Mayor's Message - April 1, 2018

Good morning, Bonjour

 

The first day of April,  watch out for those April Fools jokes ! Finally spring is upon on us.  If the wind of last night was the month of March going out like a Lion, I can live with that.  With the success of our Main Street re-construction relying heavily on good weather, I have to admit I find myself checking out the 14 day weather forecast far more often than I used to. 

 

Staying with Main Street for a few moments longer.  Our contractor, JB Enterprises Ltd.,  will begin mobilizing their forces in preparation for the start of the Main Street Reconstruction Project this Tuesday  (April 3rd ). The work will begin at the entrance to the Philip H. Jones Pollution Control plant and will include the set-up of a sanitary sewer by-pass pumping system and a temporary water system. Asphalt removals and pulverization will also take place along the entrance to the Pollution Control Plant. During this time the vehicular traffic will be detoured around the work area.  Should you have any questions or concerns please do contact our Public Works Department at 549-7992 or you can check out the activity at our website www.penetanguishene.ca.  Plus you can sign up for automatic email updates  by adding your name and email  address at the link below:  http://www.penetanguishene.ca/en/news/subscribe.aspx?feedId=332cb99c-6528-48f3-98c1-4393b13712a8 

 

I should note that we have already added to the email distribution list all of the people who attended the previous Public Information Centres.  And of course all updates will also be posted on our social media accounts Facebook and Twitter.

 

Also Main street related was Councils review last week of the Curb Alignment at the corner of Brock Street and Main Street.  Currently, on the East side of Main Street, there are six , 30 minute parking spaces, located just south of Brock Street. The new main street design that was approved back in April of 2015, eliminated the most northerly of these spaces.  The absence of this space was noted at a public information session by a local merchant who subsequently brought the issue to councils attention. Council approved reconsidering the matter and after a lengthy discussion council made a decision to add the parking space back in to the plan.

 

As I mentioned in last week’s message there were some hot topics on last week’s council agenda.

 

QUEENS COURT SUBDIVISION

Two motions were tabled and debated on this topic at this past Wednesday’s council meeting. 

 

Motion to Refer Back to Staff

Our CAO and Director of Planning, both shared that they felt that they were not in possession of enough information to make an informed recommendation to council regarding the sub division. Their best advice to council, was for council to refer the matter back to staff for further review and consultation. Sharing the same opinion as staff, I moved a motion to refer the matter back to staff.  This motion was defeated 5-3.

 

Motion to Deny

The next motion put forward was to deny the application. I opposed the motion. It was my personal belief that a denial at this point was premature and would immediately lead to an extremely expensive, $100,000 to $250,000, Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing.  A hearing, that, in my own view, we were likely to lose. While the cost of an OMB hearing is a factor, more concerning for me, was that the OMB route removes all decision making on this subdivision from Town Councils hands, from our town staffs hands and totally removes town residents from the decision making process. The motion to deny the application passed with 6 councillors in favor and 2 opposed.

 

In terms of the developer taking us to the OMB, noon Thursday, saw our Town CAO inform council members that the developer had filed two appeals against the Town. One is for the plan of subdivision refusal and the other is for the re-zoning refusal.   It is important to note that the developer filed their two appeals on Thursday, March  29th . This date comes into play as the existing OMB processes for appeals remain in place until the new Local Appeal Tribunal Act (LAPT) is proclaimed by the Lieutenant Governor.  The day named for proclamation is not until next Tuesday, April 3rd.   

 

Town Staff will be preparing a report for Councils consideration in April to get councils direction on next steps.

 

TENNIS COURTS/PICKLE BALL

Council voted to reconsider the previous decision to have two tennis courts at McGuire Park reconstructed and a separate four court pickle ball court constructed.  I can share that many on council have grown weary of this debate.  After much debate, that was passionate at times, the final outcome saw council rescind the previous decision and the town will now proceed with building one tennis court and four pickle ball courts at the existing McGuire Tennis Court location.

 

Other Items of Interest

 

Back Yard Chickens

Council debated back yard chickens and whether they should be allowed in Town. The recommendation coming to council for ratification sees council approve a back yard chicken trial.

 

Pot Bellied Pigs

Once council got chatting about back yard chickens, minds turned to what other animals should be allowed in town, after much debate council felt it appropriate to allow Pot Bellied Pigs. Provided that it is a small pig, with an average weight of no more than 50 kg, and an average height of no more than 36 cm.  Similar to our dog park, council authorised staff to commence construction of a pot-bellied pig park which will be located next to our existing dog park. Similar to our approach with dogs , you will need a tag.

Pot Bellied pig tags and town branded pig leashes and collars are on sale effective, today, April 01.

 

My week to be

 

Monday – town hall is closed

 

Tuesday  -  I complete a radio interview with PEAK FM, I attend a service agreement meeting in Orillia, our senior council meets at the arena at 10 a.m. and  I participate in a team meeting at the County and our Trails committee meets at 4:30 at the arena.

 

Wednesday -  I attend a sneak preview of Georgian College’s new research and innovation center, St. Ann’s students tour Town Hall and council meets to discuss our Service Delivery Review and next steps related to the review.

 

Thursday – I complete a Rogers TV  interview

 

Friday – I can be found in London for a Western Wardens Meeting.

 

In closing, Midland Mayor Gord McKay announced yesterday that he will not be seeking re-election.  Having worked with Gord for the past 8 years he has become a firm friend to not only Jan and myself but as well to our entire town.  Gord and I have worked on many mutual and beneficial undertakings that have led to success and positive changes for both Midland and Penetanguishene.  I wish Gord all the best as he moves on to the next chapter in his book of life and I thank him for his hard work and dedication to his town and to our entire area. Well done Gord.

 

Well that is all for today,

 

Happy Easter everyone,  Joyeuses Pâques !

 

Mayor Gerry

 

Gerry Marshall

Warden County of Simcoe,

Mayor Town of Penetanguishene,

County (705) 726-9300 Ext. 1260

Town (705)-549-7453

 

This e-mail is sent to citizens of Penetanguishene for their information on my personal thoughts, upcoming meetings and activities in Town.  The views expressed in the Mayor's Message do not necessarily represent the views of Council.    Agendas and minutes for Council and Committee meetings can be found in the Digital Library on the Town's website at www.penetanguishene.ca.  If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please send an e-mail requesting removal to gjmarshall@bell.net  and I will be happy to do so. 

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