The mayor in Antigonish calls it a good news budget for residents of the town.

Council passed its $12.6 million operating plan without any new taxes for business or homeowners and spend nearly $3.5 million on capital projects.

Laurie Boucher is pleased council is focusing on safety and accountability for its residents.

The town will start work this year on its active transportation trail, which will connect trails in town with the county’s making for a better trail network.

“Town council is excited to see construction begin this year on the first section of the Active Transportation Trail. It’s a multi-year project that will be a wonderful addition to our community. It will be an attractive, safe, and accessible option for our residents to support a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Mayor Boucher.

Capital projected includes $441,000 in paving projects, $223,000 in sidewalk improvements, $400,000 in bridge work, $292,000 in upgrades for the Town’s storm and sanitary systems, and $162,000 for a design of upgrades for Bay Street.

Construction work on Bay Street will follow next year.

“Clean-up efforts and repairs to damage caused by Hurricane Fiona are still ongoing. We have had many downed trees in areas that could not be addressed before the winter so we are going back in areas around Chisholm and Carin Park to get them cleaned up,” said Boucher. “We are also starting phase one of work on one of our Ball Field 3 at the Regional to address drainage and grading issues so our growing baseball community has better field access following heavy rain storms. This work will start at the tail end of the upcoming season as to not disrupt the current schedule.”