Marlborough Township Council appeared before the Jones Commission to suggest that everything was fine as-is.
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COUNCIL
THE TOWNSHIP OF MARLBOROUGH
BRIEF
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The local needs of this rural township are well provided for, administered and financed by the present local government. Reasonably good township roads complement 30 miles of County and suburban roads. Good primary and secondary school education is provided under the Marlborough Township School Area and South Carleton District High School Boards. The Carleton County Health Unit and Home for the Aged provide adequate health service and care for the aged. Township indebtedness is limited to its share of secondary school and County debentures. Rideau Provincial Park, Rideau Industrial Farm and the Provincial County Forest represent government projects in the township.
Between 15% and 20% of the Rideau River frontage is developed. When fully developed in the near future, the present township government will be most suitable for the residents.
The township submits that the present form of township and county government can best serve the township and should be retained.
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HEARING
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Reeve J.C. Donnelly and Messrs. Ernest Seabrook, Arnold Davidson and Lloyd Clark, members of Council presented the submission.
It was stated that the township's share of South Carleton High School indebtedness has dropped from 10% to 8% and that it was responsible for a proportion of County debentures on the Home for the Aged, roads and court house. Only 1% ($11,000.) of the County levy is borne by Marlborough.
It was felt that the Suburban Roads Commission should be continued; financial aid from Ottawa for this purpose is justified
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because County residents spend 60% of their money in the City, and City dwellers make extensive use of suburban roads to get to their cottages along the Rideau River front.
There was a possibility that the five existing schools might be further consolidated by the township's school area board formed 7 years ago, though a need was expressed for some one room schools. While students and parents have adjusted to the long bus ride to South Carleton High School, such distances were not recommended for primary students. Education costs represent 60% of the township's current budget.
Provincial road grants increased from 50% to 75% in January, 1964, and should remain on a sliding scale relating to road mileage and assessment.
There was preference expressed for larger Homes for the Aged like Carleton Lodge rather than smaller facilities which others have suggested. There is also satisfaction with the present County Health services to schools and the aged; inspection by the County Health Unit of water, sewerage and schools is a new undertaking in the township.
The township would like to see grants-in-lieu paid on three government projects located there and immediate development of optioned river front land to residential subdivisions or cottage use; this would improve the township's tax position. There were no problems anticipated in providing services to such development and with an anticipated subdivision control by-law, an existing building by-law and reasonably assessed lots, the township feels it would prove an asset.
A county planning unit was supported although the expression
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of County needs through an Official Plan might not be identical to the township's; a flexible plan would be favoured. Planning integration by arbitration between City and County Boards was suggested.
The township did not favour any change in the present township-county form of government and representation and no amalgamation has been considered.
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