Unpaid taxes, need for water supply dominate North Glengarry debate

The urgency of collecting more than $3 million in unpaid municipal taxes and the importance of bringing a clean, consistent water supply to the Maxville area were the two recurring topics of debate between two council members seeking the mayor's position in North Glengarry.

The debate was held last Thursday, January 5 at the Sandfield Centre in Alexandria, with an over-capacity crowd of more than 150 people in attendance.

In his opening address, Councillor Jamie MacDonald said the new mayor "must come up with innovative ways to help residents pay their taxes," in light of the increasing tax-arrears burden. "In my five years on council, I've been one of the driving forces to keep our taxes in check. With my 18 years' experience of owning my own business and making it a success, I have the tools to watch our tax dollars."

Deputy Mayor Chris McDonell, who spent 32 years with the Ontario Provincial Police, cited a long list of activities and organizations he has been involved with in his lifetime, including a seat on council since 2000.

"I've been a team player all my life, from my time on the family farm - where everyone contributed to get the job done - to my time as a coach and volunteer," he said. "I learned from an early age that you need to work hard and follow the rules. The township needs a leader who understands the need to plan ahead and spend our sparse tax dollars wisely."

The debate was quickly opened to a question period, with the first question directed at how the township plans to pay for the cost of maintaining the regional water supply pipeline, should it manage to secure funding.

McDonell said once the pipeline was installed, it would cost the township less for water despite an initial cost. Still, he noted the project needed the 90-per-cent funding from the upper-tier governments in order to become a reality. MacDonald agreed, saying water pressure would not change, adding council must continue to push government officials as a team to secure maximum funding.

Robert Proulx, who had deposited his nomination form for the mayoral race but later withdrew it, asked about strategies to collect back taxes.

"Our non-payment of taxes has to be addressed," McDonell replied. "Our staff have been issuing reminders, one after the other, but when the taxes come to three years and you haven't addressed the situation, your property - as far as I'm concerned - should be listed and in four years' time, if nothing is done, your property will then be sold and taxes recovered."

MacDonald reiterated he would like to come up with "innovative" solutions, such as how the township bills for its taxes. Currently, it collects them in three installments.

"Somebody gets a tax bill for $700, that's hard to pay," he said. "I'd like to bill out our taxes monthly, someone would get a bill for $140 and it's a lot easier to pay. I'd also like to see us work with the people that owe us money; we charge 18-per-cent interest on unpaid taxes and basically we're charging loan shark rates to these people."

McDonell also said the township has been "working diligently" to collect these taxes over the years, while MacDonald said the problem has existed for a long time. He noted the tax arrears were at $1.85 million five years ago, meaning they have increased about 160 per cent.

On the subject of the ward system, both council members said they would be in favour of scrapping the wards and having only a mayor, a deputy mayor and three councillors at large - as opposed to the current formula with seven council members. Both assured the public that residents in rural areas would continue to be served.

On the subject of roads, both agreed that the township's public works manager is overworked and that a new roads superintendent would help alleviate the problem.

"I don't think one person can be responsible for RARE, the roads, the landfills and the water department," said MacDonald.

When asked about their vision for the municipality, both candidates referred to the need for water in Maxville.

"It's tough with the budgets that we're dealing with," said MacDonald. "It seems like we're being more reactive than proactive, we've had bridge studies done and all kinds of things done to look toward the future and I see regional water as a main issue. We need potable water in Maxville and I think Maxville could develop if we see that water."

He added council must examine the "long-term viability" of Alexandria with the new water supply, saying "water is one of the bigger items on our agenda for the next three to four years."

McDonell added: "I believe the property values of Maxville will increase about 40 or 50 per cent. The outskirts of Maxville will thrive, when you look at Casselman and Crysler, it's moving, and Maxville is staying right where it has been - and without the water, it's not going to move."

The deputy mayor said he also looked forward to improving roads and sidewalks throughout the township, saying very few repairs have been done in recent years.

"We're living in tough economic times, all governments are expected to tighten their belts, grants are fewer therefore less can be done," McDonell concluded. "North Glengarry finds itself in a similar situation. Over the last four years, taxes have been lowered by 17.7 per cent; although I was never in favour of increasing taxes to any great degree, I always voted against lowering them. Had we kept them neutral, imagine the roads we could have repaired. We all know how household expenses have dramatically increased over the last 10 years, so the township is in the same situation - with at least 17-per-cent less income and more expenses."

He said the township should cut back on consultant fees, construction and budget overruns "until we get some of the bills paid," but again emphasized the need to upgrade the roads sooner than later and secure a new water supply.

MacDonald concluded that this election was inevitable and democratically important because of the three years remaining on the current council term, and because deputies - whether mayors, prime minsters or clerk-treasurers - are only meant to replace an outgoing position on an interim basis.

"We must apply for the job and we must earn the job," he said. "I want to thank Chris for a great debate and assure him, win or lose, I plan on working closely and hard with him."