NEW TECUMSETH - New Tecumseth councillors submitted their wish lists Tuesday night for roads projects not already on the books for the town’s 2010 budget.

At the fourth budget working session, council added six additional road projects, with a combined cost of at least $744,000, to be considered for this year's budget. Tottenham Coun. Jess Prothero also asked for the town to continue supporting the WinterLights program.

Before councillors made their requests, the potential municipal tax levy increase for this year was at 4.51 per cent. Of that, 2.65 per cent covers off an increase to the OPP budget for more officers, which the town signed on for in 2007. Because the OPP cost is locked in, the portion of the increase council has to play with, by either reducing or increasing, is 1.86 per cent.

For the owner of the average $269,744 home, the municipal portion of their tax bill could increase $71.29. Because of Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) reassessments, the amount owed by homeowners is slightly less ($3.19) than it would have been without it.

After completing an intensive review of the town's four recreation centres, town staff found $68,196 in savings for the budget package presented Tuesday night (Jan. 19).

Those savings come from reducing the total hours worked by part-time employees at the town's recreation centres and not filling a current vacant position, saving $41,296. The Beeton arena and hall had $15,900 more revenue than expected, and Tottenham had $11,000 more revenue than was originally estimated.

Without council's additions Tuesday, the 2010 budget included $1.12 million in roadwork projects.

When councillors asked for their additional roads projects, they were to also include suggestions about where the additional money would come from. Councillors choices ranged from raising the tax base, taking the money from another already approved project, or debenturing the cost (increasing the town's debt load).

Deputy Mayor Rick Milne asked for the Downey Avenue project in Alliston to be included. The three-part project has a $181,000 price tag.

Two Beeton road projects were put on the list by Coun. Richard Norcross, the rep for the ward. Norcross asked for Lily Street from Patterson to Dayfoot to be repaved. It is expected that small section of road could cost $120,000 to $140,000 to fix.

Norcross noted the damage to that section of road is because of the truck traffic for work on the 9th Line pumping station. The town didn't collect money for remedial works related to the pumping station project that could help cover the cost of redoing to road.

Patterson Street, from Cedar to Stewart, was the other road of interest for Norcross. It will cost between $40,000 and $50,000.

Coun. Dennis Egan wants the town to look at the 12th Line west of Tottenham Road, from the railway tracks to the townline. The project is $237,000.

Tottenham Coun. Jess Prothero also has several road projects in his ward he'd like to see undertaken. He said Lionel Stone Avenue West is a terrible piece of road.

"You can walk that street then suddenly disappear and show up three minutes later," said Prothero.

To cost to fix the road is about $100,000.

The $66,000 Walkem Drive project, which Prothero said should have already been done, is also on his wish list.

Prothero is also pushing for the town to continue funding the WinterLights program. He said $20,000 should complete the displays hung from the lamp posts in Beeton and Tottenham, after that it will take three years to finish Alliston.

After the Alliston work is completed, Prothero said $10,000 should be included each year in the operating budget for the WinterLights Celebration.

Council will be updated on what their additions mean to the budget at a committee of the whole meeting Mon., Feb. 1.

Council’s goal is to pass the 2010 budget at the Feb. 8 council meeting.