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39 Renfrew Ave.W., W., Unit Raglan St. S.1, 39 342 Renfrew Ave. Unit 1, Box 100, Renfrew K7V 4A2 Renfrew K7V 1R5 P.O.P.O. Box 100, Renfrew K7V 4A2 Pager Pager 1-888-717-9181 Pager1-888-717-9181 1-888-717-9181
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Year 142, Issue 12
Woodlot owners gathered at Craig Appleyard’s property for the woodlot conference. – Pages 2 and 3 –
Start saving your coins now for the annual Reach for the Rainbow Sunshine Coach telethon. – Page 12 –
Thursday, September 27, 2012 • 52 pages
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Council sticks to its guns Steve Newman Steve.newman@metroland.com
Renfrew council has settled a contentious issue involving apartment building residents at 167 Bruce St. Residents in the building that used to be Victoria School, until it was closed several years ago, asked council to reverse a decision that required fencing to remain between the building and property between Bruce and Elgin streets that is designated as park area. The land was conveyed to the Town of Renfrew by Sir Francis Hincks in 1854. A 1998 court agreement determined that the area not containing the former Victoria School, be maintained as a public square (or park). This area is commonly referred to as Block J. CHANCE TO RECONSIDER
Council recently requested that the basketball nets taken down during construction of the new Bruce Street apartments be returned to Block J. However, council agreed to reconsider its decision until it heard public delegations on the issue Sept. 24. Councilʼs decision was
supported by a motion passed April 10, 2012, and supported by another motion July 16, 2012. The July motion, to remove restrictions on the agreement signed between the town and the public school board, was defeated. “To go back on that, I would feel I was betraying a trust,” said Coun. Gail Cole, in support of councilʼs April decision. Cole said she sympathized with residents who were temporarily allowed to park at the west end of the building on property that actually extended into Block J. However, she said council had a responsibility to stick with its original decision and support the legalities (supporting the court agreement reached in 1998). Councilʼs decision was welcomed by several area residents, but not others. Most disappointed were those who were hoping to continue to use parking at the west side of the apartment building. That was made possible after McGrimmon took down nearby fencing and basketball standards to facilitate construction of the new apartment units last year. See STANDS FIRM, Page 5
LUCY HASS/METROLAND
Taking steps, inspiring hope Austin May shares his story before hopping onto his bicyle to lead Sunday’s Kidney Walk in Renfrew. The event raises awareness as well as funds for patient services.
Average residential assessment increase to be about 4.5 per cent in 2013 John Carter john.carter@metroland.com
Dockdogs show off their stuff at Avalon Ranch. – Page 31 –
Ontario homeowners will see the assessed value of their property increase by an average of 4.5 per cent in 2013. In a news release Tuesday, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation reported that residential property
values have increased by an average of about 18 per cent across Ontario since 2008 when the last assessment update was delivered. Because of the four-year phase-in program, property owners will see an average assessment increase of 4.5 per cent each year for the next four years. “Our values reflect local
real estate markets and confirm that most homeowners in the province have seen the value of their homes increase over the last four years,” said Larry Hummel, MPACʼs chief assessor. MPAC reports that as expected the largest assessment increases, from 20 to 30 per cent, are in Ottawa and the
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Greater Toronto area. Perhaps surprisingly, assessments are also up above the average throughout northern Ontario, indicating improved economies in that area. The lowest increases are in the hard-hit manufacturing areas of southwestern Ontario and particularly the Niagara region, where they are 10 per
cent or less. The assessment figures indicate waterfront owners could be in for some relief. In a marked contrast from recent assessments, the value of waterfront properties have only gone up about 12 per cent in the last four years, below the residential average See ASSESSMENT, Page 2
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