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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2005 THE NEW TANNER 17 Township holds the line on 2005 taxes By Rebecca Ring The Rockwood Miller Guelph/Eramosa Township released its' 2005 proposed budget which allows for a total of $3,313,338 to be raised through taxation, an increase of $41,598.12 over the 2004 budget. However property tax rates will be consistent with 2004. The increase will be funded by growth and new construction assessment. The assessed value of property will remain as they were in 2004, except where there were changes such as new building additions. Annual property value reassessment is rescheduled to 2006. The township portion (lower tier) of a tax bill will remain the same but the county por- tion (upper tier) and the education tax may change. For example, in 2004 on a $250,000 property, the lower tier rate was 0.00287665, which represents $719.16. In the proposed budget, this will stay exactly the same. Some highlights of the operating budget include increased costs in insurance and GRCA levy, promotion of fire prevention and safety, training firefighters, communi- cations upgrades for Emergency Services, and park and building improvements. Sav- ings include consolidating canine control services with one provider. Highlights of the capital budget include water system upgrades, fire department improvements (such as purchasing a thermal imaging camera for emergency and search and rescue operations, Jaws of Life, and upgrading bun- ker gear), Eden Mills bridge replacement, road repairs, sound dampening installation for Marden Community Centre and the Rockwood Library Community Room, and floor repair for the Rockmosa Community Centre. General government (council and admin- istration) represents 55% of the budget, Protection to Persons and Property (fire de- partment, police, building inspection, etc.) represents 20.48%, Transportation (roads, lighting, winter control) represents 62.52%, Property and Leisure Services (parks, build- ings) represents 13.23%, and Planning and Development (LACAC committee, zoning, tile drainage, etc.) represents 4.32%. Need Habitat site supervisor Planning for the construc- tion of two semi-detached Habitat for Humanity homes in Rockwood this summer is acrew leader, is able to donate materials for the homes, or would just like to be involved Habitat for Humanity Welling- ton at: (519):767-9752 email: info@habitatwellington. in the build, please contact on.ca well underway, Habitat for Humanity Wellington County reports. The house design is finished and the construction committee has completed the estimate of the materials needed for the homes. The next steps are: Finding an experienced contractor to serve as a vol- unteer Site Supervisor for the build. The ideal candidate is a recently retired general contractor or someone with in-depth construction knowl- edge to be on-site when work iT a TeaBerry Cafe Serving our wholesome light lunch entrees with Daily Specials & our own Decadent Desserts. We serve Fair Trade Organic Coffee & over 40 flavours of premium Loose Leaf Teas which we also sell in bulk to be enjoyed at home. Full Dinner Menu Funding for Fire Fighting: Guelph-Wellington MPP announced a $70,000 Provincial grant to help upgrade equipment and training for the Guelph/Eramosa Rockwood Fire Department. From left to right are Deputy Fire Chief Dan Hitchcock, MPP Liz Sandals, Mayor Clint Martin, Fire Chief Shawn Armstrong, Councillors Chris White and David McCrae. - Photo by Rebecca Ring Guelph/Eramosa Fire Dept. gets $70,000 from Province Guelph/Eramosa will- departments to use the money said, "We understand that fire receive $70,000 from the provincial government for Fire Service training and in the areas of greatest need for training and equipment. Speaking on behalf of the fighting is a highly technical, highly skilled activity. There is a requirement for constant PASE eae equipment. This is part of a one-time, province wide, Fire Services Training Grant of $30,000,000 announced by the McGuinty government last week. Guelph-Wellington MPP, Liz Sandals, made the an- nouncement on Friday, April 1, at the new Guelph/Eramosa Rockwood Fire Hall. Present were Guelph/Eramosa Mayor Clint Martin, Councillors Chris White and David Mc- Crae, Fire Chief, Shawn Armstrong and Deputy Fire Chiefs, Dan Hitchcock and Lyle Quan. Sandals said that although the Fire Marshall has identi- ° fied some training issues provincially, it is up to the discretion of the local fire provincial government, she Contest' on page 18 in picturesque Rockwood & Eramosa! ETT TTR ES UME ame K esl aah dG amar alae Bs) ghd Gea es sh (laa ROCKWOOD TV SALES & SERVICE SVMs Bs) 15 (Gly io Bs) 1h ~ROCKWOOD fe COMPUTER Ben ExpressVu ---- leone oe Repairs & Upgrades Virus Removal 519-856-4699 Hwy 7 (next to Tru-Valu Hardware) SES i Sales eS Ss Saile=e Stas 4 Saiiles SrtA) es SERVICE 69. see store for details 519-856-9825 ALES & SERVICE * SALES & SERVICE + SALES & SERVIC FDIAYAS 8 SIIVS + JDIAYAS 8 SIIVS + JDIAYAS 8 SFIVS is taking place (at intervals) from the beginning of June to the end of August. Find qualified tradespeople to serve as volunteer crew leaders on the build site. Crew leaders teach and supervise small groups of skilled and unskilled volunteers on the build site. Obtain donations of the materials needed to build the homes. Donations of materi- als, especially high cost items such as lumber and windows help us keep the cost of con- struction as low as possible. Due to new home warranties, only new materials can be used in the homes. Anyone who is interested in serving as a site supervisor or Bergére Chairs Thursday, Friday & Saturday Come join us for any meal - you'll be glad you did. Booking small functions & don t forget - LADIES ONLY NIGHT (Every month) MOTHERS DAY BRUNCH Book early - Special Menu evenings til 9p.m. May 8th, 11-3p.m. Call for details Ill Main St, Rockwood (519) 856-0188 Reservations Accepted Fully Licensed