When Arnprior Council met Monday (February 5th) to consider expenditures in the process of finalizing the 2024 Town budget, the session also included a discussion on municipal grants to be dispersed over the next eleven months.
A motion by Councillor Lynn Cloutier sought to commit funds beyond the 2024 timeframe toward the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation’s current campaign to acquire a CT Scanner.
Cloutier noted that when elected representatives backed the ARHF drive for the new Grove Nursing Home building, it was a multi-year commitment.
Treasurer Morawiec explained that technically, the four-year 100 thousand per annum contribution to the new Grove Home was 100k from the first year’s budget- and the balance from the Town’s Levy Stabilization Reserve.
Only Councillor Tom Burnette supported Cloutier’s multi-year funding suggestion; representatives Lynch, Toner and Denault spoke against it, as did Mayor McGee.
Members then voted in favour of reviewing an annual appeal until the CT Scanner drive’s successful completion- supporting the 50 thousand dollar donation in 2024.
By Rick Stow