Front Street repairs nixed by council

Citing the $1.3-million price tag to repair Front Street much too high in the face of increasing debt payments to be made this year, in 2004, and beyond, town council decided Monday the work will have to wait.
But the decision wasn’t an easy one, as it came down to a 3-3 vote at a special meeting at the Civic Centre. The motion was defeated on the tie vote.
“Any of our councillors who take pride in our infrastructure would say it has to be fixed,” said Mayor Glenn Witherspoon as members of council took turns offering their opinions.
“We got into it. We gotta finish it,” argued Coun. Struchan Gilson.
“I don’t think we can finish, given our current financial situation,” replied Coun. Deane Cunningham. “I think we have to pass on it.”
“I don’t think we have the money to do it,” echoed Coun. Roy Avis. “We might have the money in the bank, but it will be a heavy load for the council in 2004.
“It’s not that we don’t want the road fixed,” he added. “As it is, I think we’re overspending. We’ve been overspending for the past five-six years, and the day of judgment is going to come.”
“I realize Front Street should be done. It’s a priority, but I don’t see how,” noted Coun. Cunningham.
While treasurer Diane Pearson did bring a plan before council as to how best to pay for the Front Street project, it would entail the town paying an annual debenture of $169,000 over a 10-year period, with an interest rate of 4.29 percent.
Couns. Avis, Cunningham, and Sharon Tibbs voted against this, with Couns. Neil Kabel and Gilson, along with Mayor Witherspoon, voting for it. Coun. Dave Bourgeault was not in attendance.
This means the repairs on Front Street will not take place this year, except for the stretch of road extending seven feet from the south curb, which was part of the scheduled—and budgeted—work on Phase II of the La Verendrye Parkway project which started last summer.
The grand opening of the La Verendrye Parkway is slated for July 1.
In other news, council on Monday accepted the resignation of Operations and Facilities manager Pat Hickerson.