Seguin Township will be developing a community engagement plan in order to better engage residents in the ongoing business of the municipality.
The Township recently sought public input regarding various outdated firearms-related bylaws.
A former Township of Christie bylaw from 1909 stated, no shooting or football playing is permitted within the limits of the Village of Armstrong (now Orrville).
According to council and staff, many residents expressed the fact they were unaware of this process until after it had concluded.
At an April 2 meeting, Jason Inwood, chief administrative officer for the Township, informed the public that staff have been tasked with developing the engagement plan.
This project is on their 2024 to-do list and will include ways to ensure residents in parts of the township without internet are kept up to date on municipal business.
“We know that we have to do a better job than we have done,” said Mayor Ann MacDiarmid.
The township repealed all firearms-related bylaws at the April 2 meeting.
According to municipal officials, staff did a deep dive into the Township’s bylaws and found several outdated documents from the early-to-mid-1900s passed by municipalities which have since amalgamated and formed Seguin Township.
Another bylaw, enacted in 1971, specifically prohibited the shooting of bears at the Rosseau dump due to the fact they were considered a tourist attraction.
Township staff sought input on whether a new firearm discharge bylaw reflecting modern standards was required. Public consultations found “widespread community opposition”, according to Rory Payton, supervisor of the municipality’s bylaw department.
“With provincial and federal legislation already in place that covers the discharge of firearms in large part, Seguin Township is not obligated to control firearm discharge and may refer all matters to higher agencies to address,” said Payton, when addressing council about the matter on April 2.
So, at the direction of staff, council opted to repeal all firearms related bylaws and not enact a replacement bylaw.