Commentary
This is where meeting write-ups and commentary live. After each council meeting, we publish summaries covering what was on the agenda, what was discussed, how councillors voted, and our take on what it means.
May 25, 2026 · Regular Council · Infrastructure
Council awards $1.9M paving contract, four bidders tightly bunched
Georgian Paving won the 2026 hot-mix paving tender at $1,914,868.75, coming in under budget. Four competitive bids were clustered close together, signaling sharp pricing. One box culvert replacement near the airport is bundled into the work.
May 25, 2026 · Regular Council · Planning
Mayor pushes two-phase Stayner boundary expansion with 90-day study deadline
Council unanimously approved a motion directing staff to immediately start technical studies for expanding the Stayner settlement area boundary, targeting an August public meeting. The expansion is tied to a major water infrastructure project already underway and three developer contribution agreements.
May 25, 2026 · Regular Council · Other
Councillor Bob Walker announces he won't seek re-election after 22 years
Ward councillor Robert Walker told council he won't run again in the fall election, citing health concerns and a desire not to leave a new council "in jeopardy" mid-term. Walker has served six terms on Clearview council and three on the former Stayner council.
May 25, 2026 · Regular Council · Other
Mayor joins 'auto mayors' push to federal government on EV policy
Mayor Measures signed a letter with other Simcoe County mayors calling the federal EV policy "failed" and urging changes to protect Ontario's auto sector. The letter followed a confidential briefing at the Honda plant in Alliston.
May 25, 2026 · Regular Council · Infrastructure
Deputy mayor to ask NVCA about Lamont Creek erosion and tree loss
A resident flagged "huge disastrous conditions" along Lamont Creek in Centennial Park due to erosion and fallen trees. Deputy Mayor Paul said he'll take the question back to the NVCA and find out what approvals or guidance the conservation authority offers.
May 25, 2026 · Regular Council · Other
NVCA navigating provincial overhaul, budget approved but changes coming fast
Deputy Mayor Paul reported that the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is adjusting to provincial restructuring that will reduce the number of conservation authorities and tighten funding. The 2026 budget is approved, but major accounting changes are on the way.
May 25, 2026 · Regular Council · Staff
Grants working group brought in additional funding in 2025
Economic Development Officer Brier Kelly presented an update on the grants working group formed in 2025, which coordinates grant applications across departments. Councillor MacArthur praised the "two heads are better than one" approach.
May 25, 2026 · Regular Council · Procedural
County recruiting for joint compliance audit committee
Simcoe County is looking for seven residents to serve on the joint compliance audit committee, which reviews campaign finance complaints under the Municipal Elections Act. Applications are due June 5.
May 11, 2026 · Regular Council · Budget
Tax increase set at 2.09% for 2026
Council approved the final 2026 budget with a blended tax rate increase of 2.09%. The rate matches what council discussed months ago and allows staff to proceed with issuing tax bills.
May 11, 2026 · Regular Council · Infrastructure
Council buys electric Zamboni for Cremore, $170,925
Council approved purchasing a lithium-ion battery-operated Zamboni for Cremore Arena at $170,925 plus HST. The electric unit replaces a 2011 propane model and switches the township from Olympia to Zamboni brand after 25 years.
May 11, 2026 · Regular Council · Bylaws
Arena ice allocation policy amended: 20% residency threshold, annual review required
Council approved changes to arena and sports field allocation policies, lowering the threshold for non-municipal regional minor sports groups from 40% to 20% Clear View residents. The policy will be reviewed annually and includes language stating existing users won't be displaced without consultation.
May 11, 2026 · Regular Council · Delegations
Adult hockey league loses Thursday 6 p.m. ice time; heated public pushback
Five residents spoke during public participation opposing the arena allocation policy after an adult pickup group lost Thursday 6 p.m. ice to minor hockey. The group's organizer accused staff of failing to consult and presented data on 30+ hours of available ice and policies from other municipalities.
May 11, 2026 · Regular Council · Infrastructure
Council awards $211,731 tender for Stainer stormwater pond cleanout
Council awarded a tender to Vasque Limited for $211,731 (excluding HST) to clean out the Zancor subdivision stormwater management pond off Country Lane. The work addresses a liability identified through provincial CLICA reporting requirements.
May 11, 2026 · Regular Council · Infrastructure
Road equipment approved: backhoe $238,619, grader $672,618, sidewalk tractor $210,950
Council approved three public works equipment purchases totaling over $1.1 million: a Caterpillar backhoe for $238,619, a John Deere grader for $672,618, and a Trackless sidewalk tractor for $210,950. Staff defended higher costs based on reliability and operator familiarity.
May 11, 2026 · Regular Council · Planning
Mayor uses strong mayor powers to fast-track Stainer boundary expansion
Mayor Thompson invoked special powers to place two motions on the May 25 agenda requiring council to adopt a two-phase approach to Stainer's settlement boundary expansion and approve $150,000 for technical studies within 90 days. He cited binding developer agreements tied to water infrastructure funding.
