Gibsons is looking for elector approval to borrow up to a combined $3.56 million for sewer work and water main work.
Council gave the go-ahead for two alternative approval processes (AAP) at its May 21 meeting.
Gibsons residents have until July 3 at 4 p.m. to submit elector response forms in opposition to the borrowing. If less than 10 per cent of the Gibsons population (that’s 393 people) is in opposition, the borrowing can go ahead.
For water main and road restoration work, the town is seeking a $2.7 million 20-year loan to replace the deteriorating water mains on Skyline Drive, Avalon Drive, Allison Way and Shoal Lookout. In AAP advertising, the town says the water mains are at “significant risk of a major water main break, which would result in water loss, property damage and compromised fire protection.” Of the borrowing, $550,000 is for road infrastructure restoration.
The annual hit to parcel taxes and user fees would amount to $92.57 per property per year, estimates the town.
The town warns of the risk of costly emergency repairs should the funds to replace the water mains be declined.
For the sanitary sewer outfall project, the town is looking to borrow up to $825,000 in a 10-year loan to replace the sewer outfall into the ocean and various components of the sewer collection system. The outfall is reaching capacity and the end of expected service life, says town material.
The debt recovery for that loan would amount to about $36.81 per property per year in sewer parcel taxes and user fees, estimates the town.
Elector response forms can be accessed at gibsons.ca/government/elections/alternative-approval-process or at Town Hall.
– With files from Keili Bartlett
