Enjoying the summer at a picnic in the park

  St. Lawrence Acoustic stage president Sandra Whitworth could hardly contain her excitement.  “Andy McKee is a musician I’ve been trying to bring to the Stage for a very long time,” she said. “He is […]

Almost five years of intermittent discussions between South Dundas and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal have finally resulted in a boundary road agreement that both municipalities have now endorsed. 

The new agreement, which has already been approved by Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council, was last week approved by South Dundas council at the August 13 regular meeting.

 It allows either municipality to complete construction or reconstruction work on boundary roads in consultation with the other, however cost sharing will not be a condition precedent.

The new agreement looks at each of the boundary roads between the two municipalities and proposes changes to road maintenance responsibilities to a couple of those roads. 

South Dundas will take over maintenance responsibility for Marine Station Road. 

The ratepayers from this road, who all pay taxes within South Dundas, years ago had petitioned South Dundas for road improvements. However, in the past, those improvements fell under the jurisdiction of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.

This new agreement eliminates that issue, and now South Dundas council members say they are looking forward to using their control over that road to make improvements in the area. 

As part of this agreement, Edwardsburgh/Cardinal takes over maintenance responsibilities for the Safford Road. 

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At the January 17th South Dundas council meeting, council members unanimously agreed to support the city of Waterloo in a resolution intent on making the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) accountable for assessment delays, which result in lost tax revenue.

The decision came in response to a letter sent by the city of Waterloo to municipalities throughout Ontario requesting that they “endorse the City of Waterloo’s resolution and forward their endorsement to the Premier of Ontario, Minister of Finance, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.”

The resolution itself requests action from the provincial government and from MPAC to improve services.

The letter stated that “the city of Waterloo has experienced a loss in tax revenue because MPAC appeared not to have sufficient resources at the local level to systematically ensure all assessments are retroactively applied for the current and two prior taxation years in a timely manner. In this one instance, the city of Waterloo lost approximately $20,000 in tax revenue.”

South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty responded to the letter, saying “I think we experience the same frustration they do.”

“Having these assessments in a timely manner would be better for the township,” he added.

Council agreed that MPAC is not working quickly or efficiently. “They seem to be running on their own time,” said Councillor Archie Mellan.

Mayor Steven Byvelds wrapped up the discussion, saying, “I support the resolution too. They (MPAC) need a little reassurance that they are not doing their job.” 

“Invoices like this get way behind,” he continued, adding, “I do find it ironic since MPAC is paid out of our taxes.”

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