Keith Gourley says the faith Admaston/Bromley residents have placed in him is still a lot to take in as he prepares to lead the township as mayor.
The incoming council will have several important matters to tackle once members are sworn in later this month, including appointments to the township’s various committees and boards.
That work will also include assembling a finance team to prepare the township’s 2027 budget, which will need to be ready in short order despite some notable uncertainties in the township’s finances.
Waste management will remain a major issue after the township significantly underestimated how effective its bag tag system would be at reducing the amount of garbage sent to landfill.
With roughly 75% less waste now going to the dump, the township is facing a sizable gap in the revenue it had expected to collect from the tags. Gourley says the math will require a serious adjustment as they look at next year’s tax levy.
Another priority is finding partnerships with neighbouring municipalities to help advance a proposed 400-home development surrounding Dragonfly Golf Links.
Talks with Renfrew are expected to continue as the townships work toward a deadline for a joint federal-provincial infrastructure grant that could fund the new community’s water infrastrucutre.
Gourley will be joined on council by newcomers Robert Stewart, Anne Marie Schaap and Dave Lemkay, along with returning councillor Angela Field.
(written by Kasey Egan)
