Council Highlights for January 28, 2026

Council Highlights for January 28, 2026

View the full agenda package here.

The Town of Pelham's regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Pelham Municipal Building at 20 Pelham Town Hall.

Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale

Town of Pelham council welcomed newly appointed Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale. Regional Chair Gale provided a brief introduction and offered continued to support for providing transparency on the ongoing efforts at the regional level. He is currently visiting local area municipal councils.

AWWA Water Audit

Council received a AWWA Water Audit presentation from Jade Holland, Senior Project Manager and Partner and Joe Thompson, Project Coordinator from Aspire Consulting. AWWA Water Audit is recognized as the standard tool in North America for conducting annual water audits. The AWWA audit is completed to provide support for the Town in quantifying system losses, improving data confidence, and informing future capital and operational decision -making. Key performance indicators were evaluated, and Pelham’s system was identified as having good performance. The presentation included further recommendations for potential improvement including Structured Data Management, GIS Enhancements, Meter Replacement Program, Operational Flow Tracking, New Development Policy and Data Audit for Meter Accuracy. Pelham is actively reviewing internal audit procedures, GIS improvements, and Public Works are actively tracking internal uses, such as flushing. The full report, the first in 12 years, will also be reviewed by the Pelham Finance and Audit committee. 

Meridian Community Centre Attendance

Record attendance at the Meridian Community Centre in 2025 with attendance at 598,613. The original goal of the facility was 250,000 and the facility has continued to welcome increased use year over year. Council shared congratulations to the Recreation, Culture and Wellness department on the continued success of the programs and offerings that welcome so many visitors to the facility.

Cook’s Corner Concession

Cook’s Corner Concession operating at the Meridian Community Centre provided a cost analysis. The Concession in 2026 will be providing meal options for the Town of Pelham campers. Also beginning in 2026 will be expanded options for Wednesday lunch hours. Cook’s Corner continues to support the tournaments and activities that are occurring within the facility. A further report will return in Q3 of 2026, with the request to include facility costs per square foot.

Drainage Open House

Council received memo 2026-0024, “2026 Drainage Open House Meeting,” for information. The Town of Pelham will hold a public information session regarding Municipal Drainage within the municipality and the Drainage Act R.S.O. 1990, O. Reg. 500/21, in accordance with Town of Pelham Policy S302-02 “Municipal Drain Maintenance and Billing.” The meeting's purpose is to provide an opportunity for the public to engage with the Town of Pelham Staff and the Town’s Drainage Superintendent to learn more about municipal drainage in the Town of Pelham and the Drainage Act, 1990. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 25th, from 4:30 – 6:30 pm at the Pelham Station 2 Fire Hall located at 766 Welland Rd, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0. www.pelham.ca/municipaldrainage

Station Street Reconstruction Project

Council received report 2026-0015 “Easement Agreement with Mountainview Homes (Niagara) Ltd. for Station Street Reconstruction Project, and council awarded the construction of the Station Street Storm Sewer Outlet from Station Street to the East Fonthill Channel to Beam Excavating Ltd. In the amount of $1,323,366.50 (plus HST) including contingency, which will be funded through the existing approved capital project RD02-26 Station Street Urbanization (HEWSF). This project will enable the up to 500 new housing units upon completion. 

Video Surveillance and Audio Recording Policy

Council received report 2026-0021 “Video Surveillance and Audio Recording Policy S203-19 Update,” and Council approved the revised Policy S203-19 to authorize the implementation of an audio recording program. The policy is posted on the Town of Pelham website and can be viewed at www.pelham.ca/privacy 

Summer Chill Parking 

Council received report 2026-0027 “Reduction of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Availability During Seasonal Weekly Town of Pelham Farmers’/Supper Markets and Peace Park Concert Series,” and Council directed staff to bag the 4 southernmost of the 6 Electric Vehicle Chargers at Pelham Town Hall for an 11-14-hour period during each of the seasonal weekly Town of Pelham Farmers’/Supper Markets and Peace Park Concert Series. www.pelham.ca/summerchill

MCC Solar Panel Installation

Council received report 2026-0008 Recreation “MCC Solar Panel Financial and Operational Update,” for information and Council directed staff to proceed with awarding the project to BME, which had previously completed the Feasibility Study, and is a municipally owned service corporation specializing in completing large-scale turnkey solar photovoltaic projects for various municipal and publicly owned corporations. The project, upon completion, has been approved by Save on Energy to receive a rebate estimated at $517,376.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Leah Letford, Manager of Communications and Government Relations | 905-980-6653 | lletford@pelham.ca