Town of Newmarket Council Highlights Monday May 27th 2019

On Monday May 27th 2019 Newmarket Council gave formal consent to all matters discussed at our Committee of the whole meeting. You can WATCH, READ AND SHARE the information via this link newmarket.ca/meetings.

“I AM SHARING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE FROM THE JUNE 2019 EDITION OF 'NEWMARKET NOW!' SEND YOUR FEEDBACK OR SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE EDITIONS BY SENDING COMMENTS TO COMMUNICATIONS@NEWMARKET.CA”

Newmarket passes new Smoking By-law
Newmarket Council has approved the new Smoking By-law that addresses smoking and vaping of cannabis and tobacco on public property. The By-law specifies that smoking and vaping of cannabis, tobacco and other products is prohibited on all municipally-owned property, which includes facilities, parks, open green spaces and trails. The By-law provides for the provision of Designated Smoking Areas at certain Town-owned facilities, where only smoking and vaping of tobacco will be permitted. The new By-law will be a one-year pilot project and staff will report to Council if by-law amendments are required. Private property owners are responsible for establishing their own regulations as it pertains to tobacco and cannabis use on their property.

Hollingsworth Arena Update
Newmarket Council voted to preserve 2.14 acres of green space on the Hollingsworth Arena site for community use and endorsed the concept of developing a portion of the Hollingsworth Arena property in conjunction with adjacent lands. This decision allows for the possibility of a future application to be submitted that will further develop this area in a way that facilitates the planning vision for Davis Drive. Council has also put forward a motion asking staff to consult with the public for options on the retained lands and to bring back a report on how to look for opportunities on this space, including financing for some or all of the dollars from the sale of land, and how it will be employed.

Backflow Prevention
Newmarket Council approved a new mandatory Backflow Prevention By-law. The purpose of the new by-law is to ensure that the Town continues to provide safe and high-quality drinking water to our community by decreasing the chance of backflow, flowing into the public system. The new backflow prevention program will help the Town to protect human health and drinking water quality, manage risks, maintain system security and achieve regulatory compliance. Backflow happens when water from private properties flows back into the public system. These properties may have internal connections (cross connections) to water used for non-potable purposes. This can create unsafe situations because of the potential for contaminants to flow back into the drinking water system. The new by-law will require industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-residential property owners to:

• Conduct a cross connection survey of their water systems to assess risk of contamination and send the Town the results.

• Install and test backflow prevention devices.

• File test reports regularly with the Town.

Residential property owners will not be impacted by this new by-law because of limited cross connections and lower risks. However, any property may be subject to the by-law if it poses a high contamination risk.

2019 Property Tax Rates and By-law
The Town of Newmarket's primary funding source is property tax, which is divided between the Town of Newmarket, York Region and the school boards. Property taxes enable the Town to provide the high quality of municipal programs and services that Newmarket residents are accustomed to. The final residential tax rate for 2019 will be 0.820466%. An average residential property with a 2019 phased-in assessment of $618,750 will pay $5,076.61 for 2019. The proposed property tax rates for the Town will increase the tax levy on an average home by 2.24% with an overall increase of 2.88%. For comparison below is the tax levy for this property for 2018:

Minutes for the Town of Newmarket Council Meetings, outlining Council decisions, are available under Agendas, Minutes and Meetings on the Town of Newmarket website. For more information or to view the reports, visit newmarket.ca



Outdoor Screening: Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors
When:

• Game 4 - Friday, June 7 at 9 p.m.

• Game 5 - Monday, June 10 at 9 p.m.

• Game 6 – Thursday, June 13 at 9 p.m. (if needed)

• Game 7 – Sunday, June 16 t 8 p.m. (if needed)
  
  *Please check newmarket.ca/events for rain location or screening cancellations

Where: Jurassic Commons - Newmarket Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Drive)

The Town of Newmarket invites residents and members of the public to unite as one and roar on the Toronto Raptors, for all games at Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Drive) – weather dependent. Bring a lawn chair and join Raptors fans for a viewing of all games of the NBA championship series with the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors on a large, outdoor screen. Admission is free.

