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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-05-01, Page 1Blyth Branch Library Box 232 Blyth, Ont. NOM 113 Jena 3 " E FOUR FINE FISHERMEN—Mark Underwood, Jeff Layton, Steve Baxter and Dean Tolton display their catch as. they wait to check in at the Optimist van during Saturdays fishing derby. These four boys were among the more successful anglers on opening day. Jeff and Steve, who had started bright and early; had three and five trout respectively to show for their efforts while Mark and Dean had one plump fish apiece. Citizens' group is opposed to survival games locating in twp. A delegation of concerned citizens from Turnberry Township attended last Tuesday evening's meeting of .council to express op- position to a National Sur- vival Games (war games) group's proposal to locate in the township. Delegation spokesman Audrey McKague outlined the citizens' concerns and presented to council a petition signed by 66 people. The citizens' group members are opposed to the proposed establishmentof a National Survival Games area at Lots 26 and 27, Con. 11, for ,numerous reasons, began Mrs. McKague. "We object to the principle of considering war a game...especially at a time when so many nations are currently suffering the horrible realities of the carnage and destruction of Canada is considered a peace -loving country, she continued. "An establish- ment of the war games nature is contrary to the goal of world peace for which countries, 'worldwide, are constantly striving." Other concerns mentioned were'the disruption of peace and quiet in the rural neigh- borhood, the "psychological hazard" which cou'r1 he posed to certain susceptiot" individuals, and '.'thc detrimental effect, it would have on the vitallj - important agricultural in- dustry". Following Mrs. Mc- ,Kague's presentation, Coun- cillor Randy Scott com- mended her and the other citizens on their efforts, add- ing he would "gladly sign" the 'petition. The other council mem- bers, who also are opposed to the NSG locating in the town- ship, readily agreed,withMr. Scott, A letter from Turnberry resident Gail Newell also was read at the meeting, in which she labeled the war games concept as "hideous and abhorrent". Of the NSG Mrs. Newell commented: "It is said to be entertaining and invigor- ating as well as relaxing, and it is enjoyed by both professonal people and laypersons, However, much the same could be said for a brothel, but that doesn't mean we want or need one in the community." Reeve Brian McBurney said he too has received several telephone calls from ratepayers who are opposed to the games locating in the ° township. Council is concerned about the restrictions such 'an operation could place on neighboring farms, said 'Deputy Reeve Doug For- tune, but that is not to say its members are not'concerned with the moral side of the question as well. Mr. Scott said he is con- cerned about the kinds of - people who ,might be drawn to the township to play the game and pointed to the "McDonald's Massacre" last year in California, in which a crazed gunman murdered -almost 20 people in a restaurant, as what can happen when some un- balanced persons are pushed to the edge. "Less than half of one per cent" of the population probably would pose any threat, said Councillor Joan Wright. "But how do you screen out that few'?" No further action was. taken on the. matter at the meeting. Representatives of the National Survival Games c•e to have attended the meeting, but did not as they had not met with a lawyer, reported Turnberry Clerk - 1 -as firer Dorothy Kelly. WAGES & SALARIES Council went into com- mittee -of -the -whole to discuss wages and salaries of roadmen Ross Nicholson, George Gallaway <<nd Len Baird, as well as Mr's. Kelly. The employees each received a four per cent pay increase, Mrs. Kelly's yearly salary will go to $26,000 from $25,000, while. the roadmen will receive $10.40 per hour, up from $10. The changes are retroac- tive to April 1. In other business Mr. McBurney reported the township roads are generally "not too had", as was found in a recent road tour with Ross Jackson of the 'Strat- ford office of the Ministry of Transportation and Com- munications. Mr. Jackson reportedly s d that if council wants to r place its Lower Town ridge within the next 10 years, it should start ap- plying for subsidy money now. Councillor Don Morrison suggested lowering the bridge's height' require- ments "so heavy vehicles can't -get over it". Mr, Scott agreed that the bridge probably would last for marry more years of only light vehicles were allowed to cross it. Four building permits were approved at the meeting: Bill Crump, Lot 9, Plan 432, a residence; Wilson Daw, part Lots 11 and 12, Con. B, a workshop; George Jones,. part of Lot 10, Plan 278, an upper storey to a barn and Francis Freiburger, south part of Lot 80, Plan 410, a roof. iCouncil donated $500 to the Belmore Minor Ball Association to go toward \a new pitching machine. The next meeting of Turnberry council is scheduled for May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the municipal office in Bluevale. Thursday is voting day FIRST SECTION Q t�t�� Za9 �� ijwinncit,t7 Wingham, Ontario, Wednesday, May 1, 1985 Single Copy 50c Project to cost $2 million Council starts the ball rolling on .plans to expand sewage plant Wingham Town Council has set the ball rolling in a process which could even- tually lead to an estimated $2 million expansion and up- dating of its sewage treat- ment and collection system. Following a special