Needs versus privacy to challenge township

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Derek Dunn

EMC News - Balancing the privacy of folks in the township with a looming demand for more services will be the challenge facing MacNab-Braeside, Mayor Mary Campbell said at a Feb. 14 breakfast meeting.

Campbell told the crowd of 48 at the Greater Arnprior Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event that people pay about $50,000 for property, another $25,000 for septic and sewage, and so intend to put a $300,000 home on it.

There is little left in the pot to contribute to taxes for other services such as public transportation.

However, as the population ages and more residents downsize to rural condos, they want to stay in the township but will demand greater services to assist them to live there, said Campbell.

MORE THAN ROADS

To those who say a rural municipality should focus exclusively on repairing roads and other core services, Campbell explains that the province expects every municipality "to stand on its own two feet." Meaning social spending and economic development are necessary.

But on the topic of economic development, the township can't let businesses set up wherever they want.

She showed a map with chunks of land identified as environmentally protected, and with a township of many waterways, that is a huge area.

Then there are the areas designated farmland, also labeled hands-off.

The spots in McNab-Braeside most likely to see economic activity are in the Glasgow area toward Stewartville, and near Burnstown. Campbell said council is considering $1 million worth of tax-base revenue in the township over the next five years.

She echoed the findings of Vision 2027, a McNab-Braeside survey showing 66 per cent of people rank environmental protection as their top priority, followed by maintaining rural culture and community, and promotion of heritage.

She pegged the population at 8,100, with 3,100 dwellings, 200 businesses, 147 farms, and 13 hamlets.

FARM CHANGES

It is a "fairly affluent" population with the lowest level of people in Ontario Works social assistance programs in Renfrew County.

Campbell said agriculture has been and remains the most important industry in the township. But it has changed in her lifetime from general farming to beef to soya.

Niche players are big in agriculture at the moment, such as the alpaca ranch, selling to international markets.

Others include garlic and turkey producers selling to farmers' markets.

Having all eggs in one basket isn't wise, she indicated, saying artisans and even outdoor sporting businesses, such as White Lake Marina and Sportland, promoting a healthy lifestyle and tourism will increase.