Modest rate increases for Crofton, Chemainus
Water and sewer user fees in Chemainus, Crofton and South End are going up in 2017.
Mark Frame, director of financial services for the Municipality of North Cowichan, said those hooked into North Cowichan’s water and sewer systems in those communities will see a modest increase in their monthly rates.
Users in Chemainus will see a $2.83 increase in charges per month, Crofton users will pay an extra $3.33 and South End users will see another $1.42 in increased charges per month.
Frame said the higher rates will help pay for maintenance and hydro costs, as well as capital plans for pipe replacements in those communities.
Canada Avenue pump station on budget
The Municipality of North Cowichan will borrow up to $200,000 from the Municipal Finance Authority of BC to complete construction of the Canada Avenue flood pump station and flood wall.
Council voted to allow the borrowing for the approximately $7.6-million project at its meeting on Dec. 21.
Coun. Al Siebring asked North Cowichan’s CAO Dave Devana to speak to a rumour in the community that the project is actually $200,000 over budget.
“We’re not over budget and I believe we will finish the project on budget,” Devana said.
“We have had tons of problems with the construction, but we are within the budget that was approved by council.”
The project is part of the extensive series of diking systems and pump stations constructed in the Cowichan Valley after a major flood struck the area in 2009.
ABF going door-to-door for spinal cord injury
Volunteers from the Ability Bionics Foundation will be going door-to-door in the Cowichan Valley in the coming days to raise awareness and funds to assist people with spinal cord injuries.
The ABF is a non-profit foundation with a mission to provide assistance to organizations that work with individuals with spinal cord injury.
The foundation has recently opened its first two offices on Vancouver Island in Victoria and Nanaimo and is now canvassing in all Island communities.
Spokesman Wade Bergeron said organizers will also be visiting local businesses and asking for support in the hope they will offer discounts to people who donate to the ABF.
For further information, check out www.abilitybionics.com.
