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Financial Inflation is the chief culprit responsible for tax increases totalling slightly more than 67 per cent during the last six years. That's the conclusion of Town Treasurer Klaas DeGroot who sub- mitted a report on financial trends in the Town of Newcastle to the municipality's finance and ad- ministration committee Monday. The treasurer described inflation as the "singlegreatest cause in the rise of taxes". However, he noted that overall factors responsible for the town' s tax picture are complex Study B and the isolation of causes of tax hikes is difficult. In his 13-page report, Mr. DeGroot noted that since 1973 total taxes in- creased in the municipality by 121.8 per cent. However, this increase in the tax burden was partly reduced by growth in the municipality. In- creased assessment lowered the tax increase by 32.2 per cent which means that the net increase to the taxpayer was 67.6 per cent. The treasurer added that inflation ac- counts for all but 16.7 per cent of the remaining tax increases. lames Inflation for Ôther factors listed as responsible for higher taxes include: ---expansion of municipal level of service or regional educational ser- vices. ---providing services for increased assessment cost more than taxes produced by it. ---failure of other sources of revenue to keep pace with requirements. The town treasurer's report noted that municipal expenditures have grown at a slower rate than expen- ditures by either the Durham Region or the school board. The treasurer's study of financial trends also shows that more money is being raised by taxes now than six years ago. He noted that taxation accounted for 76.3 per cent of revenue in 1978. However, in 1973 the taxes made up 71.0 per cent of all revenuç. In dollars and cents figures, the town has raised almost five million more tax dollars in 1978 than it did in 1973. In a discussion of the financial trends, Newcastle Mayor Garnet Rising Taxes Here Rickard noted that there may be a these grants. "It seems that slightly distorted picture in the rise somewhere along the line, we're get- of taxes and expenditures. He said ting missed out very badly in that 1973 was the year before provincial grants" regional government and as a result, Councillor Cowman noted that if municipalities had lower tax in- more money from the province was creases as they waited for regional available then the public would have government to come into effect. faced smaller tax hikes. The facts and figures caused Ward Further discussion on the One Councillor Ann Cowman to note treasurer's report will take place at that the taxation for the public has the end of the month before council increased more rapidly than grants members sit down for their first look from the government. She at the town's 1979 budget. The speculated that the municipality budget will be considered at a mav not be getting its fair share of meeting January 29.. Urge A committee of Newcastle Town Council has urged that Bowman- ville's Police and Fire Building be cleaned up and repaired im- mediately. The decision by the finance and administration committee followed a report on municipally-owned buildings submitted by Town Manager Albert Guiler on Monday. His report covered the condition of the Bowmanville Town Hall, the Bowmanville Library, the Police .and Fire Building and arenas in Hampton and Bowmanville. Recormendations contained in the report were numerous. They in- cluded a suggestion that the pigeons be humanely evicted from the roof of the town hall and another suggestion called for the town to consider hiring a maintenance man to keep public buildings spic-and-span. Describing an inspection made by town staff at the Police and Fire Building, Mr. Guiler noted that "certain areas of the building had not been cleaned for several weeks, Bowmanville's Sewage Plant Ready by '81 Region of Durham design manager, Walter Evans, told the town's public works committee Tuesday the Port Darlington Water Pollution Control Plant should be in operation by February, 1981. He said the Region will advertise for tenders in July and the contract for construction of the plant will be awarded in September. Mr. Evans, Regional com- missioner of public works, Bill Twelvetrees and Regional chairman Walter Beath, attended Tuesday's meeting to answer questions mem- bers of the committee had about the proposed plant. Evans explained the plant will have the ultimate capacity of han- dling 9½ million gallons per day, enabling it to accommodate a population of 52,500. New Contract For Separate Sehool Staff 'Area separate school teacners loted 80 per cent in favour of accep- ang a final contract offer from the Peterborough, Victoria, Northum- berland and Newcastle Roman Catholic Separate School Board Monday. If the teachers had voted to reject the offer their next alternative would have been to strike. The teachers have been in a position to strike on five days notice since December 15. However, they met once more before Christmas with the board and provincial mediator and this latest offer is the result of that meeting. The contract offer was presented to the teachers Monday by their negotiating committee without any recommendation either in favour or against acceptance. The two issues that were in dispute Turn to Page Two Town Building light bulbs needed replacing, doors to the roof require weather stripping and tiles were loose or missing in some areas. It was also noted that some drapes were missing while others had burn holes and needed replacing. The manager's report went on to say that the carpet in the main courtroom needed to be r and cleaned. "Windows nee recaulked and the whole 1 could use a fresh coat of pain Mr. Guiler said the town working on problems rel keeping water out of the base Members of the financeî ministration committee appE Fire Hits Repair Shop on Solina Road A small engine repair shop on Solina Road, north of Taunton Roai nearly demolished by fire on Tuesday evening. Bowmanville Fire Depai was called to the scene of the fire at 7:06 p.m. and Len Brown, owner building, estimates damage in excess of $3000. Fire Chief Hayman repor the cause of the fire appears to have been a faulty furnace. Bits An GREAT RESPONSE - We always thought that old newspapers were used for lining the bottom of the bird cage or wrapping the garbage. So, a surprise was in store when last week it was discovered that several issues of The Canadian Statesman in 1978 were sold out and the year's files were incomplete. An item in this column about the problem resulted in many calls from citizens who returned the missing editions, so that now our files are complete for which we are sincerely grateful. WHAT AN OVERSIGHT - In last week's Statesman, there was a charming picture