The role of the Township Watch committee is to:
- Attend council meetings regularly as well as the district council
- Report on ongoing issues
- Monitor changes in the township by-laws and regulations.
What happened in the Township - January 2011
COMMITTEE of ADJUSTMENT - January 17, 2011 - 9:00 am:
This committee, which is quasi-legal, is made up of 5 members – Chair: Alan Edwards (who has considerable experience on Committee of Adjustment and who has a vote as chair), Councillor Burgess, Mayor Alice Murphy and 2 lay members, Susan Benson and Carol Ann Robinson. (Alas, there is still no one from Ward C on this committee).
TOWNSHIP COUNCIL - January 18, 2011 - 9:00 am:
Most of the meeting was taken up with delegations speaking on the Bala Hydro Project. Karen McGhee, P.Eng. led off by updating Council on the position of Swift River, the proponent, which is expecting a decision from the MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) by the end of the January, which will allow them to move forward. (as at date of writing, the decision is still awaited). The remaining delegations, seven in number, each had 10 minutes to speak and answer questions, all were in opposition to the entire project. After a 25 minute break for lunch, the Council meeting reconvened to give consideration to a resolution to approve the 2009 Consolidated Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report, after much discussion, the matter was deferred. The all day Council meeting was adjourned at 4:45 pm.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - January 19, 2011 - 9:00 am:
This Committee now includes the Planning Committee and is really a housekeeping and ways and means Committee, often dealing with routine matters. Many decisions, however, proved difficult and led to deferrals to a later date. Touchstone Resort requested the return of certain pledged securities. Although approval was given, the Mayor felt that to do so would remove any leverage that the Township might have on future plans.
The Senior Planner»s Report on Heritage designation was deferred. The Manager of Parks and Recreation and the Chamber of Commerce delegated to propose the holding of a weekly Farmer’s Market in the summer at Hanna»s Park in Port Carling. This decision was deferred as well.
Brad Burgess, the Chair of the Finance Committee, said that Financial Statements were not ready for discussion.
The balance of the meeting dealt with reports from Community Halls, Roads, and Building inspections and concluded with the Fire Chief proposing a 6 week training course for new recruits and requesting the approval of the acquisition of 21 sets of bunker gear.
ONTARIO MUNICIPAL BOARD HEARING RE PORT CARLING BOUNDARY EXPANSION - January 24-28, 2011:
Since the Judge/Board had become ill near the end of November, 2010, the concluding week of hearings finally took place.
Still to be heard were Ms. Gillezeau economist, as an expert witness for Hanna’s Landing. Her testimony was followed by Margaret Walton, planner for Hanna’s Landing.
After cross-examination by Mr. D’Agostino, Ms. McCauley, planner for the MLA and Friends of Port Carling again took the stand.
Finally came the summation statements with lawyers from the MLA, Friends of Port Carling, District of Muskoka, Township of Muskoka and Hanna’s Landing. The hearing concluded at 3:45 pm
The OMB decision will not be reached for several months.
Summary
Much is happening as our new Council works through their first few months of office. The next major task is establishing the operating and capital budgets for the Township. This will occupy much of Council's and staff's attention during February and March, with a goal of finalizing the budget by March 15. As we write this, 5 meetings are scheduled to discuss the budget. We will be reporting on them when they are complete. In the meantime, rest assured that he Ratepayers' Association has made its representation to Council.
The 3 of us, Susan Daglish, our President, Pat Sinclair, and I (Madeline Fielding) will continue to audit and monitor these meetings and keep you informed through our Township Watch that is also emailed to all our members prior to posting on this web site.
We invite and encourage you to tell us how you feel about all this.
You can contact us at:
Muskoka Ratepayers’ Association
Box 336, Port Carling,
Ontario, P0B 1J0
Email: muskokaratepayers@vianet.ca
Or call: 705-765-0022
Last Updated: November 19, 2011