Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury staff will report back to council with information on outdoor skating rinks and a program to recognize people for helping neighbours shovel their driveways.
As well, the 2019 budget is expected to be up for final vote later this month, and the town’s enforcement department broke down its 2018 at a council meeting Feb. 5.
Budget
The 2019 budget was expected to come to council for approval Feb. 5, but it did not make the agenda, which was published when council was still debating budget details last week.
Instead, it is now expected to come before council Feb. 19.
The budget includes a 2.34 per cent increase, meaning an extra $104.77 per average home assessed at $481,000.
For the full breakdown of the budget, click here.
Snow Angels
The Town of Innisfil launched a program in January called Snow Angels, which encourages residents to help each other with snow removal and get recognized for it.
During a council meeting Tuesday evening, Mayor Rob Keffer asked town staff to report back about whether a similar program could be started in BWG.
Outdoor ice rinks
In response to requests from BWG residents, Coun. Mark Contois asked town staff to report back about options for creating outdoor ice rinks within the town’s boundaries.
He said he would also like to see sheds included for snow-blower storage, and information on how the town can get a volunteer base to support the maintenance of the rinks.
Contois suggested Kuzmich Park and Lions Park as potential locations for skating rinks because they draw more families.
Contois said he would like to see the creation of a skating rink by next year.
Parking tickets
Council accepted a report Tuesday on the town’s enforcement activity in 2018.
So, how much did people pay in parking tickets anyway?
Last year, 5,517 parking tickets were issued in BWG, totalling $202,859 in parking revenue, according to a report by Brent Lee, the town’s manager of enforcement.
As well, there were 69 charges under the Provincial Offences Act, and 103 business licences issued.
The town’s enforcement department also started using new software, which allows people with tickets to meet with hearing officers to resolve charges without having to go to court.
Using the new software resulted in 210 fewer trial requests last year, and 295 payments received through adjudications, resulting in $7,375 in revenue for the town, read the report.
Looking ahead to 2019, the department will be looking at changes to the Smoke Free Public Places and accessible parking bylaws, increasing officer coverage into evenings and weekends, and working with local committees to improve safety around school zones, read the report.
