Dooher’s gets reno help
Council faces higher fire truck costs, gets into wedding business, development slows but Warkworth project moves ahead
The transformation of the former Inclusion Northumberland site on Doxsee Avenue North into the new home of Dooher’s Bakery will get $7,000 in financing from the municipality’s Community Improvement Program.
The total cost of upgrading and updating the front of the building is estimated at $30,000.
“The scope of the proposed work includes the replacement of the front window, exterior painting, new signage, and landscaping at the store entrance,” say a report to council.
The annual budget for such enhancements is $75,000 and it usually isn’t all spent. The fund currently has $212,800, with an additional $ 58,700 earmarked for other approved projects this year.
Fire truck’s price skyrockets
Fire vehicles are expensive and it takes a long time to get one built and delivered. Trent Hills council was reminded of those truths on Tuesday when they were asked to spend an additional $140,000, on top of the $500,000 they had approved in 2024, so that the fire service can purchase a new Ford F-550 rescue vehicle for the Campbellford station.
The $500,000 was in the 2025 budget but due to “procurement timing and market conditions” the purchase never was made and the cost is now 28 per cent higher, says a report to council.
“As procurement progressed, it was determined that the total cost of the replacement vehicle exceeded the originally approved amount,” the report says. “To complete the purchase and place the vehicle into service, additional funding of $140,000 is required.
“The increased project cost reflects current fire apparatus market conditions, including higher manufacturing and material costs, supply chain constraints, and enhanced safety and operational standards incorporated into modern rescue vehicles.”
Council agreed to take from $140,000 from the fire services reserve fund so that the purchase can be made this year. They hope.
Here comes the bride – town hopes
Trent Hills is getting into the marriage business. Staff see this as a profit centre with the council chambers used for weddings, which would be officiated by the clerk or another employee.
Getting hitched will cost $400 in the chamber, $500 in off hours, or $450 in another location in the area.
The municipality previous allowed civil marriages but delegated responsibility. Last May the bylaw permitting that was repealed.
“Given the opportunity to provide a municipally delivered service that supports cost recovery and offers the potential to generate higher revenue than the previous delegated model, staff propose reintroducing civil marriage solemnization as an internal service, administered by the Clerk or designate,” says a report to council.
Ceremonies will be offered by appointment, primarily during business hours at municipal facilities, with limited off-site and after-hours availability, subject to staff capacity.
In December council approved an increase in the cost of a marriage licence to $175 from $150.
I think the tourism marketers should jump on this opportunity. Forget Vegas or Niagara. Start your married life in the hills, Trent Hills.
Development slows as sales slide
Development has slowed in the past year but about “1,200 units are still in the pipeline, likely to be constructed over the next decade,” planner Cameron Law says in a report to council.
If these units are completed it would represent an increase in about 2,100 residents, based on the average household size of 1.8 people.
Law noted that building permits declined in 2025 and “housing starts have been way down, both in Trent Hills and across Ontario. Global uncertainty, tariffs and trade disputes, and general unease have slowed down several sectors, including housing”
The picture is not all bleak, Law says. “While construction itself is down, several developers have been in the process of completing studies, back-end work, and getting their developments ready for a sign that the housing market” will improve.
Law said there were 56 development applications in 2025, down from 77 in 2024.
“There are a few reasons for this. First, the housing market has considerably cooled since 2024, with house prices decreasing (though still remaining unaffordable to many). Construction costs have stayed the same or increased … leading both developers and owners of vacant land to hold off until the market improves.”
Law said severance applications were also down in 2025 to 23 from 31 in 2024.
Campbellford
Approximately 664 units are proposed for the Campbellford area, up from 550 a year ago.
“This change reflects the draft approval of the apartment building for Ferris Heights on Church Avenue, as well as a more accurate count based on plans provided for Haven on the Trent and Camelot Village,” Law’s report says.
The fourth phase of Haven on the Trent has received approval, and lot grading, preliminary road construction, and pre-servicing for the site has begun. Construction of the remainder of phase three and a start on phase four expected in 2026, Law says.
“Camelot Village has constructed the first model house and is anticipated to begin further construction of phase one this year. Ferris Heights has been undertaking lot grading in preparation for installing services and starting construction of the apartment building.
Units in Ferris Gardens have been for sale for some time and construction of a second building is almost finished.
Hastings
Hastings has approximately 953 approved or proposed units at this time. In 2025, staff moved ahead with the public meetings for the Brenda’s Place Condominium development, which was received in 2023 but were deemed incomplete, and is now ready to move forward to approval. Staff also received a proposal for development at the Hastings Tannery Lands & and the adjacent White Building for a trio of apartment buildings, totalling 240 units.
Lasw said a second public hearing/open house is proposed for these applications. That’s in part because no one representing the developer attended the first hearing.
Cautious approval of Warkworth development
Council has agreed to rezone a Banta Road property on the western edge of Warkworth to start the process that could see nine homes built. The land had been zoned community facility, likely because it is adjacent to a cemetery.
It has been rezoned to Low-Density Residential Holding (R1-H) while a number of studies are carried out to ensure neighbours, Lower Trent Conservation and the county are satisfied.
As I wrote in November, staff had wanted the site to have 40 homes or more to meet desired density requirements, but a lack of water capacity forced a reduction to the now proposed nine homes.
Residents and councillors raised several concerns during a public hearing in early November.
Planning staff said the developer is redoing some studies that had been started when more homes were planned. “The holding zone will be placed on the subject lands while the required studies are being updated or completed,” a report says.
“Staff feel comfortable proceeding with the zoning by-law amendment, with a holding zone in place to prevent development until all outstanding concerns have been addressed by the applicant,” it concludes.
You can read all Trent Hills News stories on my website here.
Thought the Reno help was 5000 but with inflation it needed a boost. Check out what it costs to run the department. Tax bills are out compare it with last years. No problem with us seniors we got a huge increase in OAS and CPP. The general theme when I listen to council budget was we can,t fall behind in services so it costs more. With all the new builds and taxes coming in there should be a surplus for the final tax bills. Now with the staff getting into the marriage business ,for sure taxes will go down and the mayor woun,t be able to say we have no money. Council should see that Stirling, Bancroft and Tweed got money for infrastructure from the Ford government but maybe Trent Hills will get a big grant for the new hospital. I feel sorry for the seniors that just have the OAG and CPP.
$7,000 of taxpayers money going to a commercial business $30,000 renovation who purchased a $600,000 property. Priorities seem off in Trent Hills.