Bellelville’s Bell Boulevard project is gearing up

Another step toward getting the Bell Boulevard extension project in Belleville’s north end underway.

City council has awarded the contract for administration of the project to Greer Galloway group. The company’s bid at 588-thousand was the lowest of four.   The Bell Boulevard easterly extension involves road construction, and the new bridge over the Moira River.  The bridge, which will cross the Moira River to Adam Street at Canifton Road, involves a number of environmental conditions.

Re-structuring in Quinte West

A consultant’s review of two departments in the City of Quinte West has led to a re structuring, and 4 people have lost jobs.  The department’s under review were Public Works, and the Community Leisure Department.

Parks maintenance will be moved under Public Works.  Meantime, many of the recreational programs offered by the Community Leisure department will become the responsibility of the YMCA, leading to a reduction in workload in that department.  It’s expected the city will save 280 thousand dollars in salary costs, effective in 2011.

The 4 people losing their jobs were from the Community Leisure Department, including Director, Karen Sharpe.

Local Schools Get “Green” Cash

The Hastings Prince Edward School Board is getting nearly 5-million dollars in “green” cash from the province to make local schools more energy efficient. Spokesperson Kerry Donnell says the 4.7-million will be used over the next two years. The Board is considering a number of different options on how the money will be used.  Meanwhile, four local schools are involved in a green pilot project. Custodians at Moira Secondary, VP Carswell, Harmony and Queen Victoria are using green-cleaning supplies in the Ministry of Education initiative.

Sentencing Hearing Delayed for Cramahe Councillor

The sentencing of a Cramahe Township Councillor on an assault conviction has been delayed because of additional charges against him. 40-year old Timothy Gilligan Jr was just being released on bail yesterday following his arrest Sunday night on a new charges of uttering threats and failing to comply with an undertaking. He was to be sentenced yesterday on the assault conviction. In June last year Gilligan poked a man in the mouth with a baseball bat after the victim threatened his father. Sentencing will now take place in late May.

Belleville Expropriation Hearing is Over

A hearing into the proposed expropriation of land in east-end Belleville is over….but, a decision is still weeks away.  Only two witnesses were called by the inquiry officer at the necessity hearing…city employees Karen Poste and Rod Bovay. Four lawyers were on hand representing four of the five landowners effected by the expropriation. A decision from the Ministry of the Solicitor General is expected in the next four weeks. The city needs the 600-acres of property to expand its landbank for potential new industries.

Barenaked Breakin in Belleville

A 20-year old Belleville man will be living this one down for years. City Police responded to a break and enter in progress in the north-end, at 1:30 this morning, and the complainant said someone was attempting to get in her back door. She fled and when police arrived they found the extremely intoxicated man passed out naked on a bed. He was arrested and charged with trespassing by night and breach of undertaking.  He has a bail hearing today.

Elementary Teachers Closer to New Deal

The Hastings Prince Edward School Board have voted to ratify….now it’s up the teachers. Board members voted to ratify the new four-year contract with its 610 elementary teachers at last night’s meeting. Details of the contract won’t be released until the local Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario has ratification vote tomorrow. the deal is retroactive to Sepetember 1st

Quinte Secondary to Get New Lab

A new science lab is coming to Quinte Secondary School for September. The Hastings Prince Edward School Board approved spending $1.7 million on the project at last night’s meeting. Work is expected to begin next month. The tender was awarded to  K. Knudsen Construction Ltd…the lowest of five tenders received.

New home for the bulls? Not there yet

The fate of Belleville’s arenas will be changing over the next eight years, if federal funding supports a new 35-million dollar complex at the Quinte Sports Centre over the next year.

Director of Recreation Mark Fluhrer recommended to city council last night a proposed four-to-five thousand seat arena on highway 4-0-1 be put forward to the years 2011 and 2017.  Fluhrer says he is working closely with Belleville Bulls owner Gord Simmonds regarding this proposed new N-H-L size ice pad.    He is also recommending that the Dick Ellis arena be sold and the Memorial arena be used for public skating during the season and possibly a market in the off season.

Belleville’s on-track for a $35m multiplex centre

Belleville is on-track for a 35-million dollar multiplex recreation community centre with its application for senior government funding.

If approved the federal and provincial governments will pick up two-thirds of the cost, with the city carryng 11-point-six million dollars, less than the 15-it has in budget.   Belleville would have two new NHL size ice pads, a pool, multi-use gymnasium, fitness centre, seniors centre, and artificial surface sports field.     Mayor Neil Ellis says it will make Belleville the “hub” of the Quinte area.   If approved the complex will be located at the Quinte Sports Centre campus.