Review-Mirror

By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands is asking taxpayers for an extra 5.5 per cent in 2015 for the $11,899,546 bud- get. Council approved the budget Monday night after beginning budget meet- ings in January with a marathon all-day meeting followed by presentations by community groups later in the month. On Monday, some pro- jects were trimmed from what was a $12,034,546 budget presented by Trea- surer Sarah Huskinson. An innovation of this year's budget is financing for capital projects which have traditionally been financed from reserves, including casino funds. The new budget includes $1,375,000 of financing to complete road work on Cliff and Kyes Road, to repair the Ivey Lea Pier, replacement of docking at Seeley's Bay and energy projects. Twenty year financing will be used for the 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. Westport Village Pharmacy 3 Church St., Westport, ON 613-273-2922 westportvillagepharmacy@gmail.com Mon.-Fri.: 9-6 • Sat. & Sun.: 10-4 Even MODEST WEIGHT LOSS Can Have an Enormous Impact on Your Health Join us for an OPEN HOUSE AND PRODUCT TASTING Stop in and see us for more information. www.idealprotein.com Mirror The Review Thursday, February 12, 2015 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 123, No. 6 $1incl. tax For all your tax concerns, call Rideau Tax Service Farm - Business - Personal 22 Years Experience Rick Warriner Newboro, Ontario  K0G 1P0 (613) 272-0030 Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Rideau Lakes council made concessions at a budget meeting on Tues- day to pass a 2015 munic- ipal budget which will increase municipal prop- erty taxes by around 5.7 per cent. After the Monday Feb- ruary 2 budget meeting councilors and staff sug- gested adjustments to the proposed operating and capital budget which had included a 7.6 per cent tax increase to cover a $307K increase in OPP costs and minimal investment in road improvements. The improvements approved Monday night include the completion of hard surfacing to the North Shore Road and the hard surfacing of Harts- gravel Road from Coons Road west including 300 meters of Smiths Road to Hwy 15. The proposal also includes surface treat- ment on Otter Lake Road and the original proposal of the completion of Davis Lock to Bush Road and Bush Road. Hartsgravel and North Shore roads were the last of the longer roads which had been slated for hard surfacing in a program to increase the percentage of hard-surfaced roads across the township to 70 per cent. "Those will take out almost 18 km which has a significant savings on our operation costs-grading, dust-suppressant and granular," said Mayor Ron Holman who had proposed for the Harts- gravel Road to be com- pleted this year. Councilors, including South Crosby councilor Claire Gunnewiek passed a motion to only complete half of the Hartsgravel Road. "I'm quite pleased with our program. Over 150 km has been hard- surfaced. If we had not initiated it we would be buying more graders and have more staff, and still would not have had an improved surface," said the mayor. The cost of the addi- tional roadwork, $410,000 came at a sacri- fice of some projects and funding. Those changes, among other things included the removal of the $50,000 Portland docks project, the defer- ment of the purchase of a roads truck, removal of the improvements to the Newboro ball lights as well as the recognition The North Leeds Midget B Rideaus, many with their heads freshly shaven, gathered with their Captain Sam Eastman, centre, before Monday's game in Westport. Over 500 people packed the stands in support of Eastman, who is facing cancer treatments. See page 3 for more. Photo by Rachel Knapp Township cuts grants and projects to keep tax increase to 5.7 per cent •Continued on page 3 Westport Carnival returns Sunday After years on the sidelines, Westport's Winter Carnival is being revived at Lockwood Field this Sunday, February 15, thanks to an initiative by the Westport Arts Council. Public skating at the arena is part of the fun while outside includes pony rides, a petting zoo and outdoor games including snowman making, nail driving, log sawing and eight-person team tug-of-war. Activities take place from 11:00 to 4:00 and an out- door canteen will be available. 12 Noon – Outdoor canteen opens, hot food, pony rides and petting zoo; 12:30-2:30 p.m. – Free public skating; 1 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies; 1:15 p.m. – Competitions begin, including snowman making, nail driving, log sawing, fresh egg marathon and tug of war. Events include five sets of teams - seniors, kids, fire departments, service clubs and businesses. Indi- viduals who want to participate will be assigned to one of the team categories. There will also be an open bonfire, food and bev- erages available. For more information or to inquire about entering a team call Mary Cowan at 273-3765 or Nancy Card at 273-3200. TLTI taxes going up 5.5 per cent •Continued on page 3

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