(I AM SHARING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE FROM THE October 23, 2017 EDITION OF 'NEWMARKET NOW!' SEND YOUR FEEDBACK OR SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE EDITIONS BY SENDING COMMENTS TO COMMUNICATIONS@NEWMARKET.CA)

Here's what happened at the Council Meeting on October 23, 2017:

Mobility Hub Study Update
At the Committee of the Whole meeting on October 16, a presentation from the planning department outlined how the Town is continuing to work with Metrolinx on a Mobility Hub study for the Newmarket GO Station. Following public consultation, phased Conceptual Station Plans have been created. The Town is now working with Metrolinx to refine the plans, which are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Once completed, the Mobility Hub Study will examine land use and transit plans for the area. It will provide short and long term recommendations on the station's functionality, aesthetics, road network, public realm and transit integration. The proposed improvements for phase one (up to 2025) include wayfinding signage, bike parking, streetscape improvements and a pedestrian bridge. Phase two (beyond 2025) proposed improvements include a new GO station building, additional bike parking and a second pedestrian bridge. The planned implementation begins in 2018.

Traffic Mitigation Strategy
The Town is working on a town-wide traffic mitigation strategy that will come forward to Council in 2018. The strategy will include extensive public consultation. Valuable community feedback will help to shape the finalized plan. The Town’s Safety Driven Traffic Management campaign highlights the three E’s of traffic safety: Education, Enforcement and Engineering. Some of the Town’s existing traffic calming measures and speed management programs include the flexible traffic bollards (Savage Road and Prospect Street), solar-powered radar speed signs, lawn signs and ladder markings in school zones. For more information on the Town’s traffic initiatives please contact Mark Kryzanowski, Manager of Transportation Services at 905-895-5193 or mkryzanowski@newmarket.ca Follow the Town’s traffic safety mascot, Safety Cone Sam on Twitter @safetyconesam, for more traffic safety tips and reminders.

Minutes for the Town of Newmarket Council Meetings, outlining Council decisions, is available under 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:

Newmarket Remembers World War I - The Path of Remembrance
Now until November 18: The First World War is considered to be one of the most defining events of modern history and touched the lives of every Canadian, young or old, man or woman, at home or abroad, including those in the Town of Newmarket. Despite being a small town under 3,000 people, Newmarket's mighty response to the war was one of fierce patriotism and generosity. Travel Newmarket's Path of Remembrance to understand the enormity of the War and to look back 100 years in our history; a very meaningful lead up to November 11; Remembrance Day 2017. Visit newmarket.ca/artsandculture for a list of more detailed information on the series of memorial events planned for Remembrance Day 2017 .

Room of Doom Haunted House
Tuesday, October 31: See the Newmarket Seniors' Meeting Place (474 Davis Drive) transform to the Room of Doom haunted house between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is free. This event is sponsored by The Roxborough Retirement Residence. For more information, visit newmarket.ca/adults55+

Newmarket Celebrates the Arts & Newmarket Theatre's 20th Anniversary Soiree
Friday, November 10: Support the growth and development of the arts in Newmarket and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Newmarket Theatre at the Newmarket Theatre (505 Pickering Crescent) from 6:30 to 11 p.m. This semi-formal evening of fine food, music and entertainment acknowledges the 2017 grant recipients and features performances by Glenn Marais, Daniel Barak, Newmarket National 10 Minute Play Festival, Quisha Wint and Joseph Piilonen. Cost is $50 per person. To purchase tickets and for more information visit newtix.ca

Santa Claus Parade

The Town of Newmarket also offers many other events, activities and programs throughout the fall. View our Fall/Winter Activity Guide online for more information. For up-to-date weather and cancellation details of Town-run outdoor events, please call 1-877-PLAY936 (1-877-752-9936) on the date of the event no more than two hours prior to the start time. Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all events. Please contact the Town at 905-895-5193 or visit newmarket.ca/events for more information.

Park your Recreational Vehicles in a garage this winter
With summer officially over and the camping season coming to a close, the Town of Newmarket reminds residents to park their recreational vehicles in a garage this winter season as outlined in our Zoning By-law. This by-law speaks to the regulations around recreational vehicles, trailers and boats on lots in residential zones.

The current Zoning By-law allows residents in Newmarket to park one recreational vehicle, trailer, or boat, less than seven metres long, in their driveway for a maximum of eight days in any one calendar month. Recreational vehicles must be stored internally and wholly contained in a garage, or carport for any length of time, all year long. The parking or storage of any motor vehicle, trailer or recreational vehicle that does not have a valid license plate is not permitted in any zone unless wholly located within a garage.

Residents who fail to abide by the By-law may be subject to a fine. To learn more about the Zoning By-law, visit newmarket.ca/zoning or call the Town at 905-895-5193.

Santa Claus Parade Floats and Volunteers Needed
If you are interested in submitting a float in the parade, please fill out an application form. Visit newmarket.ca to learn more. The application deadline is Monday, November 6 by 4 p.m. Those interested in volunteering in the parade are encouraged to visit newmarket.ca/volunteer for more information or email sernst@newmarket.ca to register.

Report Graffiti in Newmarket
Graffiti and vandalism can be prevented if it is reported as soon as possible. If you notice graffiti or vandalism on public or private property in Newmarket, please contact the Town at 905-895-5193, report it on the Town’s online reporting feature at newmarket.ca or through the Newmarket ‘my-waste’ app using the ‘report a problem’ feature. If you see graffiti or vandalism in progress, please call 9-1-1. Graffiti is a crime and should be reported to York Regional Police.

Sewer Lateral Clearing Notice
Sewer blockages on private property are the sole responsibility of the homeowner/resident of that property. Approximately 70 per cent of sewer blockages in the Town of Newmarket are caused by improperly disposing fats, oils and grease down the drain and flushing items such as diapers and feminine hygiene products in the toilet. Disposing these items down the drain can affect your home and the environment because these items can cause blockages in the pipes that take the wastewater from your home to the treatment plant.

For more information on what to do if you suspect your sewer is blocked, visit newmarket.ca/sewerblockage

Town of Newmarket Council Meeting on Monday October 23, 2017