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January programs at Haldimand County Public Library

The Haldimand County Public Library is hitting the ground running in 2023 with three engaging events coming up this month for the community to enjoy.

Author visit with Carolyn Huizinga Mills

The Library will be hosting an in-person author visit with Carolyn Huizinga Mills at the Dunnville Branch on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. where she’ll be discussing her latest novel, Sins of the Daughter. The visit will be approximately an hour in length with a short reading, book discussion and Q&A session. No registration is required.

Already an award-winning children’s author, Sins of the Daughter will be the first adult novel for the former Dunnville resident. The novel explores the fragile bond between mothers and daughters, and how the choices of one generation impact the next. Copies of the book are available to borrow from local library branches.

Book Club information night

The Haldimand County Public Library is launching a new book club at the Cayuga Branch. All those interested in joining or learning more about the program are invited to an information night at the Cayuga Branch on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

The session will determine if there is enough interest to start a new club, discuss how each meeting will run, and chose the titles that will be read during the year.

Crafternoons

Crafternoons are adult-only craft sessions held at various branches of the Haldimand County Public Library with a different craft each month. Participants in the January Crafternoon sessions will be creating wooden spoon snowmen to bring some seasonal charm to their kitchen décor. All sessions take place at 1 p.m. and require a $2 fee.

  • Jarvis Branch – Monday, Jan. 23
  • Hagersville Branch – Wednesday, Jan 25
  • Dunnville Branch – Thursday, Jan 26
  • Cayuga Branch – Friday, Jan 27

Reminder to Check Your Smoke Alarms

A few days after Christmas, Hamilton had a house fire that claimed the lives of two adults and two children. That fire was completely PREVENTABLE! It is a prime example of the importance of having working smoke detectors and the need to test them regularly. Please, please check your smoke alarms!!

10th Annual Uniquely Haldimand Photo Contest Winners Announced

A panel of judges comprised of County staff, a local filmmaker and members of the media closely examined nearly 200 submissions and determined the following winners:

In addition to contest prizes (gift cards for local businesses), winning photographs will be displayed at the Cayuga Library + Heritage Centre in late January and may appear on future county publications.

Details about the 2023 Uniquely Haldimand photo contest will be announced in the fall. More information on the Uniquely Haldimand Photo Contest and a gallery of past winners is available at HaldimandCounty.ca/photocontest.

Community gathers at Caledonia Lions Hall to mourn Ontario Provincial Police Constable Greg Pierzchala

On Wednesday, January 4, 2023, members of Haldimand County Council, staff and the community gathered at the Caledonia Lions Hall to honour fallen OPP constable Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala.

The funeral service was broadcast live on the hall’s big screens for members of the public who wished to attend. Ward 2 Councillor and Deputy Mayor John Metcalfe welcomed attendees on behalf of Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley, who was in Barrie representing Haldimand County at the private service.

For members of the public who wish to express their sorrow but were unable to attend the viewing, a book of condolences will be available at the Haldimand County Administration Building in Cayuga until Friday, January 6, 2023. The book will then be collected and passed on to the OPP to share with PC Pierzchala’s family.

Haldimand County wishes to thank Rosa Flora and Zehr’s Caledonia for graciously donating floral arrangements, Tim Hortons (South Side) for supplying refreshments and the Caledonia Lions for providing the community space to gather, pay respects and mourn.

Livestream of PC Greg Pierzchala funeral service available for community

As the community continues to grieve the loss of Ontario Provincial Police Constable Greg Pierzchala, Haldimand County invites mourners to come together at a live-streaming of the funeral service on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at the Caledonia Lions Hall, 100 Haddington St., Caledonia.

The service begins at 11 a.m. with doors to the Hall opening at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend and pay their respects to PC Pierzchala who was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 27.

“Our thoughts are with PC Pierzchala’s family and friends and all those who served alongside him,” says Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley. “Haldimand County is a close-knit community and many are feeling this loss deeply. Joining in remembrance at the local level is a way that we can come together as a community to grieve and honour a hero taken much too soon.”

A book of condolences will be available at the Hall for all those wishing to express their sorrow. The book will then remain available at the Haldimand County Administration Building in Cayuga until Friday, Jan 6 for anyone who wishes to sign but was not able to make the service. The book will then be collected and passed on to the OPP to share with PC Pierzchala’s family.

Statement from Mayor Bentley on shooting death of OPP officer

I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of our officers, who died today in the line of duty. Every day, our County’s first responders risk their lives for the safety of our community and a tragedy like today’s is one we hope never comes.

Our hearts go out to the officer’s family, his OPP colleagues, and all first responders impacted by this horrific event.

On behalf of the County, I would like to express my deepest condolences and support. I know there’s nothing I can say to lessen this tragic loss, but to all who are grieving, know that the community grieves with you.

— Mayor Shelley Bentley

Haldimand County Emergency Services Asks Residents To Avoid Non-Essential Travel Along The Lakeshore

The Winter Storm and Flood Warnings remain in effect for the Lake Erie shoreline. High winds and strong wave action is causing flooding in lakeshore areas, and Haldimand County Emergency Services is advising residents to avoid non-essential travel along the lakeshore and shelter in place if in an affected area.

Haldimand County Emergency Services is actively monitoring conditions and roads along the lakeshore and implementing closures as necessary. Roads crews are also out actively salting and plowing, as well as monitoring key areas. Crews will continue to work 24/7 through the duration of this significant weather event.

Ice accretion is a significant concern with the high winds, waves and cold temperatures. Residents along the lake should have their 72 hour emergency kits close by.

Road conditions are deteriorating quickly, which will cause obvious delays for emergency services. Residents who attempt travel should only do so for absolutely essential purposes.

