Highlights of your Area Council Meeting for Dec 19, 2011:

• Building permit fees have been revised to reflect growing costs 🙁
• Council approved a number of 2012 budget grants for water quality studies (Georgian Bay, inland lakes, Church Bay, Severn Sound, weed studies in Six Mile Lake and Stewart Lake) , Chamber of Commerce and Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship. Final budget should be approved in January.
• The Mayor presented his third 125 day report. I will forward it when I see a copy.
• The Township will work with the District and the Severn Sound Envir. Assoc. to protect the municipal water intake in Port Severn (Little Lake, Gloucester Pool) as part of the Provincial Source Water Protection Program. This will entail septic inspections and pollution source plans.
• A Gloucester Pool Sailing Club will be operating for the summer months on lands owned by the Township near Sunrise Trail on Buena Vista Point, Little Lake. The program is open to all residents.
• BIG NEWS – we are getting improved medical care in Port Severn. Dr. Jamie Karagianis will be practising Psychiatry out of our Community Service Building (Mayor and Council will be his first patients). Also Dana Strength, Nurse Practitioner from the Wahta Medical Centre, will send more time in Port Severn. With Dr. Karagianis, comes the installation of the Ont. Telemedicine Network. Through Dana you can be connected to any Medical Specialist in Canada. This would eliminate trips to the Big City.
• The Township will continue with its Strategic Plan Initiative by engaging in a Communication/Branding Exercise via the Community Advisory Group pending FedNor funding.
• The discussion on the position of the Township Chief Admin. Officer has been delayed until the new year. Douglas Hahn presented citizen concerns and suggested that internal and external candidates be considered.
• Our Fire Chief, Jim Boswell has been appointed Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officer. Our By-law Officers will report to him.
• Council will be approving the 2012 budget in Jan. The Township portion of your taxes (about 26%) is slated for a 4.95% increase. This is about $50.00 on a $500,000 property. The District (32%) and Education (32%) will not be known until May.
• Councillor Hanson presented his wrap up of the 2011 Water Quality Committee. I will send out his summary when I receive it.
• Next council meeting is next year

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