MM meetings tonight and Jan. 31

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Tara Gesner

EMC News - On Jan. 31, next Tuesday night, residents of Mississippi Mills are welcome to attend a public meeting in relation to the municipality's 2012 budget, including a presentation on this year's water and sewer rates.

The community meeting takes place in council chambers at the municipal office, 3131 Old Perth Rd. RR2 in Almonte. The water and sewer rates portion begins at 7 p.m., followed by the budget presentation at 7:30 p.m.

According to town clerk Shawna Stone, agenda packages for committee-of-the-whole and council are posted three business days prior to the day of the meeting.

"Any material relating to the public meetings on the 31st will be available on the web by end of day on the 27th," she explained.

The municipality's website is www.mississippimills.ca.

MEETING TONIGHT

The Finance, Administration & Policy (FAP) Committee meets tonight (Thursday) at 6 p.m. in council chambers.

During last week's (Jan. 19) special FAP Committee meeting to discuss municipal grants, treasurer Rhonda Whitmarsh indicated there was still a $191,000 budget shortfall to look at on Jan. 26, and discussion followed whether the public meeting should be postponed.

"I've never gone into a public meeting without a balanced budget," said Whitmarsh.

"If it's balanced - cut and dry - nobody comes," said Mayor John Levi. "I have a problem with a public meeting being an information meeting."

tgesner@perfprint.ca