Stellarton approves budget, plans a number of capital projects

In the next year, the Town of Stellarton is planning to spend money on developing a new website, livestreaming council meetings and supporting the redevelopment of Trenton Park.

Funds were set aside in the 2017-18 budget, which was approved on Wednesday night.

The general operating budget is set at $7.8 million.

Mayor Danny MacGillivray noted that the budget commits almost $23,000 over three years for the Sobey Indoor Sports Complex, and $15,000 over two years for Trenton Park renovations.

“Stellarton is pleased to support a regional asset like Trenton Park, so it can be enjoyed by everybody in Pictou County,” he said.

The tax rate for the Town of Stellarton is once again unchanged, for what is believed to be the 12th consecutive year. The residential tax rate is set at $1.82 per $100 of assessment, while the commercial rate is $4.15 per $100 of assessment.

The capital investment plan includes projects budgeted at nearly $2.3 million.

Some of these include a new generator for the town hall at a cost of $45,000, renovations to the fire hall (new furnace, bathroom renovations and a new exterior sign) costing $42,000, and a $6,500 heat pump for the library.

Nine streets will be repaved, and sidewalk work will be completed on four streets.

Coun. Simon Lawand said multiple streets on the priority list will be paved this year, through a rating system that will see streets in the worst condition done first.

The plan also includes the balance of the New Building Canada Fund Acadia Avenue sanitary sewer project ($878,000) and the sewer portion of the St. Bernard Street Clean Water and Waste Water Fund project of $338,000.

“The work on infrastructure projects in the last few years has been tremendous and continues,” said Lawand.

“We’re investing in infrastructure and it’s going to be a very busy year for the town with infrastructure improvements,” said MacGillivray.

Other capital investments include $43,600 for improvements to the lob ball fields in Evansville, $28,000 for playground equipment for the Valley Woods Park and a new dog park to be constructed at the soccer facility for $10,000.

A new tandem truck will be purchased for $255,000, as well as a sidewalk snowblower for $22,000.

Lawand said: “I’m very excited about this budget, I think there’s a lot of things in it, and I’m confident the future is going to be bright.”