Clinton News-Record, 1986-07-23, Page 1INCORPORATING -THE B
NO. 30 121 YEARS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
50 CENTS
Stanley Township taxes
are up by 6.3 per cent ,
By Shelley McPhee-Halst
STANLEY TWP. - Ratepayers here will
see an average increase of 6.3 per cent in
their taxes this year.
Stanley Township Council approved the
1986 budget of $1,820,281 at their July
meeting. This year's figure is up over
$85,000 more than the 1985 figure of
$1;734,521.
This year's budget saw a general increase
across the board. The 1986 numbers, with
1985 figures in brackets included: general
government"- $266,750 ($2.58,468); fire pro-
tection - $49,700 ($41,031); protection to per-
sons and property and the Ausable Bayfield
Conservation Authority .levies - $15,500
($13,821); transportation services - $350,800
($342,211); environment services - $10,150
($6,396); health services - $3,400 ($1,325);
day nursery and social and family services -
$500 ($348); recreation - $54,500 ($52,752);
planning, drainage and shoreline protection
- $289,050 ($276,947).
The county eduction levies for the
township are: elementary - 1298,325
($274,030); secondary - $256,014 ($253,050);
separate - $41,026 ($36,884).
The 1986 levy set by the County of Huron is
$184,566, compared with the 1985 figure of
$177,258.
Individual increase for the Stanley
Township taxpayer shows that the residen-
tial and farm public supporter will see an in-
crease of 6.3 per cent in the tax bill with the
mill rates Climbing from 284.50 to 302.62.
The residential and farm separate school
supporter will see similar increases, with
rates from 1985 to 1986 going from 285.26 to
302:26.
On the business and commercial side' of
the budget similar increases will be seen.
The public supporter's rate will increase
from 335.48 mills to 355.92, while the
separate supporter will see and increase
from 336.18 to 355.60 mills.
In dollars and cents, based on a $4,000
assessment, the residential public school
supporter will pay $1,210 in taxes this year,
It
Heat
doesn't
deter
TVintario
fans
It was hot and humid when Wintario hit
.tanley Township on July 17, but the
a residents didn't seem to mind, too much.
The event was meld in the Wintario tent
which was pitched on the community centre
grounds. A number of local entertainers
were on hand to show off their talent before
the show was underway. Those entertaining
were the Varna 'Singers, Mary -Margaret
Bedard, Ron Fleming, the Sesquicentennial
Choir, James Armstrong and Lori Consitt,
Huron County Queen of the Furrow. Another
highlight of the evening was the auctioning -
off of the number one issue of the Stanley
Township Sesquicentennial collectors plate.
, At right is MP Murray Cardiff (left) who
assisted the Minister of Agriculture and
'MPP Jack Riddell with the auctioning. The
plate, and frame, were sold to Joe Regier of
.RR2 Zurich for $275. Above are Betty
Graham (left), Tim Beard and Stanley
Township Reeve Clarence Rau, decked out
in their 1-5-0 outfits. Below, the Varna
Murgers entertain the capacity crowd with
arjorie Hayter accompanying them on the
fano. The group sang the Stanley Township
40 song which was written by Mrs.
ayter. (Anne Narejko photos)
•
compared to $1,138 paid in the previous
year.-
The
ear.-The 1986 budget showed general increases
in all areas. Breaking down the budget,
showed significant expenditure increases in
the area of fire protection. The coverage for
the Zurich Fire Area Board rose from $4,489
in 1985 to $12,000 this year to cover "or the
cost of new tanker truck. Garbage disposal
services and rentals was set at $6,000 this
year, compared to $2,560 in 1985. The in-
crease was budgeted with the anticipation of
digging a new waste disposal pit.
A major expenditure 'came with the
township history book, set at $28,200: This
figure will be offset by book sales.
In health care services, a grant given to
the Clinton Public Hospital this year put
that portion of the budget up to $2,000, com-
pared to $125 in 1985.
On the other side, decreases were noted on
the working funds, down $12,000 from 1985
and the interest on temporary borrowing
provision for reserves, from $38,845 in 1985
to $28,000 this year.
This year's financial statement showed
the township finished the year in the black,
with a reserves fund of $60,000. However,
when the final figures were tallied, it was
discovered that the balance sheet showed a
deficit of $21,000. With that in mind, council
agreed to shift some of the surplus funds to
cover for the negative figure.
Clerk Mel Graham pointed out that the
surplus fund is available to cover any extra
costs incurred by the township throughout
the year. Money from this can be'used for a
variety of means.
Clerk Graham anticipated that the
township will finish the 1987 year in a better
financial position as payments for the
Stanley Township Complex should be com-
pleted by that time.
"The building will be paid off in 1987, that
will free our finances. up," reported Clerk
Graham.
This year the building fund budget figure
remains at $90,000.
s time.
to pay up
By Anne Narejko
CLINTON - The amount of tax arrears for
the Town of Clinton has gotten beyond the
"funny stage," council said at their July 21
meeting.
"We're having a very serious problem
with tax arrears in this town," Mayor John
Balfour said. "A good portion of our budget
is tied up in that."
To date, $13,775.76 is outstanding in
business and Business Improvement Area
(BIA) taxes while $69,042.82 is outstanding
in realty plus penalties.
