Newmarket Council Meeting December 4th 2017

(I AM SHARING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE FROM THE DECEMBER 4, 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 Committee of the Whole - November 27, 2017 - 9:00 AM

2018 Budget Approved

Town of Newmarket Council approved a 2.31 per cent tax rate, combined with 0.68 per cent for asset replacement for a combined 2.99 per cent tax increase (Town portion) for the 2018 Operating and Capital Budgets at the December 4 Council Meeting. Based on a property assessment value of $508,750, residents will see an increase of $53.75 on the Town portion of their tax bill, a water/wastewater rate increase of $67.71 (6.21 per cent) and a stormwater rate increase of $3.72 (12.30 per cent). The Town’s portion of taxes equates to $1,851.27, including the Town of Newmarket, Newmarket Public Library (NPL) and Central York Fire Services (CYFS).

What the budget delivers for residents

Monthly municipal tax breakdown vs. common costs fees and expenses, based on the average assessed home in Newmarket of $508,750.

For more information on the 2018 Budget, visit newmarket.ca/2018budget

2018 Fees and Charges

Town of Newmarket Council approved various User Fees and Charges for the following departments:

Planning Act Fees

Fire Services

Licensing Fees

General User Fees:

Financial Services and Procurement and Information Technology, Legal Services, Public Works Services, Engineering Services and Legislative Services

The fees will be in effect on January 1, 2018. A list of the fees and charges can be found at newmarket.ca/feesandcharges

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 Ice Lounge - Open now until February 19, 2018

The Newmarket Ice Lounge is an outdoor winter lounge with modern furniture and an outdoor TV. The Ice Lounge is the coolest place in Town. Come by and chill with your friends and family this winter! Become part of the #NewmarketIceLounge and share your moment!

New this year: Surprise Saturday’s at the Newmarket Ice Lounge sponsored by Jay Miller Real Estate (selected Saturday’s).

Location: Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Drive)

Sponsor: Jay Miller Real Estate

Winter Wonderland and Frozen Friday’s - December 1, 2017 to January 7, 2018

Enjoy the light display and outdoor skating on the Tim Hortons Skating and Water Feature. Join us weekends for free train rides on the Tim Hortons Express Train (owned and operated by the Town of Newmarket). Frozen Fridays are back with DJ Tyler Stevenson, warm beverages, a treat and more.

Location and Time: Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Drive) from 6 to 9 p.m.

Sponsors: TD Bank, H.J. Pfaff Audi Newmarket, COBS Bread, Main Street BIA, Cintas, Roadhouse and Rose and The Pickle Barrel.

Donate to the Town’s Mitten Tree “Warm Hearts, Warm Hands”  - December 8, 2017 to February 19, 2018:

Help keep others warm during the cold winter months by attaching new (handmade or purchased) mittens, hats and scarves to the Town’s Mitten Tree. Donations will be accepted from December 8 to February 19, 2018. Everyone is welcome to take what they need from the tree. Leftover items will be donated to Inn From The Cold. Thank you for your support!

Location: Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Drive)

30th Live Nativity Pageant - December 21 to 24

Enjoy this annual Christmas tradition presented by the Town of Newmarket and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A Journey to Bethlehem features a live cast with real animals representing the nativity scene and birth of Jesus Christ as told in the New Testament.

Location: Fairy Lake Park (Water Street)

Performances on: December 21 to 23 at 7 to 8 p.m. and one performance on December 24 at 7 p.m.

The performances will take place outdoors. Please dress appropriately for weather conditions. Admission is free.

Tim Hortons First Night Newmarket - December 31

Celebrate the end of 2017 and usher in the New Year with the Town of Newmarket. Relish in the fun of the evening with family-friendly entertainment and free skating and swimming for the whole family. At the end of the evening, enjoy a free outdoor concert and be dazzled by the Grand Finale Countdown Fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission is free.

Location and Time: Magna Centre (800 Mulock Drive) from 5 to 9 p.m.

Sponsor: Tim Hortons

Mayor’s New Year’s Levee - January 7, 2018

Join Mayor Tony Van Bynen and Members of Newmarket Council and celebrate the start of the New Year. This is a family-friendly event with free admission for everyone. Enjoy skating, entertainment, warm beverages and treats for all. Events will be held indoors and outdoors, please dress appropriately for weather conditions. Admission is free.

Location and Time: Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Drive) from 1 to 3 p.m.

For up-to-date weather and cancellation details of Town-run outdoor events, please call 1-877-PLAY936 (1-877-752-9936) on the day 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.

