ANTIGONISH: Tax rates in the Town of Antigonish will be staying put.
During a special council meeting on May 23, town councilors approved the 2023-24 municipal budget of $12,626,630, which has a capital plan valued at $3,490,181 – an increase of 52 per cent from last year.
Council’s budget approval comes without an increase to the residential and commercial tax rates. The residential rate remains at $1.11 per $100 of assessment, while the commercial property rate is $2.63.
Last year, the town increased their taxes by $0.01, which was needed to help cover the loss of $60,000 in tax revenue due to the demolition of Lane Hall on the StFX University campus, which they have absorbed and evened out.
Mayor Laurie Boucher indicated their focus around the council table was accessibility and safety.
“If you look at our budget, you’ll see that it really aligns with the priorities in our Municipal Planning Strategy,” Mayor Boucher told The Reporter. “There’s a lot of money in there for accessibility, which I’m very proud of.”
Construction will begin on the town’s Active Transportation (AT) Trail that, when complete, will connect with the county’s AT Trail on Trunk 4, go down West Street and connect to St. Ninian Street, through to Columbus Field and out to The Landing.
“Town council is excited to see construction begin this year on the first section of the Active Transportation Trail. It’s a multi-year project that will be a wonderful addition to our community,” Mayor Boucher said. “It will be an attractive, safe, and accessible option for our residents to support a healthy and active lifestyle.”
The town is committed to creating an accessible and safe community, as there are monies in the budget allocated for tactile plates for intersections; three new crosswalk beacons will be purchased; all of the pedestrian call buttons will be replaced; and the Antigonish Town Volunteer Fire Department will receive monies needed to purchase a new jaws of life.
Additionally, the town will be undertaking $441,000 in paving projects, $400,000 in bridge work, $292,000 in upgrades for the town’s storm and sanitary systems, $223,000 in sidewalk improvements, and $162,000 for a design of upgrades for Bay Street.
The town’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint continues to provide successful opportunities for alternative resources, the mayor said, as the town’s partnership with the Alternative Resource Energy Authority (AREA) and its 63 per cent ownership of the Ellershouse Windfarm has resulted in a $400,000 contribution to the capital projects plan.
Supplementary funding sources for the town’s capital plan include $952,678 in provincial and federal grant funding; $339,784 from the Canada Community Building Fund, formally referred to as the Federal Gas Tax Program; and $73,333 in shared project costs with the Municipality of the County of Antigonish for improvements to the Sewer Treatment Plant and other sewer infrastructure.
Transfers from the AREA dividend, reserve funds, and other revenue make up the remaining $1,724,385 for the capital project plan.
“Clean-up efforts and repairs to damage caused by Hurricane Fiona are still ongoing. We have had many downed trees in areas that could not be addressed before the winter so we are going back in areas around Chisholm and Carin Park to get them cleaned up,” Mayor Boucher said. “We are also starting phase one of work on one of our Ball Field 3 at the Regional to address drainage and grading issues so our growing baseball community has better field access following heavy rain storms. This work will start at the tail end of the upcoming season as to not disrupt the current schedule.”
Mayor Boucher indicated the town will support and partner with local community organizations with $183,000 allocated to the Community Grant Program, which provides council with the opportunity to assist local non-profits in their delivery or programming, as well as with events that are vital to Antigonish’s overall well-being and vibrancy.
The town highlighted it prioritizes community partnerships by continuing to support the Antigonish Arena, Antigonish Community Transit, the Antigonish Affordable Housing Society and the Antigonish Heritage Museum.