A Metroland Community Newspaper Vol. 138 No. 67 Tuesday, October 14, 1997 28 Pages- - - - 5 0 (GST included) Looks like the 'big pipe' is coming to Milton .soon Major growth becoming realiiyfollowing decision By BRAD REAUME The Champion Massive growth in Milton is a go. An elated Milton Mayor Gord Krantz said that with approval of the big pipe option for water servie- ing to Milton "we'll be able to get on with the expan- Sion." Thursday a joint committee of oegional councilIlors agreed, with surprisingly littie dissent, to the so- called 'big pipe' option. The decision capped months of negotiations regarding a possible connection to the Peel Region water system. In the end, they broke down. The latest decision was not without controversy. The three companies chosen to develop a plan for private sector involvement in the project were dumped and the tendening process re-opened. This despite several pleas to maintain the liat of qualitied companies even though the scope of the plan had changed considerably since they were cho- sen. Some councillors stili skeptics Several counicillors also expressed doubt that cur- rent residents of Halton will not be on the hook through higher taxes to help psy the costs of gmowth. Ioe Rinaldo, Halton's commissioner of corporate services, said the initial $37 million to kick-start the - $96 million initiative will corne from developers. After that an additional development surcharge, esti- mated by land development lawyer Howard Mott at $7,500 per home, will apply. Photo by GRAH4AM PAINE "I hear what your saying, 'm just not really buying it," said Burlington Councillor Ralph Scholtens, Pick of he, ropwhen Mr. Rinaldo outlined the deal. Mr. Rinaldo explained the development surcharge bas been used on other Halton projects to make sure Slx-year-od Mike Miller shows off hi. decoratsd basket flhlsd with that growth pays for itself. He added developers had the red apples Beavers, Cube and Scouts wil dîstributs durlng thîs made it plain that the up-front money and the sur- week's annuel Apple Day.. charges are acceptable. "I'm happy. It's over for the moat part," said Mr. Some new faces get in the races Three new candidates were added to November's municipal election list just prior to press time. Among them were Erica Andrew anld Paul Tait, who will try to dlaim the one remaining public school trustee seat. Also, Frank Wilson will now challenge Ward 2 incumbents Art Melanson and Walty Hunter. Those who had indicated their candidacies by noon Friday were: Incumbent Gord Krantz, Colin Best (mayor), incumbent Barry Lee (Wards 1 and 3 regional councillor), Rick Maîbouef (Wards 2 and 4 regional councillor), incumbents Brian Penman and Rick Day (Ward 1 councillor), incumbents Art Melanson and Wally Hunter, Frank Wilson (Ward 2 councillor), Lieven Gevaert and hIrne Greer (Ward 3 councillor), incumbents Ron Funik and John Challinor (Ward 4 councillor), incumnbent Joe Deoni (separate school trustee), Erica Andrews and Paul Tait (public school trustee), Sharon Barklay (Ward 1 hydro coro- missioner), Bill Rowney (Ward 2 hydro com- missioner), Murray Inglis (Ward 3 hydro com- missioner), Jack Robertson (Ward 4 hydro commissioner). The deadline to register was 5 p.m. Friday. Krantz. "There was a major shift from ail the close votes we had in the past which kept the proceas mov- ing forward." Mr* Krantz said the delay in making a decision may have been beneficial because tfive years ago the houa- ing market was so stagnant, developers may not have been anxious to provide money. "This is juat the beginning of the solution," the mayor added. "Much still bas to be done, but I know now it will happen, as long as it passes at regional council." The move must be ratified by the whole of Halton council at a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday). Committee members heard a cacophony of opinion prior to making their decision. Michael Bourgon, past e-s WATER on page 19 Concer for MmD Mn way Mothers Againsi Drunk Dnivung's Halton chap- ter will hast a fundraising concert in Milton next weekend. The John Robert Wilson Memnorial Concert will be held Saturday, Oct. 18 at St. Paul's United Church. Performers will include the Halton Regional Police Mixed Chorus, the York Regional Police Maie Chorus, the eight-man a cappella group Otf-Beat, Father Mark Curtis and Bill Hamnel accompanying singer Isabelle Varty. Radio and television personality Harold Hosein will host the concert, which will start at 7 p.m. Proceeds will fund public education the purchase of an advanced alcohol testing unit. For tickets, caîl 844-0096.