MAPLETON – Council here approved a new policy for public notices during its regular meeting of council on Aug. 12.
The policy outlines circumstances when the township will provide public notices and how and when that notice will be given.
Public notices are advertised in local newspapers, posted on the township website and included in council meeting agendas.
Social media was not listed in the draft of the policy initially presented to council – something Mayor Gregg Davidson pointed out.
Township clerk Larry Wheeler said Mapleton has used social media to communicate with residents for “many years, but to put guidelines in there I think might be overstepping.
“We trust our staff to get that message out there,” he said.
Davidson pushed back, saying, “If we use it, Mr. Clerk, should we not put in that it is something we go to and use?”
Wheeler said, “We can add that in … it’s certainly an important part of what we do.”
Notices for public meetings and by-laws are to include:
- the purpose of the meeting or bylaw;
- the date, time and location (including in person or online);
- whether there are options to delegate, give input, or ask questions;
- a map, when applicable; and
- information about submitting comments.
Public notices will be given regarding adoption or material amendments to budgets, user fees and charges; adoption of financial statements from auditors; and new or amended procedural and licensing bylaws.
Timing of public notices will follow provincial legislation or be at least 12 days prior to the action outlined in the notice.
According to a report about the new policy, Mapleton Township’s public notices will go beyond those legislated by the province “to encourage public participation and ensure that residents have the opportunity to make submissions, attend as a delegate before council, and observe township proceedings both in person and online.”
