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4-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, June 18, 2002 Tax breaks possible for rentai units Water testing begins The Champion Affordable housing initiatives received a shot in the ami last Tuesday, with numer- ous developer mecentive programs being investigated by Haton Region. Members of Halton's health and social services committee approved a multi- tiered motion that will see the federal and provincial governments lobbied tu reduce taxes for new rentai units. Local tax relief incentives may also be coming, with Regional staff set to investi- gate the possibility of a new property tax class specific tu rentai units. "This is the first step toward the future. it's a big step and it wiil be a challenge," Halton His Councillor John Day told the committee. thc reductuoli .Or .uïuý ilr ( opment charges (DCs) f'or rentai units. While generally supportive of the motion, several counicillors expressed uneasiness about changing the DC struc- ture. "Eventually, everything gocs 10 market rent. That'S just the nature of it. People will either jack the rents for the second or third generation tenants or flip il as condo units," suggested Oakvilie Councillor Keith Bird. "This is hard 10 do unless the buildings are govemment owned. Rent capping doesn't work." Stressed Councillor Rick Maiboeuf, 'We can't go back to collect those DCs." But if the DC structure is altered, there will be legal contracts drawn up limniting rcspondcd Adclina Urbanski, Flatons commissioner of social and community services. "Staff will be monitoring those units with an aninual review of rents in those buildings. It won't be just 'heres the money' and hope for the best," she told councillors. With affordable housing money expect- cd from the federal govemment - funding for about 400 units in I-aiton was announced May 30 - Regional staff were also given the duty of pursuing up to $2 million in land purchases. Regional council bas yet to address the committee recommendations, but is expected to discuss the matter tomorrow. atI Haltoin teacnles 8v RICHARD VIVIAN The champion Haiton Region staff nehitting the beach - inang sure the water is safe to swîm for manhrsummner. Weekly water sampimg started lma week in anticipation of the seasonai heat. "What we're rea liooking for is E. oeil. That's the indica- tor of the fecal content," explained Dave Strosacli of the HaIton Region Health Deparinent. Water foui and their fecal natter are the main cause of beach closures ftroughout Halton, Mr. Stronacli said, adding pollu- tion in Lake Ontarjo also affects Burington and Oakvie beaches. "tIt's really intermittent," lie said of poor water samnples. "Sometimnes wben the water foi are there it would be a proli- lent, somnetimes it wouldn't be. But reaily we just have to say it (beach) is ciosed. You can't sample every 10 minutes." Water samples that show more than 100 E. oeil per 100 ml are considered unacceptable for swimming. "One hundred E. oeil is flot a huge number. You don't need mucli in the way of feces to do that," Mr. Stronacli said. Last year, Beachway Park in Buriington was ciosed for 28 non-consecutive days due to poor water. Boathouse Beach and Old Beach in HaIton His also saw 42 and 35 fuli-day closurs respeclaveiy. Qakvdie beaches were posted with signa indicat- mng the water was unfit for swisnmg at al tirtes. Keso Consmaion Area isheonîy beach in the regionthat proved safe for swimming the entire seaso. In fact, Keiso beaches haven't beeti ciased due to E. coli since 1996. Mr. Stroach. A grat progran offered by the Minstry of tihe Environnmett in 1996 saw unps'avemeflts to nuraum septic systeins in the surrunding area. Somne system aee ;thog ta becoentamninthe eaches. But the sirongest impact lias came from thte instilation of a 1inl acren arasnd the beach installed in 1997, lie said. To fflottind tuo eaha asd uho atocn tact the Beach Hotlne at (905) 825-6111l or 1-866.442-586. You're invited to oui AnniversarySale OEDAY làN'611