The First Four Years

An Exceptional Track Record 2005-2009

INFRASTRUCTURE

• In this mandate, almost 40% of our roads have been repaved.
• Water mains were cleaned and the vast majority of worst water mains will have been replaced or rehabilitated by the end of 2009. We have reduced water main breaks by 50%.
• Almost all sewers have been cleaned and the most urgent repairs have been made. We have reduced flooding of basements due to sewers overflowing by over 90%

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FINANCES

• Reduction of tax increases every year.
• 96% of residents enjoyed an average 1% tax DECREASE in 2009.
• Five-fold increase in surplus from $300,000 that we inherited in 2006 to over $1,500,000 in 2009.
• Saved the Town about $3,300,000 by obtaining an interest-free loan from the Quebec government to fix our infrastructure.

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URBAN PLANNING

New by-laws were enacted to preserve the architectural integrity and the green character of Old Hampstead. House valuations have increased dramatically and we now have the second most expensive homes after Westmount.

 

PUBLIC SECURITY and SAFETY

• Introduced more traffic calming measures than any past administration to make our streets safer. Car accidents involving injuries have dropped by 25%.
• No Left Turn at Queen Mary & Ellerdale during afternoon rush hours has reduced traffic by 300 cars daily. The new right turn lane at Queen Mary and Fleet has facilitated traffic flow. Changes on Fleet eastbound during morning rush hour have dramatically reduced traffic by about 800 cars daily in Hampstead north of Fleet.
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COMMUNITY SERVICES and RECREATION

• Created Hampstead’s dog run, one of the finest on the island – 100% funded by dog license fees.
• Introduced HCafe to provide better food service.
• Improved 5 of 9 parks and brought all park equipment up to CSA standards for increased safety.
• Initiated several new events and programs for adults and doubled the number of events for children.
• Doubled enrollment at the day camp clear evidence of its improved quality.
• Started a sponsorship program which has already raised over $100,000 for the town.
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PUBLIC WORKS

• Replaced many of our ancient vehicles in order to provide better service and substantially reduce our enormous maintenance costs.
• Negotiated a deal to use the CSL snow dump saving the town at least $100,000 annually.
• In 2009 introduced a 4/3 work week so that residents will have service 7 days a week with less overtime.
• Redesigned our snow removal operations so that they are maximally efficient.

 

AGGLOMERATION

Bill was the first Mayor to boycott the Agglomeration Council in May 2006. By December, all the Mayors had joined him. His personal efforts and the support of the suburban mayors forced the Quebec government to pay attention and produced Law 22. This law has given the demerged suburbs many important benefits, including control of our arterial roads and the reduction of our taxes.

 

BEAUTIFICATION and CLEANLINESS

• Fleet, Finchley Circle and other areas were beautified with trees and perennials.
• Introduced dog bag dispensers and added dozens of garbage receptacles

 

COMMUNICATIONS

The quarterly newsletter, eHampstead e-mails and web site were all innovations of this administration. All have been very well received. I am easily reachable 7 days a week by phone or e-mail and I respond very promptly.

 

LABOUR RELATIONS

One of the first suburbs to succesfully negotiate collective agreements for both our white and blue collar workers. There were major reductions in rules and job classifications, resulting in greater productivity and efficiency. The present agreement allows us to provide service seven days a week. Long term agreements limited salary increases to 2% for most years.

 

This is just a brief summary

 

Nov. 1^st, let us all re-elect Steinberg