CJRO News November 13 to November 19, 2023
Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on CJRO Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting from Embrun.
In the third story in three weeks about battery storage facilities being proposed to increase electrical capacity, the proposal from a company named Compass to build a facility on 8th Line Road north of Metcalfe is not going ahead. Osgoode Ward Councillor George Darouze sent a media release stating “the application was met with a lot of apprehension and concerns by members of the community.” Concerns include potential impacts on well water, the abutting properties, and emergency response plans in a rural area. Darouze said he met with the applicants and told them he could not support the project. Shortly afterward he was informed that “due to the community reaction to the proposed development, the applicant will not be bidding for the property on 8th Line.”
Regarding the Piperville Municipal Transformer Station project proposed by Hydro Ottawa a draft version of the Environmental Study Report (ESR) is available for a public review and comment period until December 10. The report can be viewed online at hydroottawa.com/piperville. A community information session is being held during the comment period. A virtual session is November 30 noon to 1:00 p.m. and can be registered for at the same website. An in-person session is also November 30 but is at 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Anderson Links Golf Club 4175 Anderson Road.
In Russell Township the reduced plan for the recreation complex still includes a third ice rink, a 25-metre six-lane pool, and a 10,000 square-foot community center, which can be segmented into three distinct halls. The second-floor fitness gym and running track will be removed, “leveraging the existing sports dome's facilities.” The township’s statement said the seating capacity of the third rink has been standardized to 250 seats, and one dressing room has been removed …signifying a strategic reduction in costs without compromising the complex's functionality.” The reason given for the changes was, “…to navigate current economic challenges while adhering to its commitment to responsible spending and long-term planning.”
In other Russell news, Craig Street, Mill Street and Parklands Avenue are once again fully open to traffic. The bridge rehabilitation project on St-André is also complete. This bridge project, with a $1.6 million budget has been ongoing since April.
A reminder to residents of the Carlsbad Springs area that Piperville Road is closed this week from Hall Road to Boundary Road for culvert replacement. Next week Anderson Road will be closed November 20 for about three weeks from Piperville Road to Thunder Road for culvert replacements. Ramsayville Road is that designated detour route.
For our listeners located within the official City of Ottawa, the city budget looks to spend $4.6 billion on operations and would have to raise more revenue to pay for it. Taxes would add $85 million, most of which is from the 2.5 per cent property tax hike, and about $34 million from the addition of new properties. But other fees will also increase, including OC Transpo by 2.5 per cent, garbage user fees by 11.5 per cent, tipping fees by 9.2 per cent, on-street parking by 12.5 per cent, City parking garage by 8.3 per cent, dumping snow by 15 per cent, hotel tax by one per cent, spaying and neutering at a City-run clinic by five per cent, planning applications by 17 per cent, tree cutting and road cutting by over seven per cent, and an outdoor patio permit by over 100 per cent or more than double.
In the United Counties of Prescott and Russell the tax levy increase in the 2024 budget is 4.25 per cent. The UCPR will collect over $58 million in taxes in 2024, an increase of over $2.3 million. This includes $1 million in property tax revenue from growth and development. Reserves are projected to decline from about $43.5 million to $39.6 million.
The next jackpot for Catch the Ace from the Kin Club of Russell is already estimated at $22,000. See kinclubofrussell.ca/catch-the-ace.
The Russell Library’s Adopt-A-Book fundraiser ends this Saturday, November 18. The library’s Used Book Sale will be December 2 to 9 at the Russell Branch. Also upcoming at the library is a book launch with local author Felix Vanasse on Tuesday, November 28 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Russell Branch. Vanasse is launching his debut poetry collection.
The Good Neighbours Food Bank in Embrun is facing a 40 per cent increase in need compared to last year. A gignolee, or food drive, will be Sunday, November 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The food bank is seeking funds to prepare Christmas Baskets for families in need.
The Sarsfield Community Association is also holding a gignolee the same day and time, Sunday, November 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St-Hugues Church at 3464 Sarsfield Road. Drop-offs before or after mass only. Donations will go to the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre and be redistributed in the region.
The Carlsbad Springs Optimist Club is going to continue Santa’s visits, which was started early in the pandemic. Residents of the Carlsbad Springs area must register children aged ten years and under before December 2. To register submit the child’s photo or drawing of their family showcasing the holiday spirit to cluboptimistecarlsbad@gmail.com. Make sure the child's name, age and civic address are included in the email so that Santa can deliver a gift right to the child’s door on Sunday, December 10.
The Carlsbad Spring Optimist Club is also offering a pre-Xmas show - the "Spring Action Trampoline Show" November 26 from 2:30 to 3:15 pm at the Carlsbad Springs Community Centre. No registration required.
General registration is now open for vendors at the Living Locally Fair which will be held on January 20 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Russell. For registration instructions, information and conditions see livinglocallyfair.ca.
Check our website for images and extras. Send news ideas to newscjro@gmail.com by Monday mornings. Don’t forget—Meta may not allow Canadian News, but we’re all about it. Get the local news that matters to you anytime on cjroradio.com, tune in to 107.7 or 107.9 FM, or listen on the Tune-In and Radio Player Canada apps. I’m Candice Vetter for CJRO News. CJRO, last on the dial, first for local news.