Let’s Embrace Publicly Electing the Regional Chair

Hon. Bill Mauro, speaking at AMO, August 2016

Last week, the Province introduced legislation that included mandating the election of all Ontario’s Regional Chairs by the public-at-large, starting in 2018. While this push toward a more accountable and democratic election alarmed a few folks in Niagara (including our current Chair), those watching the Municipal sector weren’t surprised.

First, during the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in August, the Hon. Bill Mauro, Minister of Municipal Affairs, called for changes to increase the “accountability and transparency” of Regional Councils.

Second, Niagara stood as the only hold-out Region that still wanted to appoint the Chair from among members of Council. All other areas either already elect their Chair of Regional Council at large, or were working toward doing so.

Waterloo Region began electing their Chair 19 years ago. Halton Region has elected a Regional Chair since 2000. Durham Region first elected their Regional Chair in 2014.

A bill to elect the York Regional Chair at large was recently before the Ontario Legislature. And, in 2013, Peel Regional Council directed staff to report after the 2014 election on options to directly elect their Chair for the 2018 municipal election.

Finally, with the next municipal election two years away, the Province needed to announce changes now to give various municipalities time to appropriately adapt.

Surprisingly, some suggested that it would be too difficult for Regional Chair candidates to campaign across the equivalent of four Federal ridings that cover our peninsula. Interestingly, Niagara would actually be the smallest area: 4 ½ ridings cover Halton Region; 5 ridings cover Waterloo; and 5 ½ ridings cover Durham.

Similarly, some suggest that the cost to mount a campaign would keep good candidates out of the race. While the spending limits in Halton, Waterloo and Durham are higher than it will be for Niagara (estimated to be $306,000), the most any candidate spent in those campaigns were nowhere near the limits. Winning candidates spent $16K in Halton; $56K in Waterloo; and $74K in Durham.

With this latest improvement, candidates for the Chair’s position will have to put together a vision that would appeal to all of Niagara. This would be similar to the visions that Mayoral candidates present to the public – but it would be for all in the peninsula.

I believe that this change would will help us to work together to become more open, transparent, accountable, and democratic in Niagara.

Let's embrace this improvement because publicly electing the Regional Chair will help pull the views and hopes of our Region’s citizen’s together and can become an important and unifying force for moving Niagara forward.

From “Sprawl” to a “Complete Community”

I keep the “Sprawl Repair Manual” by Galina Tachieva on my desk at home. The work “presents a comprehensive methodology for transforming sprawl” along with “implementation techniques” for “rebalancing suburbia.”

Why? Well, I hate to point out that much of Pelham developed as sprawl.

During the late-1800s and early-1900s, development in the former Township of Pelham and Village of Fonthill grew along traditional coach routes (like Canboro Road) and at crossings along the TH&B (through Fenwick) and NS&T (through Fonthill) railway lines.

But, the advent of the automobile quickly changed all that.

For example, only in a car-centered-culture would one build a high school on some of the best tender fruit land and on a (then) Provincial Highway.

Similarly, prior to the hundreds of homes around it, the Pelham Arena was erected in the mid-1970s in a farmer’s field and far from restaurants and retail.

In fact, much of Pelham’s previous residential development sprawled across farm lands and forests. These now-mature residential neighbourhoods from the 1970s and 80s contain more than 50 cul-de-sacs or courts! That’s quite different than traditional neighbourhoods of College, Emmett, Elm, Burton and Chestnut streets.

Previous Councils also expanded the Town’s “urban boundaries” – the areas in which one can develop. The +500 acres in East Fonthill and “Lookout Ridge” were added in 2000. Significant developable lands in Fenwick – from Cream to Balfour and between Memorial and Welland Road – were added in 1990.

Once approved, these urban-land-rights last forever, guaranteeing a development future for Pelham.

Given this history, how does one “repair” the sprawl and foster a more “complete” community?

