The Rural Municipality of Ritchot still plans to construct a fire hall in Ste.Agathe, however, the cost of the project has risen significantly.
Mayor Chris Ewen says the budget was originally set at $2.25 million. The municipality has borrowing authority for that amount from the Municipal Board on a 20-year term. This will be a separate line on tax bills, ranging anywhere from $50 to $125 per year, depending on the assessed value of the property.
But Ewen says a few factors have now pushed the expected cost up by $576,000 to $2.86 million.
"Unfortunately that is quite a high number," reports Ewen.
Ewen is quick to point out that this project was not budgeted incorrectly, instead it was the delay in getting it off the ground that has seen costs escalate. He notes the original budget was set by the previous council. The new council did some tweaking and then only recently learned of the higher than expected costs.
"We really want this project to go and I think the rest of the RM does as well," he says.
Council will vote on this project October 18th. A public hearing was held last week to update ratepayers, but Ewen notes there were not many people who showed up. He says that is disappointing.
"I believe knowledge is power and if the people have anything that concerns them or maybe any information I can help with, I want people to speak and I want people out there," he says.
On the flipside, Ewen says when not a lot of ratepayers show up, it might mean the public is comfortable with council's decision making.
The Mayor is hopeful they can put shovel in the ground before the snow flies. He says the hall will probably open by early summer, east of Highway 75 and north of Provincial Road 305. Ewen says firefighter training has already started and a truck has already been purchased.
Read More:
Hearing Planned To Discuss Fire Hall For Ste.Agathe
Fire Hall To Be Built In Ste.Agathe
Thu, Apr 25, 1:00 PM
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