Newmarket Council Meeting
(I AM SHARING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE FROM THE DECEMBER 5 EDITION OF 'NEWMARKET NOW!' SEND YOUR FEEDBACK OR SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE EDITIONS BY SENDING COMMENTS TO COMMUNICATIONS@NEWMARKET.CA)
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED AT THE COUNCIL MEETING ON DECEMBER 5, 2016
SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT BETWEEN MUNICIPAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT CORPORATION AND ONTARIO MUNICIPALITIES
Newmarket Council approved a service level agreement between the Town and Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) that clearly lays out accountability frameworks, service parameters, support needs and performance indicators. A working group was formed with representation from MPAC, municipalities of all sizes across the Province and the Ministry of Finance. Municipal team members are being asked to: provide municipal perspective, insight and support/ participation in outreach and implementation strategy, create opportunities for continued improvements in service delivery and offer regular feedback on the reporting of service levels. This partnership creates opportunities for greater collaboration with municipalities and allows for any improvements required prior to provincial launch in 2017.
2017 User Fees and Charges Approved
Newmarket Council has passed the 2017 User Fees and Charges for Stormwater Management, Building, Planning, Fire and General Fees and Charges. The new fees will take effect on January 1, 2017.
2017 Water and Wastewater Rates
Council approved a fee adjustment to the water and wastewater rates to take effect as of January 1, 2017. The fee adjustments include increases to both consumption fees and changes to the monthly fixed charge for water and wastewater. The average resident consuming 200 cubic meters of water per year will see an increase of 5.8 per cent ($60) and the average business owner consuming 835 cubic metres of water per year will see an increase of 9 per cent ($295).
Main Street Clock Inc. Development Proposal
Newmarket Council has denied an application for development at the Clock Tower property and directed staff to create a site specific zoning by-law to restrict the height of development at the site, fronting on Main Street at three stories plus a fourth storey if set back by a minimum of 15 feet, and restrict the height of development on Park Avenue at three stories with a fourth storey if set back by a minimum of 15 feet. Also, staff have been directed to bring forward amendments to the Heritage Conservation District Plan and By-law for consideration of Council in 120 days, that would outline the criteria which would need to be met by applicants in order to be considered for approval of a fourth storey set back from the street by a minimum of 15 feet.
Minutes for the Town of Newmarket Council Meetings, outlining Council decisions, is available under newmarket.ca/meetings
Agendas, Minutes and Meetings on the Town of Newmarket website. For more information or to view the reports, visit newmarket.ca
SAVE THE DATE! MARK THESE EVENTS IN YOUR CALENDAR:
Fitness Centre Membership Pre-Sale
Thursday, December 1 to Saturday, December 31: The Town of Newmarket Fitness Centre, located at the Magna Centre (800 Mulock Drive), will be opening January 2017. Membership pre-sales will be sold at the Magna Centre Customer Service Kiosk. The first 250 households to register for a membership will receive a gift. Please visit newmarket.ca/fitness for more information.
Winter Wonderland
Friday, December 2 to Sunday, January 8: Hosted for a month, the beautiful light displays of Winter Wonderland are here! Every night from 6 to 9 p.m., enjoy the light display and free outdoor skating on the Tim Hortons Skating and Water Feature at Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Drive).
On Saturday and Sunday evenings, children are invited to take a ride on the Tim Hortons Express Train. Please note train rides will not be available on December 25 or January 1. Train rides are weather permitting and free of charge. isit newmarket.ca/events for more information.
Newmarket Ice Lounge
Friday, December 2: The Newmarket Ice Lounge is back for another winter at Newmarket’s Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Drive). Open daily, the Ice Lounge is a large outdoor lounge with modern furniture and an newmarket.ca/events.
outdoor television. Come enjoy the outdoors in style with your friends and family this winter. The Ice Lounge is a free event and is sponsored by Jay Miller Real Estate. For more information please see
Winter 2017 Activity Guide and Registration
Wednesday, December 7 & Wednesday, December 14: Registration for the Town of Newmarket's Winter 2017 programs begins on Wednesday, December 7 for residents at 6:30 a.m. and Wednesday, December 14 at 8:30 a.m. for non-residents. Please visit newmarket.ca/recreation for more information.
Christmas Dinner and Dance
Friday, December 9: Visit the Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place (474 Davis Drive) for our Christmas Dinner and Dance. The cash bar will officially open at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner being served at 6 p.m. Entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. You can then dance the night away from 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Please note, there is limited space available for this event so please call the Seniors’ Meeting Place at 905-953-5325 for more details and ticket availability.
