Petawawa Mayor Bob Sweet is reflecting on a busy year and looking ahead to 2022.
Despite challenges presented by COVID-19, the town continued to operate and provide essential services and programming to local residents.
Sweet says it took innovative thinking, but to a certain extent it was business as usual in Petawawa with the amount of work that took place, including roughly $40-million in building permits issued.
Sweet tipped his hat to the hard work from staff over the past year.
The Mayor of Petawawa says 2021 has been like no other year he has seen in his 34-years on council and adds he’s looking forward to seeing what 2022 will bring.
An update was provided to council at the final municipal meeting of the year, which was held in person at Town Hall on December 20th, 2021.
With COVID-19 cases climbing in the region, council plans to move back online for virtual meetings in 2022.
Planning and Development Work in 2021:
- Fijisan Sushi
- Subway
- Emmanuel Lighthouse Church Expansion
- Petawawa Apartments (10 units Dundonald Drive/Petawawa Boulevard)
- Lapointe Vehicle Storage – Industrial Park
- Hyundai Parking Lot Expansion
- Town Centre Subdivision (96 townhouse units)
- Radke Estates Phase 2
- Pre-consultation for 3 subdivisions and another 2 apartment complexes
- Refurbishing commercial centre
- 390 building permits issued
- Comprehensive zoning by-law update
Economic Development in 2021:
- 11 new businesses opened
- Business milestones (25-year anniversary for The Country Cupboard, 5-years for The Shed and 5-years for The Urban Lounge Salon and Spa)
- Development of a Community Improvement Plan
- Supporting the Container Market (18-weeks with 54 businesses showcased)
- Obtained funding through Digital Main Street to support businesses
Public Works in 2021:
- $6.4-million towards roads, sanitary and sidewalks (including Scott, Laura, Hilda, Portage, Airport, Biesenthal and Doris)
- Petawawa received bronze award for Bike Friendly Communities
- Plan to introduce zero emission vehicles by 2035
- Replaced 10 large cross road culverts
- Purchased new tractor/loader/backhoe, new 1-ton service truck, and new patrol pickup truck
- Winter maintenance policy created and passed by council
- New salt/sand mix for winter road maintenance
- Completed asset management plan
- Completed trail wayfinding strategy
- First report on Blue Box program regarding producer responsibility regulations (Petawawa eligible for transition by March of 2025)
- Purchased two speed monitoring signs
- Installed three speed bollards in school zones (Valour, Herman and Our Lady of Sorrows)
- New multi-use pathway on Laurentian Drive from Ravenwood Crescent to Civic Centre Drive
- Signs installed along Algonquin Trail to alert users to safely cross at Doran and Murphy Roads.
Fire Department activity in 2021:
- 4 major incidents (Art-e-Motive on Jan. 28th, Mary Browns on Feb. 17th, New Street on April 26th and Bedard Boulevard on December 14th)
- Fire Chief Steve Knott appointed to OAFC Board of Directors and OAFC Training Task Force
- Fire Chief Steve Knott celebrated 45-years of service
- 4 members celebrated 25-years of service (Captain Peter Moss, Captain Bill Tabram, Acting Deputy Chief Tim Allen and Deputy Chief Craig Proulx)
- 190 fire pit inspections completed
- 862 fire permits sold
- Station 2 lighting upgraded to LED’s
- Upgraded communications and efficiency by purchasing five fire tablets
- Five new members hired and trained
- Petawawa resident won grand prize for province wide colouring contest hosted by Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC)
- Crews back to regular training and department duties
- Purchased Fit Testing System to complete annual testing
- Raised $2,000 during Fill the Boot Day in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada
- Firefighter Jason Godin recognized as “Favourite Firefighter” in the myFM Spirit Awards
- Through Safe Community Project Zero, 192 smoke and CO alarms were received and distributed
Community Services in 2021:
- Offered local programming despite ever changing regulations, restrictions and requirements presented through COVID-19 pandemic
- Replacement of Civic Centre Arena floor, boards and score clock
- Replacement of arena refrigeration system condenser
- Renovation of Hall washrooms using modern materials and design
- Completed detailed design for Laurentian Highlands Park expected to be constructed in 2022
- Installing a parking lot at Nature’s Acre Park
- New flagpole at the top of McGregor’s Hill
- Petawawa boat launch repaired and park received two new cantilevered shade umbrellas.
- Community Services department celebrated Steven Heath for 35-years of service
Administration and Finance in 2021:
- 47 council and committee meetings (22 virtual)
- 86 by-laws enacted
- OPP detachment boards collaborating with neighbouring municipalities
- Ongoing work on Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
- Four Seasons Bridge assumption from Keetna Snowmobile and Recreation Club, providing non-motorized active transportation crossing of the Petawawa River and connection to Garrison Petawawa
- Successful relationship with Commissionaires who enforce non-building related property standards matters
- Town Hall front office and reception area renovation design options introduced
- Testing corporate financial software in cloud-based application
- Colin Howards introduced as Town Clerk
- COVID-19 pandemic response (including discussions with RCDHU, vaccine clinic at the Civic Centre, introduction of vaccine policy, implementing public health and safety guidelines, collaborating with neighbouring municipalities on best practices)
- Total assessment in Petawawa over $2-billion
- CAO Dan Scissions will celebrate 30-years of service with Petawawa
