From the Desk of Mayor Rawson and Council #4
I want to acknowledge that Councillor Doug Leroux was also present for the tree lighting at the town dock. I also apologize for leaving Councillor Leroux from this acknowledgment.
I have been receiving feedback from residents about this information. Please share the link and help others stay updated with our news. Hard copies can be found at the town hall, arena, library, and more.
Subscribe to Town Of Penetanguishene News Portal
75th Annual Winterama – Help Out With Winterama
After a 3-year hiatus, the 2023 Rotary Winterama Parade will be going, and we need your help to make it great. We need your help in participating in the Rotary Parade, and all Winterama has to offer. The parade is on Saturday, February 18, 2023, @ 11:00 am. The theme for this year's parade is "Decades - Winterama Through the Year." Many people have shared their desire to make Winterama what it once was. Please help grow our winter carnival and participate by putting a float in the Rotary Winterama parade. Trophies and cash prizes to be won:
- 1st Prize - $1000
- 2nd Prize - $200
- 3rd Prize - $100
You can register at for the parade by clicking here.
If you have any questions or require further information or help, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Town of Penetanguishene Recreation Department at 705-549-7453 or events@penetanguishene.ca.
Past Week's Events
Last week your town council continued its review of the town's budget with a focus on the 2023 and 2024 capital budgets as the Council's first opportunity to review the capital budget as prepared by staff. Council will review the next draft with revisions made at the meeting last week and present it to Council on December 21, 2022.
If you want to review the budget agenda, you can find it here, or you can watch a recording of the committee of the whole, including the budget discussion, on our Town’s YouTube channel.
Last week, I mentioned a meeting with MPP Dunlop regarding the costs of policing associated with CNCC. The objective of the meeting was to review the financial impact on our municipality and obtain support from MPP Dunlop in a subsequent meeting with the Solicitor General. MPP Dunlop reviewed our information and is working on scheduling an appointment with the Solicitor General in the New Year. I will update you as we learn more.
Upcoming Council Events
Wednesday, December 14 @ 5:45 pm - Town of Penetanguishene Special Council Meeting. Council will convene a meeting and move into a closed session to discuss Advisory Board and Committee Appointments (2022-2026). Access the Agenda here.
Wednesday, December 14 @ 7:00pm - Town of Penetanguishene Council Meeting. As a highlight council will be discussing: Access the Agenda here.
- Public Meeting Regarding a Zoning By-Law Amendment – 69 & 71 Polish Avenue
- Fees and Charges By-Law Annual Update
- Extension to Building Services Agreement with Midland
- 2023 Insurance Renewal
- Ad-Hoc Committee – Terms of Reference (Town Dock & 51 Dunlop St)
Wednesday, December 14 @ Immediately after Council Meeting - Town of Penetanguishene Council and Committee of the Whole. Following the Council meeting, council will convene as Committee of the Whole. Agenda and how to participate can be found here: Access the Committee of Whole Agenda here. As a highlight Committee will be discussing:
- Planning & Development – Chair: Councillor Vadeboncoeur
- Consent Agenda Items (Committee of Adjustment Minutes, Municipal Law Enforcement Monthly Activity, Award of RFP, Site Plan Review, Case Management Update (221 Fox & 123 Robert St E)
- Mandatory Pre-consultation By-Law (Development Matters)
- Transportation & Environmental Services – Chair: Councillor Marchand
- Consent Agenda Items (Transit Ridership Report, 5-Year Sidewalk Maintenance Plan)
- Harbour Pointe Subdivision Phase 4 – Initial Acceptance of Granular Road Preparation, First Stage Curbs and Underground Infrastructure
- Dufferin/Burke/Robert St E – 2023 Budget Process Update (Engineering)
- Pedestrian Crossing Review (Robert St W @ Scott/Owen) Budget Update
- Recreation & Community Services – Chair: Councillor Waters
- Consent Agenda Items (Library Board Minutes, Penetanguishene Curling Club Minutes, Tourist Information Centre 2022 Summary)
- Land Acknowledgement
- Memorial Park Washrooms
- Shade Plan for Parks
- Finance & Corporate Services – Chair: Councillor Desroches
- Consent Agenda Items (2023 Development Charge Annual Index, Youth Endowment Fund Annual Report, 2011-2022 History of Grants Received.
Wednesday, December 21 @ 7:00 pm - Town of Penetanguishene Special Committee of the Whole (Budget Meeting). Council will review the updated budget with amendments made in the previous session.
Upcoming Special Events
Wednesday, December 14 @ 6:00 pm @ Townhall - Town of Penetanguishene Public Consultation - Water and Wastewater Utility Rate Study
Please participate in the public information session and understand the current water and wastewater utility rates and the proposed water and wastewater utility rates. You can participate in council chambers or by watching on the Town of Penetanguishene's YouTube Channel by clicking here.
Saturday December 17 @ 10:00am-1:00pm @ Penetanguishene Centennial Museum – Fun with Santa. Event includes an visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, scavenger hunt, letter to Santa, door prizes, take-away crafts and decorate your own snowball cookies. Admission is $6 per child (parents are free), and children must be accompanied by an adult 18+. Drop in at any time after 10 a.m., last admission is at 12:30 p.m. (event runs to 1 p.m.)
Registration is recommended due to limited supplies. Register on our website or call the Museum at 705-549-2150.
County of Simcoe
County Council Inaugural - December 13 @ 1:00 pm. You can watch on the County of Simcoe’s YouTube channel by clicking here.
How to keep up to date with Community Events
You can find community events on the town's website by visiting the Community Calendar. Subscribe to ensure you never miss an event, and you can submit any community events you would like to share with the community.
All town council and committee meetings can be found on the town's website by visiting the Council Calendar. You can subscribe to ensure you never miss an event.
If you cannot make council meetings but would like to be part of the process, you can watch them online on the Town of Penetanguishene's YouTube Channel by clicking here, and most meetings can also be seen on Rogers local Tv Channel 53. All prior meetings can be seen through the Town's YouTube Channel.
The objective of this newsletter is to keep an open line of communication between your Council and the people we represent. This communication will be regularly sent before a council meeting, and we will send an update after that. Anticipate bi-weekly updates, initially with more regular updates will be provided.
Community Information
Recreation Programming Registration Open – December 7
Many residents have asked about our swimming & recreation programs, and we are happy to announce that the swimming program will be returning in January 2023. Registration for our municipal swimming programs opened Wednesday, December 7, 2022. You can register with our online registration portal RecDesk, or in person.
If you have any questions or require further information or help, please contact the Town of Penetanguishene Recreation Department at 705-549-7453.
Thank you, Meegwetch, Merci, on behalf of Council,
Doug