Newmarket council will be resuming its regular meetings after the Christmas break with a live-streamed session via the town's website starting on Monday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m.
Here is what NewmarketToday will be following:
2021 Financial Relief Measures
Council will be exploring options for a new program to provide financial relief for people and businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current program, an amnesty from interest and fees on property tax payments, is set to expire at the end of the month, and council aims to have a new initiative in place by then.
Property tax and assessment supervisor Lawrence Villaneuva will be giving a presentation to council outlining possible options.
One of the options expected to be put forward is a water rebate program for small businesses devised by Mayor John Taylor.
Last month, the mayor convinced council not to lower Newmarket's water rate increase to reflect the fact that York Region decided it would forgo raising its own water rates in 2021.
That means the portion of the additional money collected from ratepayers that would have gone to York Region will be pocketed by the Town of Newmarket. Taylor wants to see that money used to give small businesses a substantial rebate on their water bills.
Staff members have been working on the details of how such a program would work, but town treasurer Mike Mayes has indicated that the municipality has been working on other financial relief proposals, as well.
No documents have been posted online prior to the meeting that indicate what those other options might be.
Accessibility Plan Update
Council will receive an update from the accessibility advisory committee on what work has been done in 2020 to increase the accessibility of municipal facilities and infrastructure for people with disabilities or other mobility issues.
Newmarket created a multi-year accessibility plan in 2019, which has laid out a to-do list of projects for increasing accessibility until 2023.
Some of the initiatives completed in 2020 include a front ramp, curbs, and the creation of designs for renovations to the crew quarters and public education area at the 4-1 fire station. Accessible parking spaces were also added to the parking lot at the 4-2 fire station.
Click here for the full agenda.
To submit input to council in relation to an item on the agenda, you can:
- Email correspondence to [email protected] by end of day on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Written correspondence received by this date will form part of the public record or;
- Make a live remote deputation by joining the virtual meeting using the town's videoconferencing software and verbally provide your comments over video or telephone. Pre-register by emailing your request and contact information to [email protected].
