Newmarket Council members reflect on term’s end

YorkRegion.com
Nov. 20, 2014
By Chris Simon

There’s little doubt among Newmarket council members - the 2010-2014 term made history.

During the final meeting of the current term Monday night, council reflected on several of the important decisions made by the municipality over the last four years. This term, council helped open a sports hall of fame, Riverwalk Commons and the Dave Kerwin Trail, approved renovations to Old Town Hall and the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall, set a tree preservation strategy, pursued several energy-saving initiatives, collaborated with other local municipalities to reduce town insurance premiums, organized a business delegation to Finland and began the pursuit of a Gigabit broadband Internet corridor, among other achievements. Plans for an innovation centre are also in development and the town has been listed as one of the most livable communities in Canada during the last four years.

Those efforts will help set the course for the next council, which is scheduled to take office in December, Mayor Tony Van Bynen said.

“These are just a few highlights of the things that are most physical to our community,” he said. “I’m sure each member of council is able to add many other projects. Each (council member) has made an important contribution to help make Newmarket even better. We should all be proud of what’s been accomplished in four short years.”

The playground renovations at Maple Leaf Public School park and the approval of a leash-free dog park are also significant accomplishments for the town, Regional Councillor John Taylor said.

“At (York) Region, we’ve had some great successes as well,” he said, listing the establishment of aging population and rental housing strategies as key planks in the region’s mandate during the term.

Councillor Maddie Di Muccio called the town’s effort to record all public council decisions “very important”.

“We’re offering taxpayers a glimpse of what goes on,” she said. “They need to have access to our votes and meetings.”

Council also improved its relationship with neighbouring municipalities and Central York Fire Services, Councillor Dave Kerwin said.

“We’ve become closer,” he said.

The inaugural meeting for the new term of council will be held at town hall Dec. 1, beginning at 7 p.m.

Tell us what you think of the previous term of council. Email tkibble@yrmg.com.