meeting last week with engineer Steve Burns of B. M. Ross' and Assoc., Goderich,' council voted unanimously to authorize the engineer to forward his report to the Ontario En- vironment Ministry for a review of its proposals. Council also agreed to request a meeting with ministry representatives this summer to discuss financing the proposed construction and to meet with the Wingham Public Utilities Commission about raising the sewage rates in order to set up a reserve fund. According to the engine, er's preliminary report, an inch -thick almost 200 -page document which has already cost the town some $20,000, the town share of the bill for construction and engineer- ing would amount to about $750,000, assuming a 63.5 per cent grant from' the minis- try. Financed over 20 years, this' would require an ad- ditional charge per customer er .. out $100 a year, while Mlle operating costs of run- ning the new system would add another $41 annually to ,each customer's sewage bill. These charges are collected on behalf of the town by the PUC. However Mr. Burns noted that some of these costs could be reduced if the town were to raise rates now and build up a reserve for con- struction. Council's decision to begin acting .on • the recom- mendations in the report followed a lengthy discussion during which questions were -asked about whether the 'proposed expansion is really. necessary and whose fault it is that the existing treatment. system is inadequate. Councillor Jack Kopas said a number of people had asked whether the town is -obligated to spend the money Where to cast your bal Eligible voters all across Ontario will be going to the polls this week to vote for a new provincial government. Voting will get underway at 9 a.m. Thursday and the polls remain open until 8 p.m. All Canadian citizens or British subjects over the age of 18 are entitled to cast a ballot in the polling .area in which they are a resident. Most eligible voters will have been enumerated during •the past several weeks and will have received an enumeration notice ad- vising them where to go to vote. However, eligible voters who have been missed during the enumeration may still vote, provided they take with them another eligible voter from their poll and are sworn in by the deputy returning officer at the polling place. For residerfts of Wingham and the surrounding area, the following are the polls at which you must cast your ballots: Wingham -all polls will be located at the Wingham Armouries, behind the Town Hall; Blyth : all polls will be located at the Blyth Public School; Brussels: Poll 118 taking in all lots north of the Maitland River will be at the Brussels Public Library; _. ...... Poll 119 taking in all lots south of the Maitland River and west of Turnberry Street will be at the Callander Nursing Home; Poll 120 taking in all lots south of the°Maitland" River and east of Turnberry Street will be at the Maitland. Valley office; Teeswater: all polls will be located at , the Tethwater Town Hall; Turnberry Township: Poll. 85 taking in Lots 11-30 and the Lower Town plot on Con. B, Lot 25 Con. 9 and Lots 25- 30 Con. 10-11 will be located at the Art Stokes residence;. Poll 86 taking in all lots on Con. 6-8, Lots 1-24 Con. 9-12 and Lots 1-18 Con. C will be at Brookhaven Nursing Home; PpII 87 taking, in all lots east of Wingham on Con. 1, all lots on Con. 2-5, all lots on Con. A and Lots 19-34 on Con. C will 'be at the Bluevale Community Centre; East Wawanosh Town- ship: Poll 109 taking in Lots 28-42 Con. 10-14 will be at the Philip Dawson residence; Poll 110 taking in Lots 28-42 Con. 6-9 will be at the East Wawanosh Township shed; Poll 111 taking in Lots 28-42 Con. 1-5, except Blyth, will be at Snell's Hall; Morris Township: Poll 114 taking in all lots on the north half of Con. 3 to Highway 86 will be at the Albert _Kitc en residence; Poll 115 taking in Lots 1-11 from the south half of Con. 3 to the north half of Con. 7 will be at the Belgrave WI Hall; Poll 116 taking in all Lots 12-30 from the south half of Con. 3 to the north half of Con. 7 except Brussels will „'be at the Morris Township Hall; Poll 117 taking in Lots 1-30 from the south half ofJ on. 7 to Con. 10 except Blyth will be at the Walton WI Hall; Howick Township: Poll 95 taking in Lots 1-12 Con. A and B and Lots 1"33 Con. 14-18 will be at the E. Greely 'residence in Lakelet; Poll 96' taking in Lots 13-37 Con A, Lots 13-39 Con. B and Lots 11-24 Con. C will be at the Wroxeter Town Hall; Poll 97 taking in Lots 1-5 Con 1-13 including the west half of Gorrie and Poll 98 taking in Lots'6-15 Con, 6-13 including the east half of Gorrie will both be at the Gorrie Town Hall; Poll 99 taking in Lots 16-20 Con. 6-13 including the west half of Fordwich and -Poll 100 taking in Lots 21 to the town- ship boundary Con. 6-13 including the east half of Fordwich will both be at the Fordwich Hall; Poll 101 taking in Lots 1-32 Con. 1-5 and Lots 25-40 Con. C ,, will be at the residence of W. • Johnson, RR 2, Gorrie. and he asked Mr. Burns if there is a simple answer to the question "Do we have to?". The engineer told him the study of the system was undertaken at, the request of the ministry, though he noted that, "The ministry has not requested you do the project as proposed." He also added later that "there is not a crisis here" and that in fact the town - already has ministry ap- proval to grow by another 550 people without changing its present treatment system. "The ministry wants the municipality to start plan- ning for the point when the population is 3,500," he said, describing this as "a long- term project", perhaps four or five years down the road. Although the sewage lagoons in their present form do not provide what is now considered to be adequate treatment, the' ministry will not require changes until the town wants to expand beyond 3,550 people, he said. "The existing problem out Police investigate break-in Provincial police at Wingham are investigating an apparent break-in at Rintoul's Pools and Spas just north of town over the weekend. Police reported a door had been damaged; apparently to gain access to the i building, but nothing was reported missing. The break-in occurred sometime Saturday night and was discovered Sunday morning. The investigation is continuing. One injured in accidennt A Sarnia woman was admitted to the Wingham and District Hospital for observation• following a two - car accident in Wingham Saturday afternoon. Barbara Burleieh was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Derek Vanderlinden, also of Sarnia, which collided with a car driven by Brenda Reinhart of Wingham. Wingham .police reported that both:- vehicles --were southbound along Josephine Street when'the Reinhart car stopped to turn left onto Charles Street and was struck from behind by the Vanderlinden vehicle. Dama a was estimated d at $3,500 to both vehicles. Miss. Burleigh was held overnight at the Wingham hospital and was discharged the following morning. there is not what I would consider great," he added, saying the lagoons are providing reasonable treat- ment, "what they were de- signed for." Councillor James A. Currie again raised questions about who is responsible for the treat- ment system being overloaded, suggesting that much of the blame must lie with the ministry which approved the lagoons in the first place. He suggested that the system' was probably under -designed from the start and ',that a study of the records would bear this out. Mr. Burns -did not disagree with him, but pointed out that requirerpents for capacity in terms of flow and for quality of treatment have been upgraded substantially since this system was designed and built 20 -odd years ago. ' He also answered questions about the size of. the system he is proposing, which is to be adequate to handle a population of 4,100, a 38 per cent increase from today's leil of 2;960.. It would be possible to build a smaller system, he said, and the initial cost would, be lower, but it would be costlier to expand it again later if the population grew. Mf. Currie eventually concluded that, "As a, responsible community we re -ally have no other choice than to support the recommendations for im- proving the system." However he added that, "I think the ministry has rresponsibilities here too," since he said he is firmly convinced it knew many years ago that the system it approved is not up to the task. "We'll meet our respon- sibility as a community, but I•think theministry better be prepared to sit down and talk with us (about funding)," he declared. Town Works Forernan Jack Van Camp also at- tended the meeting and, in response to a question from him, Mr. Burns said the construction 'almostcer- tainly would be done in stages rather than all at once. Of the total bill, an estimated $1.2 million would be for a new sewage treat- ment plant at the lagoons. An estimated $300,000 would go toward repairs to the sewers themselves, with $65,000 of that earmarked for smoke-' testing and television camera inspection; $220,000 would be spent on the. pumping station at the Howson Dam and another $370,000 on the Josephine ,Street p npit,,,station which ,pumps"sengwage ou't' to ` the lagoons. LEGION PEEWEES Trophy winners on the Wingham Legion PeeWees this year were (front) Jeff McKee, MVP and top scorer, and. Rob MacKay, most improved • - ------ player. Don Heinmiller and Steve Michie were co - winners of the Jason Bateson memorial award for sportsmanship. Morris- property taxes increase by 11 per cent Morris Township property taxes will increase by almost 11 per cent in 1985, including a 25 per cent increase in, township spending. The large increase in the township's share is due mainly to the new works garage and municipal office to be built this year for which the township must raise $135,000. Reeve Bill Elston told council members at Mon- day's meeting they probably would "catch it" on the street for the tax increase, but it can't be helped if the, township is going to pay for, the new shed in one year, he said, Without the shed con- struction, the reeve noted, township spending 'probably would not have gone up at all over last year. t this means in dollars and cents is that a public school supporter in the town- ship with a farm and residential property assessed at $6,000 would pay $1,278 in property taxes in 1985. That is•$1$2 more than 1984 or 11 per cent. A separate school sup- porter with property assessed at the same value would pay $1,231 in property taxes this year, an increase of $123 from 1984 or 11 per cent. The biggest single in- crease comes in the amount to be collected for township purposes; which is u'p by 25 per cent to $189,661, an in- crease of $39,234. Morris Township will pay 7,2 per ,cent more... to. the County of Huron in 1985. This year's requisition is $125,941, an increase of $6,679 over 1984. The township's separate school levy is $16,166, an increase of $1,532 from 1984 or 6.5 per cent. The levy to the elementary school system has increased by 5.7 per cent to $181,226 or $10,733. Morris Township also will pay $159,991 towards secondary schools in 1985, up $9,681 from last year or 5.6 per cent.