NOW RE-OPEN IN BIRDLAND PLAZA
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Come meet Martha in person!
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10 | 06 | 2012 VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 43
GETTING THE HANG OF GLIDING IS THEIR BUSINESS VENTURE PAGE 17
COMMENT PAGE 10
POLITICS AT PLAY IN E. COLI-TAINTED BEEF ISSUE
Wellesley urged to support wastewater improvement measures
BRESLAU STATION OPENS UP ITS DOORS
WATERSHED | 9
TAX LEVELS / MPAC ASSESSMENT
Property values on the rise in the townships New MPAC assessment figures show increases despite economic downturn, slowing housing market
ELENA MAYSTRUK THE GRAND RIVER IS becoming cleaner, but Wellesley council’s support for a new regional wastewater master plan will speed the process along, says a representative of the body charged with overseeing the watershed. Laurie Minshall, the Grand River Conservation Authority’s director of water management, was in council chambers Monday night to provide an update on the organization’s water management plan, which is meant to improve water quality in the watershed through a partnership with surrounding municipalities. “This is a voluntary, joint plan … It’s a case of putting our minds together around the best ways to get what we need. It’s a proactive plan for a healthy watershed,” she explained to councillors. Under the Lake Erie Management Plan, she explained, the rehabilitation of the Grand River is a bi-national priority as the river contributes ten per cent of the drainage to Lake Erie and is the largest contributor of phosphorus to the lake’s eastern basin. “That’s part of the reason at this present time, [the initiative for] the partnership to put together a joint plan is quite strong,” she said. “The goals of the plan this time
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COLIN DEWAR
The Woolwich Fire Department held an open house last Saturday at its new Breslau fire station. Among those enjoying the festivities were (from front to back)Kevin McLarty, Ethan Luong, Rhiannon and Zoe Eyre, along with Sparky the fire dog.
Fun ‘Finds’ For Everyone
DESPITE THE DOWNTURN IN the economy over the last four years homes in both Woolwich and Wellesley townships have gained value. Wellesley’s housing values are up 11.14 per cent, while Woolwich has seen an increase of 10.5 per cent since 2008. In Wellesley homeowners will see the assessed value of their property increase by an average of 2.47 per cent in 2013 while Woolwich will see an increase of 2.24 per cent, according to new figures from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). The increase in Wellesley can be attributed to the 26.05 per cent increase in condominiums in the township as well as an 8.7 per cent increase in semi-detached homes over the last four years.
OPEN 10-6 Every Day
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
Over 100 booths loaded with treasures to tempt you~ A GREAT FAMILY ADVENTURE! Crazy Canuck Café On Site
“Residential property values have increased by an average of approximately 15.3 per cent in Waterloo Region since 2008 when the last assessment update was delivered,” said Jon Hebden, municipal relations representative in MPAC’s Kitchener office. “The entire region has seen an increase including the townships.” Farmland in Wellesley has increased in value by approximately 45.23 per cent. With the four-year phase-in, property owners will see an average increase of approximately 11.27 per cent. In Woolwich farmland has increased to 33.56. The three major cities in the region saw uneven increases with Waterloo housing values increasing to 17.8 per cent, Kitchener is at 17.4 per cent and Cambridge only increased MPAC | 4
Market Road
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OPEN DAILY 10 - 6
Next to the TSC Store 845 Weber St. N, Waterloo 519-746-1999