of the first baby born in Memorial Hospital in 1979. All the details were there about the mother and the healthy if sleepy youngster, but we completely neglected to mention the father, namely Steve Forsey. Our apologies. We wouldn't blame fireman Grandpa Lloyd if he turned the hose on the Editor when next they meet at a fire. The new boy has been named Brett and has a new silver baby cup pre- sented by Mrs. J. Down, Director of Volunteer Services for the Hospital Auxiliary. Last year's panic was avoided when two cups had to be pur- chased when twins arrived. WE'RE LUCKY - The PR boys at the Post Office have been busy. In view of the impending rate increase in April, they point out that the proposed 17 cent rate for first class mail is only 7 cents more than it was in 1867. Australians now pay the equivalent of 26 cents, the French pay 30 cents and the British pay 19 cents. We'll be about the same as the Americans if you figure the difference in the worth of the Canadian dollar. Isn't that comforting? Wonder what the comparative frequency of mail stoppages is and the speed of delivery? GRAND RE-OPENING - Don't forget to drop in at Jury & LoveWI's new store this weekend during their Grand Re-opening at 26 King Street East. Loads of bargains there and at other sales advertised in this week's Statesman. Cleanup epaired agree with most of the town ed to be manager's comments. building "I don't think I have ever seen a t.', public building in the mess that the Sis building is in," said Regional Coun- ated to cillor Ivan Hobbs. He added that he ment. is concerned about cleaning up the and ad- building. "It's a disgrace to this eared to council that it hasnt been done dbefore," he added. In his description of the Bowman- ville Town Hall, Mr. Guiler saidtha future decisions about what should be done with the building will depend partly on an accommodation study which is being completed.I t is ex- pected to be ready by the middle of next week, vilOer HMr. Guiler aid ithi 4, report that regardless of the findings of the study it would be advisable to repair the roof of the town hall, remove the unused an tennae and find a humane way of getting rid of the pigeons. The exterior of the building should be repainted and, eavestroughs repaired, Mr. Guiler said and he also recommended that the interior of the building be replasteredtband painted, drapes cleaned and plumb- ing repaired ft get rid of a "nauseat- ing odor"in the basement and in the fnayor's office. In the Bowmanville Library, it was noted that repairs should be completed by Spring. Minor main- tenance problenm at the Bowman- ville arena were recently drawn to nthe attention of the community ser- vices department and a further study of the arenawas suggested to make sure that it is safe for publie use. The Hampton Arena wa s described as "well maint ained. " After discussion bythe finance committee, the manager's report was approved with only minor t e, was changes. The committee recom- vtment mended that council concur with the of the report and that council take steps to ts that dean up the police and fire building in the near future. Discusses Fine Points of Goatending Gus Bodnar, former hockey great with the NHL, discusses some of the fine points of goaltending with three young members of Bowmanville's Minor Hockey teams who were receiving instruction at the goalies' clinic Saturday at Darlington Sports Centre. Wintario Grants Delayed Newcastle Council is still looking for the first installment of Wintario grants which will help pay for arenas in Newcastle and Orono. At a meeting of the town's finance and administration committee Mon- day, councillors were told that funds are not arriving as quickly as expec- ted. "The funds have been slow in coming from Wintario. We've been going around and around in a cir- cle," said Newcastle Mayor Garnet Rickard. Town Treasurer Klaas DeGroot noted that with matching con- tributions from the public, the municipality is expecting ap- proximately $350,000 to $400,000 from Wintario. Funds from Wintario are expected to contribute about $700,000 towards arenas in Orono ana Newcastle. Without Wintario grants, the town has to continue paying interest of il per cent on borrowed money. Regional councillor Ivan Hobbs noted that without the grants the municipality faces extra expenses in interest. "It's a pretty costly project if we're the only ones paying through the nose," he said. Committee members learned that Durham East MPP Sam Cureatz is investigating the delay in Wintario funds as well as Newcastle Mayor Garnet Rickard. Newcastle Councillor Keith Barr said further information on the grants could be available by the end of the week. Jaycees Pick Outstanding Local Citizen Elaine Barber -Photo by Tom Rehder Bowmanville's Jaycee Unit has selected a local homemaker and community worker as this year's nominee for national awards being offered to five outstanding young Canadians. Elaine Barber of Bowmanville, was nominated because of her work with a variety of local groups. She is currently serving as chairman of the Turn to Page Two d Pieces HARD TO FOLLOW - That Oshawa lawyer and superb fund raiser Terry Kelly is amazing. Last week we congratulated him on doing such a great job, packing Civie Auditorium for a Maple Leaf hockey practice to raise funds for the John Bosco Residence for Boys in Oshawa. This week, we received a card from Los Angeles, California, where he attended the Rose Bowl football game on New Year's Day. In between times, he's also working on bringing Bobby Orr back to Oshawa for a big night's celebration with participants probably raising funds for some worthwhile project. What a man! POSTERS - An exhibition and sale of contemporary posters from around the world, pertaining to photographic exhibitions and publications is now underway at the Photography Gallery at Bowmanville Library. It's a fund-raising event for the gallery, so drop in, enjoy the exhibit and take home an interesting poster to liven up your surroundings. VOLTAGE TEST - You probably won't notice it, but Ontario Hydro plans to reduce system voltage by five per cent on Tuesday, January 16th. They do this twice a year to determine how much the system load can be reduced during a generating emergency. So, if your appliances or machinery don't operate properly next Tuesday from 1:30 to 2:30 and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. you'll know what's going on. It is estimated that the two hour reduction will reduce system demand by about 400,000 kilowatts, enough to supply the needs of a city the size of London, Ont. FREE FILM - Canadian Organic Growers will present a free film en- titled "Ruth Stout's Garden" on Monaay, Jan. 15th at 8 p.m. in the Senate Room of Bowmanville Public Library. MUR& IL- - 1 - - - - 1 . 1 -- 1 m ur