Current road closures include:

  • Port Maitland Rd. and the Esplanade (as well as the Pier)
  • Northshore Dr. in Lowbanks

 Key storm contacts:

  • If you are facing an emergency, dial 9-1-1. 9‑1‑1 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when immediate action is required. Dial 9-1-1 only if you feel your safety is at risk.
  • To report a public roadway obstruction (e.g: downed tree, water over the road or debris blocking a roadway) call 1-888-849-7345.
  • To report a sewer, water, park or public facility emergency call 1-888-849-7345.
  • If you see a downed power line caused by a storm or accident, maintain a distance of 10 metres or more and report it to both 911 and Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235.
  • If you are experiencing a power outage, call Hydro One’s 24/7 province-wide outage hotline at 1-800-434-1235. You can view Hydro One’s live outage map which includes restoration time information.

Residents should pay close attention to changing weather conditions and watch for updated flood messages. A flood guide for lakeshore property owners and other emergency preparedness resources can be found at www.HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.

Updates will be shared at HaldimandCounty.ca and via Facebook and Twitter as they become available.

Haldimand County Declares Significant Weather Event, Municipal Facilities To Remain Closed December 23 & 24

Haldimand County has declared a Significant Weather Event as a winter storm moves into the area, effective Friday, December 23 at 6am until midnight on Saturday, December 24. All municipal facilities will be closed on Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 24 and garbage and recycling curbside collection is canceled.

Winter storm conditions are expected to intensify throughout the day. The combination of snowfall and extreme winds are expected to result in hazardous travel conditions, and the County is asking residents to follow Environment Canada advice and consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

Facility closures/service impacts:

  • The Haldimand County Administration Building, museums, libraries and arenas will be closed.
  • The Canborough Waste Management Facility will be closed Friday and Saturday.
  • All scheduled programs and ice/room rentals are canceled Friday and Saturday.
  • Garbage and recycling curbside collection is canceled. Residents whose collection day is Friday are asked to bring their materials in from the curb and place them out next week. Residents affected will have double the bag limit next Saturday (due to holiday schedule).

During a significant weather event, residents are advised to use extra caution and are reminded that standard timelines for clearing roads and sidewalks may not be met.

The county’s winter control crews are ready to respond to this significant weather event and will be working around the clock, however, with the conditions expected, residents are asked to be patient and allow staff time to clear main arterial roadways by priority.

Winter control staff have approximately 1500kms of roadways to clear and will be working as quickly as possible to plow all routes.

A plow priority route map and winter parking/snow removal by-law information can be found at HaldimandCounty.ca. Storm-related updates will be posted here and shared via Facebook and Twitter.

Haldimand County Council Approves 2023 Water And Wastewater Budget

On December 8, 2022, Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2023 Rate-Supported Operating & Capital Budget. Otherwise known as the Water & Wastewater Budget, this important strategic document ensures that reliable, safe, clean and affordable potable water is available to residents across the County.

This Rate-Supported Budget deals exclusively with water and wastewater treatment initiatives & is funded directly by user rates (with no financial support from property taxes).

The 2023 budget includes average annual gross expenditures of $11.9 million in capital expenditures on the water side and $8.7 million on the wastewater side. These expenditures are to maintain, improve and optimize the operation of existing systems and to add capacity in response to growth.

The average residential combined water & wastewater user will see a slight increase of about $1.54 (1.83%) on their average monthly bill and despite rising inflation all bulk services (i.e. water depot, septic holding treatment, etc.) have been capped to an increase of 3%.

Overall, Haldimand’s water & wastewater rates still remain below the provincial average and lower relative to nearby comparable communities due to ongoing strategic planning efforts and diligent asset management practices.

New water & wastewater rates take effect on January 1, 2023.

Over the 10-year capital forecast period there is a total of $206 million allocated for enhancements to municipal sewer and water infrastructure.

Major projects slated to begin in 2023 include the construction of a secondary Highway 6 Water Transmission Main and the construction of a new elevated water tank and in-ground reservoir in Caledonia on the sites of existing infrastructure.

Factors impacting the 2023 rate-supported budget and user rates include:

  • rising costs of materials, chemicals, supplies and contracts with water and wastewater treatment plant operators;
  • rising insurance costs due to limited providers and provincial liability legislation;
  • increases to the rate the City of Hamilton charges Haldimand County for water and increased consumption of water (due to growth).

Over the Term of Council (2023-2027), staff will be actively monitoring external pressures on water & wastewater services in order to properly plan for any potential mitigation that may be required. While rates have remained relatively stable, changes to provincial legislation has the ability to significantly impact municipal operations. As such, senior staff will continue to monitor the political environment & lobby against changes that may impact the affordability of water rates in Ontario.

Council will next review the Tax-Supported Operating & Capital Budgets on the following dates:

Tax-Supported Capital Budget: February 2, 2023 & February 3, 2023* (*if required)

Tax-Supported Operating Budget: March 2, 2023 & March 3, 2023* (*if required)

More information about County budgets, user fees/rates and taxes is available at HaldimandCounty.ca/financials.

 

Haldimand County logo. A yellow sun rising or setting atop green and blue waves. Haldimand County in black lettering below.

Holiday programs and take-home crafts at Haldimand County Library

The Haldimand County Public Library is hosting holiday programming for children aged 3 to 12 at all local branches over the winter holiday. Each library location will be offering in-branch crafts, parties and winter-themed Storytimes for some added fun over the winter break.

For a list of what is offered at each local library, residents can visit their library branch, call (289) 674-0400,  or visit www.haldimandlibrary.ca. Registration is required and some programs do have a small fee (between $1 and $4) to cover supplies.

The Library will also be offering more of the popular Children’s Take-Home Crafts in each of the local branches. Everyone is welcome to come in and grab a craft, completely free of charge, to complete in the comfort of their own home.