The past four years have been challenging for all of us to say the least. Early into the term we lost our Deputy Mayor and good friend, John Levi, we experienced floods in the spring of 2019 and during the pandemic we lost many members of our community.
As a Councillor, the pandemic brought unprecedented challenges. It created a new and unpredictable environment making both strategic and financial decisions difficult. We took a very cautious approach early on. Council had no idea how lockdowns would affect our tax base, how long the Provincial restrictions would last for or how it would affect our community overall. I am proud to say despite these challenges, we have persevered; we remain stable, and we were also able to accomplish many positive changes. …. but we still have more work to do.
The following are a list of highlighted items done during the past term by this council:
- Hired the new Mississippi Mills CAO
- Approved 2019 Vegetation Management Plan;
- Removed the parking restrictions on the west side of Sadler Drive
- Start of the new Community Official Plan
- Shaw bridge
- Replaced old snowplow, fleet vehicle and mowing equipment
- Facility maintenance on the Old Town Hall, Day Care, Library, Fire, Pakenham Garage, Ramsay Storage Shed
- Development of the Asset Management Plan
- Installation of Live Streaming technology in the Council Chamber
- Developed a New Municipal Strategic Plan
- Opened – Daycare Expansion to Holy Name of Mary School
- Road work: Victoria St., Menzie St., Panmure Road
- Numerous infrastructure upgrades including water line looping, sewer replacements and the design phases of a large water storage tank behind the fire hall in Almonte
- Downtown core detail design phase
- Continuation of water meter technology upgrades
- Development of the 2019 Pollinator Plant Pilot Project
- Installation Pedestrian Cross Walk in Pakenham
- Council approved the Strategic Asset Management Policy
- Revisions done to improve the petition policy
- Developed a Fire Department Emergency Management and Master Fire Plan
- Developed an administration policy for the use and management of Video Surveillance Equipment at municipal facilities after several acts of vandalism.
- Endorsed the tree-lined path concept along the OVRT from Church St to Bridge St.
- Support installment of R. Tait McKenzie plaque at Almonte Old Town Hall
- Proceeded with maintaining the trestle bridge on Little Bridge St as part of the Almonte Downtown Revitalization
- Implemented Speed Reduction Golden Line Rd
- Supported Clayton Recreation Club and Union Hall Community Centre
- Development of Zero Emissions Electric Vehicle Stations
- Developed Municipal Modernization Program
- Library upgrades – furniture, technology, and equipment
- Addressed traffic safety for school children on Paterson Street in Almonte. These issues included crossing the intersection on Ottawa/Paterson streets, speeding on Paterson Street, and the location of a crosswalk on Paterson Street were brought forward to myself from school principals, school bus companies and parents of children going the two schools in this area. Over the course of the year, crossing guards were hired at the Ottawa St. Intersection, traffic light configuration was adjusted delaying left hand turns into the crosswalk to allow children more time to cross safely, the crosswalk on Paterson Street was moved to a more suitable location and a community safety zone was established from Ottawa St. to Robert Hill St.
- Replaced the current Procedural By-law
- Wild Parsnip Management Plan – included wild parsnip management alternatives for organic farmers including mitigation strategies
- Began process of Live Streaming and Meeting Management services
- Upgrade and modernize the municipal website
- Almonte Old Town Hall Exterior Painting, Auditorium sound and light replacement
- Gravel road work in Pakenham & Ramsay, annual sidewalk repair
- Martin St. South Municipal Drain repair
- Completion of Riverfront Estates park
- Compressor overhauls in both arenas
- Repaired Gemmill Park ballfield
- Repaired canteen in Pakenham
- Supported Riverwalk mill worker staircase and walkway
- Implemented Land Evaluation Area Review
- Removal of CPR fence and cleanup around OVRT and Library for parking
- Road work, Five Arches Dr. Pakenham, Golden Line Rd., Concession 11A Ramsay, Concession 11 North Pakenham, Re-surface Concession 12 North Pakenham, Concession 4A Ramsay, Re-surface Shaw Road, Concession 5A Ramsay, Gale St. Almonte, Main St. Almonte
- Funding Union Hall and Clayton Hall
- Developed Community Engagement Strategies
- Support development of independent model for Mill of Kintail
- Developed a Municipal Adopt a Park Policy
- Developed a Municipal Volunteer Policy
- Supported rural broadband access
- Developed Reserve St. Parking Plan
- Installed sidewalks in Clayton
- Created new by-law to hold video meetings due to Covid
- Implemented additional uses to the Business park zoning to attract more businesses
- Public Consultation on a Municipal Dog Park
- Developed a Water Storage Facility
- Development of the Final Phase of Business Park
- Installed Stop Signs at Sadler/Horton and Sadler/Honeyborne
- Implemented the Initial Fire Protection Agreement – Lanark Highlands
- Implemented Digital Signage outside of the Almonte Arena
- Implemented Mississippi Mills Youth Centre Lease Renewal
- Developed a Sandbag Policy
- OPA No. 22 – Almonte Settlement Area – Planning For Growth
- OPA No. 27 – Mill Valley Seniors’ Residence
- Implemented Fire Protection Agreement to Provide Automatic Aid
- Countdown Public Art Legacy Project
- Implemented Live Streaming Service Upgrade
- Implemented Safe Property By-law
- Redevelopment of the Emergency Management Program and Emergency Response Plan
- Updated Gemmill park basketball court
- Implemented Safe Property By-law
- Development of Mill Run Park
- Recognizing War of 1812 Grave Marking for Veteran at Rest
- Levi Bridge Replacement
- Developed Community Digital Sign Policy and Fees
- Developed Municipal Film Policy
- Updated Safe Properties By-Law
- Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- Supported Affordable Housing – Secondary Units – Additional Residential Unit Grant pilot program
- Supported Community Risk Assessment under the Fire Protection and Prevention
- Sale of 28 Mill St
- Road work – Clayton Road, Bayview Rd, Rae Rd, Concession 8, Concession 9, Country Street
- Supported Main St Pedestrian Crossing
- Supported Marshall St. Drainage Plan
- Development of a Long Term Financial Plan
- Development of a Digital Master Plan
- Implement an Electronic Records management
- Support installing Traffic Calming Measures
- Implement Almonte Old Town Hall renovations
- Implement Camelon road Culvert replacement
- Upgrade Daycare Kitchen
- Developed Affordable Housing Grant Program
- Authorize an MOU with Carebridge Community Support Corporation for future development of affordable housing at the municipally owned property at 34 Victoria Street
- Implement an ATV By-Law Review
- Implement a Community Services Strategic plan
- Developed an IT Master plan
- Update the Water and Wastewater Master Plan
- Implement the Downtown Core Revitalization Project