Now that a $1.8-million dollar renovation to the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre is complete, the Township of Madawaska Valley will likely shift to a period where it has to rein in on spending and be careful with taxpayer dollars.
That from new Mayor Mark Willmer. He’ll oversee his first council meeting, with typical business, on Tuesday. In a recent interview with Moose FM, he said he doesn’t expect many major capital projects will take place this term.
“As you know, we’re facing difficult financial times right now, worldwide, and the priority right now is to make sure we continue to keep taxes at a reasonable level and make this a livable community for everyone,” he says. “I don’t see major, major project now that needs to happen, but there will always be things that we’re always trying to upgrade.”
Willmer adds that things could change if the senior government grant programs are announced, because the Township would welcome support to upgrade infrastructure, such as roads.
“We have road projects ready to go if the funding comes through,” he says. “But as far as spending, we’re reaching a time where we have to be fiscally prudent and do what is necessary to maintain our facilities. But nothing major (is) planned.”
Willmer adds that the Township was fortunate to be in a good position to finance the Community Centre project last term, as it made a plan based on borrowing money from its own reserve funds.