reunion of the Exeter juniors of 1960- 61. Shown with Boyle are Jack Chipchase, Jim McDonald, Gerald McBride and Cy Blommaert. Boyle was manager of the team when it was first organized. The veteran juniors downed the Zurich Oldtimers by a score of 6-2. T-A photo IT'S OUR ANNUAL 73 . . . you can save more than ever on quality Canadian-made merchandise for the family and the home. Prices have been slashed in all departments to reduce our stock before inventory has to be taken. You'll never find a better savings oppor­ tunity than right now. CLOSED WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31 Our store will be closed next Wednesday, January 31 for inventory. We will re-open Thursday with tremendous after-inventory values for the family and for the home. WINTER JACKETS AND ONE PC. SNOWSUITS OFF CONTINUES WITH GREAT BUYS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY our store. You could win a merchandise certificate equal to Special Rack of SWEATERS, SHIRTS & ROBES ’/2 PRICE Mins, CLOVES 20% AND HATS OFF 0* • T-SHIRT KNITS • BLEND PRINTSov • POLYESTER GABARDINE • PRINTED INTERLOCKS Mill Great Savings Continue On One A Two Pc. ■■ SNOWSUITS Vo INFANTS TO SIZE 18 ' W ALSO WINTER JACKETS and OFFDRESS COATS ■ SIZE 2-18 YRS. MANY OTHER YELLOW TAG SPECIALS Q 20%. F 50% f AM S FABRIC SAVINGS OUR PRICE IS GOING UP ON BROADCLOTH However, for the rest of the ■ week the same usual low price is available on g| TEX-MADE 45“ E POLYESTER- COTTON ■ GOOD SHADE ASSORTMENT ■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ VISA the junction EXETER'S LARGEST DEPARTMENT STORE FLOOR COVERING • WALLPAPER FAMILY CLOTHING • DRAPES • FABRICS CHARGEX