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August 15, 2009. Presentation to the Cavendish Community Ratepayers Association Inc. Local Government 101. Galway-Cavendish and Harvey is in a two (2) tier system Peterborough County is the Upper Tier There are eight (8) local municipalities (lower tier) within the County of Peterborough
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August 15, 2009 Presentation to the Cavendish Community Ratepayers Association Inc.
Local Government 101 • Galway-Cavendish and Harvey is in a two (2) tier system • Peterborough County is the Upper Tier • There are eight (8) local municipalities (lower tier) within the County of Peterborough • The Reeve and Deputy Reeve are members of County Council.
Local Government 101 cont’d • The Reeve, Deputy Reeve and Councillor at Large are elected at large (everyone votes for those three positions) • Harvey Ward (only those in Harvey ward vote for this representative) • Galway-Cavendish Ward (only those in Galway-Cavendish ward vote for this representative)
County Council • The Reeve and Deputy Reeve of each Township are the members of County Council • The Warden is elected on an annual basis from the members of county council • There is a weighted voting system at the County, which means there are 20 votes for 16 members.
Votes at County • Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield 5 votes (Reeve 3 and Deputy 2) • Galway-Cavendish and Harvey 3 votes (Reeve 2 and Deputy 1) • All other Townships 2 X 6 (Reeve 1 and Deputy 1) 20 votes
Local Government 101 cont’d • The next Municipal election is November 2010 • Candidates can sign up on January 4th 2010 • It is very important that YOU ensure that you are on the voter’s list
Roles and Responsibilities • It is Council’s job to set policy • It is staff’s job to carry out the policy as directed by Council • Staff provide Council with recommendations but ultimately it is Council that makes the final decision • Decisions are decided by the majority
Members of Council • Thomas Flynn, Reeve • Madeline Pearson, Deputy Reeve • Janet Clarkson, Councillor at Large • Peter Franzen, Galway-Cavendish Ward • Bev Matthews, Harvey Ward
Department Heads • Pat Kemp, CAO • Natalie Garnett, Clerk • Carol James, Treasurer • Mike Zimmer, Chief Building Official • Don Mitchell, Fire Chief • Gerard Pearson, Public Works
What’s happening in GCH • Kinmount Medical Centre • 2009 Municipal Budget • Capital Purchases for 2009 • Community Emergency Management • Economic Development Committee • Environmental Advisory Committee • 2009 Municipal Roads and Bridge Projects • Development Charges By-law
Kinmount District Health Centre • Received a grant from Public Infrastructure under the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII) for $495,994 for an addition to the Kinmount District Health Centre • The Official Opening was held on Saturday, June 20th, 2009. • If you know of a Doctor that would like to relocate to our area, please call Ted Wilkes, Chair Kinmount District Health Services Foundation
2009 Budget • Council passed the 2009 Budget on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 • Slight decrease -- Municipal Tax rate is .38% lower than 2008 • Total Tax rate (includes County & Education is 2.75 lower than 2008 • MPAC – Assessment changes have an impact on the taxes you pay
Assessment Increase If your assessment increase was more than 10% over your 2008 assessment you will see an increase in your property taxes It is important that if you want to appeal your assessment that you do so within the timeframe. Request for reconsideration are due by March 31st. The number for MPAC is 1-866-296-6722 Taxes based on assessment X tax rate
TOTAL per 100,000 of Residential Assessment (includes County and Education)
2009 Road Projects • Galway Road • Mississauga Lake Road • Daltons Swamp • Baldwin Bay
Capital Budget Roads Department • Tandem Trucks – Funded from reserves • Crowe’s Line Bridge – Funded from previous grants and reserves • Chipper • Galway Road Depot Roof • Replace Lights at Harvey Depot • Hoist – ½ (second half) • Retrofit to Deer Bay Hall
Capital Budget Fire • Pumper - Station #3 (to replace a 22 year old truck) • ½ ton vehicle – Station #4 Medical Centres • BRHC – generator • KDHC - generator
Other Exciting News • Build Canada Fund – Addition and renovation of the Lakehurst Hall • Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (3 applications) • Buckhorn District Welcome and Tourist Centre • Road construction work on South Salmon Lake Road • Kennedy Drive road work
Other Exciting News • Applied for a grant to improve accessibility at the Galway Hall • Received a grant to help develop a Strategic Plan for the Township (CFDC) • Received a grant for the Cavendish Community Centre to install a fence, replace the boards and put in play equipment (RiNC) • Received a grant for an outdoor rink/sports pad in Buckhorn (Ontario Trillium Foundation)
Environmental Advisory Committee • To advise Council on strategy, policies and procedures related to environmental issues • To develop and promote public education programs on environmental issues • To comment as part of public reviews on watershed and sub-watershed planning exercises and to advise Council
Environmental Advisory Committee • To review, as requested, other governmental environmental reports and programs, and advise Council of any impacts of those reports on the Township • To participate in the creation and maintenance of a natural areas inventory and other environmental research which will increase and improve the information base available to the Township
Township Official Plan Update • As required by Provincial Legislation municipalities are required to update their Official Plans every 5 years • Our Official Plan (OPA) must comply with new Provincial Regulations (e.g. the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) • The OPA has been passed at the Township and we are waiting for the approval from the County of Peterborough
DEVELOPMENT CHARGES ACT • Township is required to renew its Development Charges by-law every 5 yrs. • Hired a consultant to undertake an independent review • Review indicated that the Council could charge $3,533.69 for residential and $11.58 per sq. m for non-residential
DEVELOPMENT CHARGES ACT (cont’d) • Council decided to charge $2,500. for residential and $6.00 per sq m for non-residential & exemption for additions up to 50% and new buildings under a certain size • The Development Charges by-law was passed on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
Fire Issues • You MUST HAVE a working smoke detector on every level. • What’s a level – basement, main floor, 2nd floor • Make sure you change your batteries when you change your clock
Emergency Planning • The Township has an emergency plan that we practice on an annual basis • The plan is similar to our neighbours and in a emergency we can assist each other • In the event of an emergency the Reeve would call the emergency control group • The Township would issue press releases to keep the public informed
Emergency Kit • You should have an emergency survival kit with supplies for 3 days • Flashlight and batteries, clothing, footwear, radio and batteries or crank radio, blanket, sleeping bag, first aid kit, toilet paper and other personal items, candles and matches/lighter/glow sticks, spare batteries, medications, extra car keys, cash, important papers, whistle, food and bottled water
Emergency Planning • We always think that an emergency will never happen to us and we hope it doesn’t but I am sure we all remember the storm on August 2, 2006. • We are very grateful to the all the volunteers that helped us “weather the storm” The Cavendish Community Centre certainly stepped up the plate and we won’t forget your assistance
Strategic Planning • Council has decided to adopt a Strategic Plan • Asking for the public’s input (copy of survey) • Deadline for responses Sept. 11, 2009
Thank You! • Council Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at1:00 p.m. • Planning meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of the month • To be placed on an agenda please call Natalie Garnett, Clerk at Ext. 240 - Or - Pat Kemp, CAO/Deputy Clerk 1-800-374-4009 Ext. 235 Minutes and agendas are posted on the website