We started by revitalizing Downtown Fonthill and Fenwick; in addition to rebuilding the streetscapes, one-third of the buildings on Pelham Street have recently improved their façades and added residential units.

We’ve also encouraged walking and cycling by building more than 13 km of sidewalks, 9 km of bike lanes, 7 km of trails, and 5 crosswalks. Now – 53 years after it opened – we’ve approved extending a sidewalk to Crossley. We’ve also discouraged car use by initiating Pelham transit.

We approved plans for East Fonthill that include wide-sidewalks and trails and a road network that links to existing streets; to enable these plans, we’ve even removed houses were future streets will go.

We’ve insisted on street-facing commercial development and on as pedestrian-friendly-as-possible parking. We continue to call for rear-lanes and we protected key environmental features.

Instead of consolidating services into a central building, we’re revitalizing the Maple Acre Library. And, we’re constructing the new Pelham Community Centre near other amenities – like stores and restaurants, and a future medical centre, retirement home, and other “mixed-uses.”

Finally, we remain committed to the Town’s urban boundaries and increased the protections on the Fonthill Kame.

Correcting Pelham’s sprawl isn’t easy, but Council and I will persevere toward that goal.

An Open Letter Response to Marianne Stewart:

Dear Ms. Stewart:
Thank you for your email and for asking additional questions about activities in Pelham.
I am sorry that it has taken me a few days to reply to you. Between Town Council, Regional meetings, and the Hydro Board, I have been in hours and hours of meetings thus far this week. And, since I received your email late Sunday, I thought I would have time to get you an answer before it was printed in a local newspaper. I was surprised it was printed this week because I was told by the publisher that the deadline for letters to the editor was Friday at 5:00 PM… Oh well. (To see the letter, please refer to page 6 at: https://issuu.com/thevoiceofpelham/docs/the_voice_november_9_2016.)
I am sorry that my previous responses haven’t been clear enough for you. Let me try again by annotating my online journal and my 23 October 2016 column that was published in the Pelham News and by other media for free (but that the Voice refused to print). I have added comments and annotated in italics.
___________________________________
To help answer some recent community questions, here’s some of what I spoke about during a “State of the Town” address to the Chamber of Commerce in early-October.

Added in 2000, Developing Now:

When it added 450 acres to the Town’s eastern “Urban Boundary” in 2000, the Ontario Municipal Board guaranteed huge growth for Pelham. What wasn’t certain was the type of that growth. (For more details about the type of growth, please see: http://pelhammayordave.blogspot.ca/2014/03/what-type-of-growth-for-pelham.html)
That’s why Council and I worked so hard over the last decade to ensure that these “East Fonthill” lands integrate with the existing community, protect sensitive environmental elements, benefit existing residents by including public facilities and commercial amenities, and require attractive and pedestrian/cycle-friendly form. (For more details, please see: http://pelhammayordave.blogspot.ca/2014/02/maintaining-our-small-town-feel-as-we.html)
To help achieve this vision, Council approved a Secondary Plan for all of “East Fonthill” and a Site Master Plan for the 54 acres of Town- and privately-owned lands fronting Regional Road 20. These award-winning Plans allow various uses including medical, retail, retirement, community centre, mixed-use commercial, townhomes, mixed-use residential, parks and trails. (For more detail, please see: http://pelhammayordave.blogspot.ca/2014/02/draft-site-master-plan-helps-maintain.html. Also, for more information about the award-winning plans, please see: http://www.pelham.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=5a220134-e962-4e40-93c0-cad29d1038f0&newsId=4bfa7364-1bbf-4fbb-a644-1d8da6319056.)

Commercial Development:
As you know, the commercial component is taking shape along Regional Road 20. While most stores will likely open in early-2017, the Food Basics is scheduled for [this] month and the Tim Horton’s in late-December. The buildings are purposefully closer to the road to help encourage walkability and slow vehicle traffic.
As you may know, Food Basics will officially open on Thursday, 17 November 2016; further, the framing steel for the Tim Horton’s went up this week.

