Moose FM CHMS 97.7 - Bancroft

Bancroft OPP has made an arrest in a theft case from January. Police were called to a residence on Nicklaus Drive in Bancroft which had been forcibly entered. A laptop, camera, American cash and Canadian cash were reported as stolen. On May 11^th, Bancroft OPP arrested and charged a 21 year-old Bancroft man with break and enter, possession of stolen property and failing to comply with a court order. He has a bail hearing in Belleville court today. Police recovered the laptop and camera that was stolen during the break and enter.

Bancroft Town Council heard a deposition from the Bancroft Board Walk Initiative on Tuesday. Presented by Bancroft businessman Burke Chamberlain, the committee plans to have a board walk from Station Street to south of Bridge Street, following the east side of the York River. Drawings were presented to show what the board walk might look like. There are some details to work out; including land owner permissions, funding through grants and determining what the town’s role will be when it comes to maintaining the board walk. Council gave the project a vote of approval, but there was no talk of financial support.

Bancroft Council has yet to complete all of its budget deliberations, but hopes to next month. One area of concern raise at Tuesday’s meeting was special events and the cost to the town. The Relay for Life event got the go ahead to use Millennium Park, the Band shell and Club 580 with all fees waived, and the Wheels, Water and Wings got town approval as a “municipally significant” event, which will allow for the town to apply for a Special Occasions Permit from the LCBO. Canada Day, however, ran into some resistance. Fireworks for the event cost $10,000 in addition to other costs. The estimated total cost of Canada Day is $16,100 and some councilors are concerned about the amount. Several suggestions were made as to how to reduce costs, including going to surrounding municipalities who do not provides any Canada Day events and asking for support. Town Clerk Hazel Lambe did note that if several municipalities were to join together, government grants for Canada Day could come in at a higher amount.

Council also received a presentation from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Peter Moran from MPAC gave a description of what the corporation was and it’s responsibility. Questions about how to request a change of assessment and what happens when a property was sold for less than the assessed value were asked. Moran gave a good accounting of the process for challenging an assessment, but was vague about property selling for less than assessed value, noting that surrounding property values were also considered in any assessment. All councilors and the Mayor, along with media present, were given information packages for resource.

Bancroft Council was notified that Canada Post is considering reducing staff and services at the Bancroft office. The town is concerned over this possible service reduction which they say would affect over 13,000 residents as well as town businesses and both local newspapers. The Town is requesting a meeting with Canada Post, prior to any changes, to raise the town's concerns.