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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-06-13, Page 5WARD & UPTIGROVE Listowel (51g1 291:40 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS FARM INSURANCE Is your farm coverage adequate and up to date? The Co-operators offer excellent coverage and our annual review makes sure your coverage is kept up to date. Replacement coverage is also available on outbuildings, such as barns, machine sheds and dwellings if they qualify. For a quote on your operation, please call KEITH ADAMS 8 Alfred St. 357-3739 Wingham, Ont. Res. 357-1847 oO the w -o a ht®z � insuring Canadians in the co-operative spirit UIQ • HOME °AJJI O • COMMERCIAL • FARM ° TRAVEL Proper coverages In these times are a necessity. In a hurry for CLEAR DISTINCT 0 al COPIES rQ ill Cla O 04 ?41 a oi I rel 4 ® t tii 4 i' economical price. cm Q wd 0 la 4 tai, �4. a la td S4 1 t /I ggibi 1 riteN/4 44,0 r11w4 -0441t14 ,:,,THEWINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES ►..ilimritiliva.bar.i The Wingham Advance -Times offers you fast efficient photocopying at an We're open Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (closed between 12-1). Tel. 357-2320. Taxpayersprotest inc'/-ease Howick fire hall project GORRIE — The fate of the proposed satellite fire station in Howick Township changed twice last week and is still uncertainafter two meetings of Howick Town- ship Council, held May 5 and May 7. At the May 5 meeting council, reacting to pre sure from about 40 taxpayer who attended the meeting to protest the mill rate increase for 1984, decided to scrap the Howick fire hall idea and try to re -negotiate their agree- ' ment with the Wingham Area Fire Board (WAFB). However, Reeve John Stafford attended a meeting of the WAFB building committee on May 6, where he was reminded of a clause in an agreement the town- ship signed Dec. 31, 1983, with the board stating that notice of withdrawl from the agreement must be given one full budget year in ad- vance. This means that the township will still have to make good on its $80,000 commitment toward the building of a new fire hall in Wingham. The $80,000 figure was calculated at Howick receiving a 29.9 per cent share of all new capital expenditures of the fire area board and took into con- sideration that for that contribution the township would have a fire hall of its own. However since local taxpayers showed such strong objection to the tax increase of about 40 mills on residential and farm property, about 28 mills of which was directly for the fire hall in Howick and a proposed new .Township shed, neither building will be built this year and the mill rate has been adjusted ac- cordingly. The 40 -taxpayer delega- tion, headed by Jim Robert- son of Fordwich, which at- tended the May 5 meeting, made it quite clear that they did not want to have the kind of tax increase proposed by council and also that they felt the township already has adequate fire. protection. They also claimed to have a wide base of support among the residents of Howick. ANEW PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION to help Disabled and Seniors live at home. Why was this new program introduced? Many elderly and disabled people want to live with their families. However, in some cases, providing shelter requires extensive home renova- tions which result in increased property taxes. We must encourage–not penalize– , families for their efforts to provide shelter and supportive care. Budget Statement -May 15, 1984, The Honourable Lan -y Grossman, Q.C., Treasurer of Ontario. Accordingly, 1 am announcing today' that homeowners who undertake renovations or additions, specific.ally to keep an elderly or disabled person at home and in the community, will be exempt from any increase in taxable assessment that would otherwise occur noes the program involve direct financial assistance for alterations? No. The savings are in reduced property taxes each year, not in grants or loans for alterations. Under this program, the assessed value of the improvements will not be included when your property tax is calculated, providing the improvements were made to help a disabled or senior live at home. , Who can apply? Any property owner who makes improvements to accommodate people who are 65 or over and those of any age with physical or mental disabilities that would otherwise require them to live in an institution. (Nan only the family of a disabled or senior person apply for this exemption? Not necessarily. For example, you may wish to make improvements to accommodate a friend in your home. Moreover, disabled or seniors can apply for the exemption directly, if they make alterations that will enable them to continue living in their own homes. What about group homes? - Non-profit group homes can apply, but only as long as their improved accommodations do not exceed three residential units. Larger institutions operating multiple facilities to care for the disabled or seniors are not included in this program. Can commercial properties qualify? Yes, in some cases. For example, a family operating a retail store could apply for the exemption if they make improvements to an apartment upstairs for the accommodation of a family member or friend who would otherwise be. compelled to live in an institution. What types of home improve- ments qualify? Any addition, improvement or alteration specifically related to the needs of the disabled or senior resident qualifies for this new exemption. These may include such features as special bathroom modifications