2- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, October 8, 1991 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Cost of Region lot levies up 4.9% By Julia Dempsey Lot levies in Durham will in- crease 4.9 per cent despite a call from regional developers for a zero per cent increase. . The decision was reached af- ter a debate between develop- ers and politicians at regional council on Wednesday. The increase means develop- ers will be taxed $7,096 for eve- ry single detached home they build -- an increase of $337. A large Joution of the levy goes towards paying for water, sew- er and roads. Although the developers did not get their wish of zero per cent, acceptance of the in- crease has both developers and regional officials breathing a sigh of relief. Consulting firm C. N. Wat- son and Associates originally suggested the- region increase lot levies by 22 per cent. Urban Development Insti- tute (UDI), a lobby group for developers, threatened to take the region to the Ontario Mu- nicipal Board (OMB) if the in- crease was implemented. A trip to the OMB would cost the region both time and mon- ey. Plus the OMB has the pow- er to overturn municipal deci- sions. Before coming to an agree- ment, council heard from sev- eral delegations who opposed any increase. Little Britain man dies in two car collision A two car collision on Lake- ridge Road (formerly Regional Road 23) on Friday, Oct. 4 claimed the life of a Little Brit- ain man. According to Durham Re- gional Police, Lloyd Donovan Hartin, 43, received major inju- ries in the collision and later died at Sunnybrook Medical Centre in Toronto. The 1984 Pontiac Firebird operated by Mr. Hartin was travelling southbound on Lake- ridge Road when he collided with a 1989 Dodge Pick-up, driven by Frank Azevedo, 64, of Pickering. Mr. Azevedo re- NG! ceived minor injuries and was fronted and released at hospi- tal. Durham Regional Police re- quire assistance in the investi- gation of this accident and ask anyone who may have wit- nessed this crash to contact the Durham Regional Police Ser- vice. Yvonne Hamlin, a spokes- man for UDI asked councillors to "hold the line on develop- ment charges." Citing the recession, job loss- es and a drastic downturn in the sale of new homes, Ms. Hamlin said the developers could not accept any increase. Lucy Stocco, executive vice president of Tribute Corpora- tion, said lot levies increased 29.5 per cent in 1988 and an additional 57.7 per cent in 1989. "In 1989 we were in the height of the market and we knew we could bear the in- creases," Ms. Stocco said. "My purpose here today is to tell you we can't bear the in- creases now." Darryl Hutchins, president of the Oshawa-Durham Home- builders Association, said that although there is talk of an eco- nomic recovery, sales figures don't prove it. "Where is this recovery we read in the paper, hear on the: radio?" he asked. "It has not happened. The sales aren't there." - If an offer is made on a house, the price is far below the asking rate, he added. Trent Severn Waterway is ready to close for season On Oct. 4, the Trent Severn Waterway was re-opened for navigation. THAT OLD, UGLY, DIRTY, BROKEN, DISGUSTING GET 1 FREE/ Drop In and see our beautiful collection of hand- painted porcelain Tri-ite lamps, featured In all decorator colours with assorted matching pleated shades. Due to equipment problems there may be delays on the Riv- er Road section of the water- way, north of Peterborough. y boaters wishing to exit the system or return boats to winter storage are urged to do So as soon as possible. Regular hours and fees apply. Boaters are to be advised the waterway will close for the sea- son at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 16. . There will be no extension of the navigation season. The wa- terway regrets any inconven- ience created by the latest dis- ruption in service. Further information can be obtained by calling the Trent Severn Waterway office at (705) 742-9267. "We want to get the economy back in order and we want you to help." Oshawa councillor Linda Dionne called the increase a "compromise" which "benefits everyone." In the spirit of co-operation and in an effort to get people back to work, ouncillor Dionne said the region should keep the increase to 4.9 per cent. After the meeting Ms. Ham- lin told the Port Perry Star the increase was "acceptable. "Some leadership has been shown here at the region," she said. } "Hopefully the increase won't make or break a mort- gage." Durham Board nears selection of schools for experimental year round classes project The Durham Board of Education is nearing its goal of select- ing two schools for the modified school year pilot project. } At a recent board meeting, trustees approved a list of criteria to be considered in the process. The criteria includes new schools under construction, schools with a large walking population, schools which have a high indigenous population, schools with portable classrooms on site, larger schools, schools with few special needs students, schools with both urban and rural communities, schools with a greater percentage of students over the Ministry of Education rated capacity, schools with boundary expansion capability and schools that have not received Ministry of Education ap- proval for additions. Scugog trustee Bobbie Drew told the Port Perry Star the Wns 3 ho to select the two schools by the end of this calender year. She said it may not be possible for a school to fulfill all of the criteria, but it should have "most of those things in place." Although the criteria does not outline whether the schools chosen will be elementary or secondary, Mrs. Drew said a "sec- ondary school has to be very, very large for the modified school year system to work." One of the main items staff will be looking for when selecting the schools is a real interest from both the staff and community in becoming part of the pilot project. Mrs. Drew said this point is paramount if the project is tobe a success. She stressed the board is not solely interested in implement- ing the modified school year system because of the projected cost savings. "It's an educationally-sound idea," Mrs. Drew said, adding students retain more of what they have learned in a continuous learning environment. The chance of staff burnout and school vandalism decreases. 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