NEWS | 1
The Observer | Saturday, January 19, 2008
Recreating the persona of Patsy Cline on stage.......................................... Âť21 Getting set for his ďŹ rst trip to the nationals
Âť16 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 03
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2008
www.ObserverXtra.com
PRICELESS
Woolwich looking at 6% tax hike for 2008
Average ratepayer to shell out additional $27; water rates face 11% increase; wastewater fees up 2.4% STEVE KANNON Homeowners will take a threeper-cent hit on the township portion of their property taxes in 2008 under a plan that this week won Woolwich council’s tentative approval. The increase would mean an
additional payout of approximately $27 per year on a home with an assessed value of $200,000. The increase would support a proposed operating budget of $8.9 million, an increase of more than seven per cent over last year. The proposed increase would
see a 3.95-per-cent jump in the general tax levy; with a further two per cent capital levy for recreation projects – some $100,000 for the fund earmarked for Woolwich’s extensive, township-wide recreational facilities program. That program was put in place in 2005.
Also approved Tuesday night was a water-rate increase of 10.7 per cent, to $1.14 per cubic metre from $1.03. That represents about a $23-per-year jump for the average household. The wastewater rate will climb by 2.4 per cent, to $1.30 per cubic metre from $1.27,
adding about $6 per year to the average annual cost. Despite a three-per-cent jump in the tax base due to assessment growth, the property tax hike was deemed necessary to support rising costs and expanded services, including the hiring of three new staff See BUDGET page Âť06
PHOTOS | PAT MERLIHAN
Regional taxes bumped by 2.72%
hOT SPOTS Woolwich ďŹ reďŹ ghters put out the last of the sparks after a ďŹ re spread through a driving shed on Durant Road near Maryhill Thursday morning.
Fire destroys shed on Maryhill farm Damage pegged at $500,000 after ame consumes building, equipment VANESSA MOSS A farmer suffered smoke inhalation Thursday morning while attempting to remove a new combine from a burning driving shed near Maryhill. Graham Snyder noticed a fire
in the building at 1471 Durant Rd. about 7:45 and tried to put it out before smoke forced him to evacuate. Firefighters from Conestogo, Maryhill and St. Jacobs stations responded to the call and quickly contained the flames, while Snyder was transported by ambu-
lance to Grand River Hospital. Damages to the 3,200-squarefoot shed and its contents – including feed for Snyder’s spring planting – are estimated at $500,000,� said Woolwich Township fire chief Rick Pedersen. An investigation determined
that the fire started on a faulty block heater in one of the tractors. At press time firefighters were attempting to dismantle parts of the shed that were deemed structurally unsafe, at the same time trying to remove salvageable equipment.
Average home to face $36 increase per year from upper tier levy MARC MIQUEL HELSEN Taxpayers will be forking out an average of $36 more to the Region of Waterloo this year courtesy of a 2.72-per-cent tax hike approved Wednesday by councillors. Regional council backed a $336-million operating budget that will, among other things, cover the costs of expanded services; police and transit were deemed top priorities. The increase of 2.72 per cent will see 1.42 per cent devoted to maintaining service levels,
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A TRIBUTE TO PATSY CLINE JAN 30-FEB 3 Way! StarrinegWLaeywisaard Wind with Th
“Leisa Way’s portrayal of Patsy Cline must be unprecendented..no one has come as close as Way in emulating the essence, the voice and the passion of the country music legend. Way causes shivers with her grandiose voice.� ---Banner Review
See TAX HIKE page Âť02
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