Looking ahead to 2022 for Friendly City finances

Woodstock draft budget for capital projects discussed

This past Tuesday, Nov. 23, Woodstock City Council looked at the preliminary CAPITAL budget for 2022. It's all online for your line-by-line reading enjoyment, but make sure you have your reading glasses handy.

The department-by-departing operating budgets will be analyzed and approved early in the new year. It's too early to calculate a percentage of tax increases (if any) as the county is still comprehending its possible 2022 numbers.

Woodstock uses a 5-year rolling budget for CAPITAL projects, so be sure to look at the projected timelines for items such as the expansion of SouthGate Centre (2023, but with architecture work planned for 2022), Southside Aquatic Centre, or the likelihood of building a new arena to replace Civic Centre with construction to start in 2024.

I'm just one person on council, so all recipe items are most certainly subject to change, especially considering the municipal elections take place in October of 2022.

Since folks are often concerned over street projects and the sightings of bulldozers next year, I have copied the list here, but keep in mind this is not an approved budget. Also missing from the Woodstock list is the county replacing sewers, sidewalks, pavement on Huron Street from Ingersoll Ave (where they started this year) to Adelaide Street. Anyone who uses Huron as an artery road certainly realizes that this massive project was not going to be completed in 2021.

I think another key item is upgrading the water services to the day-use park at Pittock Lake north shore park for community events like Weinerfest Dog days and Dragon Boat races as the City will soon build new bathroom facilities (etc) at the site.

City Council will likely approve the CAPITAL budget at our Dec. 9 meeting.

Additional horizon items for 2022 are projected to include:

- More servicing for industrial lands on Pattullo.

- Two new buses for transit

- Replacing a snow plow / dump truck.

- New roof on Market Centre theatre building

- New pavilion and storage building at Cowan sportsfields.

- New junior playground equipment at Cowan Fields park

- Replacing the backstop at Tip O'Neill baseball diamond.

- On-going tree planting in new subdivisions.

- On-going trail additions including viewing boardwalk at Brick Pond.

Links:

https://calendar.cityofwoodstock.ca/council/Detail/2021-11-23-1700-2022-Capital-Budget-Review-Meeting/f13c34c5-36fd-4ec3-a0b6-adea00dfd485

https://calendar.cityofwoodstock.ca/council/Detail/2021-11-18-1330-Council-meeting-2022-Capital-Budget-Overview

Downtown Woodstock BIA begins its Christmas festivities

Lights, carols, carriage rides and a parade

Lighting up the trees and the large ornamental displays in Museum Square takes place on Friday, Nov. 19.

The Woodstock Museum National Historic Site is the backdrop for the festivities planned by Downtown Woodstock (BIA; www.downtownwoodstock.ca).

After Friday, many related activities include shopping promotions, horse-drawn sleigh rides and seasonal carols.

The City's annual Santa Claus Parade is at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12. Brad Janssen -- Woodstock's event coordinator -- has lined up many attractions led by the Burlington Teen Tour Band.

Heart FM Story: http://www.heartfm.ca/news/local-news/santa-claus-is-coming-to-woodstock/

BIA manager Virginia Armstrong and her committee of merchants and volunteers is ready to their Christmas spirit.

When you're shopping in Downtown Woodstock, there's many reasons to stop into the Museum, including a very educational on-going exhibit and a display of quilts.   

The Museum is also hosting a Christmas Escape Room where participants need to follow the clues to locate Santa. The cost is $20 per person.

   

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This blog and site is presented By: Mark Schadenberg, City Councillor

Email: mschadenberg@cityofwoodstock.ca

(519) 532-2068 

Online auction hosted by historic Old St Paul's Church

Woodstock Anglican congregation has a noteworthy past and important current projects  

Woodstock's history includes many renowned community builders -- two are Henry Vansittart and Andrew Drew.

Both were retired British navy personnel so they were known also by their titles Admiral Vansittart and Captain Drew. Together, they were significant as Vansittart named the community after Woodstock in Oxfordshire, England. 

Drew arrived in Woodstock first (1832) and established what is now called Old St. Paul's Church near the corner of Dundas and Huron streets (723 Dundas; www.oldstpauls.com; 519 537-3912). The local historic site and on-going place of worship was built in 1834. Rev William Bettridge would be the Anglican congregation's first pastor. If you study local history for personal research you will discover that these three were friends, but in parallel had their differences. (You should onw copies of both Bits & Pieces and The Village Which Straddles A Swamp)

The Drew house, by the way, like the church, still exists and can be found at the corner of Rathbourne and Sydenham streets.

Today -- as time evolves -- Old St. Paul's is home to a congregation (Service every Sunday at 11 a.m. starring Rev. Rob Luxton) in a very ornate church (Inside photos can easily be found online or simply visit) . . . an Ontario Heritage Trust conservation site since 1986.

THE INN

The church is also the night-time home since 2004 to the homeless year-round through The Inn (formerly Inn Out Of The Cold), which is open daily from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and offers two meals, warmth, beds, and bathrooms. The Inn receives its support from the church, Operation Sharing, and the County Of Oxford's human services department.

As a member of Woodstock City Council it's important to add that the County also receives funding from upper tiers of government and thru the levy paid to the County from the City certainly receives significant financial backing from Woodstock (and all citizens through municipal taxes).

The Inn -- in can be noted -- is always willing to accept donations (canned or frozen dinners / food), daily hygiene items, and clothes.

Currently, the folks at Old St. Paul's Church are in the midst of planning for the future which includes restoration and renovations.

It can be mentioned that scaffolding currently at both the Market Theatre and library in Woodstock have the same purpose -- as the municipality is re-pointing bricks and improving the exterior of both local landmarks.

 

SILENT AUCTION 

At Old St. Paul's their fundraiser includes a Christmas online auction which features a gamut of possible Christmas gifts  to go under your festive tree. See: Old St. Paul's Anglican Church on Facebook or their website for many more details. One item which would never fit under a yuletide evergreen is a hot air balloon ride. 

Earlier today (Nov. 2), the Heart FM morning team of Dan Henry and Marcie Culbert interviewed a fundraising committee member.  Additional bid possibilities include a hand-made quilt or afghan, artwork, Precious Moments figurines, collectible plates, crystal dishes and wine glasses, a pasta making machine, restaurant and retail gift certificates, and lots more.  I'm guessing the Woodstock Meadows golf hat and ladies shirt will be popular items as they soon will be collectors' items. Also available is a fruit cake, which as we know is an item that can be re-gifted year after year.

Complied by: Mark Schadenberg

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

(519) 532-2068

Promoting Woodstock in a positive way !