Milton
Have a great New Year’s Eve everyone.
So now that 1/2 of our December Holidays have passed, I would just like to wish everyone the best of the holiday season on behalf of Pat, Anthony and myself.
2006 was a very busy year with the election campaign and the planning of the 150th anniversary for Milton. In case you were wondering…”What is there to do in Milton for New Years!?!” you can head on down to Town Hall for the traditional bell ringing with the Mayor. It starts at 11:45PM and it looks like the weather will be generous to us (snow and not so cold) but then again, anything can happen with the weather.
The bell ringing officially kicks off the 2007 celebrations for the 150th Anniversary of Milton. By now everyone should have received in their homes a 150th Anniversary Calendar detailing everything that is going on in Milton for 2007. For anyone who thinks that there isnt anything to do in Milton, check this out. You can get a PDF version of it here.
Also on January 1st 2007 please join us in the 150th Anniversary Committee and Milly the Milstone at the Mayors Levee starting at 1:30PM.
2007 is going to be a year to remember and make sure you check in here often for more details and help everyone in Milton to “Celebrate our Roots!”
So it looks like our taxes are going up about $25 in the urban (I prefer residential) area of Milton. The town staff had wanted more but it came in under half of the increase staff had requested. The rate is just under the rate of inflation but we have to see what the money was actually spent on and if its to benefit the well being of Miltonians.
Those of us who live just off Thompson road will be relieved to know that the widening of Thompson between Main and Derry which includes the overpass at $17.5 million is slated for 2007 and unknown as to when it will be completed. Slow and steady… we must be paitent.
One of the other questionable purchases is for 4 buses for Milton Transit. Over the course of the last municipal campaign, residents seemed split over transit. Some said we need it, and others said that they would never use it. Is a $1.4 million expenditure needed in 2007 before a majority of the roads it will travel are completed? Interesting question that wasnt brought up. Ridership numbers? Over the course of time, we WILL need a viable transit system in town. Many of the people I’ve spoken with feel its a slipperly slope…once we start we cant stop and the money just keeps on flowing.
Transit is an expense that cant just be automatically approved and increased each year. We need to keep a close tab on the costs involved and make sure that people are using it, and its effiicient.
Thats a topic for another time. Heres the article and feel free to comment.
From today’s Milton Canadian Champion
http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/mcc/story/3815570p-4413492c.html
Milton taxes could rise by a little more than 2%
Melanie Hennessey
Dec 15, 2006
After two nights of deliberations, the Town’s budget committee managed to hammer next year’s anticipated tax increase down to 2.23 per cent — less than half of staff’s recommended hike.
The figure means that, subject to council approval next week, urban residents will be paying an extra $25.35 in 2007 and rural homeowners, an additional $12.54 based on a $300,000 assessment.
During Monday and Tuesday’s budget meetings, the tax increase proposals yo-yoed from staff’s recommended 4.6 per cent, down to 3.18 per cent, then 1.23 per cent and back up to the 2.23 per cent supported by the committee.
But prior to that, staff first outlined the details of next year’s operating budget of more than $40 million — of which about $18 million comes from taxes — and the $55.5-million capital budget.
“This (operating) budget provides a balance of maintaining services and meeting the demands of growth with available financial options,” said Director of Corporate Services and Treasurer Linda Leeds.
She detailed the pressures on the operating budget, like the $1.6 million extra needed next year for staff wage adjustments, $817,000 for additional human resources to maintain existing service levels due to growth and $231,000 to provide service to new roads and parks.
On the capital side, Leeds said 98 new projects are on the horizon for 2007. Of those, she said the Thompson Road widening from Main Street to Derry Road, including the rail crossing, will be the most expensive at $17.5 million.
Other initiatives topping the list include the Town Hall expansion at $5.6 million, Lower Base Line road work from Regional Road 25 to Sixth Line for $3.8 million, the purchase of four buses for the Town transit system for $1.4 million and the new library branch building for $1.1 million.
About half of the capital budget is funded by development charges, while the remainder comes from various sources, including Town revenues, reserves and proceeds from Slots at Mohawk.
The councillors also heard from local residents Gary Ellis and Mike Grimwood, who both felt that there are ways council could achieve a 0 per cent tax increase next year.
During deliberations, Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray, Ward 4 Councillor Wendy Schau and Wards 1 and 3 Councillor Barry Lee expressed concern with the reduction in Town service levels and cutbacks to staff hours that will have to be made to keep the tax rate down for 2007.
“We should keep in mind the needs of the community, not just the needs of the taxpayers,” said Schau.
