• the Public Meeting to amend portions of the main Township By-Law 91-19 was deferred to a weekend in the spring.  The amendments include an increase in lot coverage to 10% (from the present 5% – 8%) for most of the Township, clearer definitions for lot coverage, height and floor area and to establish urban lot standards for Port Severn and MacTier who are on sewer and water.
• the Taxpayers Study Group will present their report on the old Township Office to Council at our next meeting.  Meanwhile, Jim Walden, our Fire Chief and Building Inspector, myself and other qualified individuals led by Larry Braid, will tour the old office building latter this week.
• Mayor Kennedy will be addressing the communication issue concerning the Georgian Shield Taxpayers Association and the public.
• Township Office Project Manager update:
  • floor layout is complete and under final review by staff.
  • a potential site for the office building (south and closer to the road) and the fire hall/public works building (behind the present fire hall) have been identified.
  • staff continue working on the shortfall inventory of office equipment and furnishing.
  • the mandatory Emergency Operations Centre will be in the Council Chambers with appropriate communications, power supply, etc.
  • Seventeen companies submitted pre-qualification applications for the design-build option.  Four or five applications will be evaluated for potential call for proposals.
  • it looks like a public consultation forum will occur as early as April.  A number of potential office options (renovation versus design – build) will be presented.
• the issue of Recreation Grants and the preparation of a 10 Master Recreation Plan will be discussed during budget preparations this year.
• the Township will continue discussions with the District concerning the opening of some Township and District roads to ATVs.  We are the only Township with an ATV Club and may be the site for a pilot study.  The ATV Club provided a map of their trail system.
• Little Lake/Gloucester Pool have permission from over 500 property owners, the MNR (crown land) and Township to oil geese eggs this coming spring.  Geese populations of several hundred are causing water quality problems (leading to serious skin rashes).
• Council approved the seasonal hiring of a Septic Inspector and a Summer By-Law Office.  The cost of the By-Law Office is shared with the District.
• The settlement of the Wahta Mohawk Land Claim has finally been announced.

Paul M Wiancko
Six Mile Lake
pwiancko@csolve.net