Highlights of your Area Council Meeting for January 30, 2012:

• Blasting on Haskett’s Drive will begin in Feb. due to a low pre-season rate of 1/3 less the normal summer rate ($64.32/cubic meter versus $150)
• First tax bill will be mailed out starting March 9th, second starting May 11th.
• Municipal insurance costs the Township about $190,000/year ($15M excess liability & $10M property deducible).
• The issue of by-law enforcement of dock mooring or usage on Island 195 was deferred to obtain more information. It is not clear as to what, if any, by-law exists too enforce for this Open Space island in Honey Harbour.
• The Township is in the midst of finalizing the purchasing of an entertainment stage system (100% grant from Ont. Trillium Foundation). The stage will be available at little or no cost to Township communities and will be rented outside the Township. Our fire fighters will assemble and manage the stage as a fund raiser for the fire hall.
• An application for FedNor funding is being requested for the review of parking, washrooms, public spaces and a visitor’s centre in Honey Harbour in partnership with Parks Canada.
• A new, improved Township web site should be launched sometime in Feb.
• The 2011 Georgian Bay Water Quality Study was presentation to Council. Results for 2011 remain good to excellent.
• A Saturday of showcasing arts along the Port Severn/Honey Harbour corridor is scheduled for June 16th
• Council will be approving a Township wide anti-Idling policy at its Feb. 21st meeting to reduce vehicle emissions.
• A detail breakdown of our 2011 legal fees was provided. We went from a budget of $69K to $240K.
• Township is working to amend the zoning by-law and its permitted uses for Open Space small islands and mainland property by August.
• Tax adjustments for the down zoning of Georgian Bay Land Trust property was deferred for more information.
• A Request for Proposal will be sent out in Feb. for the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Amendment review on the heals of the almost completed Official Plan Review.;
• Next council meeting is Feb. 21, 2012

Thanks for your interest. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me.

Paul M. Wiancko
Six Mile Lake
Township of Georgian Bay
705-756-1576
paul.wiancko@gmail.com