The Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-04-27, Page 1Blyth Branob Library
Box 202
Blyth a •teat o Nei 1I3•
Jan. 4
os
Coming off one of its best years ever,
financially, the Wingham and District
Hospital Board last week approved a record
$6 million budget for the fiscal year 1983-84.
The budget held few surprises and was
approved almost without discussion by
board members, following the recom-
mendation of the finance and audit com-
mittee.
Earlier in the meeting, board members
had heard that the hospital appears to have
finished 1982-83 with a record surplus,
though the exact figures will not be con-
firmed until after the audit has been com-
pleted next month.
Committee Chairman Robert Pike
described the budget as "relatively free of
risks and without the urgency of some past
years."
The hospital already has been promised a
7.8 per cent increase in its funding by the
Ontario Health Ministry, he noted, and pay
4..
1'• udget is est
scales for the year have been imposed by the
provincial restraint program.
The only surprises could come if use of the
hospital varied dramatically up or down, he
said, 'and even in that case the hospital is
covered. If use drops off, as it did during the
past year, the hospital stands to chalk up a
healthy surplus, while if it increases the
board can apply to the ministry for sup-
plementary funding.
"In any event, there's very little risk
involved in the budget."
At the start of his presentation, Mr. Pike
noted that the board is limited in what it can
do in a budget since the purse strings are
held by the Health Ministry, to the tune of
some $5.2 million in a $6 million budget.
"This budget is to demonstrate to the
ministry that the funds available will cover
expenses and maintain the level of service,"
he said, adding it will act as a spending
guideline tbr hospital management and the
board.
Of the anticipated gross revenue of
$6,007,103, almost 90 per cent comes directly
from the Health Ministry to cover operating
costs. Mr. Pike noted that the other com-
ponents, which include interest on invest-
ments, private room differential fees and
other revenues, are relatively minor and not
subject to a lot of fluctuation.
Expenditures, are set at $8,0Q2,599, an
increase of about eight per cent from last
year. Payment of salaries, wages and
benefits accounts for about 75 per cent of the
spending.
The hospital also expects to pay out about
$550,000 in working capital during the course
of the year, with the bulk of this going
toward the new emergency and outpatient
wing.
The board approved capital purchases
MYTH
blished at $6 million
amounting to $59,160, with major items
Including $15,000 for a new tray delivery
system for the dietary department, $8,500
for an electrocardiograph and $6,000 for a
new car.
The hospital budget also includes $208,336
for the operation of the ambulance service
and $82,243 for the RNA training school,ltioth
of which are funded by separate grants, as
well as by fees collected from students at the
training school. ' •
A question was raised about the ap-
proximately $7,000 deficit incurred by the
RNA school last year, however Hospital
Administrator Norman Hayes assured the
board that the hours the students spend
working in the hospital as part of their
training more than offsets the deficit.
Students pay tuition of about $520 per
year, which is equivalent to that charged by
community colleges. Fees have been raised
by five per cent for 1983-84.
Before unveiling the new budget, Mr. Pike
presented the board with the preliminary
year=end financial statement for 1982-83,
reporting he was "pleasantly shocked" by a
surplus which appears lobe well above even
the $200,000 which he was predicting earlier
in the year.
He said`he preferred not to release actual
figures until they have been confirmed by
audit, but congratulated Mr. Hayes and
Finance Director Gordon Baxter for the
numbers being so favorable.
Mr. Hayes expresses appreciation for the
praise, but cautioned that the board cannot
expect this kind of a financial performance
every year.
"This has been a very different sort of
year," he noted. Part of the reason the
surplus jumped is that traditionally the
hospital is quite busy during February and
March. This year usage was down, sp the
hospital was able to cut costs considerably.
"1 hope this is not going to become your
yardstick for measuring the performance of
the senior management of this hospital," he
concluded,
Adding to the board's satisfaction with the
hefty surplus was the knowledge that this
year for 'the first time the `hospital will be
permitted to retain its savings, as part of the
BOND ( business -oriented new develop-
ment) program introduced last year by the
Health Ministry.
"Can we really keep this surplus?" Rev.
Ken Innes, trustee from Brussels, inquired,
noting that although some other local
hospitals are disenchanted with the BOND
program it appears to be working for
Wingham.