Councillor Ross Carter suggested that it
time council took a firm stand on the issue,
suggesting tax sales be held if necessary,
"something which has not been done for ap-
proximately 16 years.
"Some people are going onl,he assump-
tion that they can operate this way (not pay-
ing their taxes). We. even received a letter
from the Ministry (of Municipal Affairs)
asking how come there are so many - now
that must mean it's bad," stated Councillor
Carter.
According to laws set out for tax arrears,
business taxes are owing immediately while
residential taxes allow tax sales after three
years.
"Let's go with the law. It's not fair to the
taxpayers who are paying their taxes," said
Mayor Balfour.
Acting -clerk treasurer Marie Jefferson
has been given permission to take steps to
collect all outstanding taxes. This may re-
quire going the route of small claims court.
The longest outstanding taxes in Clinton
are from 1978.
Erosionwork:isunderway
by the private landowners
By Shelley McPhee-Haist
BAYFIELD - The fragile condition of the
Lakeshore banks continues to dominate
discussion this summer around the council
table.
At the latest meeting, held on July 22,
Bayfield Council further looked at the issue
of erosion control, both from the municipal
level and through the work of private
landowners.
Council granted access to the beach area
to a group of landowners who are to begin
work on. an extensive erosion control
project.
Thr; Tuyll Street delegation requested ac-
cess to the beach along village .owned pro-
perty. They have agreed to repair the gully
area as necessary.
Council previously agreed to support the
application for erosion work that has been
sent to the Ministry of Natural Resources
for study.
The project, which will see the placement
of private improvements on crown
shorelines is a joint venture being done by
Isabel Heigeman, Robert Cosford, Keith
Fryer, Thomas Reavie, John Howe, David
and Elva Rea, Lyon Barnum, Barbara
McLellan and Thomas Patrick Johnson.
The project will see the placement of ga-
bion wall at the base of the cliff.
Council members gave their support of
the work, with the provision that the erosion
control methods used will not restrict the
use of the beach to the public.
Property owners are anxious to begin the
work on the rapidly eroding bank. Mr. Howe
reported to council, "We wanted to start
about a week ago."
$n other similar discussions,- Bayfield
Reeve Dave Johnston reported to council
Mat ne nail aacialefi a . i,S, + ••
meeeting held recently in Goderich.
He said that the meeting offered little new
advice or solutions.
"Everyone's got ideas, but no one's got
assurances that they will work."
He warned that the high water levels on
the Great Lakes are not expected to
diminish, at least for the next two years.
"We usually have a peak, then a valley in
the water levels," he said. "We're still at the
peak,"
Reeve Johnston further noted that current
government funding is not adequate to
match the number of work applications be-
ing sought. He also said that there was a
need for a centralized location for informa-
tion on erosion control.
Councillor Jim Quick further noted that
the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authori-
ty should have more input on the issue of
lakefront erosion. To date, the authority has
only addressed erosion problems along the
riverbanks.
Further to the erosion issue, council learn-
ed that Dr. Bill Walker may have violated
an agreement between himself and the
village by erecting buildings on property
that has been given an easement for village
use.
The agreement between Dr. Walker and
the municipality allows the village access to
the riverfront to conduct erosion control and
subsequent maintenance work.
Under the current agreement, Reeve
Johnston said, that while Dr. Walker has ti-
tle to the property, he is not allowed con-
struction rights.
The village building inspector has been
monitoring the situation on the Walker pro-
perty and a court injunction was issued to
halt the work. Council noted that if the viola-
tion continues, Mr, Walker will be in con-
tempt of court for continuing construction
_- ah,, nF tiL,n ,,,.} ininnntin,�
Dr. Walker will be advised to remove the
buildings from the property in question.
BIA recommends no bylaw
By Anne Narejko
CLINTON - The local Business Improve-
rnent Area (BIA) will recommend that
council not pass a bylaw regarding the sale
of merchandise on the sidewalks and they
will also recommend that they do their own
policing if abuses occur.
A bylaw had been proposed by council
after verbal complaints were received from
pedestrians who claimed they could not
safely pass by store fronts
Merchants were given the opportunity to
voice their concerns both for and against the
bylaw during a meeting on. July 17.
Want Suggestions
The BIA Board had met on another occa-
sion, but according to president Clarence
Denomme, there were foo few present to
make a decision so the public meeting was
calle&L
"'The purpose of this meeting is to discuss
the byl w proposed by council as they want
the flub comments," explained Mr.
Dertonute,
Councillor John Cochrane explained coun-
R
cil's position.
"Speaking on behalf of council, I'd like to
say that the bylaw is not an attempt to
persecute, restrict or anything like
that...The bylaw has never had a first
reading.
"What council is saying is, is there a need
for a bylaw, and if so, here's something to
start from. Let's have your suggestions."
Before hearing the public's opinion, M .
Denomme explained the recommendation
made by the 'Board during their meeting.
"One suggestion was to have not more
than 30 per cent of the (sidewalk) room
taken up by merchandise. Therefore 70 per
cent would be left for pedestrians," he said.
Mr. Denomrne then said the big problem
behind the issue would be liability if an ai-
dent were to happen.
"If a pedestrian was to fall over the mer-
chandise they would sue the town and the
business," he said.
More Sales - Lively Town
The consensus of those present, "as well as
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