Council and administration nearly have wrapped up the capital portion of the town’s 2005 budget at a special committee of the whole meeting earlier this week.
Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig said administration is in the process of exploring funding options right now, but what will be built or purchased for the year ahead pretty much has been determined.
Besides equipment upgrades for the Memorial Sports Centre, fire department, and Public Works, among other things, the prime project this year is the rehabilitation of the Portage Avenue subway.
As previously reported, if the town’s application to the Canada-Ontario Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) goes through, the subway will be rebuilt this spring.
That project will consist of replacing 180 metres of concrete from Third Street East to Fifth Street East, putting in new retaining walls, as well as a new sidewalk and handrail on the west side of the street.
The work also will include modifications to the railway abutment structures (installation of soil anchors), putting up new chain link fences, and upgrading to the storm sewer system (pump house and piping).
The existing roadway also will be reinforced and modified, with a view towards having an alternate truck route to the north sometime down the road.
Since COMRIF only pays for two-thirds of such a project, the town will have to foot its share of the $1.7-million price tag—or roughly $562,000. McCaig said council is committed to paying for this.
He noted other major construction projects include the completion of the “connecting link” reconstruction on King’s Highway and at least some work on the town’s sewer and water system.
In the first project, King’s Highway will be overhauled (i.e., resurfaced, widened, and given new curbs and gutters) from Keating Avenue to Holmes Avenue, as well as a small portion between McIrvine Road and Daniel Avenue.
McCaig noted the town also is still looking at adjusting sewer and water rates for the year ahead, and has been comparing them to other regional municipalities.
But no decisions gave been made yet in that area.
McCaig noted the most recent version of the operating budget revealed Tuesday shows a shortfall of around $245,735, but he stressed this amount includes budgeted transfers to reserves and contributions to capital projects.
This shortfall could increase or decrease down the road, depending on factors such as uncontrollable costs, he said.
McCaig added the town still is waiting for more numbers before it can even near finalization of its operating budget, noting there have been no final numbers from the Rainy River District Social Services Board or Rainycrest Home for the Aged regarding the town’s portion.
The town also is still negotiating a new sewer and water agreement with Couchiching First Nation and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, which likely will factor into the town’s budget, too.
But McCaig noted he’s hopeful the 2005 budget will be ready for a council vote by the end of March, adding there will be at least one more public meeting before it is finalized.
The next special committee of the whole meeting regarding the 2005 budget is scheduled for next Friday (Feb. 18).
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)
Fort Frances Times
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