Discovery Walking Tours

Stay active and join us on any or all of our free lunch hour walking series.  Our passionate local guides will captivate you with their stories of discovery.  Private group tours also available. For booking, call 905-953-5300 ext. 2846 or register at play.newmarket.ca 
The walks are as follows:

• June 13 - Historic Homes Downtown (Code: 120425)

• June 15 - Pioneer Cemetery* (Code 120424)

*Meet at The Arts Music Store (274 Eagle Street)

Wee Fun Wednesdays: Toddlers and Caregivers
When: Now until Wednesday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Elman W. Campbell Museum (134 Main Street South)
Drop in with your toddler to socialize, learn and play! Activities will stimulate communication, cooperation and imagination with a different art-making theme. Children will be able to have lots of hands-on playtime with tabletop activities, see our changing displays and make new friends! Cost is $3 per child (cash at the door), suitable for children ages 1 to 3 years old with caregiver supervision required. 
Click here for full schedule of activities

D-Day the 75th Anniversary Commemoration Exhibit  
Exhibition: Now until Saturday, November 9, free admission
Opening Ceremony: Thursday, June 6, 2 p.m. Ribbon cutting ceremony, reception to follow, videos, music and information.
Where: Elman W. Campbell Museum (134 Main Street South) 
Curated by Rod Bruton, June 6 marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the landing of Allied Forces in Normandy in 1944. One of the largest military assaults in modern history also signifies the beginning of the end of WWII. A wide range of artifacts including photographs, uniforms and music and videos of the period will be on display.
Information: newmarket.ca/museum
 
June is National Indigenous History Month
A Way of Walking: The Seven Grandfathers Teaching
When: Tuesday, June 11 to Saturday, June 21
Where: Newmarket Old Town Hall, Serpa Galleries (460 Botsford Street)
Cost: Free, gallery hours - newmarket.ca/OldTownHall
Clayton Samuel King (Waab-Shki-Makoons), a multimedia artist of Potawatomi descent, interprets The Seven Grandfathers Teaching through animal forms.  Influenced by the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporation and Woodland School of Artists, King combines contemporary and traditional styles into highly graphic and brightly coloured works. The exhibit also showcases painted canoe paddles and birth totem pieces by students from Sacred Heart Catholic High School, which illustrate their own understanding of Indigenous teachings.  Guided group tours of the exhibition is also available by appointment. To book, contact Logan Bales, lbales@newmarket.ca or call 905-953-5313.

Film Screening and Panel Discussion
When: Thursday, June 13 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Newmarket Old Town Hall, Snapd Auditorium (460 Botsford Street)
Cost: Free
Told from the perspectives of First Nations people, Sacred Spirit of Water and Water Warriors are two documentaries that explore the issues around the rights, access and management of water. After the film screening, join us for a live conversation with our special panelists Morningstar Mercredi, Collette Eden and Nipawi Mahihkan Misit Kakinoosit. Visit newmarket.ca/indigenous for more information on panelists.

7 p.m. Sacred Spirit of Water | USA/Canada | 2013 | 58 mins. Directed by Morningstar Mercredi
Passed by the Canadian Parliament in December 2012, the omnibus Jobs and Growth Act (also known as Bill C-45) has amended a number of legislations with major implications to the environment and First Nations Treaty rights.  This film documents the connection various Albertan groups have with water and their reaction to Bill C-45.

8 p.m. Water Warriors | Canada | 2017 | 22 mins. Directed by Michael Premo
In 2013, Texas-based SWN Resources arrived in rural New Brunswick to explore for natural gas. This is a story about the fight to protect the land and water, between the multicultural indigenous community and non-native locals against the energy company.

National Indigenous Peoples Day
When: Friday, June 21 to Saturday, June 22
Where: Elman W. Campbell Museum (134 Main Street South)
Drop-in and learn about the cultural diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples through our collection of artifacts and reproductions. Experience Indigenous traditions through your taste buds and enjoy playing hands-on activities with your children. Curated by Janet Charpentier. 

When: Friday, June 21, 2019, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Elman W. Campbell Museum (134 Main Street South) 
Join us for a guided tour and sample traditional Indigenous drinks and food like cedar tea, maple syrup, strawberry drink and bannock. Admission is free and suitable for all ages.

When: Saturday, June 22, 2019, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Elman W. Campbell Museum (134 Main Street South) 
Enjoy an afternoon of educational fun crafts, stories, games and hands-on activities while learning about our First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. Sample traditional Indigenous drinks and food like cedar tea, maple syrup, strawberry drink and bannock. Join us for a special Nin Os Kom Tin Hand Drumming Presentation at 2 p.m. .
Cost is $3 per child, suitable for ages 4 to 10 with adult supervision required. Pre-Register via email at museum@newmarket.ca or call 905 953 5314.

