Council Highlights from the June 26, 2023 meeting

Council bids farewell to MP Erin O’Toole

The Honourable Erin O’Toole, Member of Parliament for Durham, offered his final federal update at the June 26 Council meeting. After more than 10 years of representing the community, MP O’Toole resigned his seat in June.

“I have been privileged to work with you over the last several years,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster. “While our political opinions may have sometimes differed, the community holds a deep respect for the work and the dedication you have always shown for our community – even before you were an MP… It’s been a privilege to work with you, and it’s an honour to call you a friend.”

MP O’Toole thanked Mayor Foster and Clarington Council for the partnerships they have forged together over the years. He said one of the highlights of his work with the Municipality was the partnership to create the Highway of Heroes Durham LAV Monument in Bowmanville, which pays tribute to the approximately 4,000 veterans who served in Afghanistan (2001-2014) and especially local Trooper Darryl Caswell, who died on tour.

2023 Awards of Academic Excellence

Mayor Foster and MP O'Toole presented the 2023 Awards of Academic Excellence on behalf of Council at the June 26 Council meeting. Local elementary and secondary schools were asked to submit the name of a student who, in their opinion, has demonstrated academic excellence combined with a commitment to leadership and community service.

The following elementary students were recognized and presented with a personal framed certificate:

• Aikam Bhullar, Courtice Intermediate School
• Bruce Crowther, Courtice North Public School
• Grace Knox-Kruis, Good Shepherd Elementary School
• Makayla Kelly, Holy Family Elementary School
• Abigail Bent, Knox Christian School
• Joseph Samuel, Lydia Trull Public School
• Madison Cargill, St. Elizabeth Elementary School
• Lacey McCarthy, St. Joseph’s Elementary School
• Brayden Jones Frendo-Cumbo, St. Mother Teresa Elementary School
• Carter Sankey, S.T. Worden Public School
• Lily Marriott, Waverley Public School

The following secondary school students were acknowledged and presented with a personal framed certificate and a bursary:

• Lily Bright, Bowmanville High School
• Keshawn Britton, Clarington Central Secondary School
• Nevada Piney, Clarke High School
• Justine Wilmot, Courtice Secondary School
• Robin Bick, Durham Christian High School
• Shagana Premraj, St. Stephen's Secondary School

Several students could not attend the Council meeting due to conflicting schedules. However, their names were still read out to recognize their achievement:

• Raven Kroon, Central Public School,
• Mia Picard, Dr. Emily Stowe Public School
• Scarlett Walker, Dr. Ross Tilley Public School
• Keira Potter, Duke of Cambridge Public School
• Arabella McCallum, Harold Longworth Public School
• Lucy Bause, Holy Trinity Secondary School
• Hannah Vokey, John M. James Public School
• Cassandra Caruso, Monsignor Leo Cleary Elementary School
• Alicia Moneey, Vincent Massey School
• Kailey Gaulton, Waverley Public School
• Tessa Patenaude, M.J. Hobbs Senior Public School

Several enhancements to Clarington Emergency and Fire Services approved, and more to be considered in budget process

Clarington Council approved several changes to the way emergency and fire services are delivered in the community. However, the decision on other potential changes – including discontinuing the volunteer firefighter program in Bowmanville and Courtice – has been deferred until the budget process.

Clarington has a composite fire service consisting of both full-time and volunteer firefighters. Over the past few years, Clarington Emergency and Fire Services have faced challenges in hiring and retaining volunteer firefighters, which is a common issue for composite forces throughout the province.

Clarington Council carefully considered some proposed enhancements to address these concerns and enhance emergency services.

The following recommendations were approved:

• Staff prepare a letter to the provincial government requesting the installation of residential sprinklers in all new affordable housing developments.
• The design for a new Public Works Depot at 2656 Concession Road 4, Bowmanville, be revised to incorporate a Public Works/Fire Station/training facility.
• Maximize the utilization of the Enniskillen station by partnering with the Region of Durham Paramedic Services for co-use.
• Renovate Fire Station 1 in Bowmanville as a full-time two-truck station by September 2025.
• Hire 20 full-time firefighters by September 2025 to staff an existing fire truck to respond to emergency calls from the renovated Fire Station 1, Bowmanville. Fill at least 50 per cent of new firefighter positions from existing volunteer firefighters.

The items below were referred to the budget process later this year:

• Discontinue the volunteer firefighter program at Station 1 in Bowmanville by January 2026.
• Hire 20 full-time firefighters by September 2027 to staff an existing fire truck to respond to emergency calls from Fire Station 4 in Courtice. Fill a minimum of 50 per cent of new firefighter positions from existing volunteer firefighters.
• Discontinue the volunteer firefighter program at Station 4 in Courtice by September 2027.

It is important to note that no stations are proposed to close. These changes focus on enhancing fire services to address the rising demands for emergency services in Courtice and Bowmanville, while the volunteer firefighter program in Enniskillen and Orono and the composite program in Newcastle will remain unchanged.

The funding plan for these changes will be included in the 2024 to 2027 multi-year budget.

Parts of vacant Goodyear plant to be demolished

Clarington Council is allowing the demolition of some buildings at the former Goodyear plant, and asked staff to work with the property owner and Clarington Heritage Committee to get Heritage Act designation for the parts of the site with cultural heritage value.

The former Goodyear site, 45 Raynes Avenue, is private property and has been vacant since the plant stopped operating in 2016. In 2018, Council added the entire property to the Municipal Heritage Register for its cultural heritage value and interest, and its contributions to the history and development of Bowmanville.

Recently, there has been an increase in unauthorized entry, vandalism and fires set in the vacant plant. This spring, Clarington Emergency and Fire Service issued an Order to the owner to have the building permanently secured and to have 24/7 security in place to reduce unauthorized entry.

On May 19, 2023, the owner submitted a Notice of Intent to Demolish certain buildings on the property, as required for properties listed on the Municipal Heritage Register.

The Clarington Heritage Committee was consulted and recommended a hybrid approach – pursuing heritage designation of the Cement House, Powerhouse and Chimney Stack, and allowing the demolition of other buildings as proposed.
Clarington Council supported the recommendation and voted that:

• The non-designated property and structures at 45 Raynes Avenue, Bowmanville, be removed from the Municipal Heritage Register.
• That the proposed demolition of the non-heritage structures is permitted to proceed after the following:
  • The property owner provides information demonstrating that the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Labour for the proposed demolition have been obtained.
  • The owner provides a Salvage and Documentation Plan and Commemoration Plan, as per the Heritage Impact Assessment.
•  That staff works with the property owner and the Clarington Heritage Committee toward the designation under the Heritage Act for the Cement House, Powerhouse, and Chimney Stack.

West Beach Cottage leases extended

The Municipality of Clarington owns cottages on the West Beach of Port Darlington and leases them seasonally to long-term tenants. For the original cottage tenants remaining at the beach, Clarington Council voted to grant a five-year lease extension to December 31, 2028, with the same terms and conditions set out in the original lease.

The Municipality will be reassuming two cottages when the existing leases expire later this year.

Currently, the lands are being used as a passive waterfront park without any significant upgrades or restoration.

The next Council Meeting is on September 25, 2023.