Medical Centre & Retirement Home:
In 2014, the Town approved an agreement to sell 7.7 acres of land to the Allen Group [also known as Fonthill Gardens] to construct a medical centre and a retirement home. It is important to note that the agreement to sell the lands is dependent on the construction of these facilities – and that the facilities are seen as for the public good.
As it says in the Community Centre section of the Town’s website (at http://www.pelham.ca/en/how-might-I/Pelham-Community-Centre.aspx#sale-surplus):
“In 2005, the Town purchased 32-acres at the corner of Rice Road and Hwy 20 for $3.6 million ($112,000 per acre). After re-designating, re-zoning, and fully-servicing those lands, the Town will be able to sell nearly 20 acres for an estimated $12 million ($600,000 per acre appraised value).
"Including the $1.1 million in interest payments, this sale will represent a return on investment of greater than 150%.
"Staff indicated that the value range for property in this area is between $600,000 and $800,000 per acre, depending on the location within the development. To help maximize the property value, the Town intends to sell these lands in smaller parcels.
"Council approved agreements with Fonthill Gardens Inc. for an option to purchase 7.7 acres of the Town-owned lands to construct a medical centre (with 5-10 family doctors) and a retirement home (with +130 beds/units). The price of those lands would be a base, un-serviced price of $375,000.00 per acre plus all costs of development.”
The +/-30,000 square foot Medical Centre should include 5-10 family doctors, a mini-pharmacy, and other health and wellness / allied professionals. When the Province disallowed new “family health teams” for Niagara for nearly a year, establishing the Centre got slightly delayed to 2017. The ~130-unit senior’s campus should offer independent and assisted living options and is hoped to break ground in 2018.
I understand that the Allen Group is actively recruiting doctors and other allied professionals to the new medical centre; to protect the privacy of those doctors and other professionals, I cannot comment further about how many or to whom they are speaking. Similarly, the Allen Group is working with potential operators and eventual owners for the retirement facility. As a business person, I know you are sure to understand that this information cannot be shared publicly.

Surplus Lands:
In September, Council reaffirmed our priority of selling surplus lands at a maximum dollar value and for the best community use. We also developed a draft lay-out for the property. You will recall that we expect to generate an average of $600,000 per acre to help fund the Community Centre’s construction.

Piazza / Public Square:
I am sorry that this continues to be unclear for you, especially since you also asked about it during my October presentation to the Chamber of Commerce. Please let me try again. When I wrote: “The Site Master Plan envisions a large, public square next to the future Community Centre that would include interlocking brick, an outdoor theatre, a water feature, and trees and benches,” I tried to explain that the Piazza it is a plan, or something for which we are hoping to achieve.
When I wrote, “While contemplated a few years from now, Council applied in June for Canada Cultural Spaces Funding to cover 50% of the estimated $5.1 million project; we have yet to hear the results of that application,” that means that the project does not yet have a specific approval from Council. Whether we receive funding or not, Council will have to consider this project in relation to our future Capital Budget addressing the various needs across the Town and the desires from the public before moving ahead and approving it. This consideration will likely form part of our 20-year capital budget discussions in late-November and December.

Development Charges:
I understand that the Town has collected $2.2 million this year (to 20 October 2016) from development charges. Further, I have asked Staff to report on this amount monthly to Council.
At our 7 November 2016 meeting, Council received the first report to the end of September 2016. Please see: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2EgPD0Bv1qVWnpHcnB1MktkTlk. Further, I understand that to the 31 October 2016, the total was $2,766,705. These are collected from new development from across the Town, not just from development in the eastern part of Fonthill.
For more information about Development Charges, please see http://www.pelham.ca/en/services/Development-Charges.aspx or see the “Development Charges” section of the “Financing Options” tab at www.pelham.ca/community-centre.

