The Municipality of North Grenville is on track with a 2% tax rate increase in the 2016 budget, but as always, some projects have been excluded. At the public budget meeting Wednesday afternoon, the Committee of the Whole heard from members of the public, including Oxford Mills Community Association President John Barclay. He was asking that the Municipality consider including a new gazebo for Maplewood Park in the 2016 budget. Director of Parks and Rec Mark Guy says the gazebo didn’t make the final cut this year when prioritizing projects.
Guy says he would also like to take a closer look at what type of gazebo should be built on the Maplewood site, if it is to be replaced. It needs to be accessible, with electrical power, and it has to withstand extreme weather conditions for years to come. He and Barclay agreed to continue the conversation further.
Also excluded from the budget this year was a $100,000 play structure, and fast-tracking a twinning project of the water main on Bridge Street so that rental units can be built in the next year. The budget presentation is available through this link:Â 2016 budget presentation
The next step in the budget process, and the final opportunity for the public to provide their input, is the budget discussion that will take place during the March 21 Committee of the Whole meeting, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at the North Grenville Municipal Centre.