Newmarket council is set to consider COVID-19 vaccination policy for themselves at its Sept. 20 meeting.
Council will be discussing a policy after agreeing to mandate staff to get COVID-19 vaccines or face dismissal without a legitimate exemption. Council will also be reviewing parking and its financial strategy next week.
Here is what NewmarketToday will be following:
Council vaccination
Newmarket councillors are planning to subject themselves to a mandatory vaccination policy.
Council has progressed policy for staff the past several weeks, due for final approval at the same meeting. The council policy states members must get a first dose of COVID-19 by Oct. 1, and a second dose by Nov. 1, or have a substantiated exemption under the Human Rights Code.
Any council members who fail to comply with the policy could be referred to the integrity commissioner and could be removed from local boards.
Financial strategy
Newmarket council is holding a workshop Sept. 21 about its financial strategy.
The strategy presentation suggests the town is in a good fiscal position. But it includes a review of recommendations the town is working on to improve its finances, including more spending on infrastructure rehabilitation and a study on water rates.
The municipality is also in the midst of its budgeting process. Staff is due to bring a draft 2022 budget forward at the Oct. 4 committee of the whole meeting.
Traffic measures
Council is considering a series of adjustments for neighbourhood street parking, as well as traffic-calming measures.
The town is considering whether or not to adjust parking on Helmer Avenue, Hewitt Circle, Jordanray Boulevard and Rushbrook Drive.
The committee heard several delegations opposing adjustments, including from Eagle Terrace Long-Term Care home about Helmer Avenue, which has expressed concern about removing extra parking space there.
Town council is also asking staff for new traffic calming measures on Penn Avenue, the Atkins Street and Quick Street intersection, as well as a three-way stop at the west side of Best Circle and Stonehaven Avenue.
The meetings will be held electronically at 1 p.m., Sept. 20 and 21. The municipality will stream both meetings on its website at newmarket.ca/meetings. To join the discussion or get involved, click here to find out more.