Music and Poetry Without Borders
Saturday, June 29, 2019, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Newmarket Old Town Hall (460 Botsford Street)
Drop in to this free family-friendly event and experience the vibrancy of diverse cultures through intimate performances, such as: First Nations Hand-Drumming, Chinese Pipa, Middle Eastern Oud, East Indian Tabla and Flute, western classical music and original poetry in Arabic. You can also try your hand at a variety of musical instruments, and learn to make one with fruits and vegetables! Admission is free. Learn more at: newmarket.ca/oldtownhall


With the participation of the Government of Canada.
Avec la participation du gouvernement du Canada.

Seniors' Wellness Symposium
When: Saturday, June 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Newmarket Seniors' Meeting Place (474 Davis Drive)
Cost: $10/person
Code: Register at play.newmarket.ca, use course code 122106

The Senior’s Wellness Symposium will inspire a healthy, active, and independent lifestyle for older adults. It will feature expert guest speakers on important issues such as physical and mental health, memory and aging, senior safety & fraud prevention, maintaining independence through aging in place, and tools for providing care for a loved one.

• Light refreshments & Lunch included

• Please wear comfortable clothing and footwear

• Enjoy low impact wellness breaks during the symposium

• Please bring a refillable water bottle

All delegates must complete a short 1 page health goal survey prior to the symposium. 

Art for Social Change
The Aurora Cultural Centre and Newmarket Old Town Hall will be offering school themed tours that relate to grades 3 to 12 Ontario School Curriculum for the month of June. This half day experience includes visits to both galleries in Aurora and Newmarket where students will view the exhibits on display and engage in activities that explore the concepts and issues presented. For bookings or inquiries, contact Logan Bales at lbales@newmarket.ca.

For up-to-date weather and/or cancellation details of Town-run outdoor events, call 1-877-752-9936 on the date of the event, 2 hours prior to the start time.

Be green and save money during Canadian Environment Week

As a means to preserve and enhance the environment, the Town of Newmarket will be selling a variety of waste and recycling containers at reduced costs throughout the week of June 3 – June 9, while quantities last. Green bins will be sold for for $15, blue bins for $6 and kitchen catchers for $3 with a limit on two per household of each item.

Items can be purchased during regular business hours at the following Town facilities:

• Municipal Offices (395 Mulock Drive)

• Robert N. Shelton Operations Centre (1275 Maple Hill Court)

• Magna Centre (800 Mulock Drive)

• Ray Twinney Recreation Complex (100 Eagle Street West)

• Seniors' Meeting Place (474 Davis Drive)

For more information on the Town’s container sale, call 905-895-5193. For more information on waste and recycling in Newmarket, visit newmarket.ca/wasteandrecycling

Clean yards make our Town look better
Ensure your yard is clean this season by keeping the following in mind:

• Every property owner shall keep their property maintained free of debris and discarded objects

• Every owner shall ensure that vegetation on the property be kept trimmed and from becoming unreasonably overgrown in a fashion that may affect safety, visibility, or the passage of the general public.

• Every owner shall maintain the property clean and free from heavy undergrowth and noxious weeds.

• Every owner shall maintain weeds and grass on the property so that it does not exceed 20 centimetres (8 inches) in height and remove and dispose of the cuttings in an appropriate manner.

• Every owner shall maintain their property free from dead, decayed or damaged trees, shrubs, and all trees on the property shall be pruned so as to be free from dead or decayed or damaged branches.

Information: newmarket.ca

Pay your Parking Ticket Online
The Town of Newmarket's parking enforcement team is responsible for enforcing parking standards on public road allowances and, as requested, on private property. Enforcement of parking regulations supports improved road safety, traffic flow, accessibility, and assists the town in managing its road infrastructure for street cleaning, refuse removal and snow clearing.

Any vehicles found in violation of the Parking By-law 1993-62** may be issued a ticket and /or towed at the owner's expense. Parking fines range from $20 to $300.

Residents who have received a parking ticket issued by the Town can pay online.

Every parking ticket comes with a 15-day deadline to either pay the fine or dispute the ticket. If you receive a parking ticket and wish to dispute it, you may click the button above and follow the prompts.