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- ~ ~ Whitby taxes. By Mke Kowali The average urban homeowner in Whitby will paty an extra $39.05 in taxes ta-the Town this year, a 7.4 per cent increase over asat year. In rural areas and in Brooklin, taxes will increase $22.60 on the average household, a 3.8 per cent hike over 1989. The increase contained in this year's budget only reflects taxes paid to thé Town. School board and regional governinent por- tionsoPthet-x bill will be known later this year. Town council Monday appro- vend a total budget of $31.9- million, which is divided between a $22.6-million operating budget and a- $9.3-million capital budget. * By comparison, the 1989 budget was *49.3-million. Last year's higher figure repre- sents a difference ini expendi- tures for c aa rjs I. 198 capital budget of $' 26.8-millon included fundingy for, the $10.5-million recreation complex and a *4.9-million works yard. This year's capital budget did Up not provide for any additional 'big ticket" items at this time. TIi. future, of such projects as a new fire hall, senior citizens' centre and renovation of the Centennial Building will b. deci- ded in May when council reviews its three-year capital forecast. According to budget committee chairman Joe Drumm, operation of Whitby Transit was a major reason for this year's increase. «Transit is the Iargest single reaaon, there's no doubt about it,» said Drumm, following last week's six-hour budget meeting. The côst of providing bus ser- vice in Whitby accounts for 69 per cent of the average 7.4 per cent tax increase or $.-mxllion of the total budget. In fact a snag uncovered in the transit portion of the budget by councillQr Joe Bugelli prevented council from approving the budgét last week. A speial meeting of council was held Monday to, receive an explanation from staff as to why an' original projection of $588,500 in anticipated fare revenue was too high. Bugelli. pointed out durinLr last week's session that the estimate was off by as much as $200,000, based on the projected number o rideis. Ini a report to council, Town administrator Bill Wallace said furth er review determined that the anticipated revenues from fares was now $446,9OO, which was still $141,600 less than the original estimate. fowever, council was abie to avoid passng the shortfal onto tmaxpaers. a ace said staff also found that revenue projections.from both building permit fees and interest on Toiwn investments were actually higher than on-. ginally forecast.. Anticipated revenue from per- mit fees was boosted by $49,500 while investment income wau expected to b. $67, 100 more than flrst thought. Budetapproved but not ail satisfied See Mae 18 Crombie Comnussjon will1 be asked to rile on harbor development By Mike KowalskI David Crombie, chairman of the royal commission studying the greater Toronto waterfrontf, report on future of info- centre LPage 4 j Town rejeets user- pay plan Page 9 will be asked later this month to review the major deve1opment planned hyv Coscan for Whitby harbor. Members of SOS (Save 0ur Shore) Whitby will appear before the Crombie commission to pre- sent their objections to the $1>50- million project planned for the harbor. Crombie, a former federal cabinet minister and Toronto mayor, is holding heanings on future development of land abut- tig ae Onta0. H. will b. in 'saaon Apnil 25. SOS Whitby is oMecUngto a proposai, by Coscan Developmen lor prop formerly occupied by Car-ier-Mm amnara. "..development industiry is very persuiasive . The propeosai features four 15. story condominiumn towers, 50 townhouses, a recreation centre with an indoor swi»mmng pool and underground parking. Iroscanys proposaI was the sub- ject of a public herig last fali. About 150 residents attended the. meeting, many to express their disapproval 'with various aspects of the developmnent. SOS Whitby spokesman Jenni- fer Leet said her group's decision te, appear before Crombie does not mean theDy have given up on Town council. But she hopes Crombie will respond favorably te, their sug-. gestions and apply "pressure" on council. Among the recommendations that Leèes group, will make to Crombie are more access te the waterfront, more parkland and -a lower density of housing units. They will also argue for resto- ration of a public walkway bet- ween the. development an har- bor. «tlnfortÙnately, ... the develop- ment industry is very persuasive and pwer wielding over local municipal councils," said Leet. wThis certainly is the case in Whitby where we have a vir- tually virgin waterfront now the target of proposaI, after proposa] of rezonxngs te hxgh and medium densitz residential develop- ments. Leet is hopeful Crombie and ultimately, council, wil «onsider siome of our ideas.» 'Whitby planning director Bob, Short said Coscan's proposaI in stili going through the review P roc8s Hfe ex pects a revised proposaI to come before the plannmng cern- mittee «sometime before June.". '«Bugs.. SEAN BRACEIN (above) took part ini Prqie Creek Public school'é Dinosaur Day' exhibit that also included insects. Dave Grandy (below), who operates the Rent-a-Bunny service, is preparing for another hands-on seminar, on such suidjects as ,Easter and rabbit-grooming, at- the Whitby Public Library on April 12 at 7 p. .Bunny" Home a nd Garden Fe ature lnside .........................................................ti~~ 704% m