The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012 THE NEW TANNER 11 Township Digest Drought fallout The hot, dry weather earlier this summer is to blamed for a huge increase in the number of grass/brush fires answered by the Guelph/ Eramosa Fire Department in July. The latest monthly statistic report to Township Council showed there were 11 grass/brush fires in July, up one from one the previous month, and from none for the same period last year. There were 37 total calls in July, up from 29 in June and included 14 medical calls, four false alarms, four motor vehicle collision calls, two CO/smoke alarm calls, one structure fire and one mutual aid call from a neighbouring fire department. Six month financials Financially, Guelph/ Eramosa Township is in good shape, six months into the year. "Basically, everything is just rolling along ­ we're in full construction swing," reported Linda Cheyne, the Manager of Finance at last Tuesday's Council meeting. She listed a number of on-going public works projects underway including reconstruction of Jones Base Line, 20th Side Road, within the village of Rockwood and in Everton. "There's no big surprises in these financial statements...the final tax bills went out in July, so the due date is the end of August and the end of October," Cheyne said, tabling a report showing the Township had a n a c c u m u l a t e d s u rplus of $86,275,795 as of June 30. SWEET TREATS: Leah Youngblut, owner of the Village Sweet Shop, Rockwood, was a huge hit with her candy booth at the Acton Leathertown Festival on Sunday. There were many different treats to satisify any sweet tooth. - Traci Gardner Photo