Special Wellesley Council meeting regarding 2023 budget approved
Posted Apr 6, 2023 05:00:30 AM.
Last Updated Apr 5, 2023 05:37:46 PM.
The Wellesley community has been divided by the 2023 budget, and will now get some clarity.
At Tuesday’s council proceedings, a special meeting was scheduled for April 26 at the Linwood Community Centre by a unanimous vote.
The council meeting, taking place between 7 and 9 p.m., will be for the public to ask questions and provide feedback to council. The plan is for participation to be by written submission or in person, and then each resident will be able to say their piece, and make one follow-up comment or question.
Mayor of Wellesley Township Joe Nowak admitted the public was not made aware enough of the various costs when it came to the Wellesley Recreation Complex in the 2023 budget.
The township has been under scrutiny for a 14 per cent property tax increase. Council was already discussing a rise of 6.2 per cent, but 7.7 per cent was added to that hike, mostly due to the complex.
The issue that the township is facing at the moment is regarding a moderator.
“We’ve been attempting to find what would be seen by everyone as an impartial moderator,” said Chief Administrative Officer Rik Louwagie. “There’s been concerns from residents about staff being a moderator. Cost is a factor. The only price we’ve been able to secure is $2000, which we think is far too expensive. We’ve been looking for a less expensive option.”
Municipal Clerk Grace Kosch added that research on moderators has been conducted, and that they are hoping for someone much cheaper than $2000.
Louwagie said that the town hall meeting needs a moderator who doesn’t work for the township or live in the township.
“We’d be looking for someone with experience on how these meetings are operated and could maintain control of the meeting in a friendly manner and make sure everybody has the opportunity to speak.”
The meeting will be broadcasted live on YouTube for those who can’t attend in person.
