Canada Day committee gearing up for big day

Last week the Ontario government announced infrastructure funding for Eastern Ontario Municipalities, and the news for South Dundas wasn’t as good as local municipal officials had hoped.

Through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, 426 municipalities across the province will receive annual funding to support improvements and repairs to road, bridge and wastewater projects.

The $100 million OCIF has two components, $50 million is allocated annual using a funding formula, and the other $50 million is made available to municipalities based on an application process.

South Dundas will be receiving $76,600 of formula based funding, but their application-based funding request was denied.

South Dundas had applied for $1.1 million from the OCIF program for a resurfacing project on Main Street, Morrisburg.

“There was no reason given for the denial,” South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty told The Leader.

At the same time as the OCIF intake, applications for the Small Communities Fund were also being accepted to identify priority municipal projects for the federal fund.

Through this intake, South Dundas had applied for funds to resurface Riverside Drive.

If successful, South Dundas would have received one-third funding from each of the provincial and federal levels of government towards the $838,000 project. However, that application was also denied.

Geraghty said that it is disappointing, but there’s always next year to try again. He also acknowledged that South Dundas has been in the fortunate position to receive government funds for many major infrastructure projects over the last several years.

Through the formula-based component of the OCIF program, the United Counties of SDG will receive $210,600. South Dundas’ neighbours, South Stormont will receive $76,900, North Dundas $54,400 and Edwardsburgh-Cardinal $47,200. 

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South Dundas municipal officials have been taking a hard look at the Morrisburg Plaza, and know that it is definitely in need of a rehabilitation.

As owners of the canopy, sidewalks and roadways, upkeep of that infrastructure is the responsibility of the municipality.

Paint, general repairs, and replacement of damaged wood are some of the most pressing issues, when it comes to the appearance of the aging plaza.

In 2012, council set aside funds for some rehabilitation of the plaza, but not enough to get the work done, or even started.

“In 2012, the price to get the priority work done was $120,000,” said South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald, at a recent orientation session for council-elect. “Just to give you an idea, the Iroquois plaza project was $1.1 million, and we have $100,000 set aside.”

South Dundas manager of planning and enforcement Donald Lewis said, “What’s needed is not just aesthetics. There are other issues as well, and they are significant.” 

The Iroquois Plaza project was funded through a one time grant from the Province of Ontario called the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative.

Manager of public works Chris Bazinet then spoke about the difficulties that arise with the potential excavation of a 12 foot deep sewer line that runs along a section of the Morrisburg mall.

Bazinet, informed the group that the sewer work done at the plaza earlier this fall, when a large area behind a portion of the plaza was dug up for days,  represents only about 30 per cent of the sewer work that needs to be done in the Morrisburg plaza.

He added that they have just completed a three month investigation of the area sewers, and that the deterioration of certain underground infrastructure is starting to present a service issue.

Morrisburg Plaza fund allocations will definitely be part of budget discussions which will take place in the new year.

“It’s time we look at imposing a special tax rate on the downtown sections,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke.

That too will be a discussion for budget time. 

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The Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield in co-ordination with the Parks of the St. Lawrence/Upper Canada Village are pleased to present in honour on the eve of Canada’s 150th birthday the Battle of Crysler’s Farm […]