Hastings-Lennox and Addington MP Mike Bossio makes an announcement at the Deseronto Water Treatment Plant on September 8, 2016. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
A major infrastructure announcement made in Deseronto today is going to save the town, at least according to its mayor.
Mayor Norm Clark is reacting to news that both the federal and provincial governments are handing over a big chunk of money for major upgrades to the town’s water treatment plant.
Clark tells Quinte News, he was starting to get worried about the town’s future development opportunities, but is now feeling a sense of relief.
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The total cost of the project is just over $6 million with both upper levels of government, the town of Deseronto and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte splitting the costs.
The updates also mean the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte will be able to connect up to 600 additional homes to the system as well.
Chief R. Don Maracle says the agreement was completed thanks to great cooperation between neighbouring municipalities and that the decision from senior levels of government to help fund the project shows a commitment to smaller communities.
Chief Maracle also stressed the need to have water declared as a basic human right.
Deseronto Mayor Norm Clark says he expects tenders to go out soon, design work to take place over the winter and hopefully have shovels in the ground by next spring.
