Jan 15 - What's Happening in Arran-Elderslie

Winter reminders, BESS Public Meeting, Council Update & Community Events

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Snow! Snow is what is happening! It is winter and we live in the snowbelt, but according to The Weather Network speaker at Grey Bruce Farmers Week, the lake is starting to freeze over so we may soon see the end of these squalls - let’s hope! At the very least, it’s definitely beautiful and when we see the sunshine, it’s an even nicer reminder of how pretty this place is that we call home.

This week, I’m sharing some helpful reminders and information on the municipality’s winter maintenance policies, as well as an update from Council and upcoming meetings and events.

~ Jen

Living Here - Good to Know

Winter Road and Sidewalk Snow Clearing

Did you know snow plowing frequency is determined by our Winter Maintenance Levels of Service? In Arran-Elderslie, we do snow removal in the towns once a day. Country routes are plowed twice a day, as needed, for school buses and residents returning home from work. This exceeds the province’s Minimum Maintenance Standards based on our Road Classifications.

How to reduce the plow fill in your driveway

I saw this helpful graphic shared by the City of Seymour, Indiana on Facebook last week. To minimize the amount of snow pushed into your driveway by the plow, you can clear the area to the left of your driveway (the direction the plow comes from). I don’t have a driveway to clear right now, but I have been told this works!

Source: City of Seymour, Indiana Facebook page

Source: City of Seymour, Indiana Facebook Page

Winter Street Parking Restrictions in Effect

A reminder that winter parking restrictions are now in effect to help facilitate snow removal. Vehicles cannot park overnight on any municipal street from 2 am to 7am from November 1st to March 31. Municipal lots in Tara, Chesley and Paisley are available for overnight parking and winter parking passes can be purchased from the Municipal Office.

Individuals accessing businesses on the main streets should also be aware they may be ticketed if parked during these hours. If possible, parking in the municipal lots is recommended.

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Council Corner

Tara Bess (Formerly Grey Owl Storage) Project Update

NEOEN are the new owners of the Tara Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project proposed for Concession Rd. 4 in Arran Township. They presented an update to Council on December 9. The presentation can be viewed online.

The company will be holding a pubic open house on January 21 in Tara (see times below). All who are interested in this project are encouraged to attend, learn and share your feedback. The project is still in the consultation phase and has not been approved to be built.

Related: Councillors raise issues about Tara-area battery storage plan - The Sun Times

January 13 Council Notes

The first council meeting of the new year was earlier this week. The full video recap and agenda from the meeting can be found online. Here’s a quick summary of some of the items Council approved:

• Zero-interest loan for the Tara Curling Club to help replace their ice-making and refrigeration plant equipment.

• Draft Expression of Interest (EOI) for the old Paisley Library: The former Paisley Library building was declared surplus in March 2024, when the library relocated into the new space at the arena. Anyone interested in purchasing and redeveloping the downtown lot and building is invited to submit their proposal before April 17. The final EOI will be posted on the Arran-Elderslie website when available.

• Community Enhancement Grants: As part of our goal to help create thriving downtowns, the Municipality is pitching in to help fund Spruce the Bruce Facade Improvement, Signage and Awning grants for businesses in downtown Tara, Chesley, Paisley and Allenford.

• Paisley Firehall Fundraising Plan: The Paisley Station 80 Firefighters are looking to raise $200,000 to cover the costs of fitting out the new building.

• Policy Updates:

  • New Commemorative Bench & Tree Policy

  • Payment in Lieu of Parking Policy Bylaw - Policy is now in force

  • Municipal Flag and Proclamation Policy Bylaw - Policy now in force

2025 Budget

Council also passed the budget confirming bylaw (the thing that makes any decision “real”) at our meeting this week. This means that our budget is now officially set for the year. We’re grateful for staff who worked hard at putting together a responsible budget that includes funding to reserves for some major projects, including bridges. It was presented in a public meeting on November 12.

