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Council Highlights for October 15, 2025

Council Highlights for October 15, 2025

View the full agenda package here.

The Town of Pelham's regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, October 15, 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 

Public Art Utility Box Project

Council received a presentation from Councillor Niznik and Karen Blake, Culture and Community Enhancement Programmer to recognize the Pelham Historical Society and E.L. Crossley Secondary School Art Program for the completion of the Utility Box Project in Fenwick. In the fall of 2024, the Pelham Cultural Advisory Committee began planning the wrapping of utility boxes with art to enhance community spaces. Town staff collaborated with the Pelham Historical Society to gather historical content and photographs to feature in the project. In the spring of 2025, art students from E.L. Crossley Secondary School used these reference materials to design vibrant collages, which their instructor compiled into the final wrap layouts. The Pelham Art Festival generously donated funds to support the Utility Box Project. In early October 2025, the vinyl wraps were installed on three utility boxes in Fenwick, adding visuals of local history and creativity to the downtown are in Fenwick. Councillor Niznik presented five of the students who represented the E.L. Crossley Art Class with certificate of thanks for their participation in the project. The Utility Box Project aligns with the Town of Pelham’s Strategic Plan, which includes a strong focus on community beautification. www.pelham.ca/publicart

Niagara Regional Transit Budget and Update

Council received a presentation from Regional Councillor Wayne Olson regarding Niagara Regional Transit and Budget update. Niagara Regional Transit is estimating an increased ridership this year with an estimated 11 to 12 million riders, showing growth post covid. Niagara Transit continues to seek funding support and has successfully received two grants this year that include, 36 million over 10 years for capital replacement and 136 million for the replacement of 124 buses and 20 specialized or paratransit buses. The transit benefit pass is available to those qualified Niagara residents who require financial assistance. The 10-Year investment and growth strategy has been established for the future of the Niagara Transit system and is available to the public at www.niagaratransit.ca

Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc and Peninsula West Power Inc. Board Appointment

Council received correspondence from Jason Trombetta regarding upcoming vacancies on the Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc and Peninsula West Power Inc. boards. Council will appoint a representative at the next meeting of Council on November 5, 2025.

Veterans Banner Program Expands for 2025

Council received memo 2025-0226 “Veteran Banner and Bench Installation,” that included updates for the annual Veterans Banner collaboration with Branch 613. The banner program for 2025 expanded and also includes two banners in the downtown area of Fenwick. The banners are on display in advance of Veterans Week and Remembrance Day and pay tribute to those from Pelham who have served. There are currently 41 doubled sided banners on display as part of the annual program. The Town has also installed two red benches honoring Veterans. One bench has been installed in Fenwick, and the other will be installed at the Meridian Community Centre near the Veteran crosswalk.

Outdoor Bocce Ball Courts coming to Pelham

Council received memo 2025-0224 “2025-PW-Bocce Ball Courts Update,” and approved an additional $8,300 to fund the project from the Parks Reserve. The design and development of the Bocce Ball Courts was originally approved by Council as a part of the 2025 capital budget in the amount of $44,000 and recent tender required additional funding to support the project implementation. The four Bocce Ball Courts will be located beside the Steve Bauer Trail, adjacent to the Platform Tennis Club and near Rolling Meadows Park in Fonthill and are expected to be completed for spring 2026.

Quaker Meeting House Review and Building Update

The future of the Quaker Meeting House was a key action item established in the 2025 Town of Pelham Strategic Plan Update. The location, at 1141 Maple Street, is a designated heritage property under the Ontario Heritage Act. The building has been utilized by the Greater Niagara Model Railway Engineers since 1974. Over the years, GNMRE has invested its efforts in renovating and upgrading the space while preserving the building’s heritage, despite the challenges posed by its age and current state of infrastructure. Capital Management Engineering Limited also completed a building condition assessment for the facility in 2020, outlining the equipment's life cycle and recommending projects to be completed. The Town recently applied for the Rural Ontario Development Grant, which, if awarded, would provide financial support for the revitalization and rehabilitation of heritage buildings in Fenwick, including the Quaker House. Council directed staff to red circle the project pending grant notification and assist GNMRE to find an alternate location and prepare for the future use of the space as a museum and cultural hub for the community.

Marlene Stewart Streit Park Rehabilitation

Council received report 2025-0219 “ICIP Community, Culture, Recreation Stream- Rehabilitation Intake Grant (ICIP Culture),” and directed staff to apply for the Project Revision Request to maximize the ICIP Cultural Grant. The revision includes updates to the project scope in the amount of $1,052,890, which will fund $1,447,965 of capital projects that meet the grant requirements. Council also approved an additional $395,075 to be funded from the Parks Reserve to complete the rehabilitation projects. A further report will be provided to council pending the results of the Project Revision Request.

Development Charges Update

Council received report 2025-0217 “Development Charges Update,” and Council approve that $1.6 Million in Development Charges-eligible projects be funded from the Water/Wastewater reserves for 2026 with interest and that a repayment plan be established to reimburse the Water/Wastewater reserves from the Development Charges Obligatory reserve when funds become available. The interest rate shall be based on the current method of allocating interest to the Water/Wastewater reserves being the average actual interest rate earned in the year.

 

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

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