THREE RIVERS, P.E.I. – Councillors have some big plans for the Three Rivers region this year.
A list of projects throughout the region was included in the town’s first capital budget which, along with its operating budget, was passed unanimously during a special meeting of council Monday.
The town is projecting revenue of $3,953,563 in its capital budget and $3,608,285 in expenditures for a surplus of $345,278. However, more than $273,000 of that surplus will go towards capital projects in the region, as well as $67,000 on principal payments, to leave the town with a cash surplus of $4,960.
“So it’s basically a break-even budget,” said town CAO Jill Walsh, who presented the budget to council.
In total, the town budgeted $3,030,185 for capital projects with funding coming from multiple sources, including reserves left from some of the previous communities and $340,000 that will be borrowed long-term.
“What council tried to do with this budget, and succeeded at doing, was taking the expenses and initiatives that had been funded by the various municipalities last year and consolidating all those things into the budget for this year,” said Walsh on the number of capital projects. “We think we can swing it all.”
Those projects will include a completion of the solar arrays at Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre and waterfront upgrades in Montague, a replacement for Georgetown’s lift station and a new maintenance building in the community, ballfield lights and a fire truck for Cardigan, as well as several other initiatives.
“There’s a lot of development,” said Coun. John MacFarlane during the budget discussion.
The budgets were part of the town’s financial plan, which also included this year’s operating budgets for Georgetown sewer and Montague water and sewer.
In addition, residents got a glimpse of the region’s future, with a five-year capital plan attached to the budget.
Mayor Ed MacAulay praised Walsh as well as Georgetown development officer Dorothy MacDonald for doing creating the documents.
“They worked extremely hard on this,” said MacAulay.
Projects included in this year’s Three Rivers capital budget:
- $800,000 - Waterfront infrastructure in Montague (new seating and possibly a walking bridge)
- $300,000 – Replacement for Georgetown lift station
- $295,000 – Sewer and stormwater for Georgetown’s Durham Street
- $250,000 – Ballfield lights in Cardigan
- $250,000 – Replacement truck for Cardigan Fire Department
- $250,000 – Maintenance building in Georgetown
- $250,000 – Sludge storage upgrade at Montague treatment plant
- $200,000 – Georgetown splash pad
- $188,185 – Solar array completion at Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre
- $100,000 – New Zamboni
- $62,000 – Montague splash pad
- $40,000 – Fenced maintenance compound in Montague
- $25,000 – Kings Playhouse accessibility upgrades
- $20,000 – Canoe and kayak building in Cardigan
Estimated costs of projects included in Three Rivers’ five-year capital plan.
- $2.2 million – Expansion of water and sewer infrastructure
- $1.5 million – New town hall. There are still many unanswered questions, including the location of the town hall and how much of the structure will be covered by insurance.
- $300,000 – New sidewalks
- $275,000 – Dam project in Lower Montague
- $250,000 – Replacement truck for Georgetown Fire Department
- $150,000 – Additional marinas and docks
- $150,000 – Municipal equipment
- $150,000 – Great Trail extension
- $125,000 – Active trails and bike lanes
- $40,000 – Heat pumps for small municipal buildings
- $25,000 – Extension to Lower Montague walking park
