As part of our "Healthy Communities" program Council has implemented a new by-law to regulate smoking in many outdoor areas of Town. The by-law goes a long way toward creating a more healthy environment in Town, particularly in areas where children gather to play. The highlights of the document are:

1) No person shall smoke within 9 metres of a sports facility including playgrounds, splash pads, wading pools, sports fields and pitches including spectator areas.

2) No person can smoke at any municipal facility except within 5 metres of an authorized sign designating an area as a smoking area.

3) No person can smoke in a municipal park except along pathways and within 5 metres of an authorized sign designating an area as a smoking area.

4) No person shall smoke within 5 metres of any door, window and air intake system of a publically accessible building, where this by-law does not conflict with Section 115(3) of the Municipal Act which stiplulates that muncipalities cannot ban smoking on a highway (street) which would include the sidewalk.

5) The by-law does not increase the restrictions on patios. They remain to the provisions of the Smoke Free Ontario Act.

The feedback received to date is that the by-law is a good representation of the desires of the majority of respondents. 

PLEASE NOT THE DAY HAS CHANGED TO MAY 5TH

Clean Up Day:  Lower Reach Park:   Sat May 5^th,  8:00am

Paint all soccer goalposts

Paint swings & climber

Paint all bleachers

Paint all power boxes

Paint play structures

Roll topsoil at edge of splash pad and seed

Clean out dugouts

Repair benches in dugouts

Rake infields on all small diamonds

Seed all low areas at soccer field and ball diamonds

Paint all benches on ball diamonds

Paint all fitness station

Sweep tennis courts

Rake and clean up volleyball pits

Restake all trees

Build crib around tree at splash pad

Repair all bleachers at soccer fields

Repair dugout siding

Repair gates on ball diamonds

Paint railings on docks

Paint park benches

If you would like to volunteer to help contact Gary Bisonette at 613-283-4124 Ext 6102

Clean Up Day:  Lower Reach Park:   Sat May 12^th,  8:30am

Paint all soccer goalposts

Paint swings & climber

Paint all bleachers

Paint all power boxes

Paint play structures

Roll topsoil at edge of splash pad and seed

Clean out dugouts

Repair benches in dugouts

Rake infields on all small diamonds

Seed all low areas at soccer field and ball diamonds

Paint all benches on ball diamonds

Paint all fitness station

Sweep tennis courts

Rake and clean up volleyball pits

Restake all trees

Build crib around tree at splash pad

Repair all bleachers at soccer fields

Repair dugout siding

Repair gates on ball diamonds

Paint railings on docks

Paint park benches

If you would like to volunteer to help contact Gary Bisonette at 613-283-4124 Ext 6102

December 8, 2011 BOIL WATER ADVISORY RESCINDED. The Emergency Group met this evening and determined that all tests of the water and the plant were complete and sucessful. Thank you for your patience.

It is most unfortunate that a mishap occurred while decommissioning the old Water Treatment Plant that led to loss of pressure in most of the Town's water distribution system this week. Part of the decommissioning process is to disconnect all of the pipes that connect the old plant to the distrbution pipes. This is what was being done when the 16" main pipe that they connect to was accidentally struck causing a significant rupture. The system is pressurized by pumps at the plant as well as gravitational pressure from the water tower. When a pipe this large is breached in a significant manner the water, taking the natural path of least resistance goes out through the break. This of course results in the water tower draining as well causing further loss of pressure. It is not an easy task to shut down the water flow to these large pipes resulting in a delay of some hours before you can start to de-water the trench and actually start repairing the pipe. Water has to be rerouted through other pipes so the system can be reactivated while the repair is occurring. Our crews did a commendable job addressing this issue. While this is happening other staff are engaged in notifying the public, addressing specific issues some buildings (such as the hospital) incur. Although there was no indication that the water had been contaminated, when there is a loss of pressure in the system the Health Unit has no choice but to issue a boil water advisory to the community until the water can be tested. We must have two "clear" tests from an independent lab before they can consider lifting the advisory. These tests take a minumum of 24 hours to complete and must be taken 24 hours apart. We have the results of our first test and it was "clear". Final test results are expected Friday evening. We certainly appreciate your patience and understanding through this whole situation.

