Pelham taxes increase 3.5 per cent, or average $55
Facing an average tax increase of about $55 this year, Pelham property owners have until Wednesday to pay their first instalment of their 2018 tax bill. Despite the increase, Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn said the town’s taxes remain below many neighbouring communities. “If you live in Pelham, your taxes would be $500 cheaper, or $1,000 depending on the home. We compare very well and are below average to taxes across the region.” The town’s 2.8 per cent assessment growth among residential homes is almost double the regional average. And that’s only new development — not including increases in property values. “It’s the actual new homes and businesses that are in the community. We’re outpacing other parts of the region.” Augustyn said town staff initially asked for a tax increase of about five per cent, which was more than councillors were willing to pass on to residents. The town’s $12.5-million budget was approved Feb. 5. That’s about $740,000 more than Pelham’s 2017 budget. The 3.5 per cent hike is an increase of about $55 for the owners of average Pelham homes valued at $328,138. Blended with Region and education taxes, Pelham’s average tax bill comes to about $4,200, up slightly more than two per cent from last year. Although investments made by the town in recent years, have depleted much of the town’s reserves, Augustyn said council opted against using tax income to replenish them. . “As new development comes in, it will replenish it. It’s not the taxpayer that’s paying for that. It’s the growth that’s replenishing the reserves.” Meanwhile, income from land sales will also help top up reserves, possibly the old Pelham Arena on Haist Street. “We are trying to figure out what to do with the existing arena property,” Augustyn said, adding the town is working with residents to determine a future use for the property. All in, he said about $23 million in capital projects will be underway this year. With that in mind, he said the town focused on completing projects that are now underway rather than adding substantially to the to-do list. There are, however, some wish-list projects that won’t be happening this year, such as some road work projects and park amenities that will have to wait for funding.