The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

10 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, May 18, 1999 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Committee predicts no local hike Scugog manages tax freeze despite higher costs By John B. McClelland Port Perry Star The total property tax bill for Scugog res- idents will remain the same as last year. The township's finance committee approved the local budget last week. Although local municipal spending is up slightly in 1999 -- from $5.2 million in 1998 to $5.5 million -- the total tax bill on an average home, assessed at $150,000, will stay the same, at $2,325. The reason for the tax freeze is a recent announcement from the provincial govern- ment that the education levy will be reduced. 4 In Scugog, the average | home will pay $615 in edu- cation taxes this year, com- pared with $690 in 1998. Spending at the region- al level is also up this year, but the education decrease will keep the final proper- ty tax bill level. n Finance committee chair Ken Gadsden said Gadsden the local budget review was extensive. The increase of some $300,000in expenditures locally is due to several factors, he said, including recent wage settlements and an effort to catch up on infrastructure work that had been neglected in recent years due to tight bud- gets. And revenues are down. Councillor Gadsden noted that in 1996, Scugog got $744,000 in provincial grants. This year, the township will get just $50,000. Residential and farm tax bills will go into the mail early in June. Bills for com- mercial, industrial and multi-res properties will be delayed due to continued adjust- ments in the capping regulations. A WORT 36 Month Lease/*3,995 Down Payment /*795 Freight /°375 Refundable Security Deposit & Taxes WE HAVE THE RIGHT LEASE PAYMENT FOR YOU! BASED ON 4.9% LEASE RATE OVER 36 MONTHS Monthly payment 1999 Explorer Sport 1999 Explorer Sport down payment or equivalent trade 319 with *3,.995 $366 with '2,500 $395 with '1,500 $440 with '0 down Or make one single payment of $12,924 & drive for 36 months.' FORD ar VR EVN WISE BUYERS READ THE LEGAL COPY: 'Lease an in-stock new 1999 Explorer 2-Door $, based on a 36 month lease from Ford Credit to qualified retail lessees, on a $15,479/$15,676/$15,720/$15,840 **36 month Advanced Payment Program lease a + LINCOLN Mercury gp * Premium Sport (EEE * 4.0L 210 hp SOHC V6 engine * 5-speed ECT EHTR {ELH GET) with overdrive * Second generation CETTE ELH * Air conditioning * Speed control * Premium sound LAL TU EET NCE AVE] steering wheel * Power windows, locks and mirrors Now at Your Ontario Ford & Mercury Dealers Visit our website at: www.ford.ca/offers/ port 4x4 with Premium Sport Group, Sport Bucket seats, and single CD Radio, monthly lease payments of $319/$366/$395/$440 pproved credit Down payment or equivalent trade ($3,995/$2,500/$1,500/$0), freight ($795), first month's payment and refundable security deposit ($375/3425/3475/4525) required Refundable security deposit may be used by Ford Credit to pay any portion of any costs owing to Ford Credit under the lease Total lease obligation is vailable to qualified retail lessees on approved credit Total lease obligation is $12,924 due at inception of the lease Lease based on an annual interest rate of 09% over 36 months Some conditions and a mileage restriction of 60,000 km over 36 months apply Charge of $0 08 per km above mileage restriction, plus applicable taxes, will apply Licence, insurance, administration fees, pre delivery inspection, and all applicable taxes are additional Dealer may lease for less Offers may change without notice Limited time offers Some conditions may apply to the Graduate Cashback program. See dealer for details Ontario FMDA, PO Box 2000, Oakville, Ontario 16) SEA Fate of Birdseye Pool In doubt From page 1 August calcium began seeping into the pool when the walls blis- tered. This spring, it was discovered that there is extensive damage in the pool walls, and that fix- ing them would cost up to $20,000. Over the past five years, repairs have cost the municipality about $25,000 as council recog- nized that the facility was used and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Councillor Carruthers said about eight summer jobs will be lost -- they are lifeguards and instructors. Those who have applied have been told to start looking for work elsewhere. The pool's director, already hired, will be assigned to other duties with the township for the summer. Birdseye Pool is locat- ed just north of the Scugog public library in the lakefront park of the same name. The outdoor facility was constructed in 1939, and the town- ship has offered swim programs for people of all ages over the years. Councillor Carruthers said the decision to close the pool was a very diffi- cult one, but with municipal budgets so tight, it made no sense to spend the money and take a chance the repairs would not hold beyond this summer. He noted that Scugog residents can now turn to the private sector for swimming lessons or use municipal pools in Whitby or Uxbridge. Catholic Centre to be closed The Durham Catholic District School Board wishes to announce that the Catholic Education Centre located at 650 Rossland Road West in Oshawa will be closing for the repairs during the period June 30, 1999 to Aug. 31, 1999. During this period, staff normally assigned to the Catholic Education Centre (i.e. Director of Education, Supervisory Officers, Purchasing Dept., Transportation Dept. Accounting, Payroll Dept., Teaching and non teaching personnel, etc.)