Newmarket Council Highlights

Welcome to the June 2016 edition of 'Newmarket Now!' Send us your feedback or suggestions for future editions by replying to this email or sending comments to communications@newmarket.ca)

Council adopts Community Energy Plan

In line with the Town of Newmarket’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, the Mayor and Members of Newmarket Council adopted the Town’s first Community Energy Plan. The Plan looks at the types of energy Newmarket uses as a community, how much energy is used by homes, buildings and travel and how population, employment and land use impact the community’s energy needs. The Community Energy Plan commits the Town to being a sustainable community that demonstrates leadership and innovation in how it manages its energy use. Visitwww.newmarket.ca/CEP to learn more.

Public Parking Options in the Downtown

The Mayor and Members of Newmarket Council approved consideration of additional public parking at Fairy Lake and behind the Town’s property at 500 Water Street – or Cachet Restaurant – in an effort to continue to support the vibrant and dynamic downtown. Parking will be subject to approval by Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) and the results of preliminary design and cost investigations. Parking would also include Low Impact Development (LID) design elements – or innovative and natural ways of managing stormwater. 

A Public Information Centre will be scheduled to allow the public to provide input on the proposed site designs, details on the number of parking spots and anticipated construction schedule.  The Mayor and Members of Newmarket Council agreed on continuing to explore both short- and long-term solutions to manage the demands of parking in the downtown core.

Revitalizing Newmarket

The Mayor and Members of Newmarket Council adopted the plans from Newmarket’s Economic Development office to invest time and resources into a proactive approach to stimulate the development and intensification along the Davis Drive and Yonge Street corridors, consistent with one of Council’s strategic priorities. Davis and Yonge have benefited from substantial long-term investment into rapid transit infrastructure and Davis has already been transformed into the perfect location to support the growth identified in the Town of Newmarket’s Secondary Plan. York Region has indicated that Newmarket has achieved approximately 70 per cent of its Secondary Plan target of creating 32,000 jobs within its urban centres.

Minutes for the Town of Newmarket Council Meetings

Outlining Council decisions is available for review underAgendas, Minutes and Meetings on the Town of Newmarket website. For more information or to view the reports, visitwww.newmarket.ca

Don't Miss These Upcoming Events:

CubeIT

June 18: The Town of Newmarket is proud to host the CanadianCubing speedcubing competition, CubeIT, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Magna Centre. This event features competitors from across the GTA racing to solve the Rubik’s Cube 3D puzzle in the fastest time possible. Events include solving the Rubik's cube 2x2x2, 3x3x3 and 3x3x3 one-handed, Pyraminx, Skewb and Megaminx. CubeIT also features special guest Newmakeit, and family-friendly activities such as Blox, Robotics 101, Minecraft, 3D printing and STEM demonstrations presented by the Newmarket Public Library, STEM Minds Corp. and Kids Great Minds. This event is for kids of all ages. To compete you must register online at the canadianCubing website, www.canadiancubing.com, for a $15 fee. Registration closes Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Spectators are welcome free of charge. For more information, please contact Janis Luttrell, Recreation Programmer at the Town of Newmarket, at 905-953-5300 ext. 2715 or jluttrell@newmarket.ca

Discovery & Adventure Night

June 28: Join us for an evening of family fun and discovery. This night features a spectacular science-themed show, Mad Science. Be amazed and entertained at this interactive show from 6 to 7 p.m. at Newmarket Riverwalk Commons. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy this evening in comfort. In the case of inclement weather this event will be relocated indoors to the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall.

Kanata Day

July 1: Come celebrate Canada's birthday with neighbours, family and friends at the Kanata Summer Festival: Canada day Event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event features inflatable bouncers, rock climbing, food vendors, a beer garden (for those 19 years or older), live entertainment and a fireworks display. Activities will happen at a number of locations throughout the day. Locations include: Newmarket Riverwalk Commons, the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall, Fairy Lake Park and George Richardson Park. Visit www.newmarket.ca/recreation for a full listing of locations and activities. Newmarket Farmers' Market
Every Saturday: Stop by the Farmers' Market at Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for fresh local produce, live music and more. For more information, visitwww.newmarketfarmersmarket.com 

Build Your Own Rain Garden, Here's How: 

Rain gardens are beautiful landscape features that collect rain water from downspouts and allow water to slowly soak into the ground, replenishing groundwater sources. Rain gardens also help keep lakes and streams clean by filtering run-off. Rain water in urban areas rushes across paved surfaces, picking up pollutants like pet waste, fertilizer, oils and fuels as it flows directly into nearby waterways via storm sewers. Rain gardens help to soak up stormwater before it becomes a problem. For more information please visit www.newmarket.ca/lid

Public Information Centres

As part of the Town of Newmarket's efforts to be even better, we continue to provide valuable information to the public and opportunities for public feedback. Currently, there are three Public Information Centres (PICs) coming up this month!

Public Information Centre: Lions Park Drainage Improvements

Residents are invited to drop-in to learn about Lions Park (D’arcy Street) drainage improvements on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at the Town of Newmarket Municipal Offices inside the Council Chambers from 6 to 8 p.m. The purpose of this PIC is to review and gather feedback on existing area conditions and evaluate and review alternate solutions for the drainage system at Lions Park. Project drawings will be on display and representatives from the Town of Newmarket, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Town’s consulting Engineer, AECOM, will be available to answer inquiries. For more information, please contact Jen Slykhuis, Sr. Environmental Coordinator at 905-953-5300 ext. 2506.

Public Information Centre: Water and Wastewater Master Plan

Drop in to the Municipal Offices inside the Council Chambers from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 to learn about the Town's Water and Wastewater Master Plan. The Master Plan will help us identify the required improvements and expansion to the Town's water distribution and wastewater collection systems to support existing and proposed growth within the Town to help meet servicing demands to the year 2041. The purpose of this PIC is to provide information on the existing conditions, alternative solutions, evaluation approach, recommend servicing upgrades and next steps and provide an opportunity for the public to provide feedback regarding the Study's process and findings. Representatives from the Town of Newmarket will be available to answer inquiries. For more information, please contact Gord MacMillan, Manager of Capital Projects at  905-953-5300 ext. 2503.

Public Information Centre: San Michael Homes Development Concepts

Stop by the Community Centre & Lions Hall (200 Doug Duncan Drive) on Thursday, June 22 at 6 p.m. for a non-statutory information meeting to learn about and provide feedback on a potential development concept. This development concept encompasses the Hollingsworth Arena site and bordering lands to the south (35 Patterson Street, 693 Davis Drive and 713 Davis Drive). The purpose of this PIC is to provide residents with an early opportunity to provide feedback on the future of their neighbourhood. Doors open at 6p.m. and the presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.  Preliminary concept drawings will be on display and representatives of the developer’s consulting team will be available to answer your questions. Should you have questions regarding this meeting, please contact Adrian Cammaert, Senior Policy Planner, Planning and Building Services, at 905-953-5193 ext. 2459 or email acammaert@newmarket.ca

Central York Fire Services (CYFS) has Launched Their Fourth Annual Stay Fire Smart Campaign

Fire crews will visit neighbourhoods in Newmarket and Aurora during the summer months to educate residents on home escape plans and to remind them that it is the law to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in homes.

CYFS crews will travel door-to-door handing out information packages, engaging with residents about how to best be prepared in case of a fire and provide them with the option of receiving a free home inspection. Firefighters will stress the importance of developing and practising a home escape plan, having a 72-hour emergency kit and ensuring that working smoke detectors are on every storey and outside of all sleeping areas of a residence.

For more information, please visit www.cyfs.ca