May 11, 2026 · Regular Council · Bylaws
Short-term rental licensing bylaw coming for public review in mid-June
The clerk presented a draft short-term rental licensing bylaw for information and will schedule a public working session in mid-June. Airbnb has offered to notify its hosts about the public engagement opportunity.
May 11, 2026 · Regular Council · Other
Council supports raising 'sunshine list' threshold to $200,000 or CPI-indexed amount
Council unanimously passed a resolution asking the province to amend the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act to reflect inflation by either indexing the $100,000 threshold to CPI or raising it to $200,000. The unchanged threshold since 1996 now captures "every firefighter and police officer" in the province.
April 29, 2026 · Regular Council · Planning
Farm severance on Concession 9 clears public meeting with no objections
Council held a public meeting for a zoning amendment to allow the severance of a farmhouse at 5455 Concession 9. The proposal would split off a house and one silo from the rest of the farm, with an old barn and second silo slated for demolition. No one from the public showed up to comment.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Infrastructure
Council greenlights $119,500 pool filtration replacement at Stayner Centennial Pool
Council approved sole-sourcing a pool filtration system upgrade to PPL Aquatic Fitness for $119,500 plus HST. The equipment will be replaced after the 2026 summer season to avoid disrupting public programming. Staff stressed the pool is "on borrowed time" and any major failure could close it earlier.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Infrastructure
Creemore Arena dehumidification replacement approved—$89,430, pulling from tax stabilization reserve
Council approved an $89,430 dehumidification system replacement for Creemore Arena, sole-sourced to the existing service contractor. The project came in over budget; the shortfall will be covered by the tax stabilization reserve. One unit is over 30 years old and parts are no longer available.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Infrastructure
Tourism building roof replacement awarded to lowest bidder at $55,932—22% under next bid
Council approved a $55,932 contract to replace the steel roof on the Stayner Tourism building, awarding it to Above All Roofing despite the bid coming in 22% lower than the second-place quote. Staff said the contractor has been vetted and solar panels will be safely disconnected and reinstalled by a licensed electrician.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Bylaws
Council backs call for stronger protections for snow plow operators
Council unanimously endorsed a letter to the province requesting legislative protections for municipal snow plow operators and contractors. The letter, drafted by the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors, asks for recognition of plow operators as essential workers during storms and stronger penalties for harassment and interference.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Planning
Stayner settlement boundary expansion approved—planning study to add roughly 1 km around town
Council directed staff to begin a two-year planning process to expand Stayner's urban settlement boundary by roughly one kilometre in all directions. The study will determine land needs, servicing requirements, and phasing to unlock developer infrastructure funding. The expansion area includes agricultural land north to County Road 7, south to the Hoffman Sideroad, and west to Airport Road.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Planning
Tribute Creemore subdivision tweaked—68 townhouses swapped for 47 single-detached homes
Council approved zoning changes for the Tribute Creemore subdivision, replacing a 68-unit townhouse block with 47 single-detached homes. The change reduces total units by 21 (to 474) and adjusts lot sizes to permit a broader range of housing. No further public meeting was required; the original 2023 consultation stands.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Other
Skydive Clearview lease approved for parachute landing zone at Klondike Park water tower site
Council approved a five-year lease with Skydive Clearview (formerly Wasaga Beach) to use township-owned land at 1585 Klondike Park Road as a parachute landing area. The site is also home to the new water reservoir. Staff worked with the township's solicitor to strengthen indemnity language after input from the county's risk manager.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Staff
Council approved a $42,233 (including HST) purchase of a Polaris UTV for the fire department, choosing a bid from J&R Cycle that included a five-year warranty. Councillor MacArthur voted against, arguing a $37,000 bid from an out-of-township supplier was more than 10% cheaper and should have been preferred under a local-procurement principle.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Bylaws
Council remains status quo on bring-your-own-alcohol events—no bylaw, no change
Council received an information report on updated provincial regulations allowing bring-your-own-alcohol events in municipal parks and chose not to pass a bylaw enabling them. Staff recommended staying status quo; the deputy mayor said the township shouldn't take on liability with no clear benefit.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Infrastructure
Gallon Park baseball dugout project approved—Mountain Ridge Homes to fund and build as donation
Council approved adding a ground-level dugout project at Gallon Park to the trustee lease agreement with Mountain Ridge Custom Homes, to be fully funded by community donations. The project will proceed in fall 2026 or spring 2027, following the bleacher project already underway.
April 27, 2026 · Regular Council · Staff
Building permits up slightly in Q1 2026—revenue, construction value ahead of last year
The building department reported 94 residential permits and 346 total permit activities in the first quarter of 2026, slightly ahead of 2025. Revenue and construction value are also up year-over-year. Staff highlighted updated farm-building training and the success of the septic re-inspection program.
April 13, 2026 · Regular Council · Infrastructure
Youth Centre gets permanent two-year setup at Stayner arena hall, most social rentals paused
Council approved converting the north end of the Stayner Community Centre Hall into a permanent Youth Centre space for up to two years, with external social rentals paused during that period. The move follows the decision to house Belmont seniors at the former Stayner Care Centre, displacing the Youth Centre from its planned location. Staff will explore limited rental use of the south hall for small events and non-profits.