This week's lead news item

Regional water funding will likely come in a phase fashion

By Pete Bock
News reporter

A bite from the province is giving North Glengarry and South Glengarry officials optimism that they may be able to reel in funds for the proposed regional water project.
Both townships heard last week that the province is impressed with the project, but that the $57-million cost is too much to swallow all at once.
Local MPP Jean-Marc Lalonde asked North Glengarry, which is leading the way on the initiative, to consider switching to a “phased-in” funding approach.
North and South Glengarry jumped on this suggestion Monday when they passed resolutions backing a $3-million, initial request, for the engineering phase of the initiative.
“This is a very positive step forward in the project,” Mayor Grant Crack said in an interview after North Glengarry’s council session Monday night.
The update from the province arrives after a mid-February meeting in Toronto between the project’s proponents – from North Glengarry, South Glengarry and Cornwall –  and the local MPP and Ontario Minister of the Environment, John Gerretsen.
“They were very enthusiastic about our presentation and really couldn’t believe the cooperation of having North and South Glengarry working together,” Mayor Crack stated.
“But also the mayor of Cornwall (Bob Kilger) came to Toronto with us for the meeting. That was very, very welcome and important.”
South Glengarry Mayor Jim McDonell, who was also at the meeting in Toronto, echoed Mayor Crack’s comments, telling South Glengarry council that Mr. Gerretsen was very impressed by the unique, joint-nature of the initiative.
“He was very supportive of the application...and commented that he would like to see more projects like these,” said Mayor McDonell.
“Actually, he said that he was quite surprised that he hadn’t seen more like this, where a group of townships come together for the betterment of all involved.
“He was quite impressed.”
In a conversation with NG clerk/administrator Terry Hart last week, Mr. Lalonde suggested that the local townships adopt a new funding application strategy.
He explained in a phone interview with The News Tuesday morning that a phased-in project will be much more manageable for the province.
“This is a $52-million project (in 2009 dollars) and I know the $52 million will not be spent in the first year,” Mr. Lalonde said, adding that he recommended the project be submitted over a period of two or three or four years.
The MPP was excited when he learned that the townships had taken his recommendation to heart by pushing forward with an initial $3 million request.
“That shows really that they are serious,” Mr. Lalonde said.
At Monday’s North Glengarry council meeting, Deputy-Mayor Chris McDonell raised a concern that the townships might receive funding for engineering, but then the other needed dollars might not follow.
Mr. Lalonde downplayed this concern.
“When the government gives money to start a project,” the MPP stated, “the cabinet will say, “We already spent some money in there, we have to complete the project’...
“I’d like to see it done in a period of two or three years maximum.”
Both Deputy-Mayor McDonell and Coun. Jim Picken talked about the importance of keeping federal MP Pierre Lemieux updated on the project’s progress.
The township is appealing to both the federal and provincial governments for funding for the initiative.
Mayor Crack and Maxville ward representative, George Currier, wanted it clearly stated on the new application, like the old one, that the township is seeking 90-per-cent funding for each phase of the project.
Public works manager, André Bachand, insisted this detail would be right up front in the application’s cover letter.
– with files from Scott Carmichael