ST. PAUL - Town of St. Paul and County of St. Paul taxpayers will likely notice an increase in the MD of St. Paul Foundation requisition.
The MD of St. Paul Foundation provides housing for seniors in the area, including Sunnyside Manor and Heritage Homes in St. Paul, along with a list of other locations in Ashmont, Mallaig and Elk Point.
Costs associated with enhanced measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be a factor, explained CAO Kim Heyman during the Town of St. Paul meeting on Jan. 11. While there was a grant initially for items such as PPE, the foundation is unsure if that will be continued, despite regulations still being in place.
Heyman noted that the requisition collected from taxpayers will be about doubled for the Town of St. Paul for 2021.
Town of St. Paul Mayor Maureen Miller noted that there isn't anything different that can be done regarding the increased costs.
Some of the facilities do have vacancies, which is also likely due to the pandemic. Miller stated she was hopeful this would just be a one-time increase in the requisition.
The foundation has appealed to the provincial government for continued funding, said Miller.
Physician recruitment
Miller also offered a quick update on physician recruitment in St. Paul.
She noted she was part of an interview with a potential physician and "it was a really good interview. . . I'm looking forward to her joining."
Miller said she was expecting to do another interview soon with a husband and wife duo that is considering coming to the community. Miller said aggressive efforts are underway to draw physicians to St. Paul.
Cross Country Ski request
The Lakeland Cross Country Ski Club has requested some financial help from the Town of St. Paul to help cover costs associated with an increase in rentals taking place, and the need to continue to follow enhanced measures due to COVID-19.
"We've seen huge demand," said Pierre Lamoureux, an executive member with the club. He noted that cross country skiing has both physical and mental benefits for people.
This winter, the club has doubled the ski trails available at the St. Paul Golf Course and has been relying entirely on volunteers to groom trails and operate the equipment rental program, which is housed in the basement of the golf course clubhouse, which is owned by the Town of St. Paul.
The club estimates about $3,000 in unexpected costs have been incurred, for items such as sanitizers for example. Also, $1,000 has been spent on repairing the club's groomer.
Compared to last season, "We're busting at the seams," according to Joanne Lamoureux. Membership with the club has doubled, from 51 members last year, to about 100 members this year.
Coun. Brad Eamon asked for a breakdown of how many members are town residents, compared to how many are county residents, to which Joanne explained that over the years, the trend has been that about half of the members come from the town, and half from the county, with a few from outside that area.
Due to the town being in the process of reviewing its Community Grant policy, no decision was made on the request. The town has however already agreed to support a matching grant that the club has yet to hear back on, which would allow the group to upgrade its grooming equipment. The town would support the club with $5,000 if the grant is successful.
The request was tabled until the Jan. 25 council meeting.
