SHIRLEY HOWARD sent me the following email. Please read her message and if you have time, take the survey. You only have until the end of the day tomorrow, Friday, August 7.
The “Every Kid in our Community” is an “umbrella” group in the Leeds & Grenville area whose aim is to investigate the needs for transportation in and around Westport and the County. They held a ‘Focus Day’ this past Tuesday in the town hall to look at problems and possible solutions and only two people showed up. Not a positive response to let our transportation needs be known and offer ideas about improving things. Originally they had hard copy survey forms to fill out and some of us have done that — perhaps at the library. BUT if you haven’t filled in a survey, and would like to weigh in on the subject, there is still time to go on line — but just today Thursday and tomorrow Friday, then it’s closed. The link to the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2015EKIOC-transportation If you want to see an improvement in our transportation opportunities in Westport or the area, please fill in a survey . . . now . . . (it’s easy) before you forget. And do pass this on to anyone you think might be interested. Let me know if you have any questions. Shirley Howard 613 273 87
You should be able to call your neighbour and let them know that their noisy party is preventing you and other people in your house from sleeping. Ideally the music gets turned down, the people lower their voices and the problem ends through cooperation and respect for each other. When that does not work, you can call the Ontario Provincial Police. They will respond to your request and speak with the owners/occupants and resolve the issue for you. You do not have to speak to the police when they arrive on your street and you can inform the OPP call taker that you would prefer the officer to call you by phone if she/he has any questions. The OPP will respect your request to remain anonymous from your neighbour. If the OPP has serious incidents being investigated at the same time your call is received, you may have to wait a bit for their response.
However, when there is also a bonfire at the party and you have concerns that it is not being tended to appropriately, then Chief Jay Bernardi, Rideau Lakes Fire Department has asked me to tell you that he wants to be notified – at the time. You call 911 and explain your concerns.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call me. 273-9195
Westport’s regularly scheduled Council meeting is Monday, July13 at 7:00 p.m. Our MP, Mr Gord Brown, will be attending the meeting. Come a little early if you want to have a chat with Gord.
Enjoy this amazing summer week-end. Things are busy in the ‘Port!
It has been 6 months since the new Council began its term and I was sworn in as your Mayor. The new Committees of Council were established in February and by March meetings were taking place. Many residents of Westport are members of the committees and I expect amazing things to occur with their valued input and efforts. The Committee of the Whole is a new monthly meeting of Council, a little less formal than Council meetings and is generally the 4th Tuesday and yes, it is open to the public.
Westport Snowfluent Waste Water Treatment Plant
In regard to the waste water plant, I am happy to report that we did not need to transport any effluent this year. Although we had a winter of freezing nozzles and pipe breaks, we processed enough effluent that our lagoon levels were lower this spring than in 2014. We monitored the lagoon levels daily and had a contingency plan in place to transport effluent if the lagoon levels rose beyond predetermined levels during the winter. We are in the process of getting the summer application equipment set up and will be operating under a Ministry of the Environment Emergency Order again this year to lower the lagoons to where they need to be for next winter.
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The Village is also moving forward in providing a climate-proof, dependable waste water system and one that will allow growth for the Village. The first step is a process called a Municipal Environment Assessment (MEA). This is a prescriptive process, which is led by an Engineering firm with the assistance of a technical steering committee, which includes several Village residents. The Project Coordinator reports to Council on the progress of the MEA at each Council meeting this year. Please consider joining us at Council meetings to hear what is being proposed.
Council worked with a consultant this winter and spring to develop a Village Strategic Plan, a first for Westport. Many members of the business community and public were interviewed by the consultant for their input. A strategic plan helps Council prioritize its goals in line with the budget. The final plan will be shared with Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Winter turned into spring slowly this year so our “Pulling Together in Westport” spring clean up was held on Saturday, May 9th. Over 40 community members volunteered their time, effort and rakes to get the Village ready for the May long week-end and summer. Thank you to everyone who helped out. Watch for this to repeat in 2016.
Recently, village residents Bob Scott and Mark Herlehy approached me with a proposal to help the arena. They had done a review of repairs and improvements that need to be done. The “wish list” was well thought out, however as the Village has many other pressures, there is only a small amount of money set aside in the budget for repairs to the community centre. And this is when Bob and Mark offered their suggestion, which I accepted!
Those now using the facility or who have fond memories of time spent on the ice or in the stands might consider becoming a “Friend of the Arena” by making a donation. Donations made to the Village of Westport for arena improvements qualify as gifts for income tax purposes and the Village would issue receipts. All donations will only be used for this purpose. For further information contact Mark Herlehy at mherlehy@rideau.net. or Frank Huth at fhuth@villageofwestport.ca.
I hope you enjoy a long, hot summer and that you spend time with loved ones. As always, if you have any questions, please contact a Councillor or myself.
Robin, The Mayor 
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