Volunteers Wanted

One of the committees that I sit on is the South Simcoe Streams Network.  They work to keep the streams healthy in our area and do regular tree planting along streams every Spring.  The Trees for Streams work party day for our area is on Saturday May 2nd from 9:00-12:00.  The day includes planting of native seedlings and lunch.  There are other dates available throughout South Simcoe.  You can register yourself or a group for a planting event by contacting Silvia Pedrazzi at silvia@nottawasaga.com or call 705-435-1540.  They are always looking for groups to do planting days and will customize your team experience.  High School student community hours eligible.

Elmer Pit/5th Line and 10th Sideroad

Many who live in Ward 7 has been impacted by the pit on the 5th and the 10th.  Whether it is the trucks or the growing mountain of fill, residents have expressed concern to me about the negative impact of this site.  I have been in touch with the MNR regarding this site as all aggregate sites are overseen by them.  The town does have a meeting set-up with the MNR in early March.  I hope to have some news for you following that meeting.  In the meantime, I encourage you to click on the email link I have provided for Jim Wilson’s office jim.wilson@pc.ola.org to register your concerns as this is a provincially regulated site. This is a great opportunity to support your community.  I have requested more OPP enforcement in the area to deal with the trucks because there have been concern over the permits, licenses and speeds.  Residents on the 10th Sideroad have requested a change to the speed limit to 60 km/h.  Please give me feedback on this, pro or against by March 9th.

How to bring your concerns to council

I have been asked by residents to explain the process to bring concerns before council.  Here is the link to the towns delegation application and instructions.  If the item is on the agenda for Committee of the Whole (first Monday of the month), you may  speak or submit a letter/email to the clerk that will be received (read) by council.  Committee of the Whole is an open discussion night, both for council and the public to talk about all aspects of the issues. No decisions are binding on these nights.  While it is still formal, with councillors moving and seconding items, the final vote happens at the following weeks meeting.  If you want an item added to the agenda, you need to contact the clerk cmaher@newtecumseth.ca the Wednesday before Committee of the Whole to have the item added.  At Committee of the Whole anyone can speak whereas at Council meetings you need to ask for permission from Council to speak.

A reminder:

Ducks Unlimited Canada, has a new program, called the Lake Simcoe Georgian Bay Wetland Collaborative, with funding available for landowners for wetland restoration projects through March 2017.  Eligible projects include wetland restoration, livestock fencing and nesting boxes.  DUC can cover up to 90% of the costs for these projects.  For more information on how to conserve your wetlands or apply for funding please contact Sean Rootham at 1-800-402-4444 ext. 232 or s_rootham@ducks.ca

The Heritage Advisory Committee and the New Tecumseth Improvement Society is still accepting applications, so if you have an interest, please contact Jill Jones at jjones@newtecumseth.ca or 705-435-3900 ext.306