Rental Rates:
Again, I am sorry that this continues to be unclear for you. Thanks for asking me to try again to explain it!
I wrote: “The operating projections for the new Pelham Community Centre that Staff presented last spring used current (2016) rental rates for various community services -- like ice rental or room rentals. They also estimated an inflationary increase each year. Council approves all fees and charges annually during budget considerations.”
This means that Staff presented a very conservative estimate for activity fees for the new Community Centre; they used the 2016 user fee rates for a facility that will open in 2018. In subsequent years, they estimated the fees to be increasing by inflation each year. (This means that we are not planning on gouging users for use of the facilities – which may be your worry.) We do not know the specific, 2018 rates for which you specifically ask because Council will officially approve that as part of the 2018 budgets in the fall of 2017. It’s similar to most businesses not being able to tell you exactly how much they would be charging for a product – be it a car or a pie or a cup of coffee – two-years from now.
For the Town’s current Fees and Charges, please see: http://www.pelham.ca/en/how-might-I/resources/Corporate-Services/Files/TownOfPelham-Fees-and-Charges-2016.pdf
Council agreed with the Architectural Design Advisory Committee and Pelham Seniors Advisory Committee recommendations that the walking / running track would be available free-of-charge.

Maple Acre Library:
At the start of construction in June, I said that the renewed Maple Acre Library was to be open by mid-December. During my Chamber presentation in early October, I said that it was to be completed by the end of the year. We will be having a Maple Acre Design Advisory Committee meeting next week to see and better understand their progress and the schedule from completion.

Skatepark Lighting:
The Isaac Riehl Memorial Skatepark is open until 11 PM and lights are on from dusk to 11 PM. For more information about the rules and guidelines for the Skatepark, please see: http://www.pelham.ca/en/experience/Riehl-Skate-Park.aspx
___________________________________
Again, I appreciate your keen interest in the Town! I hope that this annotated response answers all of your questions.
Thanks again!
Sincerely yours,
Mayor Dave

Take Time to Remember

Each year in Pelham, the Legion and Cadets organize a number of very special ceremonies to commemorate Remembrance Day.

On the Sunday before Remembrance Day – this year on November 6 – the commemorations will begin at the Cenotaph at Centennial Park at 9:00 AM. During this special service, Veterans, members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613, the Ladies Auxiliary, the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, the Fenwick Volunteer Firefighters Association, the Fabulous Fenwick Lions, and Federal, Provincial, and Municipal political representatives will march to the Cenotaph and lay wreaths to remember those brave men and women who served (and who continue to serve) our country during times of war, conflict, and peace.

Then, at 10:00 AM, the Legion will organize another commemoration at Old Pelham Town Hall in Ridgeville. This will be the first Remembrance Day service with the newly restored WW1 mortar. This service recalls those that served from the Ridgeville area and often also includes representatives of the Niagara Regional Police Service and several local veterans.

At 11:00 AM, Reverend Russ Myers and the congregation of Fonthill Baptist will host a special church service. The ceremony usually includes reciting John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields”, a scriptural reflection, and a video that highlights local veterans.

Later, at 12:30 PM, the Legion will host a commemoration at the Cenotaph at Peace Park in Fonthill. This service calls to mind those who served from the Fonthill area, and also includes the laying of wreaths by members of the Fonthill Volunteer Firefighters Association, the Fonthill Lions, the Fonthill Rotary Club, the Fonthill & District Kinsmen and some local businesses.

On Remembrance Day itself – this year on a Friday – the Legion will host a complete service at Veteran’s Park at the Legion in Fonthill. The service begins at 10:45 AM so that the moment of silence can occur at 11:00 AM. In recent years, and especially since the revitalization of the park, many people participate in this Remembrance Day service.

The freedoms that so many of us might take for granted – to express ourselves, to participate in cultural, religious, and political activities, to come and go as we please, to pursue a safe and happy life – are all due to the sacrifices of Veterans and those who serve today. They sacrificed their futures so that our future might be one of peace and of happiness.