The total operating budget for 2025 is $7 million and $8.5 million in capital projects are planned. Some of the capital highlights include:

• New Paisley Firehall and Works Garage

• Sideroad 15 Arran from Concession 10 to 13 reconstruction

• Concession 6 Elderslie Road Repair

• New Tandem Plow Truck

• Sidewalk Installation, Victoria St. from Balaklava to the School, Paisley

• Chesley & Paisley Arena Chiller Replacements

• Chesley Pool Repairs

• Tara and Paisley Arena Roof Repairs

• Tara Cemetery Expansion

• 3rd St. SW, 1st - 4th Ave. Sewer, Water & Stormwater replacements, Chesley

• Plus many more projects!!

The total blended tax rate increase for the county and municipality ended up at 4.51% or $210 for a home valued at $300,000 by MPAC. You can see a breakdown of the allocation of municipal tax dollars below. A more detailed budget breakdown can be found here as well as the estimate tax increase by property type and assessment value here.

Source: Arran-Elderslie

DYK? The Council meeting agenda is posted online the Friday before the meeting. All meetings can also be viewed by livestream. You can find all information here.

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Upcoming Committee & Public Meetings

• Tara Downtown Working Group Meeting, Wednesday , January 15 at 10 AM, Tara Community Centre

• Chesley Working Group Meeting, Wednesday, January 15 at 5 PM, Council Chambers

• Accessibility, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (ADIE) Committee Meeting, Monday, January 20 from 4 - 5 PM, Council Chambers and Virtual

• The Tara Bess (Formerly Grey Owl Storage) Project is holding a public open house on Tuesday, January 21 from 12 Noon - 2 PM and 6 - 8 PM at the Tara Community Centre.

• Council Meeting, Monday, January 27 at 9 AM, Council Chambers

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Community Events

A full list of events can be found on the website. If you have events you’d like to add to this list, you can email them to jshaw@arran-elderslie.ca.

Weekly Events

• Mondays

  • Crokinole & Coffee, 9 AM, Paisley Legion

  • Learn to Crochet or Knit, 7 PM, Paisley Legion, $2 / night. Every Monday except holidays.

  • Euchre, 6:30 PM, Paisley Legion

  • Pickleball, 7 PM, Paisley Central School gym

• Tuesdays

  • Euchre, 7 PM, Tara Legion

• Wednesdays

  • Game Night, 7 PM, Tara Legion

• Thursdays

  • Brockton & Area Family Heath Team Exercise Class, 9 AM, Paisley Legion

  • Community Meal, 12 Noon, Chelsey Baptist Church

  • Live Jammin’, 1 PM, Tara Legion

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January

• Valentines for Seniors runs all month long at Bruce County Library branches, including the Bookmobile. Use provided supplies or pick up a take-home craft bag to make cards at home and return them to a Branch by February 7.

Thursday, January 16

• Tara Good Food Box - Pick-Up - Time: 10:30 am – 1:00 pm at the Tara Legion.

  Order by the 8th, $22 per box.

• Paisley Agricultural Society AGM - 7:00 pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Bring a dessert potluck. All are welcome!

Friday, Jan 17

• Robbie Burns Luncheon & Euchre - 12 Noon, Treasure Chest Museum, Paisley, $15

Saturday, January 18

• Crokinole Social - 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Paisley Legion

Sunday, January 19

• Couples Two-Step Lessons - 2 PM, Tara Legion, $15 / couple, no pre-registration required

Tuesday, January 21

• Coffee Chat, 10 AM, Chesley Baptist Church

• Tara BESS (formerly Grey Owl Storage) Project Open House - 12 Noon - 2 PM and 6 - 8 PM, Tara Community Centre

• BCPL Bookmobile Stop - Arkwright Community Hall - 1:15 pm – 1:55 pm

  Access library materials and services.

Wednesday, Jan 22

• Arran Tara Agricultural Society Annual Meeting - 7 PM, Anglican Church, Tara - We are seeking individuals to join the board and fill the following committees: Sponsorship, Agricultural Awareness, Poultry Show, Ambassador

Thursday, Jan 23

• Jam Night at Paisley Legion, 7 - 10 PM. All musicians welcome, drum set and sound system available.

Friday, January 24

• Country Line Dancing - 7 PM, Tara Legion

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That’s it for the first edition of The Back Porch Brief! You can expect the next newsletter in your inbox in 2 weeks!