Review-Mirror

Organizers of Skate the Lake will be welcoming skaters and visitors to Portland this weekend for races, skating and other activities on and around Big Rideau Lake. Solid ice followed by warm weather looks like it could be a winning combi- nation for this weekend's ice conditions. "The ice that formed earlier this year is very solid and the warm spell has smoothed out the sur- face," said John Bongers, president of Portland Out- doors. "The cold tempera- tures coming on Friday night will make for amaz- ing racing conditions Sat- urday and Sunday," Bongers said. Last week's melt and this week's snow changed organizers timeline for some of the preparations of the site which is cen- tered on Hanna Park where there will be food, bonfires and registration. Following Saturday's races there will be skating on the oval with music by DJ Johnny Five. Fire- works at dusk will be fol- lowed by an advance tick- ets only dinner put on by the Opinicon, a new spon- sor of the event. Uniquely on Saturday By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror On Monday night Vil- lage of Westport Council continued to wrestle with a proposed 2017 budget which has the potential for a double digit percentage increase for the second year in a row. The current draft shows a proposed operating bud- get of $1,352,027, up $71,978 from 2016. To cover the difference, the village would need $91,000 more from tax- payers - an overall increase of 12 per cent. That increase doesn't include capital spending and, without some serious trimming, required anoth- er $139,000 compared to 2016. The capital budget for 2016 was $31,000 (although the village ended up spending an esti- mated $85,184). The pro- posed 2017 capital budget was $170,000. Councilors managed to trim $25,000 off the capi- tal budget on Monday mostly by cutting a $10,000 payment into a reserve for an ice surfacer and $10,000 from the pro- posed $25,000 for dock repairs. Now, with the capital budget trimmed to $140,000, the village still needs $110,000 for capital from the tax levy. When combined, the current proposed operat- ing and capital budget would translate into a 27 per cent increase. Larger capital items included sidewalks ($20,000), asset inventory of sewers ($20,000), road repairs ($50,000) and removing hazardous mate- rial from the post office basement ($10,000). The proposed new fire truck and fire hall addition weren't in this draft. Discussion on the bud- get will continue Wed., Feb. 1 starting at 2 p.m. when councilors will be taking another look at both capital and operating bud- gets. Thursday, January 26, 2017 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 126, No. 3 $1incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Westport Council to have another look at budget next week Latest draft budget would mean 27 per cent increase Skate the Lake volunteers were ready to get out on the ice on Sunday in preparation for this weekend's event but the weather wasn't cooperating with warm weather putting water on top of the ice instead of underneath. 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 43 Bedford St., Westport 613-273-8848 soho@rideau.net •Continued on back page Skate the Lake a go for this weekend in Portland Christine Jennings, Owner 20 Whelan St., Westport, Ontario 613-273-9800 Full Service Dog Grooming Salon Mirror The Review Saturday and Sunday, January 28-29, 2017 •Continued on page 3 duncan s TV & APPLIANCES Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available LAUNDRY SAVINGS 5.1 cu. ft. Washer •Smart Boost™ •Stain Soak™ •15 Minute Fast Wash •Tier III E-Star •Reversible Door Model #EFLS617SIW 8.0 cu. ft. Dryer •Perfect Steam™ •15 Minute Fast Dry •Instant Refresh™ •Extended Tumble •9 Dry Cycles Model #EFMC617SIW Regular $3,198.00 Pair Price $ 2298 00 Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin Third time in four years Westport may be forced to haul wastewater again this spring By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror There is not enough winter left to operate Westport's Snowfluent system to empty the sewage lagoons before the completion of the village's new filter bed system. In a report to Westport Council Monday, infra- structure manager Max Christie estimates that as of Jan. 16 there were only 73 days until the available space in the lagoons will be filled. The system pumps water from the lagoons and, with high pressure, shoots the effluent through nozzles atop towers. The liquid freezes as it shoots through the air and drops in piles as snow. The system needs at least -7°C weather, a tem- perature which hasn't been seen in enough abundance to treat enough snow. Christie based his con- servative estimates on a flow to the lagoons of 300 cubic meters per day. During peak snowmak- ing times of minus -7°C and lower, the snowmak- ing towers can produce 35 cubic meters per hour. Last year, 23,770 cubic meters was produced in 51 days, the equivalent of 79 days of incoming waste- water. At Monday's council meeting, Councillor Frank Huth and Councillor Ger- •Continued on page 3

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