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Las po RL NBL R= PI a an rr I I I HE === 4 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3 aad) YA . ' rc» . ' "a ! VI ed A) "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" COMMUNITY NEWS No real savings with vote by mail system: report By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Last November's municipal election came in just under bud- get, despite predictions the new vote-by-mail system would mean significant savings for the township. In a report to Scugog's Finance and Administration Committee yesterday afternoon, township clerk Kim Coates said last fall's election cost a total of $44,107.92. The budget for the election was $45,000. The township approved the use of the vote-by-mail system in April 2000, with the hope that it would prove convenience for voters, decrease costs for the municipality, and increase voter participation. According to the clerk's report, voter turnout was 52 per cent, meaning a total of 8,617 ballots were cast out of a possi- ble 16,603. Turnout for the 1997 election was 40.28 per cent; in 1994 it was 44.49 per cent. But significant cost reduc- tions were never realized. Savings predicted in a staff report last year recommending the new voting system were "not as substantial as initially thought," said Ms Coates in her report. "Savings could not be real- ized through the reduction of poll personnel and related remuneration, the reduction in the number of voters' lists required, the fact that there were no requirements for voter notification cards, polling places 'would not be utilized and the number of forms and election supplies would be greatly reduced." In fact, the report noted that "the savings realized by the municipality were not as great as anticipated in large part because of the need for staff overtime and the need to hire additional staff during the peri- od leading up to voting day." Extra help was hired to assist in updating voters' lists and sorting secrecy envelopes into various ward boxes, said the clerk. Additional costs included the requirement for both English and French procedures and forms as well as the rental of an electronic letter opener. There were also reports of electors receiving more than one ballot kit. Aside from the cost of the election, Ms Coates reported that "many electors commented that the vote-by-mail process was easy to understand, and was a very convenient way to cast their ballot." Seniors, parents with small children and those travelling abroad seemed to be in favour of the process, she said. Concerns over the integrity of the process were raised, but most voters were appeased once the entire process was explained, Ms Coates reported. Murder mystery supports WindReach Rdg a. = ids" } Tan RIK DAVIE/PORT PERRY STAR Cowboy Windy (Ivan Allin, left), Constable Wilhemina Findem (Diane Lambert), Miss Katie Nozy (Kimberly Chant-Allin) and Emmett Sandy the storekeeper (Al Lambert), are four of the characters who will take visitors through a night of murder in the Old West on Saturday (June 23) at WindReach Farm's murder mystery dinner night. Tickets are $30 each, and can be purchased by calling 905-655-5827. All proceeds go to the farm, which is accessible to the disabled. Draw for Central Seven raffle is Sunday The Central Seven Association for Community Living will be holding a raffle draw Sunday (june 24). The fundraising draw will take place at 3 p.m. at the gazebo in Palmer Park. Prizes include theatre tickets; Tiger Cats football tickets; Blue Jays tickets; a gift certificate worth $200 for Young's Limousine Service; admission to Canada's Wonderland; and admission to the CN Tower Observation Deck. There will also be "instant" draws occurring, in which prizes from candy to a colour TV set can be won. Mad Millie's Chip Truck will be on location to provide food and beverages such as hotdogs, ham- burgers, pemeal bacon on a bun and pop. A per- centage of their weekend sales will be donated to Central Seven. Also open nearby will be the Field of Dreams beer tent. The cost for tickets is one for $3 or two for $5. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Seven office located on Reach St., from any Central Seven board member, or at the Palmer Park Gazebo on June 23 and 24. Problems encountered during fire hall work By Chris Hall Port Perry Star An oil tank unearthed during renova- tions to Port Perry's fire hall has been found to be leaking. But the discovery will not slow reno- vations, the top township official pledged yesterday morning. Township Chief Administrative Officer Yvonne de Wit told members of the environmental and public safety issues committee Monday morning that an old oil tank found beneath the Crandel St. fire station during excava- tion work did in fact have a hole in it. It had initially been thought that the tank was intact when it was found by con- struction crews more than a month ago. "Things are proceeding, but there have been a few glitches over the past two weeks," said the CAO. "At the last meeting | told you we had found an oil tank, and that it was three-quarters full. We did find a small leak in it, but believe that occurred because the tank was not full and with the conden- sation it rotted. "We now have some mediation to deal with... we have no choice whether to clean it up or not," said de Wit Mrs. de Wit. "These are the risks you take anytime you excavate." The tank will be removed and any soil found to be contaminated will be removed, she said. Scugog Fire Chief Richard Miller told committee members that oil samples had been sent to a lab to test for PCBs. He described the pool of oil as being about one square foot in size, and more than six inches deep. Other problems at the fire hall site included the original concrete slab. "The project manager had some severe concerns with the condition of the concrete floor," said Mrs. de Wit. The original floor dates back to 1964, when the hall was built. At some spots, the floor is just more than one-inch thick! said the CAO. "(The project manager) was surprised that the trucks hadn't broken through. There were also some large cracks in the floor," she said, advising the committee that she'd authorized the construction crew to pour a new concrete floor. The original exterior wall that was to remain part of the new hall was also found to be in poor condition, and had to be replaced. "We have currently used up about 78 per cent of our contingency budget. If there are no more unforeseen prob- lems, then we will come in on budget," said Mrs. de Wit. "We're taking every effort to keep the costs down." Scugog Mayor Doug Moffatt noted that the majority of the old structure has been demolished, and that no more surprises should be lurking for the con- struction crew and the township. "It should be all opened up now so there shouldn't be any more additional problems," he said. Renovations to the Port Perry station, which have already seen a new structure added to the south side of the former station and will make more room for truck parking, are expected to be com- pleted by late August. pay