Year one of our term of Council has been fruitful and rewarding. First time Councillors have done very well with the work and procedures of the municipal council and I am so happy to be serving as your Mayor. We are all hitting our stride working hard alongside our staff to deliver many of the projects and initiatives we outlined in early 2019 with the updated Strategic Plan. Highlights for 2019 include $8 million dedicated to roads and infrastructure projects that included the completion of the River Street Bridge in Seagrave; the ongoing rural road rehabilitation program with grading, ditching and resurfacing rural gravel roads Caesarea Phase II road rehabilitation with seven roads rehabilitated; Cartwright West Quarter Line between Highway 7A and Church Street was also rehabilitated. The LED Streetlight conversion project, changing older model lights to high efficiency lights, is now complete; improving visibility, pedestrian safety and reducing costs across the township. We reconstructed poplar Park on Ash Street with new, accessible equipment for ages 2 to 12 to enjoy. Council committed to one new community park a year and we look forward to the replacement of Apple Valley Park playground in 2020. We are also hopeful that our grant application for the new Blackstock Recreation Centre will be approved in 2020. Scugog Tourism was branded and launched as well as InScugog.ca to attract visitors and investors to Scugog. I am also pleased to say we held two Agricultural Round Tables with our local farming community and I am committed to continue to work with our farming community; our number one economic driver. To end off the year, we are happy to announce the new Scugog Dog Park is open just behind Scugog Community Recreation Centre (SCRC), Reach Street and the parking lot portion will be completed in the spring. We are already working towards 2020 with the Port Perry Waterfront Action Plan and the Lake Scugog Enhancement Project – two projects dedicated to the health of the lake and the improvement of the lands surrounding it.
We will need your input and participation on these projects and I encourage all residents to watch for opportunities to participate in the waterfront consultation. Our Mission is to provide service excellence in collaboration with our community. We value our residents and say thank you to our many community volunteers. On, behalf of Scugog Council I wish you a very Merry Christmas and health and happiness this New Year. Please join us for the Mayor and Council’s New Year Levee on Saturday, January 5th at the SCRC for a free public skate from 12:30 to 1:50 p.m., followed by the Honour Roll and Heritage Awards.