Water and Sewer Budget
The water and sewer budget for 2023 was on the table for discussion at Tuesday, Jan 10th’s meeting of Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole. The plans are for a 1.95% increase to water and sewer rates which will result in a total charge of $990.96 per year for a residential property with one (1) or two (2) people, an increase of $18.96 per year ($1.58 per month) over 2022 rates.
The public will have the opportunity to provide input on the proposed rate increase until Jan. 13th. The final decision on the proposed rate increase will be made by Council at its regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 17th.
Cavanagh Development’s Mississippi Shores
A representative from Cavanagh Development appeared at the committee meeting on Tuesday to request a change in the schedule of construction for their 555-unit project on the Bodnar lands at the western edge of town. The previous council added clauses to this five-phase subdivision to ensure that it was built in an orderly fashion and didn’t leave large tracts of land cleared and vacant for long periods of time. Building permits for subsequent phases would not be issued until the first phases were complete. Part of the first phase was to include six two-storey apartment blocks with surface parking and stair access only. The developer has decided to change that plan to four three-storey blocks with elevators and underground parking, stating that market analysis shows a stronger demand for this type of apartment. It would also give them the flexibility to offer both one and two bedroom units in the same building and provide more energy efficiency.
The committee approved the request, a decision which will go to the next full council meeting for ratification.
Article by Brian Turner
