West Lincoln Reopens Council Chamber to Public

NEWS RELEASE

West Lincoln Reopens Council Chamber to Public

For Immediate Release: January 4, 2023

The Township of West Lincoln is pleased to begin 2023 by welcoming the public back into the Council Chamber for Council, Standing Committee and Public Meetings. The first meeting of the new year will be the Planning / Building / Environmental Committee Meeting, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on January 16.

Apart from Election Night – when the public was invited into the Chamber to watch live results – this will be the first time West Lincoln’s Council Chamber has been open to the public since before the pandemic. The Township implemented virtual participation via Zoom in 2020 and live streaming in 2021, to modernize service delivery, increase accessibility, and maintain a high standard of accountability and transparency.

The decision to reopen the Council Chamber to the public was made after a great deal of consideration and consultation with Public Health Authorities.

Participating in a Meeting:

In Person: To provide verbal comments on a Public Meeting or a Committee / Council agenda item may now do so in person.

To appear as a delegation before a Standing Committee or Council meeting, please submit a Request to Speak at a Meeting Form to the Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. 10 days before the subject meeting.

Virtually: Those wishing to provide comments virtually must contact the Township Deputy Clerk by email at jdyson@westlincoln.ca no later than 4:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting to obtain a Zoom link. Written comments may also be submitted to the Deputy Clerk to be read into the record.

To appear as a virtual delegation before a Standing Committee or Council meeting, a Request to Speak at a Meeting Form must still be submitted to the Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. 10 days before the subject meeting. A Zoom link will be provided.

Watching a Meeting

In Person: Please note that the Council Chamber has a maximum capacity of 69 people (including Staff and Council members). Attendees may choose to bring a face mask. Disposable face masks will also be available for anyone wishing to add an extra layer of protection.

Virtually: Watch live or at your leisure. Videos of Committee and Council meetings, provided through WeeStream, remain available for anyone who is unable to attend in person or prefers to watch from home. Visit the Township website to find the meeting schedule, agendas and minutes. Visit the Township YouTube channel to find live videos and videos of past meetings.

For notifications and important updates, remember to follow the Township of West Lincoln on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TWPWestLincoln.

Quotes:

“I know I am not alone in expressing how wonderful it feels to be able to take this big step forward together. What a great way to start 2023! On behalf of Council, I would like to thank Staff for demonstrating incredible adaptability over the past three years and keeping West Lincoln residents informed despite the many challenges presented by the pandemic. We look forward to welcoming the public back to the Council Chamber and seeing citizens engaging in person as well as online.”

Cheryl Ganann

Mayor

“Offering virtual options for viewing and participating in Committee and Council meetings has been a big silver lining to come out of the pandemic – and it’s one that we intend to maintain. We are looking forward to allowing the public back into the Council Chamber and to providing a full scope of options for our community to get involved in important Township business.”

Bev Hendry

Chief Administrative Officer

Media Contact:

Beth Audet

Communications Specialist

baudet@westlincoln.ca

289-244-9069