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However, discussions about future uses by the town for the old high school may be prema- ture as the school board has yet to deem it surplus Thesite,eastoftheStoufiville ArenaonBramblerwcent, has avan‘etyofpow’bleusesforme ‘Thexesidents ofWhitchurdiâ€" Stoufl’ville have probably paid for it two-fold through taxes, so we’re hoping the school board will be considerate of that," Mr. Emmerson said. towmhxiudhigaseniom'oenm andoflioespaoe. . “We are always looking for opportunities to cluster activi- ties on one site, as this gives us some economies of scale.” said town Ofli- cerDaveCash. While the municipality is interested in buying the building. ithastobefortherightpiice. The Town of Whitchurch- Stoufivillle wants to buy the for- mer Stouflville District Second‘ ary School building. but the York Region District School Board has yettodeddewhattodowithit. despite it being vacant for almost “It'sinthecenmeoftownand we feel we should purchase the property.” MayorWayne Emmer- son said. alsommntinSloltflizille rib 9n? ISHNNG'HECOMMIMTY mm mm Town awaits mmMonMd high school building Orchard Paflc school BY SANDRA BOLAN Stafl' Writer Sampagea “It’s the closest one we’ve ever had,” regional chairperson Bill Fisch said of the 9-7 vote approving the $1 35-billion budget. Mnfisch gets to vote in the BY DAVID FLBISCHER Stafl Writer After contentious debate and a series of close votes, regional coun- cil on Thursday passed its 2009 operating budget, including a con- troversial tax for hospitals Close voteOKs regional budget with 2.5% hike REGION WILL TAKE 349 MORE FROM AVERAGE HOMEOWNER event of a tie and would have supâ€" Savings are estimated at about ported the budget. $2.3 million, resulting in a decrease The budget targeted a 2.5-per~ of between 0.2 and 0.3 per cent in cent tax inctease â€" equal to $49 the levy, or $7 less on your bill. “he budget 'targeted a 2.5-per~ cent tax incnease â€" equal to $49 for a $400,000 home â€" but the approved levy is slightly below that. A last-minute amendment, tabled by Richmond Hill Region- al Councillor Vito Spatafora and approved by council, asked staff to cut 30 positions, primarily vacan- cies that will not be filled. POUBINE IT 0" FOR CHARITY The region targets hiring near- ly 160 people and has about 100 vacancies at any given time. Markham Mayor Frank Scar~ pitti long advocated for a zero-tax increase budget and proposed a motion that would have used the region's $21-million budget surplus to negate the proposed levy. Opinion . . . . . . Entertainment . Sports . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . “If I did that at home, my wife wouldn’t let me in the door,” Geor- gina Mayor Rob Grossi said. The surplus is typically directed to social housing and debt reduc- tion, and several councillors said the move would only create probâ€" lems down the line. Mr. Scarpitti's proposal was shot down in a 13â€"3 vote. "It’s a responsible budget," Mr. See lOWEST, page 9. STAFF PHOTOISTEVE SOMEWILLE