Let us each take a few moments to participate in these Remembrance Day ceremonies so that we can be thankful and rededicate ourselves to peace. Lest we forget.

East Fonthill Progress Update

Site Master Plan for northern part of  East Fonthill

To help answer some recent community questions, here’s some of what I spoke about during a “State of the Town” address to the Chamber of Commerce in early-October.

Added in 2000, Developing Now:
When it added 450 acres to the Town’s eastern “Urban Boundary” in 2000, the Ontario Municipal Board guaranteed huge growth for Pelham. What wasn’t certain was the type of that growth. That’s why Council and I worked so hard over the last decade to ensure that these “East Fonthill” lands integrate with the existing community, protect sensitive environmental elements, benefit existing residents by including public facilities and commercial amenities, and require attractive and pedestrian/cycle-friendly form.

To help achieve this vision, Council approved a Secondary Plan for all of “East Fonthill” and a Site Master Plan for the 54 acres of Town- and privately-owned lands fronting Regional Road 20. These award-winning Plans allow various uses including medical, retail, retirement, community centre, mixed-use commercial, townhomes, mixed-use residential, parks and trails.

Commercial Development:
As you know, the commercial component is taking shape along Regional Road 20. While most stores will likely open in early-2017, the Food Basics is scheduled for next month and the Tim Horton’s in late-December. The buildings are purposefully closer to the road to help encourage walkability and slow vehicle traffic.

Demonstration Plan for
450 Acres in East Fonthill

Medical Centre and Retirement Home:
In 2014, the Town approved an agreement to sell 7.7 acres of land to the Allen Group to construct a medical centre and a retirement home. The +/-30,000 square foot Medical Centre should include 5-10 family doctors, a mini-pharmacy, and other health and wellness / allied professionals. When the Province disallowed new “family health teams” for Niagara for nearly a year, establishing the Centre got slightly delayed to 2017. The ~130-unit senior’s campus should offer independent and assisted living options and is hoped to break ground in 2018.

Surplus Lands:
In September, Council reaffirmed our priority of selling surplus lands at a maximum dollar value and for the best community use. We also developed a draft lay-out for the property. You will recall that we expect to generate an average of $600,000 per acre to help fund the Community Centre’s construction.

Piazza / Public Square:
The Site Master Plan envisions a large, public square next to the future Community Centre that would include interlocking brick, an outdoor theatre, a water feature, and trees and benches. While contemplated a few years from now, Council applied in June for Canada Cultural Spaces Funding to cover 50% of the estimated $5.1 million project; we have yet to hear the results of that application.

______________________________
Other Questions:

Development Charges: I understand that the Town has collected $2.76 million this year (to October 31) from Development Charges. Further, I have asked Staff to report on this amount monthly to Council. (Here's the first report -- to the end of September 2016.)

Rental Rates: The operating projections for the new Pelham Community Centre that Staff presented last spring used current (2016) rental rates for various community services -- like ice rental or room rentals. They also estimated a inflationary increase each year. Council approves all fees and charges annually during budget considerations.

Encouraging Vibrant Downtowns

Former "Central Variety"

You must have noticed the ongoing construction on Pelham Street at Churchill in Downtown Fonthill.

This private-sector work – renewing the building and adding apartments – is part of the general revitalization and redevelopment of Pelham’s private and public realms in our Downtowns.

You may recall that a decade ago the Downtowns in both Fonthill and Fenwick were tired and drab. Quite frankly, they did not reflect our vibrant community and they needed desperate renewal.

Designer's Rendition

Encouraged by the Pelham Business Association that the Town take action, I called together a community meeting in the spring of 2007. At that meeting, dedicated residents and business owners stepped forward to establish an ad hoc, community-based committee to help advance Downtown revitalization. Shortly thereafter, those citizens approached Council to become an official Town committee – the Downtown Beautification Committee.

