Catégorie : Tribune-Express (Hawkesbury)

Township council approved the final draft of the budget during its first session of tne new year January 9.

“I’m satisfied,” said Mayor Robert Kirby. “We tried to shave it (tax rate) as close as we could.”

The 2023 municipal budget totals $5,144,025, and includes a municipal levy of $2,481,333. The levy represents the property taxes the township must collect to cover all operation and capital works expenses not paid for through senior government grants and other revenues.

This year’s municipal levy means a 3.5-per cent increase in taxes compared to the 2022 budget’s municipal levy.

For the average homeowner with a house and land within the township valued at $209,874, that means a $36.08 increase in the municipal portion of the property tax bill for that house and land which would equal $1066.93.

Other residential properties within the township would have higher or lower increases to their 2023 property tax bills depending on their evaluations. Commercial, industrial, agricultural, and other types of properties will have different tax evaluations.

The annual property tax bill includes both the municipal portion and the property taxes levied by the United Counties of Prescott-Russell, local school districts, the provincial government, and other agencies.

After two years of delays because of the pandemic and getting all the final government clearances and approvals, groundbreaking took place last year on the Artiste in Residence distillery project (AiR) on Tupper Street in Hawkesbury’s industrial park. Now the girders for the frame of the first building in the eight-phase project are going up to achieve AiR founder and owner Pierre Manthas’ goal of having his new distillery project ready to start producing his signature line of gin, whiskey, and vodka before the end of this year.

The Hawkesbury facility will be the first addition to Manthas’ Québec-based distillery operation and represents an investment for the company of between $20 million and $25 million.

The plan is to have the Phase One distillery operation producing the company’s primary lineup of gin, whiskey, and vodka. The follow-up phases will see construction of seven buildings linked with the main distillery to produce the complete lineup of all current AiR spirits and liqueurs. The ultimate goal of the Hawkesbury distillery is to produce 3 million bottles and 30 million cans of the various liquors and liqueurs as well as 10,000 barrels of whiskey per year.

Once the entire project is completed, the distillery could employ from 60 to 75 people.

The kits include selected tools such as prepared activities, games and workbooks that encourage social engagement and support skills and abilities. The kits are available as a result of the Champlain Library being one of the successful recipients of a Community Grant Program.  Walmart in Hawkesbury provided $1000 to help strengthen and support the community where their associates live and work.

During the month of January, the library will also have a display of books on the subject of Alzheimer’s and steps to help prevent dementia and sharpen the mind. Try out an exercise in the library to “exercise your marbles” by guessing how many marbles are in a jar. The lucky winner will receive a crossword puzzle.

Today more than 500,000 Canadians are living with some form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, a number that is expected to continue to rise as the population ages. While early diagnosis and prevention are key factors in dementia care, knowing some of the signs such as memory loss, challenges with familiar tasks, communication problems and mixing up dates and places may be things to watch for.

Each January, the Alzheimer Society of Canada supports and leads Canada’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. During this month, the Society encourages individuals to learn more about dementia and its stark impact on Canadians. And while Alzheimer’s Awareness Month may stop at the end of January, the experiences of people who live with dementia do not. To find out more about Alzheimer’s visit https://alzheimer.ca/en.

“It’s pretty sweet,” said Horner. “Definitely a new atmosphere to get used to. The guys here are awesome and competitive. They push me to get better every day, on and off the ice.”

The six-foot-tall defenceman played his first game with the 67’s on January 6, his first game since November following a knee injury resulting from a torn ACL.

“It was definitely weird being on the ice after two months off,” said Horner. “The crowd is electric in the rink. It’s a great experience.”

Horner explains that when he was called up from the Hawks to the 67’s in the East Division of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), he did not need to think twice about the move.

“It was kind of a no-brainer because they are so good this year.” said Horner. “Even last year they made a run, but this year, they are a force to be reconned with. I think it was a good idea to come up and play with the best team in the OHL.”

