So, I want to start off this week’s missive by talking about the Niagara Foundation.

Established in 1962, this organization has played a pivotal role in the preservation of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s heritage over the last 62 years.

Not only has this completely volunteer-staffed not-for-profit outfit been instrumental in saving and restoring multiple historic built-heritage sites — the highlights of which might include the Niagara Apothecary on Queen Street, the William & Susannah Stewart House on Butler, St. Mark’s Rectory and their latest project, the Wilderness on King Street — the foundation has also underwritten a multitude of lower profile projects in accordance with their mandate to promote “the preservation of the architectural, cultural and environmental integrity of Niagara-on-the-Lake.”

Cherry-picking from the foundation’s less visible overtures over six decades, please consider their vital role in establishing NOTL’s historic district, the photographic inventory of 20 graveyards in NOTL — a very important historical reference — and financing the publication of Peter Stokes book, “Early Architecture of the Town & Township of Niagara,” as an effort to inform the general public of the historic legacy which has been bequeathed to us.

In short, for more than six decades, Niagara Foundation volunteers have been one of the primary stewards of our town’s history.

And, based on my understanding, their many activities have principally been financed through fundraising.

Now, in 1982, the town acquired a property on the riverfront at 99 River Beach Dr. for $20,000.

Both the dwelling and the lot had been neglected and were in a sadly derelict condition.

That said, this piece of built heritage was considered to be a vitally important historic anchor within NOTL’s Docklands envelope and, recognizing the need for its preservation, Niagara Foundation stepped up and, in 1986, signed a lease to take over the property.

In the years since, the foundation has spent over $200,000 to restore and preserve the building and lands.

They also paid into the town coffers more than four times the amount that the foundation actually earned out of the property — these “earnings” incidentally were paid forward into other heritage projects they were involved in.

So, the current lease — signed in 2022 — has a one-year extension clause, which the foundation applied for.

I can only imagine their surprise when, concurrent with the processing of the application, town staff presented a written recommendation signed by the manager of parks and recreation Kevin Turcotte, that the lease not be renewed after its conclusion in 2026.

Apparently, the justification for the staff recommendation is based on an annual shortfall of $4,500 in covering the costs of town, regional and school board taxes during the current lease period.

It seems to me an odd recommendation given that a new lease would be open to negotiation of the terms and this matter could be addressed.

Nope, instead, the town staff and council simply decide to deal the foundation out.

And, as a final observation on this topic, if a $4,500 shortfall has their knickers in a knot, they should be absolutely apoplectic over what the old hospital on Wellington Street (and other underutilized town properties) must be costing annually — but, I haven’t heard anything about that.

In the same Nov. 19 council meeting, during which the Foghorn lease recommendation was voted on, there were two other matters discussed which deserve comment.

The first was a presentation by Frank Tassone, the Niagara Region’s director of transportation services, addressing the St. Davids roundabout.

Mr. Tassone spoke in very positive terms relative to contributions made by roughly 80 residents who attended the Public Engagement Workshop held on Nov. 13, commenting that the event was “really successful.”

I am forced to observe that since the region staff had made it very clear that this meeting was not a forum in which any opposition to the roundabout could be voiced — a project which they appear to be very committed to ramming through despite its drawbacks — one suspects that at least a portion of the citizen participants were there to mitigate damage to the community.

In other words, if we’re going to get it anyway, let’s attempt to make the best of a bad situation by ensuring the design is at least compatible with the history and character of St. Davids. Let me take the opportunity to thank all the citizens who attended and contributed to this effort.

A point raised by Coun. Erwin Wiens regarding the new sidewalks vis-à-vis who funds the cost of construction was quickly answered by Tassone: The town.

Indeed, I’d also suggest that the bike lanes and green spaces will also be on the town’s nickel.

Furthermore, the cost of annual maintenance of any plantings and the sidewalks/bike lanes will rest on the town’s future operating budgets.

All that spending for a roundabout that will result in tailbacks on York Road — a situation that will, according to the region’s own projections to 2050 data, get continually longer as the traffic load on Four Mile Creek Road continually grows.

These and other issues regarding roundabouts were visited by this columnist in the Nov. 13 edition of this paper (“Arch-i-text: Of roundabouts and other things“), so I will not beat that drum again.

The next presentation to council on Nov. 19 was from the region’s director of water and wastewater services, Phill Lambert.

This presentation can be found on the town’s website, at notl.com/council-government/meetings-agendas-minutes, clicking on the Nov. 19 committee of the whole general meeting and checking out the video recording of this meeting.

I would strongly urge every taxpayer in Niagara-on-the-Lake (and the Niagara region) to take the time to watch it.

In short, Mr. Lambert points out that 44 per cent and 49 per cent of the region’s water and wastewater facilities, respectively, are in “poor to very poor” and “declining” condition statuses.

And, that 77 per cent of water comes from plants that are approximately 100 years old, while 90 per cent of wastewater is treated in facilities more than 50 years old.

And, as we all know, the older facilities get, the more money it takes to keep them operational.

Now, if that’s not scary enough, Lambert goes on to point out that current annual funding investment in Niagara is approximately half of the $50 million required to properly address the water operations needs and an astounding 20 percent of the $115 million required in the wastewater operations.

To be clear, he is talking about the cost of halting the decline in the condition of these facilities and, even at full funding, it would take a decade to clear the backlog.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, with the exception of St. Davids, is blessed by relatively modern wastewater plants. St. Davids’ wastewater, of course, is handled by the Niagara Falls facility — which currently running at or over capacity.

Provided that sufficient funding investment is committed, Lambert suggests that it will be 2033 before a solution is put in place to address pumping stations and force main issues in St. Davids.

Oddly, however, no one raised any question regarding the elephant in the room that was left unaddressed — the Niagara Falls facility.

There is a new secondary treatment system due to come online next year but my understanding is that it will not increase capacity.

In the face of newly approved developments in St. Davids, it’s a question that should be answered.

Be that as it may, after decades of chronic under-investment by local governments, they will not be able to address the investment necessary to bring Niagara’s water and wastewater systems up to date.

Unfortunately, it will require more spending by the province and federal governments … and more government debt.  

Another fine illustration of the cost of saving money on a short-term basis coming home to bite us.       

Brian Marshall is a NOTL realtor, author and expert consultant on architectural design, restoration and heritage.