At a meeting at the CCC on Thursday January 25, the public were shown the proposed solution to the flooding that occurs just north of the VIA station whenever there is a 50 year storm. (We had one recently). The problem is that in a big rain storm, the midtown creek cannot handle all the rain and neither can the storm sewers. The solution is a pond – “or a big hole” to store the water long enough to let it drain away. Technically it’s called reducing the flow of a 50 year storm to that of a 2 year storm. This project requires an environmental assessment (the current stage) then moves into the construction stage. It’s expected to cost… Read complete articleMidtown Creek Pond – Environmental Assessment

The long awaited report from thinc design on the Waterfront Study will be released in the next month or two but one idea from it is being released at the next Council Committee of the Whole (C.O.W.) meeting on January 29.  The report by Parks Manager Teresa Behan says that “the preliminary findings and recommendations from the consultants, thinc design, focus on enhancing access to the waterfront and recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. They also promote new revenue generating opportunities for the Town.”  The specific idea discussed is a “floating playground” that would be located east of the East pier.  This type of facility is becoming popular worldwide including some locations in Canada and Teresa reports… Read complete articleFirst idea from Waterfront Study

Last August, it was reported (see links below) that the YMCA would not be merging with the Cobourg Community Centre (CCC) but the detailed report was not released.  At the Committee of the Whole Meeting on January 29, this report and companion agreement will now be provided.  The idea was first discussed in April 2015 and since then there have been many meetings of the Project Coordinating Committee as well as 2 public meetings and a survey (see Links below).  The basic reason to not proceed is that the cost is too high – more like $25 Million versus the $15 Million originally thought.  Of that it was hoped that one third would be covered by grants but that is… Read complete articleFinal Report on YMCA merger with CCC

Cobourg Council made few changes to the draft 2018 budget at the open budget review on January 18.  That indicates it met the goal of a 1.5% tax increase and that Council generally agreed with it.  The only people watching the meeting in the Council chamber were two media reps – no citizens showed up although it was streamed via You Tube.  The initial request from staff would have meant a 3.3% tax increase but John Henderson and coordinators managed to trim or defer enough costs to meet the target.  The Police were able to keep their increase to zero – no change from 2017 – the Municipal grants applications were trimmed and a few other minor changes were made. … Read complete articleBudget for 2018