Quinte West municipal office (File photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber)
Quinte West wants to put a good chunk of federal and provincial funding towards five major water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the city.
In August, it was announced that through the clean water and wastewater funding, the municipality was receiving $1.2 million from the feds and $600,000 from the province.
Mayor Jim Harrison says it’s great news but it still doesn’t eliminate all of the infrastructure needs in Quinte West.
Of the five projects, council is putting $600,000 towards the Trenton Water Treatment Plant backwash; $600,000 for the Parry Drive Watermain looping; $790,000 to the Trenton Wastewater Plant sludge storage; $300,000 towards the Dundas Street Pumping Station and $500,000 for the sanitary sewer replacement on North Murray Street.
The funding is guaranteed as long as the City can provide eligible projects and complete an application accompanied by a council resolution by October 31, 2016.
Meanwhile, the municipality is supporting the Association of Municipalities in its plight to close the fiscal gap facing municipalities.
Council voted to get behind AMO’s ‘What’s Next Ontario?’ project aimed at recognizing the gap and seeking sector support for closing it.
AMO stated that recent polling concluded 76% of Ontarians are concerned or somewhat concerned property taxes will not cover the cost of infrastructure while maintaining municipal services and 90% agree maintaining safe infrastructure is an important priority for their community.
Municipalities have been asked to forward their resolutions by December 1, 2016.
In other business, the municipality has given a new solar project the green light.
Council approved a 500 kilowatt ground mount solar project to be built on the property at 251 Mackenzie Road in Sidney Ward.
Council meets again on November 7 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
