Before getting into information about next week Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee meeting, I just wanted to retroactively announce the closure of Dwyer Hill Road, between Roger Stevens Drive and Donnelly Drive.  This closure should have had minimal impact as it was only to last a day but some unforeseen circumstances led to the last minute week long closure, which I couldn’t properly announce prior to.

The reason for the closure is for a culvert replacement 600m north of Paden Road.  This was not previously scheduled but was bumped up for emergency purposes.  Just prior to the work taking place, along with a one day closure, some environmental and drainage concerns arose which led to the work being prolonged and thus the week-long closure.  As you read this, the road will have likely re-opened but I just wanted to make sure you had the reasons behind the closure.

Miller's Oven

As many of you have already heard, the Miller’s Oven announced earlier this month that they will be closing their doors on November 30th.  In the days since, many in the community have pledged to help keep Miller’s Oven open.  This establishment has been a fabric in the Manotick community since 1987 and it was the community that created Miller’s Oven in the first place.  One local resident has started a crowdfunding campaign to help raise money.  If you are interested in donating, please visit www.gofundme.com/rm8rsnkc. Another way you can help is by dropping by for a coffee, tea or a bite to eat and making the Miller’s Oven a part of your routine in the weeks, months and even years ahead.

Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee: November 23rd

The City of Ottawa’s 2016 Budget was tabled last week at Council.  Between now and December 9th, when the full budget goes to Council, each Council Standing Committees will review the proposed budgets that fall under their mandate.

The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee is meeting next Monday, November 23rd, to review the 2016 Draft Operating and Capital Budget and make recommendations to Council. ARAC’s operating budget primary deals with Planning & Growth Management in the rural area as well as our Rural Affairs Office.  On the capital side of things, the ARAC budget oversees rural culvert, bridges, guiderail renewal and rural road upgrades.  Some local projects featured in the 2016 ARAC budget include: renewal of the Fisher Bridge on Dwyer Hill Road; renewal of the Garvin Road Bridge; replacement of a large culvert on Rideau Valley Drive, just north of Bankfield Road; a condition assessment on the McLean Bridge on the north end of Long Island; and the rural road upgrade of Mackey Road, from Viola Street to McCordick Road.  In next week’s column, I’ll have more details on what else is in the 2016 Draft Budget.

While the 2016 Budget will comprise the bulk of our agenda, ARAC does have two other items on the agenda;

• A zoning by-law amendment for 2491 Carp Road to permit the use of the property for display and sale of garden sheds, gazebos, and pre-manufactured docks.
• A zoning by-law amendment for 3570 9th Line Road to prohibit residential uses on the retained farmland as a result of a surplus farm severance.

As always, there will be an open mic period for residents to bring forward concerns not related to the items on the agenda.

Once ARAC is adjourned, the Court of Revision will meet on the following items to convene the first sitting of the Court of Revision to hear appeals from owners of assessed lands and receive the report of the appointed Engineer, as required under the Drainage Act:

• Dowdall Municipal Drain Branch 6
• Branch 1 of the Flewellyn Municipal Drain upstream of Flewellyn Road

Greenbank Road Closure

As many of you are likely aware, Greenbank Road has been closed between Kilbirnie Drive and Barnsdale Road since late September. Taggart Construction Ltd., have been contracted by Minto Communities Inc. to install new sanitary and storm sewers, new watermain and connect new lot services for their Quinn’s Pointe Development.

Initially, that work was to be completed with the road reopened by November 2nd.  However, the November 2nd date was the best case scenario and the attempt was made to reduce the impact as much as possible.  Unfortunately, that did not occur and the road closure will now be extended until November 27th. The remainder of the work includes completion of the utilities, reinstatement of street lighting and top lift asphalt paving.

“Inspirations” Art Show and Sale

The artists of the Manotick Art Association have been busy creating many new works of art and are looking forward to showing them to you at their Fall Show and Sale.  Over twenty-five local artists will be displaying works in watercolour, oil, pastel, and acrylic, as well as photography, marquetry and glasswork.

Entry to the show is free on Saturday and Sunday, November 21st and 22nd between 10:00am and 4:30pm.  Cash donations to the Manotick Food Cupboard will be gratefully accepted. The venue for the Fall Show and Sale is the Royal Canadian Legion, 5550 Ann Street, Manotick. For more information about the show, please visit www.manotickart.ca.

Community Dancing in Manotick

On Friday, November 27th, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm, join the Ever Hopeful Stringband and caller Pippa Hall at the Manotick United Church for a family-friendly, alcohol-free evening of community dancing, including circles, squares and contras. Each dance is taught and the whole family is invited. The evening begins with a 30-minute teaching session especially for families and beginners, followed by dances that build on skills as the evening progresses. Admission is $10 while children under the age of 12 are free. For more information, please call 613-692-4576.

Outdoor Artisan Market at Goulbourn Museum

Get a head-start on your Christmas shopping at Goulbourn Museum's Old-Fashioned Christmas & Outdoor Artisan Market on Sunday, November 22nd, between 10:00am and 3:00pm. This annual holiday celebration features local artisans, baked goodies, old world entertainment and festive crafts.

Vendors at this year's event, which is sponsored by Minto Potter's Key, will be selling a diverse array of handmade goods including heirloom preserves, hot sauces, infused sea salts, chocolates, baked goodies, natural soaps (including a line of men’s soaps for hunting, fishing & camping), boiled wool mittens, children’s toys and accessories, art, photography, jewelry, and more!

The Calligraphy Society of Ottawa will be on-hand to help children pen letters to Santa and assist adults in drafting decorative gift tags. Families can pose for a photo with Santa in the Village Store, watch a bona fide blacksmith at work, and trim an outdoor tree with vintage decorations of yesteryear. Enjoy free hot chocolate and apple cider, roast marshmallows by the fire, and buy an authentic Neapolitan wood fired pizza from Pizza All’Antica for lunch.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491.