Corporation of the Town of Shelburne

Council Minutes

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Electronic Participation
Members in attendance:
  • Mayor Wade Mills
  • Councillor Walter Benotto
  • Councillor Kyle Fegan
  • Councillor Len Guchardi
  • Councillor Dan Sample
  • Councillor Lindsay Wegener
Members Absent
  • Deputy Mayor Shane Hall
Staff attending:
  • Denyse Morrissey, CAO
  • Carey Holmes, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
  • Jennifer Willoughby, Director of Legislative Services/Clerk
  • Jim Moss, Director of Development and Operations
  • Alice Byl, Deputy Clerk/Committee Coordinator
Others Present:

  • Carol Maitland, Economic Development Officer

1.
Call to Order

 

Council meeting called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Mills.


Canadian National Anthem


Land Acknowledgement:


We would like to begin by respectfully acknowledging that the Town of Shelburne resides within the traditional territory and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, including the Ojibway, Potawatomi, Chippewa and the People of the Three Fires Confederacy.


These traditional territories upon which we live, work, play and learn are steeped in rich Indigenous history and traditions. It is with this statement that we declare to honour and respect the past and present connection of Indigenous peoples with this land, its waterways and resources. 

2.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

 

Members of Council are required to state any pecuniary interest in accordance with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

No disclosures.

3.
Adoption of Minutes

 

1.
Minutes from the August 25, 2025 Council meeting

 
  • Motion #2025-135
    Moved ByCouncillor Sample
    Seconded ByCouncillor Guchardi

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes from the Regular Council meeting held August 25, 2025 be approved as presented and circulated.

    CARRIED, W. Mills

4.
Public Participation

 

1.
Public Question Period

 

No questions were received.

2.
Presentations

 

1.
Proclamation Request - Shelburne Soccer Club

 

Whereas, the health and safety of our players and community is a top priority for Shelburne Soccer Club; and


Whereas, concussions are a serious type of brain injury that can occur during sports and recreational activities, including soccer and all other sports; and


Whereas, concussions can affect athletes of all ages and skill levels, with symptoms ranging from headaches and dizziness to memory loss and mood changes; and


Whereas, early recognition, proper treatment, and adequate recovery time are essential to ensuring the wellbeing of all players; and


Whereas, we are committed to creating a culture where safety comes first, injuries are taken seriously, and all players, coaches, parents, and volunteers are educated about concussion prevention and response; and


Whereas, promoting concussion awareness helps protect our athletes, empowers our community, and supports long-term player development;


Now Therefore I, Mayor Wade Mills, on behalf of Council do hereby proclaim September 19th 2025 as Concussion Awareness Day and encourages all members of our soccer community, all other sports and our town to be informed, alert, and supportive when it comes to recognizing and managing head injuries. Let us work together to keep our players safe, our games fun, and our minds strong.

3.
Deputations on Agenda Items

 

5.
Council Inquiries

 

Council directed inquires to and received responses from Staff.

6.
Motions and By-law for Decision

 

1.
Consideration of Items – all reports and By-laws in this section will be voted on separately

 

1.
Report ED 2025-01 from the Economic Development Officer regarding Dufferin county community Harvest Initiative Grant

 

The Economic Development Officer presented the report to Council and answered questions of Council. 

  • Motion #2025-136
    Moved ByCouncillor Wegener
    Seconded ByCouncillor Guchardi

    BE IT RESOLVED that Council receives report EcDev 2025-01 for information;

    AND THAT the Town of Shelburne’s funding contribution of $52,484 for the project be approved and funded from the Economic Development Reserve ($45,500) and Marketing and Communications accounts ($6,984);

    AND THAT Council authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Infrastructure for the Dufferin County Community Harvest Initiative with the passing of Bylaw #34-2025.

    CARRIED, W. Mills

2.
Report DO2025-02 from the Director, Development and Operations regarding Drainage Superintendent

 

The Director, Development and Operations presented the report to Council.

  • Motion #2025-137
    Moved ByCouncillor Fegan
    Seconded ByCouncillor Benotto

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Town of Shelburne receive report DO 2025-02 as information;

    AND THAT leave be given for the reading and enacting of By-law 32-2025 being a By-law to appoint Terrance Gole as the Drainage Superintendent for the Town of Shelburne. 

    CARRIED, W. Mills

3.
Report LS2025-07 from the Director of Development & Operations and the Director of Legislative Services/Clerk regarding Winter Parking Hours and Duration of Winter Season 2025/2026 - Alignment with Ontario Winter Maintenance Standards

 

The Director of Legislative Services/Clerk presented the report to Council and answered questions of Council. 

  • Motion #2025-138
    Moved ByCouncillor Sample
    Seconded ByCouncillor Wegener

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives report LS2025-07 for information;

    AND THAT Option 1 – December 1 - April 15 with Holiday Exemptions, that may be suspended during significant weather events, be approved.

