Stratford asks Charlottetown for help with waste problems

The Town of Stratford, P.E.I., is currently negotiating with Charlottetown, to see if the city will take on its waste.

That news came as part of Stratford's budget, brought down Wednesday evening.

Stratford's waste water treatment facility has been plagued by problems, causing a foul odour to spread through the town at times.

Both councils are reviewing the plan, which would see Stratford's waste treated at Charlottetown's plant.

Another option is replacing the current lagoon system with a small mechanical plant.

Preliminary costs for both plans are in the range of $12 millionto $15 million.

Sewage rates have been raised in the budget, from $76.25 to $82.25 every three months.

Quarterly water rates have also been raised, from $61.25 to $68.15.

Residential, commercial rates stay the same

Stratford's tax rates will not be raised for either commercial or residential properties, and remain among the lowest in P.E.I.

Overall, the budget includes $6.8 millionin revenue and a surplus of over $1.9 million, including government grants.

Other big projects include a partnership development of a new $350,000 skateboard park.

The town is putting up $150,000 of that, with the remainder coming from fundraising.

There is $12,000 for a new community energy plan to be adopted this year, and a new mid-afternoon transit run costing $8,400.

Also, the Hillsborough Bridge entrance to the town will get a facelift costing $250,000, money that was meant to be spent in 2014 but the project wasn't completed.

Total spending is up only by 1% over last year.