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VW SI To RV oT IoT-N lol @ Tel Ve [ee Vol. 2, No. 34 Tuesday, March 2, 1993 CIRC. 10,000 32 pages 137349 Local budget a tough grind to hold line on any tax hikes Scugog Township's finance chairman Yvonne Christie is walking a fine line this year between bringing down a budget most taxpayers can live with while providing Kub Kar Rally brings out the best ........ It was a clean sweep In the speed department for Scugog Cubs as the 20th Pine Ridge Kub Kar Rally was held Sunday afternoon In Port Perry. Placing first was Matt Rankin (right), second was Joe Farquharson (centre), both from Port Perry and at left Paul Anger of Cartwright who took third place. More photos and complete results on page 5 in this issue of the Citizen Regional Kub Kar Rally will be held In May at the Scugog Arena. - Nonquon key to development The Nonquon River holds the key to future development in Port Perry Durham Region engineers are now conducting tests on the river to determine if the sewer treatment system can be expanded and the testing wilh be completed later this yeaf While it is Durham Region doing the tests, the final decigion on whether the Nonquon can be used to expand the treatment system will be made by the Ministry of the Environment, said Ken Thompson, director of engineering for the Region The two tests are a water quality assessment of the river which will be over this May to determine levels of dissolved oxygen and chemicals like phosphorous; and a flow monitor of the river which wall conclude this October. Mr. Thompson Said once the test rgsults are known and pnalyzed, there will be a public meeting in Port Perry either late this year or early in 1994 These tests are part of a Class C Environmental Assessment I'he Ministry could order a full Assessment under the EAA The Ministry of the Environment will have the final decision on whether an enhanced treatment facility can be added to the lagoon cell system which the Nonquon for the outfall of the treated effluent The system of six large cells, uses * or holding ponds, now used to trent sewage is operating at about 70 per cent capacity, or a population of 4500 people Most of that capacity could be used up by development of vacant lots in Port Perry, higher density intensification in the downtown areas developments already approved for sewers and by existing properties not hooked to the sewer system Future the Port Perry urban borders need kind of enhanced system for treating sewage The cost of such a treatment plant is if the $8.5 million range and the Region is ear marking funds in its five year capital forecasts development within will some Mr. Thompson said even if the Nonquon is found to be capable of handling such a facility and the politicians approve the funding, it would be 1996 before construction starts and another two years before the enhanced system 1a operating This would allow the population of Port Perry to increase to about 10.000 people Mr Thompson said an enhanced treatment facility 1s not the only option for Port Perry. Another could be piping the sewage to Oshawa, an expensive proposition The preferred option would be some kind of treatment plant, using the Nonquon River, if it can handle it | ARIANA LS © JN BE 150 BD 10),\N AGE Bok v-N 1 SN BNE) 10) 2 services they expect "This (budget) process has been a tough one. We are trying to do the least harm to the fewest number of people We are desperately trying to not have to see any staff layoffs," she told the Citizen this week Mrs. Christie said there 1s always the possibility of staff layoffs, but they "would be only as a last and final resort " While her committee has worked its way through what she called the nuts and bolts of the 1993 (local) budget, 1t will be several days yet before the final figures are known The hold-up, she involves the roads department budget The provincial government told municipalities there will be a 1.5 per cent reduction in road grants this year and there will be no supplemental grants approved. If that's the case, it will mean abgyut $100,000 less for this TOwnship in 1993 Coupled with the decision to said, has "purchase two new vehicles for the local Fire Department an emergency van at $140,000 and a pumper at $230,000 Mrs. Christie said these items have made the budget process difficult The van and pumper are necessary expenditures, she said "The Fire Chief (Don Steele) presented the committee with vahd arguments for the new trucks and | tated The old not working nght and the present accept them she pumper 1s emergency fan poses a safety threat to firefighters on board Last year, the total budget for Scugog Township was just over $6.8 million and the Township finished 1992 with a surplus of $80,000 Mrs hoping to bring in a budget that will raise the mill rate "no more than three per cent " There have been some cuts Christie said she 1s in spending, but not major ones, she said Another factor in the budget for this year 1s the Its predicted this year for Scugog squeeze assessment growth rate to be a paltry 9 per cent Mrs Christie said she hopes to know the grant levels for the roads department by the end of this week, and will present a final budget to council for approval on March 8 4