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SELLING YOUR JEWELLERY? LONDON GOLD Fine Jewellery Co. Ltd. 905.337.0051 SNA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2010 ontario's top newspaper - 2005-2008 Heading to Carnegie Hall Artscene www. oakvillebeaver .com A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 50. No. 28 "Using Communication To Build Better Communities" WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2012 68 Pages $1.00 (plus tax) Calling for help Property taxes are going up By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville residents will see a 2.93 per cent hike to their 2012 property tax bill after the Town boosted its base budget by 6.55 per cent for 2012. Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve the 2012 budget committee's recommendation, which called for the 6.55 per cent hike to Oakville's base budget. When the 6.55 per cent hike is blended with Halton Region's 1.2 per cent tax increase and no hike in education rates for 2012, it will translate to a 2.93 Councillor Tom Adams per cent increase in Oakville taxes. That means Oakville property taxpayers will pay an extra $28.05 per $100,000 of assessment in 2012. The additional money will be paid in exchange for no major service cuts, a series of new capital projects, and infrastructure renewal. "We're providing services that residents need. We listened to what citizens said and, over the course of this process, we've heard from several hundred residents," said Ward 6 Councillor and 2012 Budget Chair Tom Adams. "We're proud to be preserving so many important initiatives for our local families unlike other jurisdictions where programs are under threat." The final tax increase does not exceed the level of See Hike page 9 MICHAEL IVANIN / oakville beaver on cell tower: Dr. Magda Havas, an associate professor at Trent University, speaks at Thursday's community information meeting to discuss the Bronte/Rebecca Street cell tower. For story, see page 7. Council salaries made public By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville's mayor took home nearly $130,000 in salary and benefits last year, while most Town of Oakville councillors earned between $55,000-$56,000. The salaries of Oakville's mayor and councillors became public knowledge during a meeting of the Town's Administrative Services Committee last week, at which the committee voted to receive a report outlining council's annual remuneration and expenses statement. For 2011, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton received a salary and benefits amounting to $129,445 along with an additional $9,000 for leasing a vehicle. While the salaries and benefits of most Oakville councillors hovered at approximately $55,000-$56,000, there were some exceptions. Ward 6 Councillor Max Khan received salary and benefits amounting to $45,717 while Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson took home $50,194. Town staff said all councillors receive the same salary of $45,840 (the mayor receives a salary of $111,740) with the differences coming from the benefits packages. "With the benefits package, if you are See Councillors page 4 SHUTTERS · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Hom ome om e Service Se · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High High g Quality Quality Quali ty y at at Affordable Affordab able Pri Pric Prices c CALIFORNIA & PLANTATION SERVICE MANAGER'S GONE MAD! MARCH MADNESS 2 for 1 LUBE OIL FILTER SPECIAL $69.95+ tax (Value of $117.90) SHUTTERS ETC. 905.691.4455 www.shuttersetc.ca Authorized Eclipse Shutters Dealer Shop at Home Service FREE Lube Oil Filter (up to 5L of 5w20 or 5w30 Oil), Tire Rotation, 50 pt Peace of Mind Inspection, PLUS receive your next oil change FREE March 5th ­ 17th LIMITED TIME. Most Vehicles. C H RYSL E R J E E P D OD G E OAKVILLE 270 Oak Park Blvd. oakvilledodge.com · 905-845-4211