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The Citizen, 1994-09-21, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21,1994. Blyth council seeks tenders for snowplowing By Bonnie Gropp To tender or not to tender was the question as Blyth council, at the Sept. 14 meeting, wrestled once again with the issue of snowplow­ ing in the village. A recommendation from the road committee says the present slate of the snowplow truck makes repairs uneconomical and with no money in the budget for replacement, the only logical alternative at this time is to contract the snowplowing for the 1994-95 season. Councillor Mason Bailey said he had apprehensions about the rec­ ommendation. "If we stop main­ taining equipment, we will no longer have it when we may need it." Reeve Dave Lee said he under­ stood Councillor Bailey's misgiv­ ings but there was just not enough money in the budget to buy a new truck or cover bandaid repairs. Councillor Bailey said that though he didn't like to be "contro­ versial" all the time, he felt the money going into the salt/sand stor­ age could have covered the truck. The village is raising a portion of the approximate $40,000 to build a salt/sand storage facility as part of an Infrastructure Works program. Councillor Steven Sparling said that discussion over the years has always centred around quality of service and the cost of service. Blyth ball team gets a break By Bonnie Gropp Blyth council agreed to a $200 donation to Blyth Minor Ball, after information presented at the Sept. 14 meeting. Linda Stewart had presented a letter to the Recreation Board addressing the village's policy of diamond fees where they affect an inter-township tournament. In August Blyth hosted the Squirt Boys tournament, which was mandatory. The fee was $225 plus Blyth parking lot still an issue By Bonnie Gropp Blyth council will be checking with an attorney to find out who is responsible for maintaining the parking lot off Dinsley between the Theatre garage and main street businesses. As this is private property coun­ cil had voted earlier to stop main­ taining it for reasons of liability and Gr. 7s to get vaccine Health Minister Ruth Grier reminds parents that Grade 7 students will be offered immunization against hepatitis B in a school-based program beginning this fall. Hepatitis B can cause permanent liver damage and scarring, and sometimes death. It is the leading cause of liver cancer in the world. Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, it can prevented with a vaccine. "Il's very important that young people are protected well before they might be exposed to the virus," said Mrs. Grier. "They can be infected and nass it on lo someone else wi nowing." Public health nurses will give students three injections over a six-month period - the first early in the school year, the second a month later, and the last five months after that. The vaccine can also be bought from local pharmacies with a prescription. Parents wanting tc have other children vaccinated should discuss it with their doctor. "With equipment there arc a few realities — it gets old and costs more to patch together than the vehicle's worth." Reeve Lee said they had for a time limped through with the truck, but this year it wouldn't pass a Safe­ ty- Councillors Bailey and Sparling each commended staff on the excellent snowplowing service from the village and expressed con­ cern over losing control of that if the work is tendered. Village Foreman John Rinn, said, however, there were many times when another township had to be contacted to plow as the truck had broken down. Mr. Rinn said there is a leak in the tire that can't be stopped, and six seals had been put on the brakes in the past two years. "What you are saying is if this were an animal we know what would happen," said Councillor Sparling. Reeve Lee said, "I understand the concerns about losing control, but we have to start looking at the cost and it isn't pretty." Dan Bailey of Maitland Trans­ portation Systems, who has worked on the truck during and since the winter of 1990 had reviewed the truck's condition with the road committee which consists of Coun­ cillor Shirley Fyfe, PUC Chairper­ son David Webster, Reeve Lee, GST. Councillor Steven Sparling and Reeve Dave Lee added more infor­ mation to council saying that each team in this league had to take their turn hosting the tournament. "It's not a fundraiser," said Reeve Lee. "They are expected to host it," said Councillor Sparling. "One thing I can't ignore is that another municipality offered to host it if Blyth wouldn't waive the fees. That kind of put things into perspective for me." of setting a precedent. However, John Battye of Blyth Decorating says that the precedent may have already been set. Mr. Battye appeared before council on Sept. 14 with information