On today’s show, Tantramar council approved its 2025 budget on Thursday afternoon, along with nearly flat tax rates for Sackville and Dorchester, and 5 cent hikes for the three former local service districts. When combined with average increases in assessments, property tax bills should go up across the municipality, from an average of 4.4% in Dorchester to an average of 15.4% in the former Sackville local service district. Some councillors expressed concerns about the budget, calling for rate decreases and more room for housing and climate change projects.
Plus in briefs, Amherst police have arrested holistic health practitioner Mangala Ranasinghe and charged him with sexual assault, and the Sackville Commons is giving up their lease on 18 Lorne Street, but the Sackville Farmers Market and some other tenants of the space will continue to rent directly from building owners, Lafford Realty.
