Mayor's Report for April 19th, 2022
April 5th
I chaired the Municipal Planning Committee Meeting and the regular meeting of Council
April 6th
Dylan, Manager of Transportation, Tonia, CAO, and I toured the roads in Dickey Lake and Thanet Lake area to observe specific locations identified in correspondence submitted by residents of Dickey Lake. We attended each location and noted the concerns and determined action required. I will be responding to the resident's complaints.
April 7th
Helen, President of the Lion's Club, requested that I draw the winning ticket for the Quilt Draw sponsored by the Marmora Lion's Club at Memorial Park. The lucky winner was from Belleville.
At 1:00 - I met with Tim Pidduck, General Manager of the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority to prepare for the Conservation Ontario Annual General Meeting scheduled for April 11th. Since this was my first meeting, I completed the "orientation for new members". As Chair of the CVCA Board, I was the registered voting member representing Crowe Valley Conservation Authority. Conservation Ontario represents 36 conservation authorities. It was a very informative meeting.
At 6:00 p.m., I was graciously invited and attended the Lion's Club Dinner Meeting at the Community Centre. At the meeting I requested the Lion's Club's support to create an event to recognize the significant contribution of volunteers who organized and contributed to the Annual Snofest event that was held in Marmora for many years. This event put Marmora on the map as having one of the best organized sled dog races and it was a major economic benefit to the community.
When the association dissolved, they donated the balance in their bank account to be used for special events in Marmora. June Vilneff, Richard Lowry and Bonnie Danes approached me prior to COVID to discuss options for recognition of the contributions made by volunteers and the association. In planning the 200th anniversary, it seemed appropriate to plan this type of recognition ceremony in commemoration of the event. The Lion's Club have graciously offered to discuss this at their next business meeting and determine what they can do to plan an event. I want to thank them sincerely for a lovely dinner and for their ongoing support to this community. Stay tuned for dates, times and location.
April 9th
I attended the Pancake Breakfast put on by the Lion's Club. Again, the food was excellent. Following the breakfast, I attended the Curling Club to meet the organizers and vendors of the M.A.C.K.Fest event. There were over 100 registrations for the event and the fairgrounds was their gathering place. Vendors were set up in the curling club. Lin Walker, President of the Curling Club was preparing to cater a dinner on Saturday night.
There was a live band and numerous draws and prizes on the Saturday night. The M.A.C.K.Fest organizer thanked our staff and the members of the Curling Club for their assistance in facilitating the event.
April 11th
I participated in the Annual Conservation Ontario AGM. One of the Agenda items was the changes being proposed to the Planning Act to impose shorter processing/turnaround times for planning applications. This item is extremely concerning and will be dealt with by our Crowe Valley Conservation Authority Board at it's next meeting.
April 12th
I attended the first meeting of the Advisory Council set up by MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman at her constituency office in Ivanhoe. Shelby has been appointed to be the Shadow Minister for Seniors. She emphasized her objective to connect at the municipal level on Federal issues of concern. I took the opportunity to bring attention to the need for high speed internet and Broadband services, support for the pumped storage project and the high speed rail project. I thanked her for her support of the recent joint grant, the Federal/Provincial we received for the waterman project in Marmora. All of these items will benefit our local economy and community. Shelby emphasized her intention to be accessible to the public and encouraged us to contact her and/or her office with any concerns. The Advisory Council will be meeting quarterly.
April 13th
Tammy May, Economic Development Coordinator and I presented "new business" certificates Clean Peach Cleaning Services and Forever Flowers and Gifts. We also distributed the 200th Anniversary Posters to most of the downtown businesses and ask them to display them.
I attended the office to sign documents.
April 14th
I attended the ground breaking ceremony for the addition at Heart of Hastings Hospice in Madoc. Dr. Doulage, Board Chair and Hospice Staff thanked all of the surrounding communities for their continued support. On behalf of Marmora and Lake, I want to thank the medical professionals, staff and volunteers at Hospice House for the services they provide to the entire community and surrounding municipalities. In addition to the services provided at the house, trained volunteers and counsellors attend patients in their private homes and provide a range of support for families during particularly difficult times. Thank you.
April 19th
This morning I attended Hastings County Planning and Development Committee and Finance, Property and Personnel Committee meetings in person.
I urge you to view the Hastings County Committee and Council Meetings.
At today's Planning and Development meeting there was Action Correspondence and recommendations regarding Gypsy Moth and resolutions of Limerick, Faraday and Hastings Highlands . The Planning and Development Committee recommended that the resolutions be received and a letter be sent to the Ministry of Environment, signed by Hastings County Councillors, advising them that they need to be involved.
Another important topic on the Agenda is the resolution from South Frontenac regarding the dissolution of the Ontario Land Tribunal.
I mentioned the changes to the Planning Act presented and discussed at the Conservation Ontario AGM.
This topic was discussed at the Hastings County Planning and Development Committee Meeting as Bill 109 - More Homes for Everyone Act. These changes will have a huge impact on staff in processing various planning applications. If Bill 109 is passed in its current form, it will result in several significant changes to land use planning as well as some minor changes to development charges and the community benefits charges. Statutory time lines will be imposed and failure to achieve the deadlines will result in proposed refund of application fees based on specific days of delay. This Bill places responsibility timelines entirely on municipalities with no recognition for delays or poor information on applications. As you are aware, we do not have planning staff and rely almost completely on the Hastings County Planning Department. I will be putting forth a notice of motion" for a staff report for a future Council Meeting.
At 2:00 I was invited to join the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario on behalf of the Honourable Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, together with Kinga Suma, Minister of Infrastructure for Ontario for the important Universal Broadband Fund announcement that will bring improved high-speed internet to rural communities in Ontario, enhancing connectivity across many households. This is good news.
At 4:30 - I am chairing the regular meeting of council
Proclamations:
Operation Smile Canada has requested that I proclaim June 19th, 2022 as the Longest Day of SMILES in Marmora and Lake.
Chair of Communities in Bloom and President of the Canadian Garden Council requested that we proclaim the Year of the Garden 2022 and encourage citizens to "Live the Garden Life". The promotional letter will be posted on our web site.