A grant application for money to move forward with a new wastewater treatment project was rejected by the Ontario government, but the mayor vowed to press on despite the disappointment, Brighton council was told on Aug. 12.
Speaking from a prepared statement, Mayor Brian Ostrander said the municipality was unsuccessful in its application to the Ontario Housing-Enabling Waster Systems Fund. The multi-phase project is estimated to cost a total of $41 million. The town hoped the provincial government would pay just over 70 percent of the cost.
“To say that council, staff, and I are disappointed is, to be sure, an understatement,” he said. “We know that this $41 million infrastructure upgrade is simply not a feasible project without the assistance of the province and/or the federal government.”
The mayor said he hopes to speak with Northumberland Peterborough South MPP David Piccini.
“We continue to put our trust in Minister Piccini to send the messages to his caucus and cabinet colleagues about this critical infrastructure project and the need for funding,” he said.
Ostrander also referenced council’s attempt to boost their application with the help of a lobbying firm. The town had hoped to hire Atlas Strategic Advisors.
The plans backfired after Global News broke a story after opposition parties at Queen’s Park used comments made by Brighton councillors to embarrass the government and Premier Doug Ford.
Council cancelled the plan immediately.
“We were assured that Brighton did not need the assistance of a strategic communications team to help guarantee success,” Ostrander told council on Aug. 12.
Calls to Piccini’s office took place earlier in the day, the mayor said. He is seeking a meeting with Ontario Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma next week at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
While this may not help with funding right now, the mayor said it could help with the next round of applications.
Due to its lagoon-based design, Brighton’s wastewater treatment system has faced many compliance issues historically. The most pressing issue is the total ammonia nitrogen levels allowed from 2021 to 2023.
The town needs a new wastewater treatment plant to accommodate development. In its application for the grant, it cited restricted growth, halted projects, financial implications, and demand outstripping capacity as reasons for the funds.
