CASTOR REVIEW Finger-painting is just one of the many activities offered at the recently-opened Metcalfe Co-operat- ive Nursery School and Greg Jeacle, 4, of Metcalfe, Budding Picasso wasted little time in getting into the thick of it. And he's obviously enjoying his work. Looking on with an appreciative eye is Suzanne Bebbington, 3, of Greely. (Photo by Rowsell). Albert upset -- Gaston misses Link Meeting Osgoode Township Reeve Al- bert Bouwers is worried that Russell Township is backing out of its stated commitment to transform the Boundary Road into a major link from Marion- ville to 417. Reeve Bouwers said he was "very disappointed'? when Rus- sell Reeve Gaston Patenaude failed to show for a meeting with Transportation and Communicat- ions Minister James Snow when the project was discussed. The meeting took place recent- ly in Toronto during the annual meeting of the Ontario Good Roads Association. Mr. Bouwers complained that the Russell reeve did not turn up although he was invited and was attending the same convention. "We could lose this if we don't show full cooperation on it,"' the Osgoode reeve warned. Russell was one of four munic- ipal neighbors which participated in preparation of a brief last year which recommended _ recon- struction and paving of 11.4 miles of the Boundary to facilitate ac- cess to 417 from Metcalfe, Rus- sell, Chesterville and _ other points. The project would cost an estimated $2 million. In addition to Osgoode and Russell, other partners in the brief were Cumberland and Winchester townships. Mr. Bou- wers emphasized that Winchest- er Reeve Gerald Holmes and Cumberland Councillor Frank Kenney attended the Toronto meeting. Reeve Bouwers said Mr. Snow was genuinely interested in the proposal but wondered where Russell stood on it. "It's upsetting because Gaston faithfully promised to be there. I don't understand why he would be against it because as far as I can see, Russell would be the main benefactor." He suspects that Mr. Paten- aude now has other priorities in- cluding securing development money for a road in Russell's east end. But Reeve Patenaude denied any loss of interest in the 417 link, claiming that he had been led to believe that getting it funded this year would be impossible. He admitted he has been look- ing for up to $300,000 in develop- ment money from the province to reconstruct 4!. miles of road in the east end. "If you can't buy the cow, take the calf," he said, explaining that he would rather get the develop- ment money than nothing at all. He apologized for missing the Toronto meeting, claiming he couldn't make it because at the same time he was being make a member of the Good Roads As- sociation executive. Baird's tax plan nixed A tax bash rather than a tax slash is what's most likely in store for Russell Township resid- ents this year. Although it's still early to tell for sure, a five per cent tax increase may be required to meet municipal spending estimates, Reeve Gaston Patenaude told the Castor Review. The reeve said: he'll have a better handle on this year's budget by the end of the month. Mr. Patenaude was comment- ing on the recent assertion by Councillor Baird McNeill that taxes could be cut by five per cent if the township spent less on property investment and recreat- ional grants this year. Such a break would ease the burden for Russell Village residents facing the first year of payments on their new sewage treatment system, Mr. McNeill noted. "TI can't see it,' the reeve said. "T don't know how Baird figures it because we never discussed tax cuts in council." While council may be able to 'juggle things around"' to pre- vent raising taxes, "unforeseen expenses"' could definitely affect the mill rate. These include $140,000 cost of 125 acres for a future industrial park and more than $14,000 to the South Nation River Conservation Authority's river management program. Reduced taxes would almost automatically bring reduced ser- vices, an eventuality Mr. Paten- aude doubted residents would condone. "Everything is going up, salar- ies, upkeep. We've hired one new full-time roads department em- ployee and we're looking for another to help with accounting. There's no way for a tax cut."' Breakins (Continued from Page 1) Seven counts of possession of stolen property totalling $20,000 were laid against David Potvin, 30, of Forest Park, just east of Embrun. The goods recovered by Casselman OPP in early Feb- ruary included a four-wheel drive vehicle, lawn tractors and chain saws. Their recovery was linked to a rash of breakins in Eastern Ontario in the past several months. Police are treating the breakins in the Castor area as separate incidents. Daniel Bourdeau, of Conces- sion 1, Russell Township, was charged with arson in connection with the burning of his car June 22. He will appear at a prelimin- ary hearing March 29. A second man is being sought in connection with the fire. Robert Carr, manager of the Russell Hotel, was recovering from severe frostbite and facial cuts in Ottawa General Hospital after being found unconscious in the hotel parking lot about 7 a.m. Feb. 18. He told police he was beaten on returning from the Russell Legion to the hotel in the early hours of the morning. He was found near the Castor Street entrance to the lot by Gary Hysert, of Kars, and his father Claire, of Hamilton, who were driving by. Police said Carr was not robbed. Friday, March 9, 1979 Page 3 Embrun water -- Pit vs. River A gravel pit in south Russell Township is being tested as a possible feed for the proposed Embrun waterworks as council backed by the Chamber of Commerce looks for an alternative to piping water from Casselman. Consulting engineer Marcel Dugas has been pumping water at the pit under controlled conditions to determine if capacity would meet Embrun's current and future water needs. Council and the Ministry of Environment would have to be convinc- ed of the pit's adequacy and reliability before depending on it to supply the new village water system, Mr. Dugas said. Car dealer Raymond Gregoire, president of the 27-member Chamber of Commerce is optimistic that the pit, owned by Councillor Leo Marion, wil prove feasible. The chamber supports pumping from the pit, Mr. Gregoire explain- ed, because that water would require less treatment than water drawn from the South Nation River at Casselman and piping would be less expensive because the pit is closer to Embrun. "'We want to try our own territory first and if we can't get enough good water, then go to Casselman."' Several alternatives have been looked at in the search for the raw product to fill Embrun's planned water mains. Combined with a sewage treatment system, the project will cost Environment several million dollars. Gerry McKenna, a spokesman for the ministry, allowed that the government favors installing a link between Embrun and the Cassel- man water filtration plant, 12 miles away, because it could solve water problems at Forest Park East. Forest Park has always been plagued with an inadequate water- works as well as poor quality water. While subdivision water is free of bacteria, it has a high chloride content which affects taste and can be detrimental to people with heart conditions. If a pipe were to be run from Casselman, Forest Park could plug into it as well, Mr. McKenna pointed out. The ministry is concerned, that capacity at the pit could deteriorate with long-term use. On the other hand, the South Nation water supply is guaranteed. He admitted that Casselman's treated water sometimes has a dis- agreeable taste and odor because the river is sluggish in the summer and the water gets too warm. Health-wise, however, it has never been in question. "I don't think Casselman water is bad," said Russell Reeve Gaston oeamcal "But I think there might be better water in our own town- ship. Some of Embrun's senior citizens are worried that Casselman water is not fit to drink, the reeve said. While it might cost more to tie into the Marion pit, the village would be assured of good water for many decades, he concluded. Coming Event Mrs. Pat Downing of Ottawa will be the Guest Speaker at a Block Parent Meeting of the LAKESIDE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS Present "CINDERELLA"' Sun. April 1 2p.m. Metcalfe Arena Tickets at the Door Sponsored by Metcalfe Community Centre Board Russell Home and School Assoc- iation on March 29 at 8 p.m. at the Russell Public School. Admission $1 RUSSELL PUBLIC SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN PRE-REGISTRATION FOR SEPTEMBER, 1979 Parents of any child eligible to begin Kindergarten in September, 1979 are asked to contact the school at their earliest con- venience. Dean Loucks, Principal 445-2190