or additions to an existing home. (Please note: general repairs and maintenance do not increase assessment anyway). Does the exemption apply to changes underway or completed before the program was announced? Only alterations started after May 15, 1984 when the program was announced will qualify for the property tax exemption once the work has been completed. LT ow long will the exemption apply? The tax exemption continues as long as the senior or disabled person uses the property as their principal residence. How do you receive this new property tax exemption? The first step is to call your local Assessment Office at the number listed below. To avoid any possible disappointment, please contact us before finalizing your plans. We look forward to discussing the program in greater detail. Please talk to your local Assessment Office. We're anxious to help. HURON. PERTH REGIONAL ASSESSMENT OFFICE 57 Napier Street. Box 190 GODERICH, Ontario N7A 3Z2 • (519) 524-7326 Zenith 66500 Commissioner—J W Garrett Government of Ontario Hon. Larry Grossman, Q.C. Hon. Bud Gregory Treasurer of Ontario Minister of Revenue "We mild have had 250 to 500 people out here tonight," said Mr. Robertson., Acting as spokesman for the group, Mr. Robertson told council, "We are here because we're upset, frustrated and angry. Most people are quite 'satisfied with the fire protection we have now." Of the increase in taxes he said, "To many people, it's the last straw. They just can't afford any more bills." Of the planned diversion of funds from the road budget to pay for the new township shed, "If road construction and bridge repairs go undone this year, won't we have to play catch up next year?" said Mr. Robertson, adding "The people do not believe the mill rate will drop." The latter remark was made in reaction to council's sugges- tion that the mill rate will drop next year, once the new buildings are paid for. The delegation demanded "a full public explanation of why we require a fire depart- ment," and clarification of other points such as whether the diversion of road budget funds would mean forfeiting grants from the Ministry of Transportation and Com- munication. Council explained that since ministry grant money for roads was going to be diverted to the building of a new township she r K:, road - related item, the - project would still qualify for the grants. . As to the need for a satellite fire station in Howick, Coun. Gordon Kaster explained that the new agreement with the Wingham Fire Area Board would ' improve both the township's fire protection and make more sense economically. "Up until January 1 (1984, when the agreement took effect) we paid in 17 per cent of the operating costs of the Wingham fire hall and never owned anything. What we put in was gone," said Coun. Kaster. "As of January 1, we acquired 17.9 per ., cent equity, or about $45,000," he • added. Under the agreement Howick Township obtained a 17 per cent share of all 'previously owned assets of the fire area board before Jan. 1, and would receive a 29.9 per cent ownership share of 'any new acquisi- tions. - Township Clerk -treasurer Marvin Bosetti reported that it cost the township $27,905 to buy fire protection from fire brigades in Wingham, Clif- ford, Harriston and Listowel last year. Reeve Stafford explained that back in 1968, when the township first contracted to purchase fire protection from the Town of Harriston, it cost $150 for basic protection not including additional Charges for each call. This year's agreement with Harriston calls for the township to pay $8,500 for that same basic protection. The reeve claimed that without their own fire hall, Howick is "at the mercy" of the groups selling fire protection. The delegation remained unswayed by these argu- ments and one member of the group said, "In most cases you're not going to save the building that's burn- ing, you can only protect the others around it. I feel in my heart that we have adequate service to do that now." Members of the delegation wanted to know how far preparations and obligations to build the new fire hall in Howick had gone and what it would take to stop the project at this point. "We don't want this tax bill this "year," said one member of the delegation. The delegation became upset when council said the agreement has been in effect since Jan. 1, 1984.. "It was all signed, sealed and delivered." "It's all been shoved down our throats;" and "It's more or less a dictatorship deal," were some of the comments. "We had a public meet- ing," said Coun. Kaster. "After the fact," replied one of the delegation. The public meeting on the fire hall proposal was held March 28, 1984, after the agreement with the fire area board had been signed. In order to change the agreement, "We'd have to go back to square one, about two years' work. That 29 per cent figure would have no validity at all," said Coun. Kaster. Council did not give the delegation a firm decision at the May 5 meeting, but the delegation made it clear they would protest further if coun- cil did not change its course of action. "We are pot stopped. We're going to withhold our, taxes, or we're going to petition sgnb►pbody," 'said Mr. Robeitth0nie a 'former member of township council. After the delegation departed, council discussed the possibility of holding a public meeting or a plebis- cite, to resolve the question. "I'd hate to just drop the idea without giving people who are for it .a chance to speak, said Coun. John Jacques. "A public meeting is not going to solve anything. The final decision is going