What's coming up at Newmarket council: Financial impacts of COVID-19

A report detailing how fighting the pandemic has impacted the town's coffers is expected to be presented to council

Newmarkettoday.com
May 18, 2020
Kim Champion

The Town of Newmarket’s municipal office remains closed to the public in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, but residents are invited to live stream the special council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at 2 p.m. here.

There are two ways you can participate if you wish to address council and make a deputation on any agenda items.

You can provide your comments in writing no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting by emailing clerks@newmarket.ca. These comments will be read aloud by Mayor John Taylor during the live meeting, considered with the related item, and form part of the public record.

You can join the live meeting using the town's videoconferencing software and verbally provide your comments over video or telephone. To do this, you must email clerks@newmarket.ca and join a test session before noon on Tuesday, May 19.

Here’s what’s coming up on the May 19 agenda:

Regional fire service study

The agenda includes Newmarket council's review of a proposal for a York Region fire department to serve the area’s nine municipalities.

The idea of creating a regional fire service was raised at York Region council by Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas. It is believed that the consolidation of York Region’s eight fire services would improve service levels, department structure, and save money.

However, proceeding with a study of a regional fire service requires the support of the majority of regional council and a majority of local councils representing a majority of electors -- the so called "triple majority" won't be possible as Markham, Vaughan and King council have already given the proposal the thumbs down. Vaughan and Markham councils together represent more than half the region's 721,000 eligible voters.

There are eight fire services within York Region, including four career fire services in Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Central York, which serves the communities of Newmarket and Aurora. There are three composite departments in East Gwillimbury, Whitchurch–Stouffville and Georgina, and one mostly volunteer service in King.

In 2002, the Newmarket and Aurora fire departments were consolidated to create Central York Fire Services. As a consolidated fire service, Central York provides a superior level of service to Aurora and Newmarket residents than either community would achieve with the same level of funding for independent fire services, a town report states.

In comparison, York Regional Police service is the result of a 1971 consolidation of 14 municipal police forces. This internationally respected service has grown with the communities within York Region and continues to address the ever changing needs of all citizens regardless of where they live within the region, the report notes.

Financial impacts of COVID-19

A report detailing the financial impact of the town’s response to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to be presented to council. In addition, the budget process for 2021 will also be discussed. At the time of publication, both reports were not yet available.

Blue box recycling move to full producer responsibility

Council will discuss the preferred timing for the transition to full producer responsibility for the collection of blue box materials. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario has recommended that date be Dec. 31, 2025.

Town staff recommend that the preferred non-binding year for transition of the blue box program to full producer responsibility be Dec. 31, 2025, which coincides with the end of the current waste collection contract with GFL.

Although transitioning at the end of the third transition year will forgo some financial opportunities, it does provide more time to better understand and adapt to changes under a producer-led program, incorporate those changes into the post-2025 waste collection contract, and avoids potential costs of negotiating the current waste collection contract.

Staff will continue to participate in consultations on transition plans and work collaboratively with the N6, York Region, and other municipal partners throughout the evolution of Ontario’s blue box transition to full producer responsibility.