Written By Olena Riznyk
LUCAN BIDDULPH – As summer transitions into the school year, council expressed appreciation for the efforts of crossing guards and reminded the community of the new school year’s commencement. During the September 3 council meeting, the mayor also took the opportunity to highlight Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, urging men to undergo screening, as early detection significantly enhances treatability.
Operational reports from the Lucan and Granton sewage plants were presented by Renee Hornick and Paul Sherban of OCWA. The Lucan wastewater treatment plant is operating at 84% capacity, facing challenges such as sludge removal affected by weather, power failures, and mechanical issues. Despite these challenges, operations remain within normal parameters. The Granton facility is functioning at 41% capacity, encountering difficulties with solids and chemical flow pacing. However, improvements are anticipated with the installation of new equipment by October. Discussions also covered ongoing maintenance issues, including sludge storage capacity and mechanical concerns.
The meeting also included a review of the second-quarter building report. Despite a slow year for new housing in 2023, there has been a noticeable improvement in 2024, highlighted by the addition of a new four-story, 64-unit apartment building in the South End. The construction value surged from $8 million to $28 million, reflecting the new development. Future projections suggest a continued uptick in construction activity.
Questions from council focused on the specifics of the new apartment building and the reporting of construction costs. The costs are primarily self-reported and cross-checked with industry standards.
In the finance section, the results of the 2025 budget survey were discussed, which included a new incentive of a local business gift card draw. The survey indicated general support for a tax increase tied to inflation to maintain service levels, with a preference for increasing user fees over raising property taxes. The feedback revealed that residents generally understand how their tax dollars are utilized, although there is potential for further education. Results from the survey will guide the budget development process and will be published on the municipal website.
