Robert Fisher
Staff Reporter
EGANVILLE – Brian Weckwerth, Doug Davies, Gail Livitsantis, Madeline Moreau, Mary-Anne Essex, Thais Vega de Cordido, Herminio Cordido, Paul Gillis and Geri McPhail were celebrated last Tuesday in Bonnechere Valley.
Community volunteer leaders were a focus of the Apr. 22 council meeting for the Township of Bonnechere Valley (BV). Mayor Jennifer Murphy opened the meeting acknowledging Weckwerth for being one of 11 provincial Medal for Good Citizenship awardees. Murphy then acknowledged the others for their work volunteering at the Eganville and District Food Bank.
“When so many individuals and families are facing uncertainty, rising costs and difficult choices, the importance of food banks cannot be overstated,” said Murphy. “They are more than just places where food is distributed. They are lifelines, community builders and symbols of hope. They are about dignity. They are about compassion without judgement and they are about community resilience.
Finance report
Treasurer Sandra Barr updated council on tax arrears for the township. Arrears have been increasing steadily for the past two years. Arrears at Mar. 31, 2023 were $1,968,135, at Mar. 31, 2024 $2,161,456 ($193,000 increase) and $2,349, 257 at Mar. 31, 2025 ($188,000 increase). Barr told council that she does try to work with taxpayers to establish payment arrangements they can afford, for example, paying a small portion each month rather than having to pay quarterly. The treasurer said she can draw on about 15 years of experience and the list used to be worked down to about four or five properties. “Now it’s about 30 at any given time.”
Murphy acknowledged the difficult financial situation people are facing. She also acknowledged the impact on the municipality and asked Barr to keep council apprised if the trend worsens.
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