Mayor Dave Augustyn, in his inaugural address Monday, urged town council and Pelham residents to keep working together.
Speaking in a recently restored 1888 Old Pelham Town Hall, the mayor in a nine-minute speech ran through a list of goals for himself and councillors.
It followed their swearing in by town clerk Nancy Bozzato in the renovated hall’s first event.
Ward 1 Coun. Marvin Junkin joined re-elected councillors Richard Rybiak, Catherine King, Gary Accursi, John Durley and Peter Papp.
They were piped into the ceremonial meeting by James Carnegie. He led a color party of 613 Royal Canadian Army Cadets. Ann Matini-Celima sang O Canada and Rev. Diane Walker gave the invocation.
Augustyn said the renovated hall served the Township of Pelham for 126 years and today is a symbol of the township founders’ optimism. The heritage site will continue as a site for meetings, receptions and other gatherings.
The mayor said the recent municipal election showed today’s Pelham residents are interested in workable solutions. They have an optimism for the future of the town.
Council, he said will work on their behalf toward new multi-purpose community centre. It will ensure new residential and commercial development fits into Pelham’s small-town feel. Council will strive for building standards so new subdivisions such as those in East Fonthill fit in with the existing community.
The mayor said council will work toward an active transportation master plan so that “biking and walking trails will be linked together through all parts of the town.”
Council will work with the business community to continue to revitalize the downtowns. It will showcase them with festivals such as Summerfest and Winterfest.
It will encourage growth, bring in new medical facilities and family doctors as well as ensure municipal facilities remain well maintained.
The mayor pointed out that a new layer of asphalt was poured Monday in the reconstruction of downtown Fenwick.
Council, he said, will work with the Pelham Library Board for the future of the Maple Acre library.
“We will work with town staff to ensure the town provides exceptional service for the town’s businesses and residents.”
Council will continue to work with volunteers to build the community, he said.
It will ensure the town remains fiscally responsible and “will work in collaboration with you and your neighbours to improve our town.
“We will serve you as best we can on all issues known and to come.”
Town council was ready to act “to find workable solutions and to keep working together to build a better town.”
--- Written by Wayne Campbell for The Voice
