Gerrish Street signage approved

Windsor councillors braced themselves for some difficult decisions on May 3 as they went through all of the grant applications during budget discussions and decided how much money to give to each group.

Deputy Mayor Laurie Murley, who chaired budget discussions, said the grant process is never easy.

“Traditionally this has been one of the most difficult aspects of the budget for various reasons,” Murley said.

“We’re all very passionate about the community and all of the grant applications we’ve received are from excellent organizations that offer quality of life here in Windsor,” she said.

“But, we are under challenges as well.”

An evaluation criteria was used by Windsor council to score each application, which helped guide how much money was given to each organization.

Overall, council set aside just under $30,000 this year — with $15,000 going to the Windsor Business Enhancement Society for a signage plan after Gerrish Street is rebuilt this year, $2,000 going towards a youth initiative, and the remaining $13,000 to grant applicants.

No grant contingency fund was set aside for future applicants this year. fiscal direct input into,” Windsor Mayor Anna Allen said. “We are dealing with one, whether it comes through or not, in the town, and we better reserve our resources for that.”

$1,000 was set aside for 9 Lives Cat Rescue Society and $500 to the Hants County SPCA to help address the feral cat population.

No cash donation was given to Christmas Angels, but an inkind donation of free community centre space was granted for their telethon.

The Windsor Hockey Heritage Society received an in-kind donation, worth roughly $1,500, for the Long Pond Heritage Classic, $2,000 for snow clearing and an additional $1,500 in cash for a total of $5,000.

A total of $1,500 was given to West Hants Minor Ball. Council said they maintain their own grounds and help keep youth engaged.

The West Hants Historical Society is set to receive $1,000 for a special project.

These grants still have to be confirmed when the budget is eventually passed later this month.