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Volume 66, Number 15 $1.00 GST Included Wednesday, April 17, 2002 Serving Kendal, Kirby, Leskard, Newcastle, Newtonville, Orono, Starkville and Tyrone since 1937 Ace of Spades -- Noah Lauzon of Main Street Orono doing a bit of yard work Monday afternoon. afternoon. . Newcastle library may share its next site While all of Clarington eagerly awaits the opening of the new library building in Bowmanville, the needs of the Newcastle branch have not been forgotten. One potential site for a new Newcastle library could be the former St. Francis of Assisi elementary school east of Mill St. on King St. According to a report to council, the Clarington Public Library Board is investigating investigating a number of options including joint use of buildings buildings with partners such as the school board or other municipal municipal departments. The lease at its current location location behind Newcastle Town Hall expires in 2004. Town councillors addressed the issue of an alternate location location during Friday's budget discussion. "We should look at taking that $60,000 in rent and turning it into a mortgage payment payment on a building," Mayor John Mutton said, as one of the options. Local Taxes increase 2.3% The 2002 budget approved by Clarington council will require a 2.3% increase in tax levy. Although this means residents will pay more, most members on council, including including the mayor, were pleased the impact was not more severe. "That works out to about $16 per household," said Mayor John Mutton last Friday. "This is the lowest tax increase in the Durham Region and one of the lowest in the GTA (Greater Toronto "Area)," he-said. With this capital budget pegged at over $29 million - more than twice what is typical typical for years previous - 2002 was indeed unusual. The budget factored in several several significant, costly projects, projects, many of which, according according to the finance department, could not be delayed. Projects approved include a $2.1 million million communication system for the fire department as well as a new . pumper, the introduction introduction of a public transit service, $4.1 million for bridge and road construction at Longworth Ave. in Bowmanville, re-construction of Concession Street (Bowmanville) and Prestonvale Road (Courtice), furnishings and equipment for Clarington's new main library branch, land acquisition at lakefront and for recreational purposes, and construction of the South Courtice recreation complex. Initially, it looked like the price tag for these improvements improvements would result in a tax increase as high as 3.5%. However, all municipal departments were able to find accumulated savings to the tune of $124,000. Finally, $100,d00 was taken from library reserve funds to further further minimize the dig in taxpayers' taxpayers' pockets. . The lone dissenter on council council was Jane Rowe, who put her support behind the proposed proposed 3.5% increase. Her concern was about "dipping into reserves." Tapping the town's present reserve funds could "make things very tight for maintaining maintaining a good balance next year," the Courtice area councillor warned. Rowe said councillors have to be realistic about the cost of new and expanded servic- (continued page 3) Historical treasures at risk The Clarke Museum may hot get the full $10,000 it requested for improved storage storage and exhibit areas, but the municipality may come through with a partial solution to crowded quarters. Dave Climenhage, representing representing Clarke Museum, voiced the appeal to Clarington Council on April 12. "We have a growing number number of artifacts stored on the floor and leaning against walls. We're concerned about damage." Fred Horvath, Clarington's Director of Operations, said the town may have some sur plus shelving that would be suitable. Clarke Museum is also seeking seeking $10,000 for drilling a new well and installing pipe and a water line, as the existing well repeatedly fails water quality tests for bacteria. A further $5,000 is being sought to install drains and to grade the Annex building driveway to prevent flooding. The museum's grant request will be referred to Operations Department staff who will meet with museum represents tives. A report to council will follow.