to come back to us," said Reeve Stafford. The reeve contended that distribution and scrutinizing of ballots would be a problem. The May 5 council session ended with council deciding to scrap both the proposed fire hall and the township shed and lowering the, mill rate accordingly. Council passed a motion which read- "Due to public outcry over the tax increase for 1984, council has decided to withdraw from the present Wingham Area Fire Board agreement and will proceed to negotiate for a new agreement similar to the existing agreement." Council then repealed the bylaw setting tax rates for 1984 and agreed to reconvene the meeting on May 7. NEW MILL RATES At. the May 7 meeting, council confirmed their decision to drop the fire hall project for this year, but indicated they will rethink the idea and keep the option open to build a fire hall in the future open. After meeting • with the Wingham Area Fire Board Building Committee and discussing the one -budget - year notice required for withdrawl from the agree- ment, Reeve Stafford said, "We just can't up and walk out now." "Can we have people who are getting protection from ether areas telling .us we don't need the protection (that a Howick fire hall would add)?" said the reeve, adding that he estimated that about 90 per cent of the May 5 delegation were people in the fringe areas, closest to . the fire stations from which Howick buys protection. "They weren't all (from the fringe area)," said Deputy Reeve Gerald D'Arcey, pointing out that Jim Robertson, who headed the delegation, is "farther away than most people". Coun. Kaster suggested people may have gone along with the original proposal if they had been kept better informed about the project. "We were entirely at fault for not keeping them better informed," said Coun. Kaster. Other councillors ex- pressed a variety of reasons the taxpayers mote out so loudly against tee fire hall proposal and tax increase. Deputy Reeve D'Arcey said the people might have accepted it, "if you had stuck with the fire hall and left that shed alone." "It's that goddamned editorial in the paper (Listowel Banner May 30) that stirred this up," said Reeve Stafford. "They've raised concerns that the taxes are too high, we can adjust that," said Coun. ]{faster, adding that the proposed plan "proposed the upper limits" for possible tax increases to pay for the hall in one year. Despite the objections, council's current position is that the project is postponed, but not abandoned. They are considering a number of approaches to make the idea more palatable tothe tax- payers, such as debenturing the funds for the project over a number of years. The council is also considering setting up a reserve fund to save up money for a fire hall. Since the ball won't be built this year the council was able to pass a motion lowering the mill rate from the previously announced 1984 mill rates. Asa result of the changes the overall mill rate, in- cluding taxes for municipal, Huron County, and board of education purposes will be 215.377 mills, rather than 229.193 mills as originally announced. The mill rate on residenti- al and farm property, strict- ly for township purposes will be 68.801, rather than 80.611. The 1983 rate was 34.683. The commercial mill rate for township purposes will be 80.942 mills, rather than 97.187 mills. Last year's rate was 46.686 mills. Coun. Jaques indicated that he did not feel the drop in mill rate worth the trouble of cancelling the projects. "I think people are really going to be disappointed when they see what we can really do with this," he said. Increase of about 5% for custodians Huron County Board of Education and its custodians have ratified a collective agreement. The average hourly rate under the new collective agreement is $8.99. The agreement, including increment and fringe benefit costs, represents an increase of about five per cent. There were no changes in fringe benefits. "This set of negotiations, although not easy, repre- sents a co-operative recogni- tion of today's economic climate. The inclusion of the increment within the five per cent complies with the infla- tion restraint legislation," states a press release issued by the school board. The agreement is effective from June 1, 1984 until May 31, 1985. The custodians are repre- sented by the Service Em- ployees' Union, Local 210. The board has also ratified its agreement with the sec- retaries' union represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). No de- tails are available as the union local has not yet rati- fied the agreement. UP, UP AND AWAY—The students of the Turnberry Central School wished the Howick Fall Fair a happy 1 25th anniversary last Tuesday morning when they let off almost 200 balloons, complete with name tags and vital statistics. The balloons were donated by the Har- riston Co -Op. r 1 The Wingham Advance -Times, June 13, 1984—Page 5 iiMO. CelpIOS IROW.N ,ie Personal Notes „, nikirnlwe of residents attended" the Molesworth garden party ; last Wed- nesday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Mundell attended the an- niversary service at the Bluevale Presbytetrian Church Sunday morning when Rev. Dennis Freeman of Mimico was the guest speaker. The Mundells also attended the Kinlough an- niversary service in the evening with Rev. Alex Simpson of Morpeth the guest speaker. Susan Edgar was pre- sented with a gift by Mrs. - Don Watson on behalf of ithe school children recently. Susan has taught a Sunday school class for four years and will be leaving the area following her