Priorities for the Next Four Years

HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM NOW UNTIL 2013

 

Fiscal Responsibility

We will keep tax increases at reasonable levels. New capital spending will be mostly in areas that will produce operational savings. For example, our current and future roadwork will result in lower annual maintenance costs. Our vehicle replacement program saves us money in the long term in reduced overtime by our mechanics and reduced spending on parts. The water main rehabilitation program reduces flooding claims, which are very costly, and overtime costs to fix the breaks. Debt has and will continue to be kept at levels the town can afford.

Infrastructure

Those roads still in poor condition will be fixed. In particular, the part of Fleet not fixed during this mandate will be redone. The majority, if not all, of the damaged and crumbling sidewalk sections will be rebuilt. The water mains needing replacement that are not done in 2009 will be done over the next few years. Sewers are now in better shape and a lower priority but necessary work will be done to address areas where work is needed to prevent flooding. Over the next four years we will replace many of our lamp posts as they are ancient, inefficient and, in many cases, in danger of falling down. While the worst have been replaced in 2009, many more will need to be replaced in the coming years. 

Community Services and Recreation

We will continue to develop new events and programs. Our parks and facilities (pool, tennis, and dog run) will be improved as funds permit. The sponsorship/ads/donations program started in this mandate will be expanded greatly and the revenues will be used for discretionary spending (events, facility improvements and beautification of the town). We will look into a refrigerated ice surface to extend our skating and hockey season.

Environment

We have taken several steps (see the Hampstead web site for details) to make Hampstead environmentally friendly. However, we will do even more to encourage environmentally responsible practices in our regular communications to residents. We will also look into a composting program and the purchase of hybrid or electric vehicles when we need to replace our Public Security vans and Public Works pickup trucks.

Beautification of the Town

We have made Fleet, the Finchley Circle, and other areas more attractive. More will be done over the coming years with an emphasis on planting perennials and trees. This will reduce our annual maintenance costs. We will also continue our program of adding public garbage receptacles and dog bag dispensers to encourage residents to keep our town clean.

Urban Planning

Bylaw changes during this mandate have already stopped the building of overly large homes on small lots and have clearly defined what is and is not acceptable in the older section of Hampstead. We will remain vigilant and if we find that we must modify our bylaws to further preserve our architectural heritage we will do so promptly.

Basic Services

Our recent new labor contracts will result in better snow removal at a lower cost. Residents will now have Public Works services, most of the year, seven days a week. This summer we signed a four year deal with Cote Saint-Luc which guarantees access to their snow dump at a modest cost. This will result in faster and less expensive snow removal. We will continue to look for ways to provide better service in the most cost effective manner.

Communications

Our quarterly newsletter will continue. eHampstead will keep growing and exciting new features will be added to it and to our web site. As always, Mayor Steinberg will be easily reachable by phone, e-mail or regular mail.

Agglomeration and Relations with Montreal

Mayor Steinberg will continue to work with his fellow Mayors to get Montreal to respect Law 22 and to get the Quebec government to ensure that all the demerged suburbs are treated fairly. We have made significant progress but injustices remain that must be addressed.