Let's Keep the Momentum Going!

How do we do that? Through Efficient and Effective Governance!

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This one thing affects everything else we do. The Township has been steadily reviewing and updating all of our existing by-laws and identifying new items that require Council's attention so we can continue the momentum.  By the end of this year we will have reviewed and updated the following: 5-Year Accessibility Plan Update, 5-Year Development Charge Study, Human Resource Policy Guide, Burn By-law, Property Standards By-law, Refreshment Vehicle By-law, Special Events By-law,  Unopened Road Allowance By-law, and Unassumed Roads Policy.

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By-laws passed in 2024 include: New - Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) By-law, New - Debt Management By-law, New - Municipal Grant By-law, New – Short-Term Accommodation Licensing By-law, New – Clean Yards By-law, New – Fire Department Cost Recovery By-law, Updated - Committees Policy, Updated - Procurement By-law.

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Not all of Greater Madawaska's needs require a By-law. Sometimes Buy-in works better. In the case of Dark Sky Preservation, we felt buy-in through public education about the harms of light pollution would be more effective.  When I was researching dark skies for my motion to Council on the subject, I came across Rick Scholes who is writing a series for The Madawaska Highlander, "Let there be... Dark Skies" and we have heard great feedback from people, so this approach is working. Rick will be making presentations through the Greater Madawaska Public Library and Learning Centre. He has also offered to evaluate the Township's streetlights for their dark sky compliant qualities and offer suggestions. We have allowed that we will create a By-law, but only if we feel it is needed for enforcement.   

The Township has been adding more and more items every year to our Asset Management plan. We were successful in securing funding in 2024 to hire a consultant to assist with the completion of an Asset Management Plan Funding Strategy. This allowed us to develop and implement a 10-year financial strategy that leverages all funding sources and ensures long-term financial sustainability. In 2026, gravel roads are being assessed and added to the plan so we can predict which ones will require upgrades beyond regular maintenance, and when, so we can plan our budgets accordingly. Before this, major upgrades were not predicted or properly budgeted for.

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Another initiative that is ongoing is to promote and encourage waste reduction and diversion to support a clean and healthy environment and reduce long-term waste management financial obligations. Our FoodCycler project has resulted in approximately 100 residents diverting tons of organic waste from the landfill each year. We are also conducting a community education program on the province's new recycling program to encourage waste diversion.

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We reviewed Township service levels and human resource requirements to align with community growth and developed a strategy for the future. In large municipalities, employees can work their way up in a department, but our small township has many people doing unique jobs. The goal is to ensure essential information can be transferred to new employees or current employees moving into a new role when key people leave or become incapacitated. People, after all, are the Township's most valuable assets.

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Make sure you are on the voters list 

SECOND RESIDENCES ARE NOT AUTOMATICALLY ON THE VOTERS LIST

They can be added online until August 12, in person at the Township Office in Calabogie after that, or at the polling stations with proper ID. 

​Vote for Lois Thomson and let's keep the momentum going!