In spite of the absolutely gorgeous weather we have been experiencing, winter is not far away. One of the issues we have to deal with each year is lawn ornaments, rocks, posts, etc too close to the sidewalk that can do significant damage to the Town's expensive snow removal equipment. The Town owns a minimum of 1 metre in from the sidewalk on most properties. Although we encourage you to beautify your property with flowers and various displays in summer, it is important that all objects be removed from this 1 metre setback for winter snow removal. They can do significant damage to the plows but more critical is the snow blower. If a large rock or other hard object gets sucked into it the repair bill usually runs $10,000 to $20,000. It doesn't happen often and we are glad it doesn't. The property owner though can be held responsible for the repair bill. Our Property Standards Officer will be out soon reminding people to remove these objects. Please co-operate.

We have been asked by many people what is happening to our maple trees and what can be done about the black spots on the leaves. According to our horticulturalist it is a fungus called "Tar Spot". Although the fungus does not damage the tree directly, it causes the leaves to fall prematurely and in the long run that is not good for the trees health. It is an air borne fungus that is best controlled by raking up all of the leaves so the fungus cannot overwinter in your lawn and affect next years leaves. If you have further questions please contact Samantha at 613-285-6563.

As part of its 40^th anniversary celebrations, the Smiths Falls Child Development Centre (CDC) is hosting an Open House at 73 Thurber St. on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. Barbecue, birthday cake and clowns. More information available by contacting Beverly Leach at 613-283-4124, ext. 6601 or email bleach@smithsfalls.ca.

Would you like to learn more about the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) project while enjoying an event with international flavour? If so, you won’t want to miss the Celebration Evening to kick off the Smiths Falls LIP project on Thursday, June 16^th.

The event is being held at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre from 6 to 9 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

The evening’s program will feature the official announcement of the LIP project. In addition, a newcomer will share her experience of what it was like to come to Canada and start a new life, eventually settling in Smiths Falls with her family. Following the presentations, those in attendance will be divided into discussion groups to gather feedback on the challenges and opportunities for immigration in the local community.

If you plan to attend the Celebration Evening, please RSVP Dianne Pinder-Moss, Local Immigration Partnership Administrative Co-ordinator, by Monday, June 13 at 4:30 p.m. by calling 613-283-4124, ext. 1184 or e-mail dpindermoss@smithsfalls.ca.

The recently appointed Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Council will act as a strategic planning body that works to coordinate and enhance the integration of newcomers into the Smiths Falls area. The council has broad representation from newcomers to settlement service providers to the business community.

The first phase of the LIP project is to be completed by March 31^st, 2012. During that time period, the members of the LIP Council will develop a local settlement strategy and a corresponding implementation plan. Consultations will be held with newcomers, employers and service providers in the community.

The LIP initiative is taking place thanks to funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada with the Town of Smiths Falls as the project partner. Smiths Falls is a Sensational community and the LIP project is an opportunity to make it even more Sensational for newcomers who decide to make their home here.

Please join us on June 16th and show your support for the project!

Something very positive is happening in Smiths Falls and we will all be better off for it. Being a life-long “student” of people - how they interact with each other and what creates that sense of common purpose that is an integral part of a successful community – I have been literally astounded at the positive change of attitude in large segments of the community,

Almost immediately after the major plant closings you could see a change. More and more phone calls were offers of assistance versus people expressing their dissatisfaction with certain issues almost exclusive to them individually. The phenomenal turn-around though has come in the past few months and mostly through interaction in the social media. More and more citizens are interrelating with their Town Hall, and each other, in a positive, healthy manner that can only lead to a more vibrant community in the future.

This has not gone unnoticed. I know of at least two communities who have followed Smiths Falls’ evolution on Facebook, the blog site, twitter, and the regular media, and are impressed to the point that they too will be getting involved in the social media in their communities. This is a real compliment to our efforts. Is everything good? Absolutely not. Are we taking positive steps in the right direction simply by talking to each other? Unequivocally, yes.

If other communities are getting positive vibes from following our progress, perhaps potential new residents or investors will as well. They look at Facebook too.

Moving forward, in addition to the “From the CAO’s Desk” Facebook page we will be implementing a page for Town information as well as one for Youth. By the way, for those who don’t know, a “thread” is the term used to describe a posting on Facebook and its related comments.