Mr. Hayes assured members that the
hospital can indeed keep the money and,
while next year may not be as profitable,
"We will keep whatever we make then too."
CLERK RECEIVES PLAQUE—Howick Township Clerk
Wesley Ball (centre) was honored at a dinner last week
in Gorrie along with retiring road superintendent, Carroll
Johnson. Mr. Ball resignedhts pQs)t(, r3,, ff9pijbe April
22, to accept a similar post in the 'township of llos. He
has been clerk -treasurer In Howick since December,
1975. He was presented with a commemorative plaque
by Reeve William Newton (right) and Mrs. Ball was
. pr int pg,,with a, , corsage prior to: -the .liner., .(Staff
Photo)
Municipal mill rate same
in Howick as back in '79
GORRIE—The mill rate
for general municipal
purposes in the Township of
Howick remains unchanged
for the fifth year in a row.
While the township cannot
finalize its 1983 tax rate until
it receives its requisition
from the / boards of
education, Howick Township
Council settled its own
budget at a series of special
meetings held during the
month.
The special meetings were
deemed necessary because
of the departure of the
township's clerk -treasurer,
Wesley Ball, who completed
his duties for the township on
April 22. Mr. Ball has ac-
cepted an administrative
position with the Township of
Flos in Simcoe County.
Clerk Ball released details
of the township's own budget
on Friday morning.
"We are pleased to an-
nounce the general mill rate
for township purposes for
residential, commercial and
business ratepayers remains
unaltered for the fifth year in
a row," Mr. Ball said.
"There is a slight increase
in the netted requirement for
taxation but this will be
offset by an increase in our
assessment."
The slight increase in the
township's net requirement
amounts to 1.02 per cent, the
clerk -treasurer said.
While the mill rate has not
increased in the past five
years, Clerk Ball stressed
that councils throughout
those years have worked
hard to see there has been
"no decrease in either the
quantity or quality" of
municipal programs.
"And I think we can say
that we are maintaining our
programs in Howick," Mr.
Ball said.
The net taxation
requirement from Howick
ratepayers for general
municipal purposes this year
is $199,040. compared to
$197,027 in 1982.
The largest portion of the
township's general purpose
budget is taken up with road
department works. Council
has decided to replace the
McClement bridge on
Sideroad 10-11 between the
third and fourth concession.
The bridge was built in the
early 1900s.
Estimated cost of
replacing the structure with
a rigid, clear span frame
bridge is $122,400 of which a
major portion will be funded
through provincial grants.
However, in order to meet
the added cost of replacing
the bridge and carry out
other road department work
the township has applied for
a road supplement allocation
Gorrie-area man
injured in accident
A Gorrie-area man is in
fair condition at University
Hospital, London, following
a single -vehicle accident
along Huron County Road 12
just north of Sea forth
Monday afternoon.
Police at the Goderich
OPP detachment reported
that Steven Litt, 20, of RR 1,
Gorrie, was northbound on
the county road when he lost
control on a curve and went
into the ditch, where the car
struck a tree and flipped
over onto its side.
Mr. Litt was taken to the
Seaforth hospital and later
transferred to University
Hospital, where he was
reported to be in fair con-
dition and under observation
Tuesday morning.
The driver was alone is the
vehicle at the time of the
accident, which occurred at
about 4:15 p.m. Monday.
Damage to the car, a 1978
Ford, was estimated at
$2,000.
of $3',500.
Clerk Ball explained that
even though the roa
department's expenses were
down this winter season, a
major project last year —
the reconstruction of the 12th
and 13th concession — went
over budget and it was
necessary to pick up the
deficit in this year's budget.
Total road department
expenditures this year are
expected to cost $515,900.
compared to $424,000 last
year. However revenues are
expected to be $342,200
(including the supplement
allocation of $37,500),
compared to $227,000
received last year.
Seriously
injured in
collision
A Wingham woman is still
in hospital as the result of a
two -vehicle collision last
week in Elma Township.
Jean Thynne, 54, was
seriously injured when the
1981 Chevrolet she was
driving was in collision with
a vehicle driven by Roy
Sillantaa, 35, of Sarnia. The
accident occurred at about
7:35 p.m. April 19 on High-
way 23 at Elma Concession
Road 1 and 2.
Mrs. Thynne was taken to
Listowel Memorial Hospital
and was later transferred to
University Hospital, London.
