The Wingham Advance-Times, 1979-08-15, Page 6Paw 4---7U Wiegham Advance -Times, August lb, 187'8
Possible assessment shift
could slam rural taxpayers
Rural taxpayers could be m for
a rude shock when they receive
their 1990 property tax bills if a
ministry of revenue assessment
equalization plan gets provincial
approval.
Morris Township council got
the word at its Aug. 7 meeting
that the levy it pays Huron
County and the school levies
could jump by about 25 per cent
because of assessment
equalization alone, not including
the normal increases.
On the other hand, residents of
towns in the county may benefit
greatly. Under the equalization,
worked out by the ministry of
revenue, the levies paid by the
taxpayers of the town of
Goderich could decrease 23.9 per
cent for the county portion and
about 68 per cent for the school
portion.
The province -wide equalization
proposal, which is now before the
ministers of intergovernmental
affairs and education, would
reflect the changei in market
values of properties since the
assessment equalization was
frozen in 1971.
Since 1971 the market values of
farms and other rural properties
have grown at a pace much
faster than that of most urban
assessments, says Floyd
Jenkins, assessment com-
missioner for Huron County.
It is simply this shift in the
market value of land which
would have al landowners
taking a larshare of the
county andAOR1001 tax burden.
Morris Township council got
1k
notice that it must appeal to the
Ontario Municipal Board by Nov.
1 if it questions the equalization
change, but Mr. JerFkins said that
because the whole scheme hasn't
been given provincial approval
yet it "may never, ever come to
pass".
He called it a political situation
and refused to comment on it, but
Morris Township Reeve William
Elston was somewhat less
reluctant to comment.
"We're really taking a skinning
on this deal," he told council last
week. He noted that other than
the county roads maintained by
Huron, most services provided
by the county are people orien-
ted. Under the new assessment
equalization towns would be
paying much less per capita for
these social services than rural
people, he claimed.
With the proposal, Morris
ratepayers would pay more to the
cuunty for these services than
would Wingham, which has
nearly twice the population.
He wryly noted that if the
county needed so much money to
maintain the sole county road
running through the township,
then the township could take it
over and do it more cheaply.
The new equalization factors
were developed by studying the
sale prices of properties in On-
tario municipalities in 1978 and
extrapolating to determine the
total market value of properties
within the municipalities. This
technique was last used in 1970
before the assessment
equalization was frozen by the
provincial government.
Bylaw amended to Pe rmit
new Belgrave
East Wawanosh Township
council last week passed an
amended version of its zoning
bylaw to permit a developer to
proceed with construction of a
new subdivision in Belgrave.
The proposed development had
been the subject of an Ontario
Municipal Board (OMB) hearing
earlier this year and the
amended bylaw takes into ac-
count the restrictions imposed as
a result of that hearing.
'Me hearing was conducted at
the Belgrave community centre
April 30, but the results were only
recently released. (See separate
story in this issue.) Neighboring
landowners -Mr. and Mrs. John
Gnay opposed the development
on the grounds it was to be built
on good farmland and the ad-
ditional housing was not needed.
The amended zoning bylaw
given three readings and finally
passed by council at its meeting
Aug. 7 leaves the proposed plan
for single family dwellings un-
changed, but reduces the size of
permitted commercial area to
5,000 square feet from a proposed
15,000 and deletes the proposed
apartment block.
The land .set aside for the
apartments has been zoned
developmental with a provision
that it can be rezoned for further
single family dwellings at a later
date.
Council received another
development proposal at the
meeting from Kincardine realtor
Lloyd Hutton, but decided it
wants more time to study the
plan before committing itself.
Mr. Hutton proposed con-
structing a recreational vehicle
trailer park on the farm behind
the Hutton Heights subdivision,
with room for as many as 250 to
300 units.
Township Clerk -Treasurer
Winona Thompson noted later
this proposal would need the
approval of the county planning
board and the board of health
before it could go ahead.
Councillors also wanted more
time to study a sample bylaw for
such a development obtained
from the ministry of industry and
tourism., Another meeting will be
held to reach a decision on the
matter.
SEVERANCE PROTESTED
In response to opposition from
a number of farmers in the
township the council reversed its
position and agreed to oppose a
severance application from Ron
and Gloria Kingsbury in Morris
Township. ( When property to be
severed borders on another
municipality it is asked to make a
recommendation on the ap-
plication.)
Council had earlier approved
the severance on coria tior, the
property be zoned agricultural
commercial and not restrict
operations on adjoining farms.
However after hearing
arguments from neighboring
farmers it decided to oppose the
Jr. Farmers
plan to mark
30th annive
Plans for the 30th anniversary
of the Huron County Junior
Farmers' Association are almost
complete.
The celebration will be on
Saturday evening, August 25, at
the Clinton arena. There will be a
chance to visit with old friends
associated with the Junior
Farmers from 7-9 p.m., followed
by a dance from 9-1. Music will be
supplied by the Gary Walters
band.
One of the highlights of the eve-
ning will be the recognition pro-
gram beginning at 8 p.m. Former
agricultural representatives and
associates, former Junior
Farmer presidents, MP and
MPP's and county directors have
been invited. A special guest who
will be taking part will be Gordon
Bennett, former ag. rep and re-
cently retired deputy minister of
agriculture and food.
Everyone who would like to
help celebrate the Junior Far-
mers' 30th year as a county
organization is welcome to at-
tend. Tickets are available from
county Junior Farmers and the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food office in Clinton.
subdivision
severance on the grounds the use
proposed " is predominantly
commercial and not agricul-
turally related. Council was told
the Kingsburys plan a truck re-
pair shop and possibly a truck
stop cafe.
