York Region’s northern 6 municipalities seek ways to expand partnership

YorkRegion.com
April 30, 2015
Chris Simon

The relationship between York Region’s northern six municipalities is about to get a lot closer.

It appears the N6 — a group formed by Aurora, East Gwillimbury, King Township, Georgina, Newmarket and Whitchurch-Stouffville years ago to look at ways to combine municipal resources and reduce costs — is ready to expand its mandate and offer more shared services in the coming years.

Participating municipalities have already benefitted from joint waste management and insurance contracts, so it makes sense to explore other potential cost-saving initiatives, Glenn Lang, who is overseeing a shared services review for the N6, said in a deputation to Newmarket councillors recently.

Looking to build upon the current success of the N6 partnership, the study recommends further ideas for additional cost reductions and service improvements, he said.

That could include a joint plan for dealing with the emerald ash borer and resulting tree removal and replacement, delivery of animal control and shelter services, sharing of specialized equipment and septic maintenance inspectors and the development of an area-wide stormwater management program.

N6 may also consider centralizing tax and water bill distribution and explore better deals for many of the public works services that are contracted out by the municipalities.

A focused effort to identify new opportunities for collaboration was made over the past year, Newmarket CAO Bob Shelton said. The mandate of the N6 is to meet regularly to review areas of mutual interest in operations and administration with the goal that together, the municipalities strive to find better, innovative and more cost efficient ways to deliver services, he added.

The N6 will work toward development of a roadmap for the implementation of recommendations contained in the review over the next few months, Lang said.

“What’s exciting is there’s still more opportunities,” Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen said. “I’m glad to see (the N6) is pursuing that.”