Review-Mirror

A new tradition may have gotten started last weekend when local syrup producers began tapping on family day weekend. "We've never tapped as early as this in our life," said Ron Pollard, who cooperatively with Dale Derbyshire taps 500 trees on their properties off of Porter Road north of West- port. At the beginning of last week, after Family Day the tapping was just in time. "It really ran. We had the biggest run we've ever gathered," said Pollard who was grateful to have a first taste of spring. "It's an enjoyable thing every year. It's the first thing the good lord gives us every year," said Pol- lard, who has enjoyed the pleasures of farming all his life. "We've tapped in the late days of February but never boiled. It's some- thing new to have new syrup on the table in Feb- ruary. You never know, with the smaller winters you may be making it in January," he said. Whenever a producer decides to start tapping early, the season usually comes to an end early. This month Portland area producer George Sheffield decided to start tapping and was going to boil his first batch of syrup on Wednesday, March 1. "We never know who's right and who's wrong. The holes will only stay functioning for four or five weeks," said Sheffield who noted some seasons can go on to the middle of April. He's not expecting to have last summer's dry weather affecting this year's production of syrup and hasn't seen the affects of drought on his trees. Even with the factors of no frost in the ground and no snow cover, everything depends upon the weather. "It doesn't matter if you don't have the right range of temperatures," said Sheffield who like other producers is looking for- ward to the coming week's -6°C nights and warmer days. Thursday, March 2, 2017 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 126, No. 8 $1incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 This year's Rideau District High School musical, Grease winds up this weekend with evening performances on Friday and Saturday and a matinee on Saturday. Elementary and high school students will be enjoying perfor- mances Friday morning and afternoon. See back page for more. 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 Maple syrup production off to early start Mirror The Review By Howie Crichton The Review-Mirror The Village of Westport got the bad news last Wednesday. After being in suspense since last year, they were turned down for a $1.98 million provincial grant for continued work on the replacement of their sewage treatment system. The setback doesn't seem like it is going to delay construction and a switchover to a filter bed treatment system later in 2017 – just how much it is going to cost and who is going to pay for it. "Yes, this is a set back, however we will continue to work to resolve the challenges of our current waste water treatment sys- tem and together we will come through 2017 with a dependable solution," Mayor Robin Jones wrote last week. "To say that this deci- sion is unfortunate, is an understatement," she said. Staff are following up with the province's con- tact person that sent the village the Dear John let- ter last week to try and get some answers. Westport CAO Paul Abundant Energy, a pri- vately held Canadian com- pany has gotten approval in the FIT4 procurement process for a number of 500 kW projects across the region. Landowners who want- ed the benefit of the income from a solar devel- opment hitched their horse to the right wagon when they signed an offer with the company. "For FIT 4 we applied for over 100 megawatts in projects and were awarded just under 40. We were the most successful develop- er," said Abundant Solar Energy Vice President Melissa Clark. Last week the company notified neighboring landowners and munici- palities of their go-ahead of the projects which were presented to municipali- ties in 2015. Among the company's successful bids across the province it has received contracts for six projects in Rideau Lakes, four pro- jects in South Frontenac, and one project in Leeds •Continued on page 3 •Continued on page 5 Rideau Lakes Building Centre YOUR TRUSTED BUILDING SUPPLY PARTNER 7719 Hwy. 42, Crosby 613-272-0209 www.RideauLakesBuildingCentre.com Special Offer Ambiance 100% Hardwood Pellets $ 5. 69 per bag when purchasing a skid of 75. *Delivery available Village considers next steps after $1.98M grant denied Westport vs. Athens Rideaus win game 1. See page 10 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 $ 2398 00 Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin Developer gets the okay for smaller solar projects

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