The dedicated Committee members actively advanced beautification of our downtowns by encouraging Council to undertake and develop a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) along with improvements to the streets, sidewalks and parking. Council followed through on these elements.

U-Turn Decor, Fonthill Inn, Zest

Volcano Pizza

First, thanks to stimulus funding from the Federal and Provincial governments, we revitalized the public realm in Downtown Fonthill in 2010/11. A one-day celebration in 2011 – Pelham Summerfest – marked the end of this considerable work.

Second, we worked to revitalize Downtown Fenwick – including repairing and designating the historic flagpole in 2013, and reconstructing and revitalizing the sidewalks, parking and roadway in 2014/15. Last spring, it was my honour to accept a Regional award recognizing excellence in that reconstruction.

Mokus, Fonthill Dental, Fonthill Fitness

Third, we worked very closely with the community from 2007 to 2010 to develop design guidelines and an incentive program to encourage upgrades to private properties. We not only developed grants to encourage façade improvements, but to also increase the number of residential units.

The renovation and construction at Churchill and Pelham Street is the tenth property in Downtown Fonthill to take advantage of these incentive programs. Others include: Volcano’s Pizza; Zest Restaurant; Fonthill Inn; U-Turn Décor and More; Pelham Street Grille & Goods Sports Excellence; Mokus Restaurant, Fonthill Fitness; Fonthill Dental Clinic; and Strut. Together, these represent nearly one-third of all the buildings in the downtown-district on Pelham Street!

Strut

A few years ago the Region studied the benefit of these type of programs and found that for every dollar invested or deferred in a Niagara downtown, the incentives generated nine dollars in private sector investment. We are pleased to see similar investments in our Downtowns. Council and I will continue to promote and fund these programs so that we might further encourage vibrant downtowns.

How should we spend your money in 2017?

Do you have any suggestions on how the Town should spend and invest your money to improve our Town?

Council will begin our 2017 budget process with a special public meeting where we listen to you and other members of the community about what you would like to see in next year’s and future budgets. That meeting will occur on Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber at Pelham Town Hall.

Pelham Council first started this type of a “pre-budget consultation” ten years ago – for our 2007 Budgets. We continue each year to welcome residents, representatives of sports teams, service clubs, and committees, and businesses and property tax payers to provide input.

I am pleased that, following Council deliberations each year, we have been able to follow-through on most of the suggestions offered by your friends and neighbours. In previous years, folks have requested a dog park, a skate park, sidewalks along a number of roads, crosswalks, sidewalk snow clearing on every sidewalk in Town, partnerships on service club signs, and a new community centre. Town Council discussed each of these requests, and most have been approved or are scheduled in future budgets.

That’s why we are undertaking this consultation process again. Council and I want to hear directly from you about your needs, wants, and ideas for our Town. Our community improves when more and more people become involved in its success!

And, this is just the start of our 2017 budget discussions:

• Pre-Budget Consultation – beginning October 11, 2016;
• Draft Capital Budget available to the public – November 25;
• Draft Capital Budget presented to Committee – November 28;
• Council consider approving Capital Budget – December 5;
• Draft Operating Budget available to the public – January 27, 2017;
• Draft Operating Budget presented to Committee – January 30;
• Council consider approving Operating Budget – February 6;
• Draft Water & Sewer Budgets available to the public – February 17;
• Draft Water & Sewer Budgets presented to Committee – February 20;
• Council consider approving Water & Sewer Budgets – March 6.

Prefer to provide written input?  Simply send a letter via email to a special email address:  ourbudget@pelham.ca. You will also soon be able to view background budget information at the Town’s website: www.pelham.ca.

Not internet savvy?  You can also provide written comments via normal mail c/o Town Clerk, Town of Pelham, 20 Pelham Town Square, P.O. Box 400, Fonthill, ON   L0S 1E0.

I hope to hear from you and I look forward to discussing your ideas so that we can continue to build a better future for our Town together.

