Council Highlights for August 6, 2025

View the full agenda package for Council. 

The Town of Pelham's regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Pelham Municipal Building at 20 Pelham Town Hall.

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

International Plowing Match & Rural Expo 

Council received a presentation from Chris Freure, Director of Operations and Partnerships with the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, regarding the upcoming International Plowing Match & Rural Expo, taking place September 16–20, 2025, at the West Niagara Fairgrounds in West Lincoln. This marks the first time the event returns to the Niagara Region since 1926. The expo will feature five days of plowing competitions including horse-drawn, antique, and modern tractors, vendors, exhibits, live entertainment and educational programming for students. The Town of Pelham will provide support through fire services for on-site first-aid support and public works for assistance in post event tear down.

Invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Council received a delegation from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) regarding the emerging threat of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid at the St. John’s Conservation Area in Pelham. Natalie Green, Director of Watershed Strategies and Climate Change, along with NPCA CEO Leilani Lee-Yates and Conservation Lands Planning Specialist Kerry Royer, outlined the ecological risk this pest poses to Eastern hemlock trees. Council approved a collaborative pilot project to treat and manage the infestation through preventative tree injections and staff training with a $10,000 contribution from the Town’s invasive species operating budget. www.pelham.ca/invasivespecies 

Fonthill Cemetery Mausoleum Designation Under the Ontario Heritage Act

Council received report 2025-0173 “Fonthill Cemetery Mausoleum Designation Under the Ontario Heritage Act” and direct Staff to proceed with designating the property. The mausoleum was built between 1923 and 1925 by Canada Mausoleums. Constructed from Indiana Limestone, the exterior is both durable and refined, with decorative stonework enhancing its architectural presence. The interior of the mausoleum is richly detailed, including a geometric tiled floor and stained-glass panels depicting coniferous trees. The mausoleum contains 70 columbaria and 275 crypts, many of which bear personalized engravings that reflect individual legacies.

New Town of Pelham Heritage Policy

Council received report 2025-0171 “Town of Pelham Heritage Policy,” and approved Policy S300-06. The Town of Pelham 2025 Strategic Plan Update identified a Heritage Building Inventory and Heritage Policy as a priority. The Town of Pelham is committed to supporting heritage conservation while ensuring that lands, buildings, and public spaces are functional and safe. This new policy identifies the Town’s objectives and methods to identify, conserve, and appropriately promote properties and features of cultural heritage value or interest. www.pelham.ca/heritage

Recreation, Culture, and Wellness Municipal Grant Program Revitalization for 2026

Council received report 2025-0176 “Recreation, Culture, and Wellness Municipal Grant Program Revitalization,” and approved the implementation of the program beginning in Q3 of 2026. The Recreation, Culture, and Wellness Grant Program will offer funding opportunities to individuals and organizations that deliver community-focused recreation, arts, culture, and wellness initiatives to Pelham residents through programs, events or activities for community members. The program will fund projects in three categories for individuals and community organizations including Arts and Culture, Recreation and Wellness, and Neighbourhood and Community Development.

Quaker Meeting House Building Review

The Quaker Meeting House, located at 1141 Maple Street in Fenwick, has significant architectural, historical and contextual value to the Town of Pelham and is a designated heritage site. This past June, Quartek Group Inc. completed a building code and accessibility study for the facility, outlining the recommended upgrades to meet building and accessibility compliance. The Town of Pelham will undertake immediate action to add additional emergency lighting, remove interior doors, add crash bars to replace the latching and locking mechanisms currently in place, and add landings to both ground and rear doors. The future of the Quaker Meeting House was identified by Council as part of the 2025 Strategic Plan update. A staff report containing further recommendations for the building will be brought to Council in Q4 of 2025.

Niagara Health System South Niagara Hospital Funding Request

Council received report 2025-0152 “Niagara Health System Funding Request,” and approved the commitment from the Town of Pelham, to provide a $1 million contribution to the Niagara Health System in support of the new South Niagara Hospital, with the donation to be funded over a 15-year period. Council also directed staff to include a line item on the property tax bill to clearly identify any contributions or payments made to the Niagara Health System.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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