Council Highlights for March 26, 2025

View the full agenda package for Council. 

The Town of Pelham regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Pelham municipal building at 20 Pelham Town Hall.

Operations and Maintenance Manuals and Sanitary and stormwater systems in Pelham.

Council received a presentation from Marjorie Prentice, P.Eng, GEI Consultants Inc., regarding Operations and Maintenance Manuals and Sanitary and stormwater systems in Pelham. The presentation reviewed the legislation requirements and the overview of the infrastructure systems. Council also received the accompanying report 2025-0051, “Operations and Maintenance Manual Completion for Sanitary Collection System and Storm Management System,” for information. The creation of the Operations and Maintenance Manual for the Town’s Sanitary Collection and Stormwater Management Systems allows for more focus on the Town’s infrastructure, facilities, and appurtenances. Regular inspection and maintenance of the Town’s infrastructure create awareness of potential issues, repairs, or replacements required that would otherwise be missed, creating the potential for damage to the natural environment and increased capital and operating expenses in the future. The Town’s Sanitary Collection System O & M Manual will be completed and implemented by April 2, 2026, and the Stormwater Management System O & M Manual will be completed and implemented by December 5, 2025.

Analysis, Feasibility and Implications of Continuing Exemptions for Parking Lot Patios and Food Vehicles

Council receive report 2025-0077 “Analysis, Feasibility and Implications of Continuing Exemptions for Parking Lot Patios and Food Vehicles under Zoning By-law 4481(2022),” for information. Within the Town, pop-up patios and food vendors contribute positively to the community. Pop-up patios and food vendors are required to adhere to the Town of Pelham Zoning by-law and have the required permits to operate. All food vendors and restaurants undertaking pop-up patios must also meet all Public Health and Provincial licensing requirements related to food service and serving of alcohol. www.pelham.ca/patiopermit

2025 Spongy Moth Report and Invasive Species Management Response

The Town of Pelham retained the Davy Resource Group through the competitive bid process to conduct spongy moth egg mass surveys throughout January 2025. A total of 100 plots, including street trees and forest plots, were assessed throughout Pelham, including Fenwick and Fonthill. Two aerial applications of Foray 48B biological insecticide to Hillcrest Park utilizing a twin-engine helicopter will take place in the spring.  Locations forecast for moderate to light defoliation and surrounding areas will be monitored throughout 2025 for signs that spongy moth populations are rising locally and may be considered for treatment in the following years. www.pelham.ca/invasivsespecies

Municipal Resolutions – Trade Tariffs

The Town of Pelham council has received correspondence from the Township of Limerick, the City of Port Colborne, the City of Niagara Falls, the Township of Central Frontenac, Champlain Township, the Town of LaSalle, the Town of Lincoln, the Township of Selwyn, the City of Toronto, the Township of Puslinch and East Ferris Municipality regarding trade tariffs.  The Town of Pelham council unanimously passed a resolution that supports the collective effort of all levels of government to strengthen the Canadian economy through local campaigns and initiatives. The Town of Pelham urges the federal and provincial governments to collaborate with municipalities on measures to protect the Canadian economy and eliminate interprovincial trade restrictions. The Town of Pelham also calls on the federal and provincial governments to remove any restrictions preventing municipalities from refraining from purchasing from the United States should tariffs on Canadian goods persist.

Meridian Community Centre Concession Review and Proposal

Council received report 2025-080 “Meridian Community Centre Concession Review and Proposal,” for information and Council directed the ChiefAdministrative Officer and the Director of Recreation, Culture and Wellness Department to take all necessary steps to initiate the option to begin a 16-month Trial Period for In-house Operation option as identified in the report. The goal of the pilot program will be to improve customer service, work with local businesses, increase revenue and better align the concession hours of operation to meet the needs of the community and the facility users.

Rules and Requirements for Recreational Program Participation

Council received report 2025-0083, “Proposed Rules and Requirements for Recreational Program Participation,” for information and approved proposed Policy No. S701-05 Rules and Requirements for Recreational Program Participation. The Recreation, Culture, and Wellness Department will designate an existing staff member to execute this plan as a “Food and Beverage Coordinator” for a 16-month trial period. 

Automated Speed Enforcement in Pelham

Council received report 2025-0079, “Options and Requirements for Automated Speed Enforcement in Pelham,” for information and Council directed staff to request further information from the administrative penalty system providers, including camera supplier information, processing capacity, and proposed pricing. In addition, Council directed staff to assess the Town’s capacity to meet operational and reporting requirements for automated speed enforcement and initiate discussions with the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of the Attorney General in relation to the agreements required to use administrative penalties for infractions identified through automated speed enforcement. A further report will be provided to Council by the end of Q2 of 2025.

Town of Pelham Nuisance By-law 

Council received report 2025-0084, “Proposed Replacement of Town of Pelham Nuisance By-law,” for information and approved, in principle, the appended Nuisance By-law. Council also directed the Town Clerk to prepare and present the Nuisance Bylaw for consideration at the next regular meeting of the Council. Staff proposed to repeal and replace the existing nuisance and skateboarding by-laws with a nuisance by-law that will also address outdoor illumination. The new by-law will provide a single source of regulation for all nuisance matters other than odours that are regulated by By-law No. 81-2024.

2023-2027 Strategic Plan Update

Council received report 2025-0086 2023-2027 Strategic Plan Update and approved the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan Update. The Strategic Plan is a guiding document for the municipal corporation’s decision-making regarding the work to be done within Pelham. This plan continues to be ambitious yet achievable and reflects what the community has shared about their hopes, needs and aspirations for Pelham. Updates to the plan include Stormwater Management Standards, Beautification Projects, the Future of the Model Railroad Building in Fenwick, Creation of a Tourism Strategy, Heritage Building Inventory & Heritage Policy, Indigenous Recognition and Collaboration, Explore a potential Municipal Accommodation Tax, Review of Community Grant System, Al Integration, Traffic and Streets By-law and the Future of Investment in Hydro. www.pelham.ca/strategicplan

Niagara Regional Council Seat Appointment

The Town of Pelham Council received nine applications for consideration for the position of Regional Councillor. By direct appointment, the Town of Pelham Council appointed Councillor Wayne Olson for the remainder of the 2022-2026 term. www.pelham.ca/councilvacancy

Town of Pelham Council Vacancy

As a result of the appointment of Councillor Wayne Olson to the Regional Council, Town of Pelham Council will declare one (1) Town of Pelham Council Ward One seat vacant. The Town of Pelham Council directed staff to fill the anticipated vacancy by appointment through a call for applications in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001, and Council Vacancy Policy (S201-22). A public notice of the vacancy and application requirements will be available on Friday, March 28, 2025. Applications for the position will be accepted as of noon on Monday, March 31, 2025 until 2:00 p.m. on April 9, 2025 and will be reviewed at the next regular meeting of Council on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. www.pelham.ca/councilvacancy

Video recording and live stream of the meeting can be viewed at www.pelham.ca/live 

For media inquiries, please contact:

Leah Letford, Communications Specialist | 905-980-6653 | lletford@pelham.ca