Let's Talk Bylaw, Council News & Upcoming Events
Road condition information, Youth Summer Jobs Application deadline, Bylaw Enforcement, Electoral system review, Spruce the Bruce grants and more!
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Snow, snow and more snow. If you had told me four months ago we were going to have a winter with 29 days of snow, I would not have believed it. I’m sorry to even bring it up, because I’m sure most people are sick of it. Today, I want to send a huge “thank you” to our municipal staff and contractors who have been working non-stop to plow snow this last month. Choosing to stay home and stay warm isn’t an option for them. Thank you!
If you’re looking for road conditions, a few places to check:
Municipal 511 - Closures for local and County roads
Ontario 511 - Provincial highway closures
Finally, as our local tow truck driver shared this week, if you’re uncertain as to whether you should head out on the roads and can stay home, stay home. Conditions change fast and there have been many times this winter it can be clear one minute and a whiteout the next. And finally, keep a safety kit in your car and your gas tank topped up!
~ Jen
Summer Job Applications Deadline
Summer Student Positions - Deadline to apply February 3, 2025 at 12 PM
The municipality is now hiring students to fill roles at our pools, day camps, tourism, GIS and parks & works departments this summer. All job descriptions, qualifications and information on how to apply can be found here.
Grey Bruce OPP and South Bruce OPP Youth in Policing
Let’s Talk Bylaw
What is a bylaw? It’s basically a rule (or law) set by a town or municipality for its visitors, businesses and residents. Every decision of council has a bylaw that puts it into effect. This is a government thing, but at the end of the day, most people probably don’t even realize how many bylaws exist within a municipality.
We are most familiar with the ones that cover everyday things and are there for the safety and wellbeing of the community. These include road maintenance standards, parking, property standards, and land use (zoning) bylaws, which set out what kind of buildings and uses are permitted and where.
If an individual doesn’t follow a bylaw, they can be subject to fines or “orders to comply”. Arran-Elderslie has hired Municipal Support Services (MSS) to enforce our bylaws.
Bylaws are a legal matter. This means the files are sensitive in nature and must be handled confidentially to ensure the integrity of the investigation remains intact should the matter require litigation. You could compare this to a criminal investigation, where once you file a police report, they handle the investigation and it is confidential.
Once a complaint has been received by MSS and the information verified, an investigation file is created, and the matter is handled by them directly. Likewise, any updates on the status, actions or progress are not provided to staff, council or the complainant to maintain confidentiality of the investigation.
All complaints regarding by-law and animal control matters should be made by the complainant themselves directly to MSS. Further to the confidential nature of the investigation, complainants’ information is also kept confidential.
There are several methods of submitting complaints to make the process accessible to everyone including:
Citizen Request Portal via the Municipal website
By email directly to MSS at bylaw@arran-elderslie.ca
By visiting the office and submitting complaints in writing. Complaint forms are available or written submissions on paper with the name and contact details of complainants will also be accepted. *
By calling MSS directly at 226-910-1322
More information on 2024 Bylaw Statistics and Process can be found in this week’s Council package.
*Why must name and contact details be provided if complaints are confidential? This is so MSS can follow up with the complainant to confirm the details submitted and get more information if needed for the investigation.
Correction: 2025 Budget
Last edition, I shared some information about the municipal budget. I incorrectly stated the operating budget was $7.3 million. That is the total amount of tax levy. The final numbers for the 2025 budget are $11.9M for operating and $3.8M for capital.
The risk of doing this newsletter is I get things wrong, and now that I’ve made a mistake on my first newsletter,
Council Corner
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.
Community Engagement Strategy – Wards or At-Large Representation
During the last election campaign, one of the questions that came up at each all-candidates meeting was why individuals in one part of our municipality cannot vote for all the positions of council. This week, Council received a presentation from “Clerks on Call”, an organization we have hired to collect community input on changing our voting system from Ward-based to At-Large.
What’s the difference?
Ward-based Representation: Council members are elected to specific geographic districts, representing the interests of the people in that ward. This is currently how Arran-Elderslie is organized with five wards (Arran, Elderslie, Tara, Chesley & Paisley).
At-Large Representation: Council members are elected by all voters in the municipality, representing the community as a whole.
There are pros and cons to both options so we want to hear from our residents first and understand what people want. There will be 2 opportunities for residents to provide their feedback into this study before the information comes back to Council to decide if we will stay as is or change before the 2026 municipal election.
Public Survey - An online and paper version will be available February 1 to February 28.
Facilitated Open Houses - February 12 and 13
Please take some time to participate in this process.
Arran-Elderslie Discusses Rural Health Care, Infrastructure and OPP costs at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference
Mayor Steve Hammell and Councillor Moiken Penner attended the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference in Toronto last week. The conference gives local leaders and representatives the opportunity to highlight the unique challenges facing rural communities.
