The mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville presented the borough’s 2008 budget on Oct. 15 to criticism from the official opposition.(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Budget adopted despite opposition
The elimination of certain fees, more improvements to local parks, road repairs, and the land purchase for the future site of the Communiti, Aquatic and Sports Centre (CASC) were the main elements on Ahuntsic-Cartierville’s 2008 budget, which was adopted on Monday despite challenges by the official opposition.
R:“Within these numbers, there are wishes, dreams, and objectives for which we have given ourselves the means to succeed,” said Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough Mayor Marie-Andrée Beaudoin of the budget, which she described as one “without surprises, without any rise in taxes or fees, to give the population a break.”
Bordeaux-Cartierville councilor and head of the opposition Noushig Eloyan, however, had different words to describe the budget: “I don’t see any vision in this budget, or any signs of responsible administration.”
Elimination of fees
User fees for the borough’s swimming pools, arenas and tennis courts will be abolished as of 2008. Arenas and pools, which cost between $1 and $2.75 depending on age, will be free of charge at all times. The same thing goes for tennis courts, which currently cost between $2.75 and $7 per hour.
This move represents a $44,300 loss for the borough, which will be compensated by the revenue brought in by the rise in activity in the leisure sector (library fees, vending machines in the arenas, etc.).
More money for the parks
Last June, the borough announced a $7.3 million investment to revitalize the local parks. Work should be completed in summer 2008. “When we started the work, we were hearing new suggestions from citizens, such as making the parks more accessible to people with reduced mobility… So, we decided to add to these projects,” Beaudoin said, explaining that $5.7 million will be put aside for parks in 2008.
Eloyan, however, is critical of this amount: “They may be going over budget, or they haven’t done their preparatory studies well.” According to Eloyan, the extra money is coming from modifications to projects allowances. “They took the half-million dollars that was supposed to be used to finish the Beauséjour bike path, which we’ve been waiting for two years now, and will have to continue waiting for,” she said.
@ST:Road repairs
After a year of analyzing the roads in the borough, $9.2 million will be dedicated to improving them in 2008. This amount will only cover side streets, as the larger arteries are managed by the City of Montreal.
“Last year, we only repaired potholes. But, at the same time, we were analyzing our infrastructure, street by street,” Beaudoin said. Eloyan questioned the relevance of this study, which cost the borough $1 million. “The city already produces a map which shows the streets that are in the worst shape,” she said.
Beaudoin, however, said the study went much further than just a visual inspection; it also looked at what was happening “under the asphalt,” to be able to repair the roads in depth, and be ahead of the City of Montreal, which will start its studies shortly.
A land for the CASC
After years and years of waiting, the Aquatic and Sports Community Centre of Cartierville will finally have a space of its own, with a $3 million piece of land. The project, done in partnership with the YMCA Montreal and the Quebec government, seems to be moving ahead.
Opposition disposition
With her numerous objections, it goes without saying that Eloyan did not give her nod to the budget. Like last year, she posted her opposition.
Beaudoin believe Eloyan opposes too much without reason. “You might say Mrs. Eloyan isn’t a councilor anymore, but only the head of the opposition. I’m worried Bordeaux-Cartierville will become and orphaned district,” she said. According to Beaudoin, certain projects Eloyan has opposed could actually benefit her district, and her attitude gives Bordeaux-Cartierville a negative image.
Nevertheless, the budget was adopted by the majority. In addition to the projects already mentioned, the borough will also get new maintenance equipment, a new team of tree pruners, new trees, and longer opening hours for the libraries, pools, and borough offices.
Translated by Elyse Amend
Steven Guilbeault - 
