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The Citizen, 1994-11-16, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16,1994. PAGE 7. Blyth council votes to stay off parking lot By Bonnie Gropp Following advice from the vil­ lage solicitor Blyth councillors, Nov. 9, upheld an earlier decision to no longer maintain the parking lot on the east side of Queen St., south of Dinsley. Though the village had always graded and plowed the property, which is owned by the people who own the affronting buildings, coun­ cil made a decision at the Aug. 10 meeting following a recommenda­ tion from the road committee. The concerns were primarily over liabil­ ity to the village and the cost and precedent of maintaining private property. Council also requested that Blyth Decorating give consideration to placing a one way in only sign in the alley leading to Hwy 4. John Battye, co-owner of Blyth Decorating, attended the Sept. 13 meeting of council to inform them that according to the Highways and Bridges Act once a precedent has been set with regards to situations such as this, it must be maintained. "You have in essence taken over once the precedent has been set," he said. Council decided to consult with the village solicitor to see if Mr. Battye's assessment was correct. The solicitor's letter advised council that no attempt has been Councillor Bailey tries to slow lighting plans By Bonnie Gropp An attempt by Councillor Mason Bailey to stop any further plans for decorative lighting in the village until the new council comes in was vetoed at the Nov. 9 regular meet­ ing. Council was passing a bylaw to authorize the clerk and reeve to sign an agrement for the upgrading of more lights on main street. After Councillor Bailey was told that it was too late to defer the bylaw, as the project had already been approved, he said, "I don't think there's a big rush. I think it should be left for the next council to deal with." But Clerk-Administrator Helen Grubb said that if council didn't act on this they wouldn't be in a posi­ tion to lake any further Infrastruc­ ture funds if they became available. Elaine Scrimgeour, a ratepayer, asked what kind of lights were going to be installed. Reeve Dave Lee explained that they would be the same as the ones in the down­ town core. "The same duds," said George Ives, a ratepayer, adding that the lights were not approved by the Ministry of Transportation. Reeve Lee said that as far as he knew there was not a light in Blyth that was. Before the village became a connecting link the MTO said if lights weren't up to their standards they would be removed. The cost would have been $600,000. "We would have had to use all the Accident in Blyth A frosty hood and bright sun were the cause of a minor accident in Blyth last Friday. According to a spokesperson from the Wingham OPP Christo­ pher Bromley, 16 of Blyth turned out of a driveway cast on McConnell St. The spokesperson said the sun light reflecting on the frosted hood blinded Mr. Bromley. As he reached for the sun visor he struck a hydro pole, resulting in moderate damage to his 1978 Buick. Mr. Bromley was not injured. made by the village to make the roadway public and said it would be unwise to continue. Clerk-Administrator Helen Grub said the solicitor had received a copy of the assessment map and a legal description. George Reinink a ratepayer in attendance attempted to ask a ques­ tion, however, he was stopped by Reeve Dave Lee. "Docs council want to enter into a debate with the public over this?" he asked council­ lors. Councillor Eugene Cobum said though he felt it was council's deci­ sion to make, he would like to hear from the public. Reeve Lee, however, felt that public input was not going to change anything. "My understand­ ing of that letter is that unless the owners turn the property over to the village we have no business being there." Councillor Shirley Fyfe agreed that they should go with the lawyer's advice. Councillor Mason Bailey declared a conflict of inter­ est. Reeve Lee then said he would give anyone who wanted to say something two minutes in which to do so, as there were a large number of ratepayers present. Mr. Reinink then asked if by stopping the maintenance of the PRIDE money for those lights," said Reeve Lee. "There would have been no poles moved, no water main crossings, no new sidewalks. As a matter of fact council at that time chose not to do the lighting. Council hadn't planned on doing anything until the Business Associ­ ation came forward with the idea of the decorative lights." The present lights produce more candle power than the previous ones, Reeve Lee said. Ms Grubb said that when the pavement ages it "won't eat up the light as badly." "But why put in the same kind of light when the incident (a car ran into the post knocking it over) the other night showed they aren't going to stand up?" asked Ula Richmond. Ms Grubb said that when the time came to purchase the lights the village could go with the concrete poles this time, which were the same price as the aluminum. Councillor Bailey said, "My main concern; I don't like the lights, but that's not the problem, I lose more battles than I win that way: is rushing. We rushed into the salt shed and have now run into an overcost that a week ago we didn't know was there. We have a person­ nel problem that insurance won't cover. There's too much guess­ work. The next council should have the opportunity for a good hard look at it." Reeve Lee said that the funds couldn't be used to settle the per­ sonnel matter and the village already has their third of the amount for the lights raised. The motion carried. When the question for those opposed was raised several ratepayers in atten­ dance raised their hand along with Councillor Bailey. Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision! w^aBL Let us help you * B make the right one! WM GARRY WOODCOCK Quality Car* & Trucks We Can Save You Money Drive A Little - Save A Lot jj^^NTGOMERYi LUCKNOW 528-2813^ parking lot council was not inviting conflict between the landowners. Reeve Lee agreed that there could be difficulties but said it was up to them to police who parks on their property. Al Donaldson said he found it The big move Members of the B&W Trailblazers Snowmobile Club were busy last Thursday moving in the new clubhouse located just east of Brussels on railbed land. The club purchased the land and the former portable, which was moved from St. Catharines. A new clubhouse was needed as the land on which the former one was located had changed hands. Product of Spain or Morocco SWEET CLEMENTINES Swift Premium SLICED Kellogg's CORN BOLOGNA 500 g FLAKES 675 g Box 227 kg Box 4.99 1.49 with coupon in flyer 1.59 with coupon In flyer distressing that the public might not be able to drive across the back to get to one of the businesses as they would have to cross over another's property. "I’d feel kind of bad if 1 wanted to go in the back door of Blyth Decorating and someone told me I couldn't drive across," he said. Councillor Coburn made the motion to accept the earlier recom­ mendation to discontinue mainte­ nance and stay out of the private right-of way according to the solic­ itor's advice. The motion carried.