Automated speed enforcement coming to Newmarket
Council approved an automated speed enforcement (ASE) program that will introduce 14 speed cameras in community safety zones across Town to help reduce speeds, collisions, injuries and fatalities.
ASE is a new tool for municipalities to use to improve road safety. This system is proven to reduce speeds in community safety zones (including schools), which is the focus of ASE programs due to the vulnerability of users (children) and persistent complaints about unsafe driver behavior.
Council determined that the program would start with two cameras per ward (14 total) with an opportunity to scale up in the future. Locations will be based on traffic data, legislative and camera system requirements, all of which will be discussed at an upcoming meeting. The program will include ample education leading up to its launch, including a required 90 days posted notice in the locations before cameras start operating.
The Town is in the process of Ministry approvals and will report back to Council on the timing to launch the program in Newmarket.
Read the Staff Report to learn more about the program. Visit the provincial ASE website to learn more about the system and how it works.
Recruitment for Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee to begin
Earlier this year, Town staff finalized a work plan to implement the Action Plan to Dismantle Anti-Black Racism (DABR). As part of the work plan, a DABR Advisory Committee will be established. This will be an external body composed of members who will provide input, guidance and support the Town on addressing anti-Black racism.
Membership to the DABR Advisory Committee will be determined by an external Selection Committee and Town of Newmarket staff will support the recruitment process for the Selection Committee and will work with them to ensure the greatest number of applicants.
The committee will be composed of 7 to 11 community members and those members will serve two-year terms. One position will be held by the Chair of the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association.
In recognition of the contributions to Council and the Newmarket community that members of the DABR Advisory Committee and Accessibility Advisory Committee provide by sharing their lived experiences, members will be provided an honorarium of $100 per meeting.
Read the Staff Report or Terms of Reference to learn more.
Council hosts Annual General Meeting for municipally owned Newmarket-Tay Power
As its primary shareholder, Newmarket Council hosted the Newmarket Hydro Holdings Inc. 2022 Annual General Meeting during the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 19.
Council and residents received a presentation from the CEO of Newmarket-Tay Power (NT Power), who provided a 2022 year in review as well as a look ahead to providing an enhanced customer experience.
Highlights from NT Power
- In 2022, NT Power successfully transitioned to a new billing system provider, in conjunction with the Town's water billing.
- Customer portal upgrades were completed for customers to view their bills and consumption. They also became one of the first utilities to be 'Green Button' certified, which ensures that there is a standard data format across utilities in the province.
- Looking ahead, NT Power is working towards providing an enhanced customer experience by improving reliability, communications and online services.
As the Town is the sole shareholder of Newmarket Hydro Holdings Inc., Council provided approval of the financial statements, auditors and directors as part of the Annual General Meeting.
See the full presentation from the Committee of the Whole meeting.
Town of Newmarket receives Community Spirit Award
For the second year in a row, the Town of Newmarket was presented with the Nature's Emporium Run for Southlake Community Spirit Award! This award recognizes the municipality that brings out the largest volume of people in their community and demonstrates the importance of bringing the community together.
Over the past 10 years, this event has raised more than $2.3 million supporting Southlake.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the walk/run.
Watch the full presentation from the Committee of the Whole meeting.