Mayor Gord Krantz once again voiced his support for keeping taxes “in and around the rate of inflation,” which is approximately 2.5 per cent.
Wards 2 and 4 Councillor Colin Best said he’d like to keep the hike under the inflation rate as well.
Ward 2 Councillor Mike Boughton then put forward a motion to reduce the tax increase from 4.6 per cent to 3.18 per cent.
He explained he wouldn’t want to go below that figure because it would mean a reduction in part-time hours for firefighters.
Lee then put forward an amendment to that motion to use reserve funds to get the increase down to 1.23 per cent, which the committee endorsed.
Following that, Lunau took issue with staff’s proposal to make a one-time transfer of $400,000 from the slots reserve fund to the legal reserve fund. She made a motion to stop the transfer from happening and instead get money for the legal reserve fund through a one per cent tax increase, bringing the total committee-recommended hike up to 2.23 per cent.
Other items the committee supported include:
All of the committee’s recommendations will go before town council Monday.
Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.
Tonight was the first meeting of the newly elected 2007-2010 Milton Town Council. While the snow was beginning to fall outside, the room was warm with anticipation of a full house that attended this very ceremonial event.
While people slowly filed into the packed council chambers, the new councillors were downstairs eagerly anticipating the pomp and circumstance that was to follow. We could hear the pipes coming from a distance and as the piper made his way up the stairs the new Milton Town Council made their way to the designated seats. There were only 2 new additions to this council, Wards 2 & 4 Local and Regional Councillor Colin Best and Ward 4 Local Councillor Paul Schere. Both of them have had a long association with Milton (Colin had served previously on council in the term previous to the last one).
The ceremony started off with O Canada and the Lords Prayer followed by each councillor stating their oath of office for the next 4 years. Mayor Gord Krantz (never short for words) stated his vision and outlook for Milton over the next term stating that he would focus on managing growth and keeping the line on any tax increases. After that each councillor made a “maiden” speech thanking their friends and loved ones for the help and support during the eleciton campaign.
I would like to thank Rick Day, who took the time in his speech to acknowledge and publicly thank me and regional councillor candidate Tony Lambert , who was also in attendance, for our efforts in this past campaign. He didnt have to…he could have very well talked about his vision for the town, what he plans on doing and entertained us as only Rick can. But he took the time to pubiclly acknowledge and thank me … and it was a very classy move.
Ward 3 councillor Cindy Lunau, with whom I work closely with on the Milton 150th Anniversary Master Committee, also took the time in her speech to acknowledge both myself and the other vice-chair of the committee Kevin for our work. Thank you Cindy.
During the last campaign you could count on one hand the number of websites candidates had in Milton. By the end of the October, many of the current and former councillors now have websites, including Cindy www.cindylunau.ca
Jan Mowbray the other councillor for Ward 3 has had a website up and running for some time www.janmowbray.ca and shes kept it up to date.
It’s really nice to see that we have some people on town council utilizing websites. As I mentioned during the campaign, we need to have more people using this new-er technology in order to help communicate with the residents and taxpayers of Milton. I know that with the success of my site over the campaign, it can and IS used as a source of information.
Back to the Council chambers….the night ended with the Mayor acknowledging the presence of some dignitaries and special guests. Newly elected Regional Chair Gary Carr was in attendance. While other municipalities had their inaugrual meetings tonight, he took the time to attend Milton’s. It just goes to show that Milton’s importance is beginning to shine through and be noticed. We’re not the quiet and sleepy town we once were.
Other special guests included Walter Gretzky who has been involved in helping Milton and fundraising for several events. As a hockey fan, I found myself to be a bit speechless when I walked by him. Mr Gretzky has been through a lot in his life and overcome many obstacles and still manages to do as much as he can for others. This is one person who exhibits true community service…and he is truly a great man.
I unfortunately couldnt make the after party at Hugh Foster Hall so I made my way back home. Tonight was a night of celebrations and ceremony. All of the councillors in their speeches made mention of public service, listening to what they have heard during the campaign and commitment. (Father Mark Curtis made mention of boots…but you’ll have to see the replay on TV Cogeco to get that one!) Lets hope the enthusiam and excitement continues on and the promises made during the campaign are followed through. Four years is a very long time but as we’ve understood from the past, Milton residents have long memorys. I wish this council much luck over the next 4 years in the tough decisions to be made.
My committment to the people in the Town of Milton is to continue with the website and update everyone, especially those in Ward one, what is happening at town hall, how it affects you and what you can do to voice your concerns. I had said during the campaign, that if I was elected, I would keep everyone updated. Although I wasnt successful…the committment stands.