upcoming, marriage. Mrs. Angus Smith, Duane, David and Michael of London, visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Smith recently. A number of the Gorrie senior citizens attended the Mapletone Seniors June meeting at the Kin Station at Mayor to name Continued from Pagel the person in. She added she was disappointed the decision to form a com- • mission was rushed through last month, since she would have liked more time to talk to people about it. Prior to the vote, Mr. Kopas commented that while delegating the appointment authority may not be the best way to go, the continuing split in council over the commission issue makes it the best way to avoid further wrangles. It was safe to say the vote on . the motion could be forecast as 3-3, with the chair voting to break the tie, he. noted, "and if we put specific names before the table it would be the same thing. "Having the mayor ap- point the person may not be ideal, but under the cir- cumstances it makes a heap . of sense." • The final vote followed his prediction, with Mr..Currie, Mr. Kopas, Councillor Doug Switzer and Mr. Machan voting in favor and Mrs. Bailey, Mr. Crump and Mr. Miller opposed. Reeve Joe Kerr, who had also previously expressed op- position to forming a police commission, was not at the meeting. The success of this motion meant council was not required to vote on a second motion which was on the agenda for the meeting, proposing Mr. Miller as the second- council represen- tative on the commission. Mayor Harris, who was away on holiday, has not yet named his selection to the commission. However he is previously on record as urging that it be the chair- man or a senior member of council's finance and management committee, to ensure council input into the commission's fiscal decisions. 1 Listowel last Wednesday evening. Mrs. Margaret Porter of Chilliwack, B.C., is visiting with Mrs. Joseph Simmons. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Peel and Trevor of RFb 1, Bluevale, and Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Timm of Bluevale visited at the same home Sunday. r Mr. and Mrs. John Ritchie, Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Margaret Kelly, Mrs. Albert TenPas and daughter, all of Brussels, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ritchie and family of Brantford, Mrs. Alex Taylor, Mrs. Lorne Walker and Margaret Dane attended the services in the Gorrie United Church when a stained glass window was dedicated in memory of Pam Joy Wilson in the Sunday school room and afterward visited in the lunch room of the church and at the home of Mrs. William G. Dane. Mr. and Mrs. Wes Gallaway, . Mr. and Mrs. George Gallaway of RR 1, Wingham, and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Ross of RR 1, Wingham, spent a week at Lake Nipissing. Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Haskins and Mr. and Mrs. Melville Dennis visited Mrs. Thirza Scott in Streetsville last Friday. Mrs. Vera Heibein returned home from the Wingham hospital last Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Williamson of Mount Forest visited at the same home on the weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Ken Un- derwood, accompanied by Mrs. Bert Hubbard, Ml's. " Earl Underwood and Mrs. Gordon Underwood of Geri - Care Nursing Home at Harriston, visited Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Underwood of Guelph. Bruce Grainger of Mon- treal and Mr. and Mrs. ,( Murray Grainger, Chris, Craig and Erin of Shakespeare visited Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Grainger Sunday. Mrs. Gordon Edgar and Birks Robertson of Teeswater were supper guests of Mrs. Glad Edgar Sunday. Mr, , .al , ..Mf' 1J + 1a1 s,_ .. Austint.Jef#rei aofi.Decei� Qin Elmira, visited Mrs. William Austin Sunday. :, Mr. and Mrs. Duff Bell of Drayton visited on the weekend with Mrs. Alex Taylor and attended the dedication service in the Gorrie United Church Sunday morning. Looking for a Shower Gift? Find it at the Lemon Tree. KITCHEN AND BATH . BOUTIQUE OPEN MON.-FRI. 8-5:30 SAT. 8-4 LOCATED AT HODGINS LUMBER, NORTH END OF WINGHAM 357-3659 i wmm-uNrry CALENDAR INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. Insurance - All types. Home, business, auto, faun, life. WINGHAM 357-2636 GORRIE 335-3525' Thurs., June 14 to Wed. June 20 Thurs. June 14 Euchre, Wingham Legion, 8 p.m., Everyone Welcome. Fn. June 15 Bluevale Comm. Hall, Dedication of Bicentennial Project, 8 p.m., Followed by Euchre and Dance. Grand Opening, 'Ball Park at Belgrave Comm. Centre, 7:30 p.m. Game Under Lights, Followed by Dance, Arena 10 p• rrr: BP Fastball Tournament, Fri. Night, Sat. & Sun., Josephine St. Ball Park. Sat. June 16 Scout House Grand Opening, 11 a.m.. Of- ficial Ribbon Cutting, Minnie St. on Maitland River. Everyone Welcome. Dinner & Dance, Wingham Golf & Curling Club, 7 p.m. Phone 357-2179 for Tickets. Dance, Howick Comm. Centre. 9 to 1. Sun. June 17 Sunday School Anniversary, Belgrave United Church, 11:15 a.m. followed by Chicken Barbecue. Mon. June 18 Tues. June 19 Strawberry ' Buffet. St. Paul's Anglican Church, Wingham, 5 to 7 p.m. Wed. June 20 Child Health Clinic, Clinic Building, Wingham, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Senior Citizen Tea, Gerrie United Church Basement, Gorse, Wroxeter & Fordwich Seniors Invited, 2 to 4 p.m., Howick Jr. W.I. Spring Salad Supper, Brussels United Church. 5 to 7 p.m. Strawberry Festival, Lucknow Presbyterian Church, 3 Sittings, 5. 6 & 7 p.m. ROXY HOME VIDEO Great Family Entertainment • 241 Josephine St., Wingham Phone 357-3373