The Citizen, 2003-06-11, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2003. PAGE 7.
Cty. councillors face quandary over spending
By Keith Roulston
Citizen publisher
Huron County councillors face a
series of dilemmas as to whether to
stick to this year’s budget or
overspend on items that in the long
run will save money. *
Councillors already agreed last
month to undertake a $55,000 study
of all 160 bridges and 400 culverts in
the county instead of an original
proposal to do half this year, at a
$40,000 cost.
At the June 5 meeting, councillors
voted to go over budget to buy two
additional ambulances in 2003
instead of two this year and two next.
David Lew, manager of land
ambulance operations explained that
he’d learned that Ford will change its
ambulance chassis in 2004, possibly
delaying delivery of new
ambulances. In addition the cost is
expected to increase by 15 per cent
at the same time as the size of engine
is reduced.
With the opportunity to save
money, council decided to go over
budget to buy two additional
ambulances.
Councillors are facing the same
kind of decision in highway
construction. Rob Morley, South
Huron councillor, told council his
municipality has received money to
reconstruct the intersection of Hwy.
4 and County Rd. 83 at the northern
edge of Exeter. Because of the added
traffic of new commercial
developments, an additional lane is
needed on County Rd. 83 east of
Hwy. 4 and it would save the county
to do the work while the rest of the
construction is done.
County engineer, Don Pletch said
doing the work now would save the
county 20-30 per cent. However, this
would mean spending an extra
$200,000 that’s not in the budget.
Because of past agreements, the
county is already expected to
provide 10 per cent of the connecting
link costs for the Exeter
development. Clinton has also
received provincial money for
construction on Hwy. 8 and is
expecting a county grant of 10 per
cent of the costs. Clinton received
money to do more work than
originally planned so that means the Council agreed to wail for Pletch
county is expected to pay even more to compile a report for its July
money than expected. meeting.
Layton announces intentions
At the June 2 meeting of North
Huron council Reeve Doug Layton
innounced his intention to run in the
November election.
He asked all other members of
:ouncil to consider doing so as well.
***
Council adopted the
ecommendation of the recreation
ind facilities committee authorizing
hat Bill Cruikshank and Richard
^eVan be recognized for their
contribution to aviation in the form
)f a commemorative plaque and
jicture at the Richard W. LeVan
Mrport-Wingham.
***
Council accepted the quote of
Vlorgan Roofing in the amount of
|>890 for repairs at Blyth Memorial
Community Hall.
***
Clerk-Administrator John Stewart
said that the Auburn Co-op and
neighbouring residents, the
Robertsons, had reached an
agreement prior to a hearing with the
Ontario Municipal Board. A new
bylaw and agreement would be sent
to the 0MB. According to Stewart
the agreement will break the Auburn
Co-op property into three different
zones.
The store, as well as to the east and
west will be commercial. The
grassed area behind will be
residential and the lot on which the
shed is located will be special
residential to permit the co-op to use
the building for dry storage.
***
Council expressed its opposition
to the proposal for a mandatory
referendum on municipal property
taxation increases. A letter will be
sent to MPP Helen Johns stating
council’s opinion.
***
Council supported in principle, a
project of the Royal Canadian legion
to repair and paint the Blyth Union
Cemetery chapel. However, council
asked that Stewart obtain addition
information.
***
Joe Hallahan, representing the
Huron Pioneer Threshers
Association told council that the new
pavement at the Blyth and District
Community Centre had covered
some of the campsites. He asked if
campers could be given permission
to continue to use the sites if
appropriate measure were taken so
that the asphalt was not damaged.
Council approved the request.
A turn at page
Corinne Falconer of Blyth was page for the June session of
county council. With her are North Huron Councillor Doug
Layton, left, and Warden Dave Urlin. (Keith Roulston photo)
Doug Gough,
R.I.B. (ONT.)
CAIB, Manager
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A-C-W rejects smoking bylaw
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
councillors overwhelmingly
iefeated a motion to support the
Huron county smoking bylaw.
Deputy-Reeve Neil Rintoul was
he only councillor voicing support
for the proposed bylaw.
Council recommended to the
county that smoking be allowed in
nursing homes provided there is a
designate smoking room and the
exemption would expire on May 8,
2010.***
A public meeting was held in
conjunction with the May 20 session
of council to discuss a rezoning in
Colbome.
The property owned by James
Whalen would change from
recreation residential and open space
to development zone. The
application is conditional on a
consent application to create a parcel
of land for future recreational
development.
With a recommendation for
approval from the Huron County
planning department, council passed
an amending bylaw.***
An agreement was signed for the
St. Helens water line.***
The actual cost for policing in
2002 was $269,518. The
municipality had budgeted $301,961
so they realized a surplus of $32,443
which will be applied to 2003 costs.***
Bills and accounts totalling
$338,831.96 were approved for
payment as were a bill to Huronia
Welding for $1,212.94 and Ashfield
Service Centre for $4,895.32.***
The Brindley severance was
granted with the condition of
cleaning up the property. The
agreement gave the owner until June
30 to complete the clean up and a
$2,500 deposit was paid to the
municipality.
***
A quote from Microage Basics, in
the amount of $3,340 plus taxes for
two workstations and upgrades was
approved.
Skeoch Business Equipment Ltd.
will provide a Kyocera-Mita 4530
digital imaging system for $13,695
plus taxes.
***
Council declared Part of Lot 11,
Cone. 5, Eastern Division, Ashfield,
as surplus with the intention of
disposing of the .715 acres.
***
A contribution of $1,250 was
given to Auburn Hall and $1,500 to
the Stream Line testing program.
***
The municipality began the
process to assume ownership of the
abandoned Dungannon Cemetery as
well as the transfer of ownership for
Part Lot 22, Front Concession, Parts
1, 2 and 3 on 22R-4792.
***
It was learned that it will cost
$9,245 extra for Canadian Waste to
go to weekly pickups of garbage
only through June, July and August
for properties west of Hwy. 21.
It was felt that the issue was not
that it be weekly rather than bi
weekly pickup, but that cottagers are
not at their homes on the day of
pickup which is Monday.
A discussion was also held
regarding the offering of a different
service to inland homeowners.
Council decided against offering
the service which was not in the
approved budget.
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