Waste and recycling schedule change in 2018

Some residents in Newmarket will see a change to their waste and recycling pick-up day beginning on January 1, 2018. Use our online address look-up tool at newmarket.ca/collectionchange to see if your collection day has changed. Please ensure all items are at the curb by 7 a.m. to ensure pick-up.

New online parking payment solution

Newmarket has launched a new parking payment solution that allows users to pay their parking tickets online, dispute tickets and apply for parking exemptions. Please note parking exemptions are not available during the winter months from November 1 to April 15. For more information, visit parking.newmarket.ca

Pet Licensing Education Campaign

Door hangers will be placed on your door handles reminding dog/cat owners of the importance of licensing your cat/dog in accordance to the Town's Animal Licensing, Regulation and Control By-law. DocuPet will not be participating in a door-to-door sales campaign and licenses will not be sold at the door. Dog and cat license fees cost $35 or $30 for residents 55 and over. Licenses can be purchased at by visiting newmarket.docupet.com or at Municipal Offices, Ray Twinney Recreation Complex or Magna Centre. For more information visit newmarket.ca or call the Town at 905-895-5193.

Newmarket's Public Works staff is busy preparing for the upcoming winter season. Below are highlights of their initiatives this season.

Enhancements at Newmarket facilities

Renovations are underway, thanks to grants received from Canada 150 and Ontario 150 Community Infrastructure program at the following locations:

Newmarket Youth Centre and Sk8 Park: new flooring, windows in the gym and a larger space in the lounge.

Ray Twinney Recreation Complex: new roof, a new family change room and renovations at both lounges and seat replacements at the ends of Rink 1.

Initiatives from Parks and Property Services

Equipment for sidewalk/trail maintenance is ready! Newmarket is expecting a lot of snow for the 2017/2018 winter season.

This year most of the sidewalks in Newmarket will be plowed, along with Town facilities and parking lots in parks.

The process for planters and baskets around Town has begun. Winter displays from our Horticulture department are also underway – look out for them at various Town facilities.

Forestry continues to prune Town owned trees throughout the winter while preparing for plantings in the spring.

Winter Maintenance on Roads

This year, the Town will be applying 100 per cent treated salt (Thawrox) on roadways during snow events, as a pilot project to help with winter maintenance. Previously, the Town used a 50/50 treated salt and sand mix. Benefits of using 100 per cent treated salt during snow events include:

Less sand deposits entering catch basins, low impact development (LID), storm ponds and streams –resulting in future cost savings and impact on the environment.

Better performance for de-icing in lower temperatures.

Cost effective – reduction in application rates from 210 kg per lane km to 130 kg per lane km.

Water and Wastewater Projects

Newmarket received approximately $2.3 million from the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) to help fund nine Water and Wastewater projects. These projects include:

1. Optimization and automation of the Drinking Water Distribution system

2. Watermain Condition Assessment Program

3. Performing an Asset Condition Assessment and developing a maintenance strategy for water and wastewater valves

4. Developing and implementing backflow prevention/cross connection program

5.  Residential Water Service Valve Replacement program

6.  Developing and implementing a GIS strategy for Water and Wastewater Linear Assets

7.  Condition inspection, design and remediation of the Gorham Street watermain

8.  Assessing and implementing a Drinking Water System Dead-End Looping Strategy in the central district of Town

9.  Structural relining of the existing cast iron watermain on Srigley Street

The grants received will help fund the above nine projects and further the Town’s efforts in providing and maintaining the highest quality of drinking water for residents, as well as extending the life of the Town’s assets and infrastructure. For more information on other Public Works Service initiatives, visit newmarket.ca or call 905-895-5193.

Central York Fire Service: Holiday Safety Tips

Remember to take a proactive approach to fire safety this holiday season. While festive lights, decorations, candles and Christmas trees are classic hallmarks, it is important to be aware of the potential they post as fire hazards. Remember to:

Place real or artificial Christmas trees away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heaters.

Real trees need to be watered often.

Keep trees away from all lit candles. Battery operated, flameless LED candles are safer.

Check your Christmas lights for broken bulbs and frayed wires before stringing them on your tree. Discard any sets that are damaged or old.

Unplug all lights before going to bed and limit the amount of electric cords you have plugged into power strips and multi-outlet converters.

A full list of safety tips can be viewed at cyfs.ca. Let’s have a safe and happy holiday season. Remember to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and to change your batteries once a year or when it is time to do so.

By working together, sharing information, ideas and being engaged in our community we can achieve results for Ward 6 together.