Is Timmy rolling up the rim?

Is Tim Horton's being given a deal by the Township of Cramahe, or is cost-sharing a common practice?

At the May 19 meeting of Cramahe Township Council the township agreed to pay $44,735 of the $59,735 contract to provide watermains for the planned Tim Horton's reastaurant on Big Apple Drive. TDL Corp., representing Tim Horton's will pay the remaining $15,000.

During the May 19 press question period Mayor Marc Coombs was asked if it was normal practice to contribute a portion of new development costs.

The mayor replied that it was common practice to assist companies.

A Cramahe staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity appeared to confirm information provided by Township Treasurer, Mora Chatterson that the township does not have a history of regularly helping incoming companies with subsidized public works.

Cramahe Now asked Cramahe Chief Administrative Officer, Christie Alexander on June 10 for a list of the times the township has assisted companies with their costs.

Ms. Chatterson provided information on only one project. The township paid $44,764, the PUC paid $33,992 and the Big Apple $98,904 for works required on an extension at the Big Apple..

On June 12 the township CAO suggested that the mayor "was suggesting (on May 19) that it was not unusual for municipalities, “in general”, to agree to a cost sharing proposal if the required work benefits both the developer/applicant and the municipality and encourages economic development."

Council originally approved the cost sharing at its March 17, 2009 meeting. Four companies bid on the work.Cobourg Development Services bid $69,146. Dekeyser Excavating bid $80,505, and Balterre Contracting submitted a bid of $117,401.