Council Highlights for March 25, 2026

Council Highlights for March 25, 2026

View the full agenda package here.

The Town of Pelham's regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Pelham Municipal Building at 20 Pelham Town Hall. 

Hydro Line on Highway #20

Town of Pelham Council received a presentation from Rocco Vacca on behalf of Fonthill Gardens related to the burying of the Hydro Lines on Highway #20 in Fonthill. Following the presentation, Council received report 2026-0059 “Conversion of Overhead to Underground Hydro Lines along Highway 20, Fonthill” for information and Council directed staff to cancel the utility relocation project and return the securities to the developers. This will retain the existing overhead infrastructure on Hwy 20 between the Sobeys plaza and Rice Road. With this option, the benefits of burying utilities would not be realized. The securities retained by the Town for relocating utilities would be returned to the developer (Fonthill Gardens Inc.), estimated at $500,000.

March is Scammer Awareness Month in Pelham

Town of Pelham has proclaimed March as Scammer Awareness Month in Pelham. Scams and fraudulent activities continue to impact individuals, families, seniors, and businesses across Canada, causing significant emotional distress and financial loss. Scammers often use deception, manipulation, and modern technology to target vulnerable members of our communities, including seniors, newcomers, youth, and small business owners. Community organizations, advocates, and public safety agencies play a vital role in educating residents, supporting victims of fraud, and encouraging individuals to report scams and suspicious activity. Niagara residents can report fraud to Niagara Regional Police Services at https://www.niagarapolice.ca/what-we-do/fraud-awareness/reporting-a-fraud-to-the-nrps/

Additional Residential Units Zoning By-law Amendment

Council received report 2026-0061 “Recommendation Report - Additional Residential Units Zoning By-law Amendment,” for information and directed Planning Staff to prepare the By-law for Council’s consideration in accordance with Draft Additional Residential Unit By-law. The proposed ARU Zoning By-law Amendment affects all lands in the Town of Pelham that are zoned to permit single detached, semi-detached, block or street townhouse dwellings in the settlement area, all lands that permit single detached dwellings in the agriculture and rural residential zones and all lands that permit single detached dwellings in the Specialty Agriculture Zone that are outside of the Greenbelt Natural Heritage System. The area of the Town that is subject to the Niagara Escarpment Development Permit Control Area, which is covered by the Niagara Escarpment Plan, and lands that are subject to the current scoped appeals of the Zoning By-law to the Ontario Land Tribunal, are exempt from this amendment. The development of ARUs is intended to assist in achieving provincial housing targets and municipal growth allocations. One way the Town of Pelham can provide for an increased mix of housing which supports aging in place, multiple-family households, and various ownership models is ARUs. For more information, visit www.pelham.ca/aruzoning 

Administrative Penalty By-law for Parking and Traffic Matters

Council received report 2026-0064, “Administrative Penalty By-law for Parking and Traffic Matters: Schedule “A” Update” and Council approved the proposed updated Schedule “A” to By-law No. 69- 2023, the Administrative Penalty Process By-law for Traffic and Parking By-laws. Council approved, in principle, By-law No. 17-2026, being a By-law to amend Town of Pelham By-law No. 89-2023, being the Administrative Penalty Process By-law for Traffic and Parking By-laws.

Licence Agreement with Pelham Historical Society

Council received report 2026-0066, “Proposed Licence Agreement with Pelham Historical Society”, and Council authorized and directed staff to enter into a licence agreement with the Pelham Historical Society.  The proposed licence agreement grants the Society an exclusive licence to use the office space at Old Pelham Town Hall for its operations, such as member meetings and storage, but not for public events. The Society will collaborate with the Town to create and curate historic displays in Town buildings.

2026 Water Model Update

Council received report 2026-0051 “2026 Water Model Update,” for information and approved the awarding of Part A of the 2026 Water Model Update WRT 04-26 in the amount of $42,780 (plus applicable taxes) to GEI Consultants Inc. Part A, with a delivery deadline of May 2026, will allow the Town to proceed with calibration of the new pressure-reducing valve. This phase will focus on integrating Pelham’s local distribution updates and facilities into the finalized components of the Niagara Region model, and on completing field calibration and validation of the Town-level system.

2026 Asset Management Plan Update

Council received report 2026-067 “2026 Asset Management Plan Update,” and approved the awarding of the Asset Management Policy & Annual Report in the amount of $39,273 (plus applicable taxes) to GEI Consultants Inc. to complete the Annual Progress Update to the Asset Management Plan and the update to the Asset Management Policy. Council approved the additional funding for RD 13-26 in the amount of $19,273 from the Roads Reserves. As part of this update, work will be completed to establish a standardized Asset Management reporting template that will provide the Town with a consistent and repeatable approach to meeting annual reporting requirements under Ontario Regulation 588/17 while aligning asset management reporting with the municipal budget cycle. The template improves efficiency by reducing ad‑hoc reporting and providing staff with a clear, documented annual process, while also enhancing data quality through regular updates to asset information and the state of infrastructure.

2026 Water User Fees

Council received report 2026-0062 “2026 Water User Fees,” and approved the new Water User fees, providing water-related services while remaining in line with those of other municipalities of similar size will take effect April 1, 2026.

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