Renfrew Town Council approved the yearly budget at a special council meeting on Tuesday, May 3rd.
Notable new and increased spending in the town for this year include the money going towards the Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre Expansion project currently underway, with a large chunk of spending on the construction financed by the provincial and federal governments.
Another facility with a notable projected spending budget this year is Renfrew’s library, who are waiting to see if their application for a federal grant worth just under $3 million will be successful. Just under $300,000 dollars was also earmarked for improvements to Low Square.
The Town’s infrastructure spending was also on the table, as a number of road projects were present in the budget, both new and finished.
Work on both Stewart Street near highway 60 and between Raglan Street South and Burnstown Road are wrapping up their spending, with just a small buffer left in the 2022 budget for any lingering invoices.
Road projects starting in this year’s spending includes more work on Highway 60, this time on O’Brien Road from Gillan to Mask, which is expected to be a two year project.
Work on stretches of Dufferin Street, Haig Avenue, and Joffre Avenue near the MAC have also gotten their forecasts, but they’re currently over budget and the town is looking to find cost savings.
A 3.5% per-cent property tax levy increase was put in place to help pay for some town costs, averaging out to about $72 more on a single family home’s bill.
While Mayor Eady and Town Councilors were in agreement on most forecasted expenditures, $5000 tabbed to give the VIA Rail Caboose near the Tourism Information Bureau a refurbishing drew objections from some councilors in attendance.
The caboose’s need for a fresh coat of paint has been a long standing issue, according to Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director Kevin Hill who spoke during the meeting.
There is a private group willing to re-paint the car at their own expense, but lead paint found the exterior has stalled the go-ahead for the project.
It was eventually agreed that the issue would be tabled until later this month. Despite the disagreement, town council approved the 2022 budget unanimously.
(written by Kasey Egan)
