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the C"r~diàh Champion, Tuesdày, August 4,1998 -5_ Milton-fHalton HUIS amalgamation goes too far: Serjeantson e tram SERJEANTSON on page 4 community." Halton His includes a number of ham- let developments such as Norval, Stewarttown and Limehouse as well as significant setulement areas in Acton and Georgetown, which are separated by sev- eral miles of farms. "There are definitely separators. This area is flot like Burlington or Oakville, where you can drive around and flot know which community you are in," she said, noting there is a better case for amalgama- tion in the south of Halton. Ms Serjeantson admitted that with the number of vacant senior staff positions in Milton, if anytime was good to initiate dis- cussions for amalgamation, this is it. The towns currently have shared resources including fire protection, winter roads maintenance and a loose arrange- ment through Halton Huis' purchasing department. Ms Serjeantson reminded people that most Ontario amalgamations of municipal- ities are between towns or counties with small populations. Milton with 34,000 people and Halton Hilîs with 44,000 are not that small she said. Halton Is has enough water to service an additional population of about 5,000 in Georgetown and another 2,500 in Acton. Currently the town is growing at the rate of about 1,500 residents per year. Ms Serjeantson said that there are sever- al steps being taken to increase the water supply because of a strong resistance to drinking water from Lake Ontario. Given that water will soon come to Halton Hilîs' Hfighway 401 lands, bringing substantial commercial and industrial development, there will be pressures to develop a satellite city to serve that growth. However Ms Serjeantson questions the wisdom of starting satellite growth rather than expanding the existing urban enve- lope. She said her counicil is considering a plan to share some facilities, perhaps an arena complex, with Milton and to build it in the Highway 401 ai-ca. The plan is still in its infancy and no site has yet been evaluated but obviously it would have to suit both municipalities, she said. "Amalgamation can cost a lot of money. With our arrangement we can share resources without a formaI amalgamation," she said. Politicians from both municipaities have made ighthearted references to amalgama- tion in public comments regarding a fundraising slo-pîtch game. Ms Sergeantson said the gaine will give couniciliors from each town an opportunity to converse but sald she does not expect amalgamation wilI corne up. RIC HARDS< CANADA V SCHEVROLET CAVALIER SEDAN U itPE 22 tre ene gnct snsin i od- pa ~o nl ingflif j n ree oneahndafrtai LUO A~.Y~stereo, rer seat eat ducts,idb e D, G NO SECURUTY DEPOSUT $w 4-; CHEVY ASTRO VAN Uiutu NO SECURI' Vofec 4300 V6 egn uoib transi overdnve 4-whee ASdu ra Uoing pssenger seagng AMFM ste chromg,nll ICHEVOLETmOLDSMOBII HWY 25S.AT DERRY RD., MILTON >NS PR"EI VIDE-CL FINANCINC UP TO 48 MONTHS TY ;mission with igs, air condi- l i treo, deluxe SON SERVICE HOURS L'E Mon .Fs .......UortI-SM Tues ......... iY-Of Saturday...... fl SENTS THE EARANCEI,! CHEVROLET MALIBU n m neta -,n1 c transi sion, 4- PU pmflw air conigoning, poeier t$nkreW#e NO SECURITY DEPOSIT SCHEVY 1500 SERIES EXTENDED CAB 22*DEPOSIT 24SS 230 HP Vodec 5000 V8 engne automatic transmission with over dive 4-f îeelABS Next (eneration dual front air bags, air candi- hoigA /Mtrowith cassette, ltcruise clothiseats chroe latedwheels deuxe chrome gnill dee tintied glass "Slà 18un13 MMM