Pelham Community Centre Progressing

Pelham Community Centre Approved Site Plan

During our special strategic planning session on September 16, Council verified our number one priority as completing the Pelham Community Centre on time and on budget. So, let me give you an update of progress to date.

Oversight Committee:
In August, Council appointed Gordon Morasco, Bill Gibson, Councillor Gary
Accursi and CAO Darren Ottaway to the Centre’s Oversight Committee. During their first meeting (on September 7), the Committee elected Bill Gibson Chair, confirmed their Terms of Reference, and received a project overview and status update from Ball Construction. The Committee will meet monthly and provide regular financial and construction updates.

Financial Progress:
As promised, the Town hired a temporary analyst to oversee all financial aspects of the Centre. Council insisted on this to ensure transparent tracking of Community Centre expenses and project revenues – including development charges, sale of surplus lands, and the debenture. This arrangement will also ensure regular Staff carry on seamlessly with the Town’s normal operations.

Also, Infrastructure Ontario approved the Community Centre loan and construction financing.

Site Works Progressing:
Council unanimously approved the Site Plan for the Community Centre last Monday.

As depicted in the Spring, the Town will locate the Centre at the corner of two new streets – Wellspring Way (with a traffic signal on Regional Road 20 at Pelham Petroleum) and Shaw Avenue (linked with Rice Road near the entrance of Duffin Appleworks). The Centre will stand adjacent to a public square and future transit stop and within walking distance to new stores and restaurants, the new medical centre and various types of residential housing.

Site Servicing by Beam Construction (19 Sept. 2016)

Last week, Ball Construction presented the blueprints and other Community Centre drawings as they applied for the Building Permit. While Staff review the application, Beam Construction continues with “earthworks” and will be starting “site servicing” – installing water, waste water, storm water, and electrical services – over coming weeks. While these significant works have already begun, we will host the ceremonial groundbreaking later in October.

Ball Construction and Staff will provide scheduling and financial updates at Council’s next and subsequent meetings.

Surplus Lands:
Council’s strategic priorities also includes “Begin selling surplus land at maximum dollar value and best use.” Over the summer, Staff prepared and Council reviewed a conceptual plan for the surplus lands that the Town owns in East Fonthill. Efforts continue on this priority.


I am pleased that we’ve made significant progress thus far on the new Pelham Community Centre, for the benefit of our entire community.

Assessment Only Half the Picture

Have you received your new residential property assessment notice from MPAC – the Ontario Municipal Property Assessment Corporation? (If you own a farm, business, or multi-residential property, you should receive your assessment mid-October.)

Updated for the first time since 2012, your notice will outline MPAC’s determination of the market value of your property as of January 1, 2016.

MPAC considers many factors when assessing property values, such as the sale prices of comparable properties in your neighbourhood, and the age, location, characteristics, and size of your property and home. In essence, MPAC strives to base their value on the amount your property could have sold for on the open market.

Just like in 2012, property assessments will remain the same for the next four years – from 2017 to 2020. However, if the value of your property increases, that increase will be phased in over the four years; if the value goes down, you will immediately see a reduction.

For example, if the value of your home increased by $20,000 over its current assessment, the value for determining your property tax will increase by $5,000 per year over the next four years.

If the value of your home goes up, does that mean that your property taxes will also go up?

No, not necessarily. Market Value Assessment is only one half of the property tax equation. The amount you pay to the Town of Pelham, to the Region, and for Education is based on the Market Value Assessment of your home multiplied by the three tax rates and added together.

Say the Town budgeted for revenues of $10 million from property taxes in 2017. If all assessments double, the Town would cut the tax rate in half to collect that $10 million. If everyone’s assessments went down, we would increase the rate to collect the same $10 million.

But, what if your assessed value increases more than the average?

The property tax system is a bit of a blunt instrument. Municipalities set the tax rate based on the average assessment for each of the tax classes – residential, multi-residential, commercial, industrial, farm/managed forest, pipelines.

