Still more Questions

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With respect to Jim Chaplin’s report on Dec 3, “2010 Municipal Budget” Mr. Chaplin stated that “we must wean ourselves for the Slots funding”. My question is why? Is this not part of the OLG agreement that the township receive a portion of the funds from the slots, so what is the problem??
 
Seems to me that this statement is nothing more than a lead in for a tax increase. Mr Chaplin also stated that because of a new accounting practice for the municipalities that allows for the depreciation of capital assets that Cavan Monahan should have had approximately 4.2 million in reserve to replace these assets. This is a “new” accounting practice and we can not correct what was not required in the past. Also, this does not mean you have to replace the assets if they are in good working condition and keep in mind this is an accounting practice and nothing more. Is the money from the slots being used to purchase capital assets and if so I still do not see why would we need a tax increase?
 
Perhaps if Council had not spent 2.8 Million on consultants, lawyers and engineers for the Fraserville plan, which we will never recover, we would have had that money in the coppers. I also wonder if this warning of a possible increase in taxes is due to the required pipeline and water diversion from Millbrook to Fraserville? Who gets to pay for the land that will need to be expropriated! Yes, I have heard that the Township would get the money back over 20 years of development charges and that the province & federal governments may each pay about 1/3 of the cost of this project but we still have to come up with 1/3 ourselves and pay the original costs for a project that no one seems to want except council. Perhaps this is another reason to remember that Millbrook’s water and sewer bill has recently been increased. Furthermore, what will happen to Millbrook if this water project does deplete our supply of water or if this diversion contaminates the water?? Out homes will not be worth anything should either of these events happen. What about the wetlands and protected endangered species if this pipeline goes through? These two questions have yet to be answered. Without water there is no life of any kind!
 
Nor has the question of why the wells in the Fraserville can not/will not accommodate this project. Furthermore, how many phases are on this project, is the estimated 600 homes to be built all that are to be built or are more homes to built in the future phases, which of course will require more of Millbrook’s water.
 
Some other points of interest that Council has accomplished -- in spite of our protest:
 
Dropped “Millbrook” from the Township name (done in spite of our protests) this also cost money – new logo, signs, legal fees, etc.
 
Moved the meetings from evening to day time when most people can not attend.
 
Sold off the Town hall (a Historical Landmark) and then spent over $400, to purchase and repair the current office, this does not include the cost of the move, new office equipment, renovations and letterhead etc.
 
They moved the OPP into an area where they are no longer visible as a deterrent for criminals. (out of site out of mind)
 
Removed the “fourth line theatre from the library – one would think that any business that brings revenue & tourism to our town would be supported by council.
 
Will not hold a referendum on the “Water” issue in spite of over 90% of the Millbrook rate payers not wanting this diversion.
 
Note the definition of accountable - obliged to account for one's acts, being responsible.
 
This is a new decade and perhaps time for some accountability, please remember this when it comes time for the election.
 
Linda Brown
18 Huston St
Millbrook, On
L0A 1G0