ELORA – The Christmas lights in downtown Elora may be a little dimmer this year, as council voted not to take $12,000 from the general capital reserve to install white lights in the Elora Green Space.
Last year Kat Florence paid to light up the parkette, but has since backed away from the agreement.
Managing director of community services Pat Newson presented a report on Oct. 14, asking council to consider footing the bill for installation of the lights this year.
The lights are beautiful, they attract visitors and residents, and help local businesses, Newson said.
She noted the cost “wasn’t anticipated in the 2025 operating budget,” and proposed taking the funds from the general capital reserve this one time.
“The lighting investment is a small amount compared to the bigger picture,” Newson said. “It would be unfortunate for the Green Space to be unlit this season.”
Councillor Jennifer Adams said she didn’t want to use capital funds for the lighting project, adding the money should come from the operating budget and use township staff to install them.
“We have too many critical issues to deal with,” she said. “I don’t think we need as many lights to make it beautiful.”
Councillor Barb Evoy thought this kind of investment in Elora would leave out Fergus and Belwood, which could also benefit from seasonal lighting.
“It feels a little tone deaf,” she said.
Elora BIA chair Maclean Hann delegated at the meeting and said the matter would be discussed at the BIA’s next meeting on Oct. 21.
He didn’t know how much funding the BIA had to cover the cost on its own, even if members agreed to pay the cost.
“I ask you to work with us this year,” Hann said, confident funding could be allotted in subsequent years.
Hann noted last year’s lighting initiative was very successful and allowed many businesses to remain open after Christmas, which is not always the case in the winter in Elora.
Two local business owners felt differently, however.
Erika Montero and Cathy Daultry each told council that illuminating the Green Space should not fall on the shoulders of taxpayers.
Montero said the agreement with the donor was to last five years.
“The agreement has now ended after one year for reasons that were not made public,” she said.
“Taxpayers should not be asked to support promotional projects that were never theirs to begin with. It’s tone deaf, divisive and wrong.”
Daultry noted downtown businesses pay to install their own holiday décor.
“This is $12,000 to put lights in the Green Space and take them down again. This will be a yearly expense and it’s not appropriate,” she said.
The township owns the lights and some councillors thought they could be spread to other locations in the township.
“I want to hear what the Elora BIA thinks,” said councillor Kim Jefferson.
“I want the membership to have their say. If the BIA wants to take it on, that’s great, but I think we are overstepping.”
Mayor Shawn Watters agreed.
“I think we should take a pause and let the BIA do their thing,” he said.
“If there’s time to do something, that’s great; if not, that’s fine.”
In the end, council voted to have staff talk with the BIA after its meeting and to direct staff to use the existing 2025 operating budget and resources to install lights in the Elora Green Space.
“If there is no money, it doesn’t happen this year,” said councillor Bronwynne Wilton.
“We need to work within our budget.”
