PAGE 2 WEDNESD AY MA RCH 5, 1986, WIIITB Y FR EE PRESS Time is running out for Lynde House By JAN DODGE Free Press Staff Tixne appears to be running out for Lynde House. News that the proper- ty on which it stands may soon be sold could force the hand of the Whitby Histerical Society, Bujit in 1812, Lynde House was donated te the society in 1972 by Wittington Investments and has served as the Whitby Museum since then. A condition of the donation was that the society move the bouse witbin the year, but almost 14 years later, it stili stands on the corner of lgbway 2 and D'Hilier. Since iast August wben Len Cullen offered to provide a site for the bouse at Cullen Gar- dens, there has been much controversy among members of the society over whether the bouse should be moved or whether there was some way to keep the bouse on its original site. However, last week the society learned through a letter froni town administrator Bill Wallace that Wittington may be about to seil the property. In a letter to the town Betty Reid, Wttington's general manager of properties, stated, "It is anticipated that the property on wbich the above bouse (Lynde House) now stands will soon be sold. "I have suggested that a decision must ta made as to the moving of titis building to another site while we remain the owners of the property. Other- wise, tile will pass to the purchaser, who will have control over its use and/or disposition." In a telephone inter- view Reid- sald the property had been on the' market for a couple of years. "We bave several in- terested parties," she said, but added, "We baven't accepted an of- fer. "We bave bad reent offers and are negotiating on theni." Witby's planning department advises that were Wittington te sel tbe property, wbicb ex- tends from Dundas to Bonacord Ave. along D'Huiler in a 27-acre strip, the buyer would bave a number of restrictions on development. On tbe west side of the property there is an ares of flood plain. A park and a scbool bave been suggested in the of- ficial plan for the site, s0 a developer would need to clear with te town and the board of education whetber space would need te be left for these., Also D'Hillier would need to be realigned at the developer's expen- se. Ken Thompson, a design engineer witb tbe region's works depar- tment, sald the size of sanitary sewers soutb of Dundas is limited and would restrict density on the Wttington property to 15 persons per acre of developable* land. This would mean large lots. Most of theproperty is currently zoned developmental residen- tial, but the corner on wbicb Lynde House stands is zoned bighway commercial, which weuld allow businesses sucb as a restaurant, a botel, or' a car sales dealersbip. Should Wittington decide to retain tbis, property as is, the cern- pany would continue to be responsible for property taxes wbicb, based on 1985 mili rates for tbe 27-acre parcel, cost Wittington an estimated $4,057. Wittington presently renta tbe majority of the property as farm land. Wittington Invest- ments is the real estate division for Weston. DR. WINSTON L. HESLOP A.B.I.M., F.R.C.P.(C) is pleased to announce the opening of a RHEUMATOLOGY CLINIC at1 74 Harwood Ave, S., AJAX beglnnlng Wednesday, March 5,1986 Consultation bv referral only Telephone 427-4358 or 623-4383 I AT NNVRSR Regional councillors bave their work cut eut for themn just te bring in a budget that will lumit the regional tax in- crease to. 9.5 percent, according to Chairman Gary Herrenia. To lumit that increase te the four percent rate cf inflation, Mr. Herrema sajd, would be impossible witbout significant cuts in existing services. Regional councill ors last week were presen- ted with a preliminary budget tbat would boost taxes by 14.9 percent but approved a, staff recernmendation that wilI limit this year's in- crease te 9.5-percent or less. However, just te bring the impact of the regional levy down te 9.5 percent, ceuncillors will have te trim ap- proximately $1.8 million from the preliminary projected expenditures of $53,206,987. Last year's budget totalled $47,670,473. "It's unbelievable," said tbe cbairntan this week in reference te tbe extent of the cuts that will be necessary tafere council approves the final budget on Marcb 26. "We've bad te bire 17 extra policemen, gar- bage is up nearly 100 percent, insurance is up 100 percent and our grants from tbe provin- ce are down. When you've got increases like this te deal witb it's extremely difficuit to get the budget down to tbe rate of inflation." The 1986 police budget, up $2.5 million or 10.9 percent over last year, is identified in a staff report as te single largest contributing fac- tor te tbis year's overail increase. Tbe police budget accounts for 47 percent of the region's projected net expen- ditures. The works/property budget jaccounts for another $1.1 million in- crease, social services $700,000 and a 19.6 per- cent increase in tbe cost of solid waste disposai will cest thte region an additional $129,498. The staff report in- dicates that tbe region experienced a 3.8 per- cent growtb in assessment during 1985 but tbat growtb bas already been calculateci into the 9.5 percent ceiling on tax increases that council bas establisbed for itself. The budget wil now be reviewed by staff and tbe varieus standing committees wbo will make recommendations for council's con- sideration before final approval of tbe budget is given Marcb 26. From the Dell BLACK FOREST HAM' zi -2 9 9Lb. Smoked SI iced BACON Havarti CHEESE Lb.I Lb.$2 , BREAKFAST Ail Beef Approx. 2 "s SA USAGE SALAMI ah'$9 $ '2 9Siena Baby Lb. MORTADELLA .99 Produce specials ln ef fect Wednesday ta close Sunday. Other speclals continue tilt ciosing.Tuesday or whtle quantties lest. We reserve the right te lîmit quantifies. -~iCI1LHwy.12 North of Rossland 427-4311 Heurs: Mon.-Thurs. 9-7 Fri.9-8 Sat. & Sun. 9-6 PRO DODGE cYour Local Chrysler-Dodge Sales and Service mm;&jDealer Parts & Service - Thursdays titi 9 p.m. 209 Dundas St. W., Whltby 666-300 Type writer RENTALS I also SALES & SERVICE Region struggling, for 9.50/o tax hike