Horner started off his hockey career in his hometown of Vankleek Hill when he was five years old, before stepping up to play AA hockey with the Eastern Ontario Cobras. In 2018, Bradley moved up to play AAA hockey with the Eastern Ontario Wild, before playing his U18 AAA with the Hawkesbury Hawks. Horner played 52 games with the Junior A Hawks during the 2021-2022 season, scoring four goals and six assists.

The Barber Poles, as the 67’s are known because of their distinctive jersey, made a point of drafting Horner. He was selected 131st overall by Ottawa in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

“Bradley is a strong skating, two-way defenceman, who has earned opportunities to play consistently and in important situations with Hawkesbury over the last 18 months,” said 67’s Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting Jan Egert. “We are excited that he has decided to continue his development with the 67’s.”

Westport Rideaus took the lead in the first period, scoring three goals and conceding one to the Cougars. Cougars tied the game in the second period, making the scoreline even with three goals on each side. The Cougars didn’t manage to keep the momentum in the third period, conceding two goals and scoring one in a hard fought 5-4 defeat.

On Saturday, Cougars never worried first place North Dundas Rockets, conceding three goals in the first period. The Cougars trailed all game in the 6-2 loss.

“We didn’t have our legs back after three weeks on vacation,” said Head Coach Franky Dopelhamer. “It doesn’t help that we had to cancel our practice on Wednesday due to freezing rain.”

Vankleek Hill picked up the pace against the Morrisburg Lions, the team currently sitting in seventh place, one position below the Cougars in the standings. Cougars crushed the Lions 8-2, picking up a much needed two points in their first win since December 3.

“It was a perfect game from start to finish, offensively and defensively,” said Dopelhamer. “It had been a while we hadn’t had a taste of victory.”

The new assessment centre will be open Jan. 4, 5 and 6 by appointment. Starting Jan. 9, the centre will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by appointment also.

People over the age of 14 should consider the centre if they present any worsening symptoms of fever (lasting more than five days), cough, mild shortness of breath, decrease or loss of taste or smell, muscle or joint pain, extreme tiredness, sore throat, congestion, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or pink eye.

Outside of these symptoms, as an adult if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, loss of consciousness or confusion, you should call 9-1-1 or present yourself to the nearest emergency department. Children with difficulty breathing, fever with rash, bluish skin, seizures, reduced urination, difficulty waking or seizures should be brought to the emergency department as well.

Those looking to book an appointment at the respiratory assessment centre are asked to call 613-632-1111 extension 52410.

Patients are asked to use the main entrance and follow the signage for the Assessment Centre.

Bylaw 2022-59 sets the rates for the stipends that the mayor, deputy mayor and councillors receive for their work on council, including time spent during council meetings and on various advisory committees and municipal commissions to which they are assigned during their term in office.

Mayor Robert Kirby will receive $19,791, effective January 1 2022, for his position as mayor for 2022 and 2023. There will be a three-per-cent increase to his annual stipend for 2024 and a two-per-cent increase for 2025 and 2026. He will receive $120 a month for travel expenses on municipal business, and an annual expense account up to $1500 for any costs incurred while on municipal business, with receipts required for official documentation of the expense account.

Deputy Mayor Jacques Tranchemontagne and Councillors Monique Desjardins, Stéphanie Sabourin, and Karina Sauvé will each receive $15,000 as their council stipend for 2023, with a three-per-cent increase in 2024 and a two-per-cent increase in 2025 and 2026. They will each have a monthly travel allowance of $60 for travel expenses on municipal business.

All council members will receive stipends of $160 for attending at special sessions of council. Each will receive $160 for every meeting of an advisory committee or a municipal commission or board to which they are appointed as a council representative so long as they are not already receiving a stipend for attending that meeting. If any member of council is attending a conference or convention as a confirmed representative of the township they will be allowed a $160 per diem and a $100-per-day meal allowance. The township will pay registration fees for convention attendance. Any other expenses a council member related to attendance at a conference or convention must be approved by council in advance.