Computers 101 Workshop
Wednesday, December 14: Join us from 2 to 4 p.m.at the Newmarket Public Library (438 Park Avenue) to learn basic mouse and keyboarding skills with an introduction to the Internet. This workshop is a friendly and encouraging introduction to computer basics, for the complete beginner. Call 905-953-5110 ext. 4770 to register or sign up in-person at the lower level information desk.
Live Nativity Pageant
Wednesday, December 21 to Saturday, December 24: Join the cast of the Live Nativity Pageant as they embark on a journey to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This outdoor performance will take place at Fairy Lake Park (Water Street) from Wednesday, December 21 to Friday, 23 at 7 and 8 p.m. A closing performance will be held on Saturday, December 24 at 7 p.m. The Live Nativity Pageant is presented by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in partnership with the Town of Newmarket.
Tim Hortons First Night Newmarket
Saturday, December 31: Looking for some family-fun this New Year’s Eve? Ring in the New Year at Newmarket’s Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Drive) from 6 to 9 p.m. This free event will feature live outdoor and indoor entertainment, complimentary outdoor skating and will end off with a grand finale fireworks display at 9 p.m. This event is presented in partnership with Tim Hortons.
Sidewalk Snow-clearing in Newmarket
The Town has added 60 km of sidewalk to this year’s sidewalk snow-clearing program to bring the total to 280 km of sidewalk. The Town will first clear ‘primary routes’ such as Main Street, Regional roads, arterial roads, school locations, major transit locations and the Tom Taylor Trail. All remaining sidewalks and walkways will be classified secondary routes.
Property owners whose sidewalks are on the snow-clearing sidewalk list are asked to ensure that any landscape features (driveway curbs, sprinkler heads, gardens or shrubs) are positioned at least 45 cm or 18" away from both sides of the sidewalks so they do not interfere with sidewalk snow-clearing operations. Any sod along the sidewalk also needs to be 'edged' to avoid tearing when the sidewalk snowplows make their way through your neighbourhood.
Property owners whose sidewalks are not on this year's sidewalk-clearing routes are reminded to clear their sidewalks from ice and snow in accordance to the Town’s Snow Clearing By-law. Remember not to shovel snow onto the street and lend a hand to those who are physically unable to shovel or have difficulty leaving their home due to snow or ice.
For more information on sidewalk snow-clearing routes and the program, visitnewmarket.ca/sidewalksnowclearing or call 905-895-5913
The Town is considering a stormwater charge for 2017
The Town is considering a stormwater charge for 2017. What does this mean for residents? If approved, current amounts for stormwater will be removed from your property tax and water and wastewater bills and put towards the stormwater charge. It is like opening a separate savings account and putting funds dedicated to stormwater in there to make sure the Town has enough money in the future for stormwater management improvements. Stormwater management services will help reduce the negative effects stormwater has on our environment and lower the risks of flooding that can damage your property.
If you have any questions about the stormwater charge, please email Kevin Yaraskavitch at kyaraskavitch@newmarket.ca.
For more information, visit newmarket.ca/stormwatercharge
Get Involved in the Electoral Reform process in Newmarket
Town of Newmarket residents are encouraged to get involved and fill out an online survey on Internet Voting and Ranked Ballots in an effort to address electoral reform for the upcoming Municipal Election in 2018. This survey is also being conducted via telephone across Newmarket through random sample. For more information on internet voting and ranked ballots or to fill out our survey, visit newmarket.ca/municipalelectionsor call the Town at 905-895-5193.
Town of Newmarket's 2017 Operating Budget
The Town of Newmarket's 2017 Operating Budget is underway! Residents are encouraged to participate in the 2017 Budget Process by getting involved! There are many ways you can do that.
- Call 905-895-5193 to speak to someone directly.
- Email your comments and feedback to finance@newmarket.ca
- Review the below budget schedule and note the dates of public meetings in your calendar.
- Play Phase I of our 2017 Budget Game: Put Your Money Where it Matters.
Below is a list of meetings related to the 2017 Operating Budget to take note of:
- Draft Budget information available to public and on website: December 12, 2016
- Special Committee of the Whole - Capital Budget and Asset Replacement Fun: January 16, 2017
- Special Committee of the Whole - Operating Budget: January 30, 2017
- Committee of the Whole - Draft Capital and Operating Budget: February 6, 2017
- Council approval of the Budget: February 13, 2017
For more information, visit newmarket.ca/2017Budget