Experts field residents’ questions on Pelham finances
Questions of notice swirled with those of costs, debt and taxes during a Pelham public forum Monday.
The “evening with the experts” at the Fonthill fire hall was aimed at answering concerns raised by a regional councillor’s motion about how Pelham’s finances affect Niagara Region’s debt.
A long motion by Port Colborne Coun. David Barrick at a March 30 regional council meeting was deferred to June. During the March 30 meeting, Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn was not able to present the point-by-point reply Pelham had prepared to that motion.
Pelham town council set up Monday’s forum with the town’s treasurer, planner, lawyers, auditor and a development charges expert to explain points in the town’s reply. About 130 people attended. Workplace consultant Ted Mouradian served as moderator, walking the hall with a microphone and taking questions.
“How much will the community centre cost and how will it affect my taxes?” became the opening question.
Treasurer Cari Pupo said the new multi-purpose facility will cost $36.2 million. It affected local taxes with a 1.1 per cent increase in 2016.
“That’s it for 20 years,” Pupo said.
In 2016, the town took out a $9-million, 30-year debenture, she said. Development charges from new commercial and residential development will bring in $12 million and sale of public land an expected $12 million.
In answer to a later question, Pupo said the town keeps a $915,000 reserve ready to meet interest payments on the debenture loan if needed.
Carolyn Botari asked how much it will cost to adjust the community centre project to make up for a 9,000-square-foot shortfall in the size of the project.
Pupo said adjustments can be made without increasing the cost.
As for Barrick’s motion, Mouradian and lawyer Don DeLorenzo stepped in a couple of times during the evening. They said Barrick’s motion has not been endorsed by regional council.
It was the councillor, not the Region, criticizing Pelham, they said.
Gary Scandlan of Watson and Associates said giving credits for development charges paid in advance is not unusual in the industry.
Pelham did it for east Fonthill, said planning director Barbara Wiens. The town also stopped an attempt to sell the credits.
Speakers criticized the timing of Monday’s meeting and what they called a lack of notice through the media.
Town clerk Nancy Bozzato said council decided to hold an information meeting at an April 4 council meeting. However, the experts were not finalized until just before the Easter holiday weekend.
Notices were on the town’s website and in local newspapers, she said. The town also offers online notification services. The 300-page package replying to the regional council is also on the website.
Jina Ker said she wished she had time to go over the town’s reply package before Monday’s meeting to prepare questions.
“Five days just wasn’t enough time” for notice of such a meeting, she said.
Bernie Law asked about the town’s debt. He said in recent years the municipality has built a new library, remodelled town hall, put up three new fire stations and is now building a community centre.
“How much debt do we have and can we carry it?” he asked.
The treasurer said the debt remains within a 25 per cent level set by the province. Projects such as the new Maple Acre Library and community centre do benefit from development cost charges and park dedications from new developments, Pupo said.
During the meeting, she fielded many of the questions. After the meeting, Pupo said the evening was a good exchange.