Newcastle Bond Head Ratepayers Association

Clarington is reviewing its ward boundaries to ensure residents across the municipality are fairly represented by their chosen elected officials on Clarington Council.  An interim report as been released with recommendations on how the municipal wards could be realigned.

#2020-WBR-Interim-Report-AODA

The report can be viewed at https://engageclarington.ca/ward-boundary-review

Public consultations on the interim are report are being held in October and November on the following dates:

Thursday, October 1, 2020, at 3 p.m. – Join Microsoft Teams Meeting(External link) – For audio, connect through your device or call 1-877-568-0679 and enter conference ID 293 732 736#

Thursday, October 15, 2020, at 10 a.m. – Join Microsoft Teams Meeting(External link) – For audio, connect through your device or call 1-877-568-0679 and enter conference ID 415 360 734#

Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at 7 p.m. – Join Microsoft Teams Meeting(External link) – For audio, connect through your device or call 1-877-568-0679 and enter conference ID 606 496 422#

Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 7 p.m. – Join Microsoft Teams Meeting(External link) – For audio, connect through your device or call 1-877-568-0679 and enter conference ID 508 921 255

Just a note about 2 fundraising activities this week for the Clarington Hospice.

1. Tim Hortons – All proceeds from the Smile Cookie sales to September 20 are going to the Durham Region Hospice including Clarington to be built in Newcastle.

2. Newcastle RONA – Saturday September 19 and Sunday September 20 from 9 AM to 3 PM – Bottle Drive

• Please bring all your empty liquor, beer and wine bottles to the Newcastle RONA to support the Clarington Hospice building fund.

Did you know that Durham developed its first Waste Plan in 1999? Under the first Waste Plan, the Region expanded the Green Bin, Blue Box and Hazardous Waste programs, and introduced electronics, textiles and porcelain recycling, increasing the waste diversion rate from 30 to 63 per cent, and developed the made-in-Durham waste disposal solution in the Durham York Energy Centre.

Now, we need your help! We’re developing a new Long-Term Waste Management Plan to help focus our goals for how we manage waste over the next 20 years. Learn more about the innovative ways we plan to manage waste, like using Anaerobic Digestion to convert food waste into renewable energy and finding reuse options for ash generated at the Durham York Energy Centre. Find out more and complete the survey at DurhamWasteOpenHouse.ca.  

Lots of Newcastle residents, particularly in the outlying areas, do not have great internet options. It’s an issue for many Durham residents and the Region is now conducting an online survey. This is your opportunity to let the Region know what you think! Survey deadline is April 30, 2020.

Participate in Survey

The long-promised extension of the GO train to Bowmanville is perhaps a little closer to reality, with Metrolinx identifying the preferred “northern” route, using the existing CP tracks, which reduces the cost of extending the service. The business case for the route will go before the Metrolinx board on February 20, 2020.

Bowmanville on track for GO Transit to come to the region

President David Saunders called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. There were 24 members present. Executive member Bob Malone was unable to attend due to a health problem at home.

George Rickard welcomed our speaker, Clarington Fire Chief Mr. Gordon Weir.

Mr. Weir presented a wealth of information to the audience. He explained one example how fire was created after a youth placed his sweater over a hot computer with the lid closed. Some fires are caused by cheap electrical cables that heat and flare into flames. Barn fires from wet hay spontaneous combustion are common and grass fires from railway sparks keep them busy in the fall. Blocked couches are hard to extinguish because of the type of construction. Larger more dangerous events like the propane yard conflagration north of the 401 present challenges that strain their resources. Fire trucks can now change stop lights to green on the #2 as they approach intersections and $25,000.00 E Tools are available to open crushed cars without hydraulic hook up. Mr. Weir distributed books with pictures of fires and car accidents that he had collected over the years. Two service dogs are used to assist members that have been exposed to unsettling events. With the responsibility of five fire stations and sixty members, Mr. Weir is a very busy man indeed!

Rod McArthur thanked Mr. Weir for his excellent presentation.

Previous Minutes:

Secretary Warren Tait read the minutes from May 21, 2019. Rod McArthur moved that they be accepted and Carl Good seconded. This was carried.

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer George Rickard reported that as of October 31st the bank balance was $1,177.94. George made a motion to accept the report and Joyce Kufta seconded. It was carried.

New Business:

Tuesday 2020 general meeting dates: March 3, May 12, September 22 and the Annual November 24.

Tuesday 2020 executive meeting dates: February 11, May 5, September 15 and November 17.

The following executive was presented for the year 2020:

President: David Saunders, Past President: Robert Malone, Secretary: Warren Tait, Treasurer: George Rickard, Directors: Marion Saunders, Rod McArthur and Terry Angiers.

After three requests for nominations from the floor, a vote was taken and Rod and Terry were accepted.

Announcements:

North Village Secondary Plan discussion will be held at the Newcastle Pentecostal Church on Nov. 21.

Palliative care calendars are now available for sale to help the Hospice.

Date of Next General Meeting:

The next General Meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The speaker in March: Mayor Adrian Foster.

Adjournment:

Moved by Noel Gordon at 8:50 p.m.

Durham Region Transit (DRT) will be hosting eight drop-in events throughout Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge Townships, and the Municipality of Clarington, as part of its Rural Transit Review.

Residents are invited to provide comments and suggestions online by completing the survey at durhamregiontransit.com/ruraltransit, or in person at an upcoming drop-in. The Clarington drop-in event is on November 26, at the Diane Hamre Recreation Centre, Newcastle, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Newcastle Santa Parade is a wonderful event starting with a fantastic fireworks display at 5:30 p.m. followed by 70 entries that range from marching bands, to clowns and beautifully light up floats that children of all ages enjoy.

We are all in great anticipation for Santa’s next magical visit to Newcastle with sounds, lights and marching bands of a night time parade. This year the theme for the Parade is ‘Christmas Lights’. Mark the date on your calendar and wear a Santa button on Sunday, November 17th, 2019.

https://www.newcastlesantaparade.com

We welcome everyone to our annual general meeting on Tuesday, November 19 in the Newcastle Lions Room, Newcastle Community Hall, 20 King Ave. W., starting at 7 p.m.

We are very fortunate to have as our speaker, Clarington Fire Chief and Director of Emergency and Fire Services, Gordon Weir. He has five fire stations under his jurisdictions and is responsible for protecting and educating the community about safety. He will also  explain the many services firefighters offer and perform, (eg: EMS rescue, crash response and water rescue).

With winter approaching, this is a great opportunity for us to learn about fire hazards in our homes.