On Monday, her condition
was described as stable.
Mr. Sillantaa sustained
minor injuries. His
passenger, Marie Sillantaa,
34, of Sarnia, was also in-
jured. Both were treated at
Listowel Memorial Hospital
and have been released.
Damage to the Thynne
vehicle is estimated at
$6,000; to the Sillantaa car, a
1974 Chevrolet Blazer, $4,000.
The Listowel Ontario
Provincial Police detach-
ment is investigating the
accident.
Other expenditures for the
township are protection
`(mainly fire protection)
which is budgeted at $28,500;
animal control program,
$3,000 and the building
control program $4,500.
Mr. Ball said the 1982
protection budget was
$32,000, however the town-
ship actually spent $37,500.
"Last year however we
had to pay our portion for the
new fire truck which was
purchased by the Wingham
Fire Department."
Last year's animal control
program was budgeted at
$2,700. As for the cost of the
township's building control
program, Mr. Ball explained
it is offset to a large degree
by fees received.
Because of the excavation
of another trench at the
township's landfill site which
is planned the budget for the
site this year is $5,700,
( Please turn to Page 2)
Don't worry about tax proposal,
Tinibrell1.efls Huron farmers
By Sharon*Dietz
A proposed 1001er bent tax
rebate on farm land is safe,
and farmers should not fear
the government is trying to
usurp their property rights,
Ontario Agriculture Minister
Dennis Timbrell assured
members of the Huron
County Federati9lt Cott
Agrn ultitrer
Lucknow last week.
"A fundamental part of the
proposed tax changes in.the
program is that the ..in-
dividual farmer will still pay
his or her taxes to the
municipality," said Mr.
Timbrell, speaking at the
annual meeting of the north-
west district of the HFA. •
The tax rebate proposal
calls for farmers to .pay
taxes on their houses and a
deemed lot. The lot, because
it cannot be severed, will be
assessed at 50 per cent of the
value of a similar severed
lot. Farmers will be eligible
to receive a 100 per cent
rebate of the taxes on the
balance of their /farm
property, land and buildings.
A previous proposal which
would have exempted far-
mers from paying property
taxes was dropped because
municipalities feared an
erosion of their tax base and
farmers feared a loss of
property rights as a result of
not paying taxes.
Mr. Timbrell said current
fears that the new proposal
will result in a loss of
property rights sometime in
the future are based on a
misunderstanding of the
plan.
The.people of this province
are not likely to elect a
government that ignores
property rights, he observed,
saying that if this argument
were followed to its logical
)conclusion accepting any
form of government
assistance for land — a tile
drainage debenture,, 25 per
cent rebate, 50 per cent
rebate or whatever — would
•be.suffic gl t grounds for that
kftltl ofillfiefrl�it,
away property rights.
Premier William Davis
announced in the Legislature
the following day that
Ontario will support the
inclusion ofroperty rights
in the /Charter of Rights. If
property rights were en-
trenched in the Constitution,
Mr. Timbrell said, applying
for or accepting government
assistance could not abridge
them.
Despite widespread op-
position to the proposed
rebate program in Huron
County, one farmer at the
meeting said he is in favor of
Right gov't
wrong minister
A story last week on a vote
by Huron_ farmers.. on- -the--
proposed 100 per cent farm
tax rebate incorrectly
identified Dennis Timbrell
as the minister who proposed
closing the Clinton hospital a
number of years ago.
In fact it was Ontario
Treasurer Frank Miller, at
that time minister of health,
who proposed closing a
number of small hospitals,
Clinton's among them.
Mr. Timbrell later held the
health portfolio before
taking over the agriculture
ministry.
f� N ZIMMER, manager of the Wingham Legion, manned the cash register at last
Saturday's rummage and bake sale held at the Legion. Mr. Zimmer reported the sale,
the first of its kind at the Legion, was a booming success and most area residents
showed a lot of interest, either by attending or donating items. Also present was
Legion executive member Andy Rodger.
the rebate and would like to
receive more rebates from
the government.
Earl Hay of Kinloss Town-
ship said he wants a rebate
of the tax charged on fuel
used on the farm. He
estimates he pays $4,000 a
year in fuel taxes and last
ear .his.; profit was .,00ly�
Mr. Timbrell pointed out
there are three governments
taking taxes onfuel: the
producing province, the
federal government and the
provincial government. The
provincial tax is rebated, he
said, but the province cannot
afford to rebate the taxes
charged by the other govern-
ments.
