(Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber Quinte News)
Pre-budget Chat on Waste Services
Prince Edward County’s committee of the whole got a first glance at one of the line items coming to budget talks in December and it shows there will be a 2.4% increase in waste services.
On Thursday the committee learned the Centre and South Hastings Waste Services Board approved its 2017 operating budget with the County expected to pay out $562,141.
Quinte Waste Solutions Centre and South Hastings Waste Services Board Councillor Barry Turpin told the committee that the County’s recycling tonnage is expected to be higher this year resulting in the increase. He added this total is well within the County’s budget.
Picton Water Treatment Plant Repairs
The County is poised to sign off on $862,800 in repairs to the Picton Water Treatment Plant.
The committee of the whole has carried a motion to award the tender for work to Peak Engineering and Construction Limited out of Belleville.
Repairs include: chlorine system improvements; refurbishments for filters and repairs to the sludge transfer line.
When questioned about the need for the repairs, Director of Engineering, Development and Works Robert McAuley told the committee that there were health and safety issues and pointed to some surrounding lead paint.
Picton Watermain Extension
A big watermain extension project aimed at supporting a new subdivision in Picton is one step closer to having shovels in the ground.
The committee of the whole has awarded the watermain tender to Drew Harrison Haulage Limited out of Prince Edward County in the amount of $423,000.
The work includes extending the watermain from its current point of termination near John Street to the new entrance of the Pineridge Subdivision on Union Street and County Road 8.
The work is slated to begin this fall.
Prince Edward Fitness & Aquatic Centre Update
Prince Edward County residents are getting physical.
Numbers released in the Prince Edward Fitness and Aquatic Centre 2016 annual report on Thursday show there is a 12% increase in membership and day passes are up 13% too. Pool use is up over 35% with 380 kids learning how to swim in 2016. The centre’s revenues are also up 8% over last year.
PEFAC secretary Sue Mathieu praised the recent $73,700 Ontario Trillium grant that allowed the centre to upgrade and open its new weight room facility on October 21. She said they have a few other grant applications out there such as: $50,000 from the Parrott Foundation to expand its fitness studio and spin cycles and $80,000 split between two grants for an accessible entrance and lobby.
She also pointed to operating costs being up 4% over last year and said the centre is facing challenges with the rising cost of electricity.