    CARRIED, W. Mills

4.
By-law 31-2025 is ready for Council's Consideration Being a By-law to delegate administrative and hearing powers to Screening and Hearing Officers, for adjudication of reviews and appeals for Administrative Penalties

 

The Director of Legislative Services/Clerk spoke to the by-law. 

  • Motion #2025-139
    Moved ByCouncillor Sample
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fegan

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be given for the reading and enacting of By-law 31-2025 being a Being a By-law to delegate administrative and hearing powers to Screening and Hearing Officers, for adjudication of reviews and appeals for Administrative Penalties.

    CARRIED, W. Mills

5.
By-law 33-2025 is ready for Council's Consideration being a By-law to appoint Hearing Officers for the adjudication of Reviews and Appeals of Administrative Penalties for Automated Speed Enforcement Contraventions

 

The Director of Legislative Services/Clerk spoke to the by-law. 

  • Motion #2025-140
    Moved ByCouncillor Sample
    Seconded ByCouncillor Guchardi

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be given for the reading and enacting of By-law 33-2025 being a By-law to appoint Hearing Officers for the adjudication of Reviews and Appeals of Administrative Penalties for Automated Speed Enforcement Contraventions.

    CARRIED, W. Mills

7.
Councillor Motions (Notice of Motion)

 

8.
Communications

 

9.
Closed Session

 
  • Motion #2025-142
    Moved ByCouncillor Guchardi
    Seconded ByCouncillor Sample

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT according to section 239(2) (k) of the Municipal Act Council enters closed session for the propose of a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board. 2001, c. 25, s. 239 (2); 2017, c. 10, Sched. 1, s. 26.

    CARRIED, W. Mills

    Entered closed session at 7:13 pm.


1.
Minutes from August 25, 2025

 

2.
Verbal Update from the CAO

 

  • Rose from Closed Session at 7:56 pm.

    Motion #2025-143
    Moved ByCouncillor Benotto
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fegan

    WHEREAS the Shelburne and District Fire Board operates under a joint municipal board of management that was established by agreement in 1991 between the Town of Shelburne, the Township of Amaranth, the Township of Melancthon, the Town of Mono and the Township of Mulmur;

    AND WHEREAS the existing joint municipal board of management model is no longer recognized by the current legislative framework and numerous subject-matter experts have recommended a transition to a municipal fire service model to be operated by the Town of Shelburne;

    AND WHEREAS on November 25, 2024, Shelburne Council endorsed a negotiated dissolution of the Shelburne and District Fire Board in favour of a municipal fire service model, and then reaffirmed that position again on June 2, 2025;

    AND WHEREAS the Town of Shelburne has been engaged in discussions with the other four municipal Fire Board partners to review:

    1. A proposed one-time capital buy-out offer;
    2. A proposed costing approach going forward including costs for contracted fire services based on a fee-per-call service model; and
    3. The proposed establishment of Fire Service Advisory group.

    all of which has been based upon a contemplated service model transition occurring in Q1 or Q2 2027;

    AND WHEREAS these discussions have recently been complicated by some municipal Fire Board partners passing resolutions effectively endorsing a continuation of the status quo model;

    AND WHEREAS the Town of Shelburne remains open and committed to further discussions with municipal Fire Board partners to reach a negotiated transition to a municipal fire service model;

    NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the verbal update from the Mayor and CAO;

    AND THAT Council again reaffirms its position that the Shelburne and District Fire Board be dissolved and transitioned to a municipal fire service through negotiation with the other four municipal Fire Board partners;

    AND WHEREAS staff are directed to continue to complete the costing analyses for re-establishing a municipal fire service effective January 1, 2027;

    AND WHEREAS if this negotiated dissolution of the Shelburne and District Fire Board in favour of establishing a municipal fire service is not achieved by October 29, 2025, then the Town of Shelburne, in accordance with Section 17 of the Fire Protection Agreement adopted by By-law # 22-1991, will give two (2) years written notice of its intention to cease participating in the Fire Board effective November 10, 2025.

    For (6)Mayor Mills, Councillor Benotto, Councillor Fegan, Councillor Wegener, Councillor Guchardi, and Councillor Sample
    CARRIED (6 to 0)

10.
Confirming By-law

 

1.
Confirming By-law # 35-2025 - September 8, 2025

 
  • Motion #2025-144
    Moved ByCouncillor Sample
    Seconded ByCouncillor Wegener

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be given for the reading and enacting of By-law 35-2025 being a By-law to confirm certain proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Shelburne for its regular council meeting held September 8, 2025.

    CARRIED, W. Mills

11.
Adjourn

 
  • Motion #2025-145
    Moved ByCouncillor Benotto
    Seconded ByCouncillor Guchardi

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT we now adjourn to meet at the call of the Mayor.

    CARRIED, W. Mills

    Council meeting adjourned at 8:01 pm.


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