Marmora Prepares for Budget Meeting and High-Speed Rail Discussions

The town of Marmora is set to hold a special budget meeting on March 12, 2024, where council members will review and adopt the proposed budget, which includes an overall tax increase of 4.84%. The meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. and will not include public participation, although residents can attend or watch via YouTube.

During a recent special budget meeting on February 26, Council and staff were joined by 15 residents. Municipal Treasurer Nancy Sinclair presented the budget report, which indicated no increase in the Education tax. Residents expressed their concerns and provided suggestions regarding the budget through letters and public comments.

The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for March 17, where additional reports and correspondence will be discussed. There are also three vacancies on the Economic Development Advisory Committee, with applications welcomed from residents and business owners in Marmora. Interested individuals can find the position description on the Municipal website, with the application deadline set for March 18.

As March break approaches, Marmora has organized a variety of activities for families. Thanks to five local sponsors, residents can enjoy free public skating at the arena from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Marmora Public Library will host events daily throughout the break, including stone painting on March 17 at 11 a.m. and line dancing at 4 p.m. on March 18. Children aged 8 to 12 can create Animal Tracks T-Shirts on March 19, with pre-registration required. The library will also offer free tax return assistance for those with modest incomes starting mid-March.

In addition to local activities, discussions around the proposed ALTO high-speed rail (HSR) line connecting Toronto to Quebec City have gained momentum. Residents are encouraged to engage with this topic, as it could significantly impact the community. At a recent virtual consultation on March 3, key points were discussed, including that there will be no level crossings and no stops between Peterborough and Ottawa. The proposed corridors for the rail line are approximately 10 km wide, although the actual footprint will be around 60 metres wide.

ALTO representatives emphasized that they prefer to utilize existing corridors, such as rail, road, and hydro lines, to minimize disruption. Residents can contribute to the conversation through an interactive map available on the ALTO website, where they can mark important landmarks and areas of concern.

Opposition to the HSR has emerged from local Members of Parliament, including Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Chris Mallette, and Scott Reid. Reid has initiated a parliamentary e-petition, accessible at ourcommons.ca/petitions, for residents to express their views on the project.

An open house hosted by ALTO is scheduled for March 25 at the Stirling Lions Club, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Community members are encouraged to attend and voice their opinions on the proposed rail line.

As Marmora navigates budgetary considerations and potential infrastructure changes, residents are reminded of the importance of staying informed and engaged in local governance.