Belleville Councillor Paul Carr addresses city council on the Santa Claus parade route issue, October 11, 2016. (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
A bid to move Belleville’s Santa Claus parade from out of the downtown has failed.
Last night the Chamber of Commerce proposed to have the parade run along Bridge Street from the fairgrounds in the west end to the Bayview Mall in the east end.
In the past, it has proceeded from Quinte Secondary school down North Front Street and through the downtown on Front Street.
Chamber CEO Saunders explained to council there would be more room for the parade of 100 floats to stage and disperse at the end.
Many councillors insisted the parade should go through the newly revitalized city centre.
Director of Engineering Rod Bovay explained the construction work at Front and Victoria would not be completed in time.
Councillor Paul Carr pointed to the liability of taking the parade through a construction site.
In the end council voted to use the fairgrounds for the beginning and ending but with a route that includes the downtown.
Disaster Relief Committee disbanded
Belleville has disbanded its Disaster Relief Committee formed after the flooding in Thurlow ward two years ago.
City clerk Matt MacDonald told council last night it was frustrating because under the rules at the time, the flood victims had to raise money in order to receive money from the provincial relief program.
The local committee did raise $10,360 which combined with the provincial funding provided just over 16-thousand dollars to be distributed among the eligible claimants.
Councillor Paul Carr pointed out Quinte Conservation is looking at ways to control flooding of the Moira River in the Foxboro area.
Applying for senior government funds
Belleville will apply for senior government support for major infrastructure work in a couple of the city’s older neighbourhoods.
The application will be for $6.6 million worth of sewer and road upgrades on most of Cedar Street and a part of Henry Street along with parts of South Park and Strachan Streets.
If this is successful city taxpayers would pay $1.6 million of the total cost.
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Belleville will make a bid for federal government under its Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, paying up to 50% of the cost of transit improvements.
Last night city council approved applying for an upgrade and expansion to the transit storage and maintenance building and yard on Coleman Street, an “On Demand Transit” study, “Smart Bus Technology”, and up to 10 new bus shelters.
In total, the projects cost close to $3 million, and it’s hoped the federal government would pay half of that.
