Angie Bird

The Council discussed several administrative and community projects. Key topics included the acquisition of two new pickup trucks for the public works department, the approval of the final draft for the 2026 municipal budget, and updates from the Dorset Heritage Museum regarding successful video projects and proposed signage. Additionally, the Council addressed a request from the Haliburton Highlands Green Burial Society regarding cemetery plot statistics, the annual integrity commissioner report, and the introduction of a new election sign bylaw to ensure fair and organized campaign signage. The meeting also featured a report on ongoing source water protection initiatives and potential synergies for a Water Guardian Award to promote environmentally friendly property stewardship.

The Committee of Adjustment held a public meeting to evaluate several minor variance applications regarding zoning bylaw relief for properties in Algonquin Highlands. Applications included a request for reduced setbacks for a dwelling and garage construction at Highway 118, a size increase for an existing accommodation unit at Oxtongue Lake, and a reduced setback request for an attached garage at Briscoe Drive. The committee reviewed staff reports, heard from applicants and the public, and granted provisional approval for all three applications, subject to specific conditions including land surveying, sewage system compliance, and construction mitigation measures.

The council meeting addressed several key items, including a public meeting regarding building permit fee changes and a zoning bylaw amendment application for a property in Sherburn McKay. The council also heard a delegation from the County CEO regarding a study on affordability and governance, discussing the financial pressures on municipal budgets, infrastructure gaps, and the reliance on property taxes for funding social services, housing, and healthcare-related costs.

The council discussed the development of a township-wide parking philosophy. The presentation focused on identifying key parking challenges, including those related to water access properties, seasonal tourism, and short-term rentals. The council emphasized that the initiative aims for cost recovery rather than revenue generation and will align with the existing asset management plan for dock and landing repairs. Discussions also touched upon the necessity of gathering broader input from taxpayers and the importance of consistency in parking regulations across the township.

The council meeting focused on reviewing past projects and setting priorities for the upcoming budget year, specifically within the public works, airport, and fleet services departments. Key topics included the completion of a new public works garage, airport development and hangar maintenance projects, infrastructure improvements such as bridge repairs and road surface treatments, the proposal to hire a licensed mechanic for in-house equipment maintenance, and the exploration of new software solutions to improve operational efficiencies.