If your property’s assessed value increases more than the average, you will likely pay more than the average tax. By the same token, if your assessed value increases less than the average, you will likely pay less tax.

What if you don’t think the MPAC assessment on your property is correct? You can issue a “request for reconsideration” before November 30, 2016 for residential properties so that MPAC will review your assessment. (Owners of farm, business, and multi-residential properties must file reassessment requests 120 days from the assessment issue date.)

Please check out MPAC’s website (www.mpac.on.ca) and your notice for more information.

Unveiling & Rededicating WWI Cenotaph & Mortar

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cst. Susan Phillips,
WWII Veteran Jim Summersides, Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn
and Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey.
Photo Credit: Laura Barton/Welland Tribune

On behalf of Pelham Council and the community, it was my honour to help unveil and rededicate two significant historic and cultural artifacts – a WWI Cenotaph and the newly restored WWI Mortar – at Old Pelham Hall on Saturday.

Because of the generous partnership of the Town with the Canadian Government, the Royal Canadian Legion, and caring citizens, these newly restored artifacts now stand as a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifices paid by Pelham residents and other Canadian soldiers in World War I to secure our freedoms.

The beautifully restored cenotaph was completed last year, in time for our 2015 Remembrance Day commemoration. May the names of those 18 local soldiers killed in battle for our freedoms also be engraved in our minds and on our hearts.

The WWI German Trench Mortar (called a minenwerfer) was captured by the 31st Battalion, Alberta Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force, in a raid on enemy trenches at Neuville Vitasse, France, on 23-24 of June 1918.

The mortar, considered a “War Trophy,” was awarded to the former Township of Pelham in 1921 by the Government of Canada. It was placed next to the Cenotaph in Ridgeville as a memorial to those from this area and the 31st Battalion, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War 1914-18.

Historic research showed that Government provided this mortar with the understanding that it “belongs to the Crown and to the people of Canada…and was to be preserved and respected.”

Research also shows that this mortar is very rare. It was one of 101 trench mortars brought to Canada and is one of very few not melted down for the World War II war effort.

Photo Credit: Laura Barton/Welland Tribune

Sadly, through the 95 years since it was first placed here, memories faded and few knew the real history or recognized the significance of the mortar. The artifact deteriorated and there was talk of removing it altogether and replacing it with an artifact from the World War II or the Korean War.

Thankfully, a group of dedicated citizens and representatives came together to work with the Town and Council to help recommend what to do. Among others, these included Carolyn Botari, Dell Clark, Gary Chambers, Jake Dilts, Leo Giovenazzo, Mary Lamb, Bernie Law, and Jim Summersides.

Council and I deeply appreciate the work of these caring citizens, of Town Staff, the Royal Canadian Legion, Veterans Affairs, the Canadian Government, and the conservation company to fully restore and tell the story of this mortar for generations to come.

Further, we hope that these newly restored artifacts – outside our recently revitalized Old Pelham Town Hall – stand as a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifices paid by Canadian soldiers in World War I to secure our freedoms.

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Thanks to the hundreds who participated in and attended the special ceremony, including:

• Veterans & Members of Canadian Armed Forces;
• Members of the Royal Canadian Legion & Ladies Auxiliary, Branch 613;
• Members of the Burl-Oak Naval Veterans;
• Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
• Branch 613 Army Cadets;
• 87 Eagle Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets;

  

  Photo Credit: Laura Barton/Welland Tribune

• Grimsby Pipe Band;
• Reverend Myers;
• Mr. Allison, MP Niagara-West;
• Mr. Badawey, MP Niagara-Centre;
• Regional Councillors Baty & Quirk;
• Town of Pelham Councillors & Staff;
• Members of the Citizen Advisory Committee;
• David Hulley, Emcee.

Special thanks to Jim Summersides, World War II Hero, for assisting with the unveiling of the newly restored mortar and plaque.