Scugog approves 2024 capital budget

DAN CEARNS The Standard

SCUGOG: The Township of Scugog has approved their 2024 capital budget. The decision was made at a meeting on Monday, December 18th.

This year’s capital budget totals $11,949,400. Some of the notable projects in the budget include: the acquisition of an Aerial Pumper Fire Truck, at a cost of $1.9 million; a splash pad replacement at Palmer Park, costing $600,000; a Water Street Rehabilitation project, from Scugog Street to Queen Street, in the amount of $1.35 million, and repairs to the Blackstock Community Hall, at $360,000, and the Blackstock Arena, at $90,000.

Ward 4 Councillor, Harold Wright asked if the aerial fire truck will be used “more than three times in seven years.”

Fire Chief Mark Berney responded, “If we had an aerial in the station, let’s say, since 2000, we would’ve called it out 92 times to date. That would be for structure fires which would be for alarm activations at commercial and residential buildings, at the hospital [and] for smoke in a building, [and] smoke in a home. 92 times we would have called it out or it would be part of the response protocol within the community.”

When asked about the timeline of receiving this truck, Chief Berney stated, the Township could be waiting “the better part of two and a half years,” to receive it.

Regional Councillor, Ian McDougall questioned, if there are any protections in place, so the dealer of the truck won’t raise the cost before the Township receives it.

CAO Ken Nix said, the Township would “make every effort to ensure it was a fixed rate contract.”

Mayor Wilma Wotten stated, the Township has been collecting funds since 2019, to put towards the purchase of this truck.