Budget projects to spend $15.7 million on capital works

Posted January 31, 2013

The engineering department, which operates on a $1.2 million budget, will manage 63 per cent or $9.9 million of the $15.7 million capital works projects proposed for 2013 across New Tecumseth. The next closest is Technical services at 9.5 per cent or about $1.5 million, and parks, recreation and culture, 8.8 per cent or $1.38 million.

Among the big ticket components of the capital projects budget are the continuing work on the Parson Road reservoir expansion estimated to cost $3.9 million, of which $2 million is coming from development charges, and the remainder by debenture - financed with DCs once they're collected. As well, $1.5 million for Mill Street pumping station as part of the Tottenham Secondary Plan improvements.

Of the total budget, about $12.5 million are carry forward or committed projects.

New projects that have an impact on property taxes, and water and wastewater rates, total $961,815. There are $2.3 million worth of new projects that are to be funded by $1.8 million from reserves; $224,609 from DCs, and $285,000 in debentures, including $247,000 to buy a replacement rescue fire truck.

The biggest of the new projects, is the unplanned rebuild of the storm sewer at Elizabeth Street which is estimated to be $795,225, of which $665,500 will come from reserves, and the remainder from DCs.

Fleet replacements from reserves include a new snowplow/sander $200,000; street sweeper, $250,000.

Additionally, $150,000 from reserves, will pay for the Town to remediate the former OPP property in Beeton that fronts Maple Avenue, before the five residential lots are put back on the market for sale.

And, there's about $1 million worth of various road upgrade projects that will be debentured, bridge replacement .

Trail development will also take a big leap in 2013 with $315,000 funded by reserves and grants, to commence work on a long range plan that would establish a link through New Tecumseth to the Trans Canada Trail between Hwy 9 Caledon, and Cookstown to the north. Keogh Park in Tottenham is slated for new lights.

There were about $1.9 million worth of projects that missed the cut. They included replacing 13 vehicles in the fleet.

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