Year ahead to be one of transition at town hall: Reid

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Derek Dunn

EMC News - Last year was the review, this year the transition, and 2013 will be the year of action, Arnprior Mayor David Reid told a roomful of business leaders Tuesday morning.

Reid said 2011 was one of observation for the new council, along with installing new accounting software for staff, which made solving the water billing fiasco even more daunting.

However, the town took the lead province-wide on working on tempering escalating policing costs.

He said small municipalities spend about 20-25 per cent of their revenue on police services, which are rising at two to four times the cost-of-living.

It will be a long process, but Reid is confident of making "some headway."

Last year also saw a review of bylaws, which hadn't been done in many years.

The "redundancy" of a committee-of-the-whole system was dropped and seven advisory committees were created.

Reid is excited for the June 8, 9, and 10 festivities to celebrate the town's 150th anniversary.

They kick off with fireworks, followed by two days of heritage games and other activities at Robert Simpson Park and downtown.

An anniversary Facebook page is gaining 'likes' by the hundreds.

WATERFRONT WALK

In 2012, Reid expects the waterfront walkway from the park to the marina will be back in working order.

Labour negotiations are coming along, with "both sides working very, very hard."

And the new chief administrative officer Kevin McLlwain will transition into the top bureaucrat's position - bringing with him a strong background in financial matters.

The infrastructure master plan, due in July, will focus spending on capital projects through a 20-year plan.

It will keep the town ahead of the development curve, while dealing with - in some cases - 100-year-old pipes.

The mayor also mentioned evolving programs for both youth and seniors, saying soccer is more popular and that a diversity of programs that are not cost-prohibitive are needed.

Among the most important issues in 2012, and of significance to the Greater Arnprior Chamber of Commerce members who hosted the breakfast at the legion, is the John and Elgin streets' revitalization.

Reid said the town has invested $50,000 to a streetscaping design plan.

The first step is public input on sidewalks, greenspace, streetlighting and other items.

Then it goes to an engineering firm to see what is affordable.

But with the province facing a $16-billion deficit, grants from Queen's Park may be fewer than in past years, he said.

The town hall renovations, at $2.5 to $3 million, will be an issue this year.

There is some consideration to building a new town hall.

Reid said 2013 will be when council "takes some action" on planning, but that it must be sustainable growth and a careful balance between the community's needs and wants.