Smithsfalls012915

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2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV

Serving Perth for over 21 years!

Heated leather, Dual DVD players, Navigation, Sunroof, Loaded with 196,102 km. JP3601

2008 PONTIAC VIBE

17,995

Tax and license fee extra

613-258-9955 www.jimperrymotors.ca

R0013107930_0129

710 Barnes Street, Kemptville

SALE

8,995

$

Local trade, great commuter, serviced here since 2012.

1.8 liter, hatchback, 141,000 kms

WOW! $ Only

2009 HONDA CIVIC DX-A

7,995

$

$ Stockw #5080A

See dealer for details.

Financing Available O.A.C.

www.callanmotors.com Highway 7, Perth 1-888-592-3317

81

Bi-Weekly +HST

Highway 15 North, Smiths Falls | 613-283-1880

www.rallyhonda.com

January 29, 2015 | 68 pages

Council looks for tax freeze despite capital needs

Skate the Lake is huge success

Stacey Roy

sroy@perfprint.ca

Ashley Kulp/METROLAND

Community - The trio of Margaret Scott, Emma-Grace Wheeler and Chloe Goss earned the top three positions in the female category for the 5K. They were presented with Skate the Lake scarves from Canadian curler, Rachel Homan, back left, and Olympian Derek O’Farrell. The story and more photos start on page 5.

News - Smiths Falls councillors directed staff to return with a proposal for a zero per cent mill rate increase, but staff warned this move will come at a cost. “Without even turning my calculator on we have to cut something in order to come back with zero,” said Malcolm Morris, CAO. Councillors and staff were looking at the third draft budget version Jan. 26 where a current shortfall of $974,897 (or 8.3 per cent on the mill rate) would be needed if council wished to keep all their capital items on the list. With a majority decision to keep the mill rate flat, staff will need to either cut the existing capital budget or delve into services offered to the taxpayer. Council also asked to remove borrowing as an option. “I don’t think the people who are laid off can afford to pay any more tax,” remarked Coun. Joe Gallipeau. It was noted all properties in town will see a 3.2 per cent increase in property assessment, which will come to the town as revenue. Gallipeau has also asked town staff to get a price quote on installing a chair lift to council chambers. He noted a few residents struggled to get up the stairs during last week’s Hub pool meeting. Coun. John Maloney agreed, saying it is not likely a decision on whether to move the council chambers to the main floor

will be made in the foreseeable future. Coun. Dawn Quinn didn’t want to spend money on a temporary solution such as a chair lift, but would rather focus on making lasting improvements to the municipal complex starting with an $80,000 item to replace the front doors, relocate the chamber and spruce up the front entrance. “I think we need to be doing that,” she said. It was noted $60,000 was put in reserves last year for this item, and that the Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce is working with the town on their relocation within the complex and may be able to contribute financially to the move. Coun. Chris Cummings sided with Quinn in completing the complex work, adding in the $130,000 needed to repaint the windows and other elements of the heritage building. For this work, Cummings could support a slight increase to the mill rate so the municipality could move forward with this work. He noted the window work has not been done since the 1980s and has been deferred every year for his last eight years around the horseshoe. “There is work we’ve got to do and we’ve got to get it done,” Cummings said. Coun. Lorraine Allen was in agreement, expressing concern with council’s See TAX RATE page SF2

NEW 2014 CTS 2.0 litre turbo; 6 spd. automatic, leather heated A Division of Hinton Auto Connection Ltd.

U N F O R G E T TA B L E M O M E N T S

R0013107934_0129

HAS ARRIVED come see our selection 66 Foster Street, Perth 613-267-4466 | www.burnsjewellers.com

ONLY $137 BI-WEEKLY! 2015 CHRYSLER 200 LX SEDAN www.hintondodge.ca 1 mile East of Perth on Hwy 7, 613-267-2300

& ventilated seats; rear park assist. Cadillac User Experience, 4 yr./80,000 maintenance & warranty, XM radio, htd. steering wheel, 17” aluminum wheels

MSRP of $52,695

Offered for $39,156 plus HST

(stk#14317) Licence extra. See dealer for details.

famousforfairness.ca 199 Lombard St, Smiths Falls 613-283-3882


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