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Acton/Georgetown, Friday, August 24, 2007 5 Lack of rain prompts Conservation Halton to call for further reduction in water use With little rainfall this summer and reduced stream flows Conservation Halton (CH) is now urging residents on wells or commercial water users who use surface or groundwater to reduce their consumption by 20 per cent. The jump from the 10 per cent reduction recommended by CH July 18 to 20 per cent issued Monday is due to an upgrade from Level 1 to a Level 2 low water conditions for portions of the CH watershed based on criteria set out by the provincial government. A Level 2 low water condition is the second level of an escalating scale of low water conditions and is triggered when precipitation in the last three months has been less than 60 per cent of average and creek flows have been less than 50 per cent of the lowest average summer monthly flow. CH reports as a result of the low rainfall there are some dry creek beds in the watershed. Commercial water users, farm irrigators and others taking water from wells or surface water can lower their demand by pumping water at a lower rate or shorter duration, storing it in ponds, or by staggering their pumping times in conjunction with neighbours to lower peak demand, and eliminating things like lawn watering. Water users on municipal water should comply with water use restriction bylaws in place. CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONERS Call to book your Furnace Maintenance Check. Catholic board uses reserves to balance budget The Halton Catholic District School Board recently balanced its budget for the next school year, but not without depleting reserves. In order to cover an estimated $235.5 million in expenditures for 2007-2008, the board had to siphon $2.3 million from a classroom reserve fund, leaving only $228,000 behind. Board director Lou Piovesan and treasurer Paul McMahon are concerned about the low reserves, especially considering that September 2008 marks the end of a four-year salary grid laid out by the province. "We will have challenges in the 2008-2009 fiscal year until we hear from the province on the salary framework," said McMahon. Back in 2004, in an effort to prevent rotating teacher's strikes at boards across Ontario, the provincial government imposed salary caps with increases not to exceed 2 per cent for 2004-05 and the following year, 2.5 per cent for 2006-07 and three per cent for 2007-8. "Failing salary changes, we will be looking at cuts," said McMahon. "It's a bit of a guessing game." Further information on the salary framework is expected from the Ministry of Education in September. Piovesan urged trustees to closely monitor monthly budget reports throughout the next school year. "It would be helpful if some money were left over for next year but there's no way. We looked at tightening up where possible but there isn't an area we can cut out of this budget. We're going to have to use the $2.3 million and make decreases where possible," said Piovesan. Of that $235.5 million, $217.4 million will be pay for operations and $18.1 million will cover capital costs. --By Melanie Cummings, special to the IFP FIREPLACE EARLY BIRD REBATE On all Regency products. Ask your dealer for details. August 1 - 31, 2007 DON'T PAY UNTIL 2008, O.A.C. * *Must be installed by Aug. 31/07 APPLEBY SYSTEMS 877-8990 Fireplace, Heating & Air Conditioning Sales & Service 118 Guelph St. Georgetown (at Maple) Hours: Monday - Friday 9-5; Saturday 11-4; Appointments available after hours upon request What would you prefer?... HALTON CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD ADVANCED REGISTRATION 2007 -2008 SCHOOL YEAR FOR NEW STUDENTS ­ NOT PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: JK TO GRADE 8: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 and Wednesday, August 29, 2007 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Junior Kindergarten registrants are required to be four (4) years of age by December 31, 2007. Catholic Baptismal Certificate required and necessary immunizations must be completed. FOR INFORMATION: Call your local Catholic elementary school CLASSES BEGIN TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 BUS ROUTES POSTED AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF EACH SCHOOL or __________________________________________________________________________________________ HALTON HILLS CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS: Monday, August 27, 2007 to Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. FOR INFORMATION CALL: Christ the King Catholic Secondary School ­ (905) 702-8838 161 Guelph Street, Georgetown CLASSES BEGIN TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 BUS ROUTES POSTED AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF EACH SCHOOL change your view today! IDEAL LOCATION. LIVE IN THE HEART OF GEORGETOWN. RAVINE VIEWS & WALKING TRAILS AT YOUR DOORSTEP. SPACIOUS SUITES. PREMIUM FINISHES. FROM $216.900 __________________________________________________________________________________________ ADULT LEARNING CENTRE: HCDSB Serving Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills Registration for the Oakville and Burlington Campuses: Registrations begin the week of August 27th, 2007 ­ 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION! SALES CENTRE NORTHVIEW CENTRE 211 GUELPH STREET, GEORGETOWN OPEN: TUES. - SAT. 11 AM - 4 PM FOR INFORMATION CALL: Adult Learning Centre - (905) 849-7555 171 Speers Road, Oakville CLASSES BEGIN TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 Chair of the Board Director of Education CALL 905.702.1247 bennettvillage.ca