Mayor Hammell and Councillor Penner made delegations to the following Provincial Ministries:
Ministry of Health to advocate for Financial Support for Rural Health Care Services as a Provincial Priority, and finding innovative solutions to staffing challenges to return Emergency Care in Chesley to 24/7.
Ministry of Infrastructure to request additional funding opportunities for small municipalities for our aging infrastructure specifically our bridges.
Ministry of the Solicitor General to explain that small municipalities are under a financial strain due to inflation, increased service demands and infrastructure deficits, increased OPP costs are crippling municipalities ability to balance budgets and provide essential services.
Grant Funds Available to Revitalize Downtowns
Businesses and property owners in the downtown areas of Chesley, Paisley, Tara, and Allenford are invited to apply for grants to enhance their storefronts and buildings in 2025. On January 13, 2025, the Arran-Elderslie Council approved the allocation of $20,000 in funding to support local businesses through a variety of improvement grants.
The available grants will focus on four key areas:
Façade Improvements
Perpendicular Signage
Awning Grants
Fascia Signage
This funding is part of an exciting collaboration with Bruce County’s established Spruce the Bruce program. The grants will cover one-third of eligible project costs, with additional support coming from the county’s program to match the contribution.
“By designating our downtowns as priority areas for investment in 2025, we’re taking steps to not only support our local businesses but also to enhance the vitality of our communities,” said Mayor Steve Hammell “I’m excited to see the positive impact these improvements will have on the future growth and appeal of our downtowns.”
Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out the Arran-Elderslie Economic Development and Communications Coordinator, Jennifer Isber-Legge or Bruce County Business Development Coordinator, Lindsey McLean at info@sprucethebruce.com in advance of the grants February 1st opening date. Grants are approved by the county on a first-come first-serve basis.
For more details and to apply visit here.
Upcoming Committee & Public Meetings
Accessibility, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (ADIE) Committee Meeting, Monday, February 3 from 4 - 5 PM, Council Chambers and Virtual (postponed from January 20 due to weather)
Council Meeting, Monday, February 10 at 9 AM, Council Chambers
Wards or At Large Representation Open Houses:
Paisley: Feb. 12 – 5-7 pm
Tara: Feb. 13 – 3-5 pm
Chesley: Feb. 13 – 6-8 pm
Council Meeting, Monday, February 24 at 9 AM, Council Chambers
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
Sundays
Darts for Meat, 1 PM, Paisley Legion, $4 / round with meat prizes
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, Jan 30
Jam Night at Paisley Legion, 7 - 10 PM. All musicians welcome, drum set and sound system available.
Fun & Games Night - 7 PM, Chesley Legion, $2
Friday, Jan 31
PD Day Curling Camp - 8:30 AM - 4 PM, Tara Curling Club
Grey Bruce Health Coalition and Save Chesley Hospital Meeting with GPO Leader Mike Schreiner - 10:00 - 10:30 AM, Chesley Hospital - all individuals concerned about the Chesley Hospital ER Closures are invited to attend.
February
Saturday, Feb 1
Sweater Mittens for Sale, 10 A - 2 PM, Chesley Community Church
Meat Roll Fundraiser & Social, First roll 7 PM, Chesley Legion
Sunday, Feb 2
Couples Two-Step Lessons - 2 PM, Tara Legion, $15 / couple, no pre-registration required
Tuesday, Feb 4
Coffee Chat, 10 AM, Chesley Baptist Church
Friday, Feb 7
Country Line Dancing with Rhonda Laws - Tara Legion, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday, Feb 8
Ladies Galentines Bonspiel - Tara Curling Club, 2 8-end games, lunch, snacks and games, $200 / team.
Sweater Mittens for Sale, 10 A - 2 PM, Chesley Community Church
Sunday, Feb 9
High Tea Party at Paisley Legion - 3-5 PM, Adults $10, Kids 10 and under $5, Email highteaparty@hotmail.com for details.
Superbowl Party - Tara Legion, 5 PM
Friday, Feb 14
Valentine Euchre Luncheon at Treasure Chest Museum - Treasure Chest Museum 407 Queen St., Paisley, - 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm, $15/person
After Dinner Karaoke Night - Tara Legion, 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Sunday, Feb 16
Nascar Season Kickoff - Tara Legion, 2 PM
That’s it for this edition of The Back Porch Brief! You can expect the next newsletter in your inbox in 2 weeks!
I might have missed it in your article, but can you clarify the location of the Wards or At Large Representation Open Houses:
Paisley: Feb. 12 – 5-7 pm
Tara: Feb. 13 – 3-5 pm
Chesley: Feb. 13 – 6-8 pm