Beaconsfield's budget consultation

The number of residents who attended the second round of Beaconsfield's 2009 budget public consultation was low, but a very vocal minority consistently debated with city council throughout the night on several proposed items, including the possibility of a refrigerated artificial skating rink.

"Explain to me this skating rink, this is terrible," said resident François Gilbert during question period.

The project is to be financed partly from the $30 to $35 paid by Hydro Quebec to Beaconsfield for every survey on energy consumption filled out by residents. Different municipalities around the West Island have chosen to undertake their different projects, as reported by The Chronicle last week, an Gilbert seemed unhappy with Beaconsfield's choice.

"People love their skating rinks," Benedetti responded, adding one of the most popular winter-time requests of citizens is to have more available hours for the 22 local rinks.

"The climatological studies indicate (…) the kind of winters we had over the last few years are what we should expect," Benedetti said, meaning it would be impossible to keep the outdoor, natural rinks open long enough to satisfy everyone.

As an alternative, he said, the city looked into either the refrigerated skating rink, which is expected to cost $400,000, or an indoor rink to the tune of $10 million. The balance of the refrigerated rink is expected to be paid out of Beaconsfield's capital budget expenditures.

Other items on the 2009 budget highlights that elicited much discussion included the potential instalment of electronic sign boards at entry points to the city, estimated at $150,000.

"We're just looking to see if it's a better way (to inform citizens)," Benedetti said, in comparison to the sandwich boards the city uses now. The latter are used by local community organizations to advertise, he said.

"Shouldn't they pay for it?" asked Lakeshore Road resident Michèle D'Anjou.

Her friend and neighbour Nicole Hainault objected to another proposed project, the construction of a dog park estimated to cost $50,000. "Don't these people have backyards?" She wondered about dog owners.

Currently, too many dog owners use parks that are not meant for walking their pets, particularly off-leash, Benedetti said.

"There are dog runs in most of the neighbouring municipalities on the West Island," reminded city councillor Karen Messier.

Other potential projects for next year include a pilot project for solar street and park lighting at $40,000, as well as energy improvements to municipal buildings at $300,000.

Beaconsfield did not release an estimate of what the total budget would be, but Benedetti said a vast majority of residents would see their taxes go down.