From left: Mayor Taso Christopher, BDIA Chair Dwane Barratt, Michael Melankowski, Paul Dinkel, and BDIA Executive Director Marilyn Lawrie at Belleville council, April 24, 2017 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Belleville’s Downtown Business Improvement Area has made good on its pledge to help light up the downtown.
On Monday night, Chair Dwane Barratt and executive Director Marilyn Lawrie were at city council to present a $200,000 cheque to the city for street lighting, in the downtown.
In 2011, the DBIA had committed to contribute $250,000 toward the street light portion of the city centre revitalization project.
All street lighting installed has LED illumination brackets for banners, electricity outlets and opportunity for installation of plaques on the base of the standards.
The $50,000 balance will be paid at the completion of Phase 3.
Casting ballots in 2018
Belleville voters will be able to cast their ballots from home, if they wish, in the upcoming 2018 election.
Last November, city council took a look at election options and supported a staff recommendation to not go to ranked ballots, but maintain the existing First Past the Post voting system.
Monday night, City Clerk Matt MacDonald reminded council that any changes to be made must occur before May first.
In his report, MacDonald pointed out that in 2010 and 2014 the city used a combination of traditional paper ballots as well as internet voting for the advance poll and vote counting equipment or tabulators.
He says the objective is to make voting convenient while ensuring security and reliability.
Electors can vote anytime from anywhere 24-7 during the open period and it is expected to attract a broader age group of voters.
Council already has $280,000 availalble in an election reserve.
The last election cost $245,000.
Council approved the use of an alternative voting method (internet voting) for the advance poll period and a bylaw approving the use of vote counting equipment (tabulators).
Community Resource Centre Quinte applying for funding
Belleville city council has heard that up to 300 people daily are served by The Community Resource Centre Quinte, on Octavia Street.
Monday night, Sandi Sidworth, executive director of Canadian Mental Health Hastings and Prince Edward, said the Resource Centre’s six agencies support “people with the least resources, and who are the most vulnerable.”
Sidworth says fundraising plans are underway to put a “lift” in the building so the old boiler room area can be used for office space, and she said new windows are needed.
Mayor Taso Christopher told Quinte News that the city will assist the agency in applying for funding.
Questioning subdivision plans
Councillor Jack Miller has questioned the many delays in connection with a proposed subdivision in Belleville’s east end.
Miller pointed out to council Monday night the Hanley Park development in the city’s east end has been on the books since 2008, and now is being delayed another year to June of 2018.
He said residents in the Janlyn Crescent area are interested in knowing what is happening.
Director of engineering Rod Bovay says the land was sold and now he anticipates the 70 homes in the first step will move ahead.