While the minister had
been asked to speak at the
meeting to explain the tax
rebate proposal, most
questions asked of him did
not refer to taxes. Instead,
farmers took the opportunity
to vent their frustrations
over high interest rates, low
commodity prices and ab-
sentee foreign ownership.
He reminded the farmers
that the federal government
through -the Bank of Canada
sets the high interest rates
and is responsible for the
economic policies of the
country. The taxpayers of
Ontario do not have the
money to enable the
province to lower interest
rates for everybody and
every business in the
province to reasonable
levels, he said.
K Mr. Tnn, r: 1, said the
Wiliettegr
not set the prices for com-
modities, . but he said the
government is trying to help
marketing boards to sell
their surpluses which
produced such low prices
last year.
Unless farmers are willing
to accept a government that
is all-powerful and can direct
and control everything, they
will have to accept that there
are some things a govern-
lifehrcniniaa n ,r' ''a't# d40,;,!-
I'n reply to questions about
farm credit assistance, the
( Please turn to Page 2)
Boy alerts family
to latenight blaze
Quick action on the part of
a Wingham boy, Allen
Bailey, saved his family
from possible tragedy this
week, according to Wingham
Fire Chief Dave Crothers.
The electric stove in the
family's 345 Edward Street
home overheated and ignited
some papers nearby. Young
Allen awoke smelling smoke
and alerted his mother, Mrs.
Brenda Bailey. She
telephoned the fire depart-
ment at around 4:30 a.m.
Monday morning. Mr.
Crothers estimated damage
at approximately $100.
Firemen were called out to
a grass fire last Saturday
morning in Howick Town-
ship, just outside Wroxeter.
Mr. Crothers reported that
burning refuse ignited some
grass on the farm of Robert
Steurnol. The main concern
was containing the fire
before it reached a nearby
barn. But the chief said
firefighters brought the
blaze under control before it
caused any damage.
Wingham & Dist. Hospital
Architect is hired
to design new wing
The firm of Kyles, Kyles and Garratt,
architects, has been hired to design the new
emergency and outpatient wing at the
Wingham and District Hospital.
At a meeting last week, the hospital board
agreed to hire this firm, which has
previously worked for the hospital, rather
than to ask for proposals from other ar-
chitects.
Kyles, Kyles and Garratt, with offices in
Stratford and Hamilton, designed and
supervised construction of the new office
section added to the hospital two years ago,
and has also planned and supervised a
number of renovation projects.
Architect's fees for the latest project were
set at eight per cent of the total cost for all
new work and 10 per cent for all renovations,
to be based on the lowest tender received.
Robert Pike,' chairman of the board's
finance and audit committee, inquired how
much the board already owes the architect
for his preliminary work on the project and
how much it will owe when plans are
completed, should it decide it could not
afford to go ahead with the building.
Executive Director Norman Hayes
reported that fees paid to date amount to
about $23,000, and this will have risen to
$75,000 at the stage of going to tender.
if the board decides to go ahead and build
the estimated $1.4 million project. total
architect's fees will amount to some
$112,000.
At present, the board has only committed
itself to going as far as calling for tenders on
the project, at which time it will make the
decision whether or not it can afford to
proceed with construction.
On a related matter, the board heard that
the Gordon R. Goldie Co. of Toronto has
been hired to conduct a feasibility study for
a program to raise funds in the community
toward the new wing. Board Chairman
Mary Vair reported that consultant Paul
Robeson had already spent a couple of days
in the community doing interviews, and
would be returning soon.
She said she was impressed with his work.
"He seems to be very thorough."
The consultant's report on fundraising
possibilities is expected by June or July.
The board also received confirmation
from Huron County Council that a grant of
up to $93,000 has been approved for the new
project and a letter from the office of Health
Minister Larry Grossman said the minister
would consider accepting the board's in-
vitation to take part in the sod -turning
ceremony.
In other business, the board reconsidered
and decided to forget a plan for a wheelchair
ramp to the hospital's front door. it was
noted that few people in wheelchairs visit
the hospital, and level access will continue
to be provided at the new emergency en-
trance, It also was suggested that the
proposed ramp would be impractical in the
wintertime and would disfigure the front of
the building
A