Review-Mirror

By Howie Crichton The Review-Mirror Village of Westport ratepayers could be paying anywhere from 20 to 27 per cent more in 2016 on the municipal portion of their tax bill if the latest draft budget passes as is. Council spent two meetings going over the village and water and sewer budgets for 2016 line by line, including a five-hour session on Dec. 22. The 2015 budget called for a $642,372 property tax levy. To pay for the proposed operating budget for 2016, property tax rev- enue would have to rise 11 per cent to $714,000. When the proposed $126,500 in capital expen- ditures are included, the tax levy would have to rise to $840,500, an increase of 31 per cent. That is, if council decides to cover all of those capital costs through the tax levy. They could also opt to borrow money for some of them. None of the figures in this story include water and sewer budget items. "Is there any discretion in there?" Mayor Robin Jones asked council at the end of the process. "I think we have done all we can do," said Coun. Gerald Schwinghamer. By Howie Crichton The Review-Mirror Just how well West- port's Snowfluent sewage treatment system worked Tuesday night – if it did at all – might determine if the village has to start trucking wastewater this week. The wastewater levels in the village's main lagoon had risen to 165cm deep over the weekend, triggering a council meet- ing Monday afternoon to discuss contingency plans to haul the wastewater to Smiths Falls. Back on December 22, council met to discuss the coming weeks, with mild weather in the forecast and the primary lagoon sitting at 150 cm deep, its designed operating level. Its designed maximum liquid level is 180cm. It was decided to re-assess the situation when it hit 165cm. "Although yesterday and today (Jan. 4-5) are perfect snow making con- ditions, the plant has yet to process this year. Warm weather in December meant that the plant was not turned on. In order to operate the Snowfluent system, the temperature needs to be -5°C and wind at least 4 km/hr.," Mayor Robin Jones said in a mes- sage on her web site. The mild weather delayed system start-up until Dec. 31, and a break in an effluent pipe occurred. They hope to have it repaired and get two towers up and running Tuesday night (Jan. 5) for what the plan on being the system's final season. Plans are to have a year round filter bed system in place by the end of the year. The village informed the Ministry of the Envi- ronment Monday that it would begin hauling from its lagoon starting Tues- day, but since notified MOE that the Snowfluent system would be tried out as weather conditions were favourable. MOE staff were headed to the site Tuesday after- Justin Martin President 613-530-0773 RR 2 Westport, ON K0G 1X0 jtmartin@kingston.net 4 Septic Systems 4 Excavating 4 Landscaping 4 Road Work 4 Rock Excavating 4 Trucking 4 Residential & Commercial Snow Plowing & Sanding 4 Damp Proofing LTD. Mirror The Review Thursday, January 7, 2016 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 124, No. 1 $1incl. tax Colder temperatures have been turning Big Rideau's icy blue waters to ice this week- just in time for Skate the Lake on January 23 and 24. Between Monday and Tuesday the ice had moved out to the islands. Village may have to start hauling sewage this week u sh Get your Don't go viral. eet (613) 273-2922 h Str c 3 Chur .A. estport Village I.D W ca ot. al.ca vir dontgo •Continued on back page On the weekend open water wasn't far from shore of Portland Bay where Portland Outdoors will be holding two days of skating races this month. But just days later Big Rideau Lake is finally catching up in its prepara- tion for the 2016 edition of Skate the Lake Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23-24. On Tuesday morning Portland Outdoors Presi- dent John Bongers was out walking the oval's forming ice. "It is really shaping up after a warm December. Skate the Lake is definite- ly a go," he said while also hoping for another change in the weather. "We are in desperate need of a warm spell to level the ice-some warm weather and some rain," he said. From experience Bongers knows that a cou- ple of -20 to -25°C nights can change things in a hurry, temperatures they will need to get ice thick enough. After the current mild spell, the 14-day forecast calls for a steady diet of -7 to -15°C days and nights. The Skate the Lake organizing committee is meeting this Thursday when there will just be two weeks before the event. "Everything is really planned quite well. We're a pretty well oiled team and everyone is really doing their thing," said Bongers. This year's two-day event encourages more participation for racers who can now choose from a 25K race Saturday and the 50K race on Sunday. Skaters are encouraged to pre-register before Jan. 22 to benefit from early bird registration fees. The event will also include 10K and 25K races Saturday as well as Kids 5K (under 12), the 5 X 1K relay and the Special Olympics race. Sunday will include a 5K race fol- lowed by the 50K. More information is available at www.skate thelakeportland.com. Weather shaping up for Skate the Lake Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Increase hinges on whether council opts to borrow for some capital projects Westport facing tax hike between 11 to 30 per cent Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available LAUNDRY PAIR 5.0 cu. ft. Front Load Washer •IQ Touch™ Controls •Perfect Steam Option •Reversible Washer Door Model #EIFLS60JIW 8.0 cu. ft. Electric Dryer •IQ Touch™ Controls •Perfect Steam™ Model #EIMED6CJIW Pedestals available at extra cost $ 2398 00 for the pair NEW MOVIE RELEASES at the Old 'n' New General Store and Sandwich Shack Groceries, Snacks, Gifts, Antiques Hwy. 15 & Cty Rd. 42, Crosby 613-540-1812 •Continued on page 3

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