A group of farmers from the
federation of agriculture, in-
cluding Jim Hunter, Fred Meier,
Walter Elliott, Gerry Jaretzke
and Leslie Caldwell, also asked
that council adopt a policy of
notifying all neighboring lan-
downers within 3,000 feet of any
applications for severance, but
council took no action on the
request.
In other business at the
meeting the township building
bylaw was amended, raising the
fee schedule for building permits
to $20 for the first $1,000 of con-
struction from $10. The fee for
additional construction cost
remains at one dollar per
thousand over the base. The fee
for trailer permits was also
doubled to $20 from $10.
Building permits were ap-
proved for Raymond Hallahan, a
steel granary; Bob Sinclair, a
MRS. LEWIS STONEHOUSE
manure storage tank; Jim Ross,
an implement shed; R.
Jamieson, a pit silo; and J.
Wharton, a trailer permit.
A severance application from
Roy Pennington received a
favorable recommendation from
council. Mr. Pennington wants to
sell 14 acres on Part Lot 38, Con.
14, to Henry Kikkert.
Kess Kariulis was paid $35 for
a lamb that had been injured by
dogs and had to be destroyed.
Council endorsed in principle a
proposal for managing the Bel -
grave community centre and
arena. The proposal, which was
further discussed at a public
meeting in Belgrave Aug. 9 (see
separate story in this issue), calls
for setting up a board with equal
representation from the East
Wawanosh and Morris recreation
boards to look after the centre as
well as for a 50-50 split of any
operating deficit between the two
townships.
At the same time East
Wawanosh gave a further grant
of $100 to the recreation, parks
and community centre board.
Belgrave Personal Notes
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Roth of
Guelph visited recently with their
cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Jack
McBurney.
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Napier of
Fort Lauderdale, Florida visited
with her grandparents, Mr. and
Mrs. Jack McBurney this week.
Douglas Bieman of Iroquois
Falls is spending his holidays
with his mother, Mrs. Albert Bie-
man and other relatives.
Mrs. Evelyn Lechinsky of
Regina returned home last
Thursday after spending the past
two weeks with her mother, Mrs.
George Cook and other relatives.
She also attended the Wingham
centennial.
Mrs. Annie Armstrong of Blyth
and her granddaughter, Mrs.
Brian Nuhn and her son Jordan of
Seaforth visited last Wednesday
YOUNG COUPLES CONFERENCE—VAIllam and Janet Ireland of RR 2, Teeswater,
were sponsored by the Teeswater District Co -Operative to attend the Young Couples Con-
ference conducted by United Co -Operatives of Ontario. They received their certificates of
achievement from Robert Coulthard, UCO president, and Julian Smith, chief executive
officer.
with Mr. and Mrs. Victor Young-
blut.
Mr. and Mrs. Mel Webster of
Clinton were Saturday visitors
with Mr. and Mrs. Victor Young-
blut.
Mrs. Robert Procter, Mr. and
Mrs. Frank Procter visited with
the former's sister, Mrs. Conrad
Smithson of Downsview last
Wednesday and also visited with
Mr. Conrad Smithson who was a
patient in Bronson Hospital at
Willowdale for the past three
weeks and was able to return to
his own home with them. Mrs.
Procter stayed at the Smithson
home until Saturday when Mr.
Paul Smithson drove his aunt to
Bingeman Park Kitchener where
they attended the Speakman re-
union.
Master Darryl Mayberry of
Londesboro spent the weekend
with his grandmother, Mrs.
Robert Procter.
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Dunbar of
Stratford called on his mother,
Mrs. Joe Dunbar on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. �Lewis Stonehouse
visited last Thursday with Mr.
and Mrs. Maitland Edgar and
family of Petrolia.
Rev. John G. and Mrs. Roberts,
Howard and Alison have recently
returned home from a visit to the
Atlantic provinces. While in St.
John's, Newfoundland they spent
a few days with Dr. Ronald Tay-
lor.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Lichty
and Wayne of Kitchener visited
with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Hibberd.
Joanne Coultes, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. William Coultes has
recently passed the Grade VII
examination from the.
Con-
servatory of Music. Joanne also
received first class honors in her
Grade 1 theory examination from
the Conservatory. Joanne is a
piano pupil of Mrs. Judy Morton.
Congratulations Joanne.
Mr. and Mrs. Ross Plant of
Morin Heights. Quebec (formerly
M Belgrave) are happy to wel-
come their daughter. August 7, a
sister for Wesley.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Camphell
and Heather of Kitchener visited
on Sunday with his mother, Mrs.
Olive Campbell.
To celebrate Simplicity's 60th Anniversary we are
offering a $60 Anniversary Rebate on the purchase
of a Simplicity automatic washer and full size dryer
vv�aviiivvi 299 '1.97.0. i7aea � e sid-
offering a $30 Anniversary Rebate on the purchase ~
of a Simplicity automatic washer or full size dryer
purchased separately.
Backmtomsc'ho,oF special
CC0
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Who wouldn't love one of these CCM fully
equipped bikes. Full warranty backed by our
service. Completely assembled in your choice
of silver or yellow. Men's 21 " or 23" frame;
Ladies' 20" frame. All sizes 27" wheels.
Reg. $139.95
12495
Check the prices on our
USED APPLIANCES
Right now we have in stock:
• Westinghouse clothes dryer
• Simplicity wringer washer
• Two - Simplicity Super Twin washers
and spin dryers
•24" electric range
*used bicycles
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