NORTHEAST TOWN—After many weeks of discussion, council for the Northeast Town has developed a new strategic plan for 2022-2026 with a focus in five key pillars.
CAO Dave Williamson reminded council that the document is meant to be dynamic, not static and will be ever-changing as the term progresses.
A healthy and sustainable community
The first of the pillars is ‘build a healthy and sustainable community’ with the strategic goals of: improving communications with constituents and partners by utilizing media to inform and educate the public and continuing to use the municipal website as a hub for sharing municipal information; promote volunteerism in the municipality by promoting and encouraging volunteerism and seeking additional ways to recognize those contributions; enhance safety on our municipal roadways by addressing speeding and high traffic issues on cross streets in town, exploring options for implementation of traffic calming measures and increase safety and parking in high-traffic areas; explore alternative methods of waste diversion and disposal at the landfill by exploring options for composting and recycling within the community including public education and awareness, funding to purchase composters and exploring a composting program at the landfill.
Strengthening the local economy
The second pillar is ‘strengthening our local economy.’ Goals include business attraction, creating an attractive business environment to retain existing businesses and attract new business; and exploring opportunities to ensure a skilled workforce by actively promoting the community as a desirable location to work and live as a method of attracting a broader workforce.
Enhancing community infrastructure
The third pillar is ‘enhancing community infrastructure.’ Goals include increasing internet accessibility within the community by exploring options and availability of fibre for Little Current and broadband to increase rural connectivity and continuing to lobby the government; continue to upgrade critical and necessary municipal buildings, infrastructure and equipment across the community by: exploring options and developing a long-term plan for waste treatment; continuing to commit and maximize funding necessary to upgrade infrastructure; development of additional sidewalks throughout town; development and expansion of the Sheguiandah Government Dock park area; installation of additional benches along the Low Island trail; continuing to upgrade fire protection vehicles on an ongoing basis, as necessary; explore funding opportunities to complete the development of hard-surface bicycle trails on the sides of our municipal roadways; and enhance the indoor facilities at the NEMI recreation centre to enable the offering of additional activities. The goal of affordable housing sees council exploring options to work towards improved and affordable housing projects; expand opportunities for community members and visitors to enjoy and connect with nature by planting additional trees throughout the community and continuing to promote dark skies via light pollution shields and community education and awareness.
Creating an age-friendly community
The fourth pillar is to ‘create an age-friendly community.’ The goals are increased access to transportation for seniors, especially accessible transportation by exploring options and availability of transportation options for seniors within our community; and placing an emphasis on ensuring that seniors have access to and can source services and goods locally by lobbying the province for a Service Ontario office within the municipality and encouraging community members to utilize the website as a hub for municipal information such as events, activities and programming.
Tourism promotion and development
Lastly, the fifth pillar is ‘tourism promotion and development.’ Goals are increased availability of electric vehicle charging stations within the municipality by exploring options to work with local businesses to secure additional locations for EV charging stations; and ensuring that the municipality has a variety of events, activities and programming on a year-round basis by enhancing the promotion of events and programs to ensure the public is aware of activities occurring throughout the year and through cross-promotion of events and activities with other Island communities and tourism providers.