from the Highways and Bridges Act, which stated that once a village had taken over maintenance of a roadway a precedent had been set and they must continue to maintain the prop­ erty. Reeve Dave Lee said that he 34th Annual Thresher Reunion Special Event Winners —1994 Men's Bag Tying September 10 - Eldon Vines, Listowel - 36 sec. September 11 - Eldon Vines - 30 sec. Women's Bag Tying September 10 - Madalinc Culbert, Kincardine - 58 sec. September 11 - Bemice Stemmier, Hesson - 40 sec. Men's Log Sawing September 10 - Jim Sloan, Chesley & Wilbert Phillips, Chepstow - 12 sec. September 11 - Jason & Tim Searson, Watford - 19 sec. Women’s Log Sawing September 10 - Madalinc Culbert, Kincardine & Barbara Burwell, Mt. Elgin - 59 sec. September 11 - Jean Hedley, Holyrood & J ackers Finis, Fordwich -1:15 mins. Mixed Log Sawing September 10 - Jim Sloan, Chesley & Madaline Culbert, Kincardine - 32 sec. September 11 - Bill Stapleton, Hanover & Jean Hedley, Holyrood - 30 sec. Belt Setting September 10 - Jamieson & Walter Ribey, Goderich - 1:35 min. Clerk Helen Grubb and Mr. Rinn. Mr. Bailey advised that a minimum of $3,000 to $5,000 was needed to safely the truck, while an additional $2,500 or more would be needed to replace the wing and plow, which arc badly deteriorated. "I maintain we should continue to maintain and keep our people employed," said Councillor Bailey, referring Lo the village staff, who would no longer be spending time plowing. Clerk Grubb however, said that Mr. Rinn spent most of the summer trying to use up his overtime from the winter. "Even then there weren't three days that went by that he was­ n't in here checking on things. To be honest he's not getting his time off." After spending some time trying to work out a cost comparison, Councillor Sparling said that aside from the quality of service and a cost benefit what was decided real­ ly makes no difference to him. "But if something's too out of whack, pride of ownership loses its value." When Councillor Bailey said he felt they could get another good year out of the truck, Reeve Lee said, "But at what cost?". Councillor Sparling suggested that by inviting tenders council would get a better idea of what they were facing. Councillor Bailey Though he admitted there was a risk of setting a precedent, he said "the Recreation Board has always maintained that if ever a break was to be given it should be to the chil­ dren." As Mrs. Stewart had indicated that they would pay for labour and lights, and there was a motion on the books that diamond fees must be paid, council decided that the bill should be paid to the village, which would in turn donate $200 back. knew that was true for an unopened road allowance, but wasn't so cer­ tain when it was with regards to private property. Mr. Battye said the village was covered when they went on private property so liability shouldn't be a concern. He asked council to reconsider their previous decision. Council agreed to consult with the village solicitor to have the issue clarified. wasn't comfortable with this either. "I don't think it's fair to tender unless you're going to tender. You're playing with them." In seconding the motion to call tenders, Councillor Sparling said, "There is no way we can make an Putting on a show Mark and Jayne Marquis delighted the audience at the Light the Way Cafe last Thursday night in Blyth with their ballroom dancing. The event was held to raise money for Light the Way Children's Fund International. Mrs. Marquis leaves this month with the organization for Croatia. 34th Annual Thresher Reunion Trophy Winners —1994 John Ellacott Trophy - Restored Tractor, 1930-1950 Winner - Harold & Bemice Madill, Owen Sound John Deere - 1941 - Model L Jack Arther Trophy - Restored Tractor, 1910-1930 Winner - Robin Thompson, Goderich 1929 Wallis #76 Wayne Houston Trophy - Restored Engine Winner - Gordon Tuck, St. Thomas Sawyer Massey - 1915 - 20 H.P. Best Restored Featured Tractor Winner - John Henderson 1949 Pony Massey John Hallahan Memorial Trophy - Steam Engine Belt Setting Winner - Mike & Jason Searson, Watford & Sarnia Dan Thompson Memorial Trophy - Best Restored Antique Truck Winner - Bruce Utley, Goderich 1957 Mac People’s Choice - Best Restored Antique Truck Winner - Bruce Utley, Goderich 1957 Mac Best Antique Car - Pre-War, donated by Clinton Auto Parts Winner - Dorothy Miner,. Dunnville 1924 Chev Superior Vines Turkey Products Trophy - Antique Car Winner - Barry & Betty Young 1962 Chrysler "300" convertible Warner Andrews Memorial Award - Best Small Model Winner - Orville Seip __________________________________________________________ informed decision unless we know what this (cost of tendering) is going to be." Based on that Councillor Mason Bailey said he would support the motion. "But, we'll likely have this discussion again."