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