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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 3, 2016 | 8 oakville.ca Budget 2017 Be informed. Be part of the process. To learn more, join us at our Budget Committee meetings All meetings are open to the public and held in Council Chamber at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road. Dates include: · Tuesday, November 15, 1 p.m. ­ release of 2017 Budget book, plus rates and fees · Thursday, November 17, 1 p.m. ­ Commission presentations · Tuesday, November 22, 9:30 a.m. ­ public delegations · Thursday, November 24, 7 p.m. ­ public delegations Approval of the 2017 Operating and Capital budgets: · Tuesday, December 6, 9:30 a.m. ­ Budget Committee deliberations · Monday, December 12, 7 p.m. ­ Council approval Those wishing to appear before the Budget Committee as a delegate can register by emailing townclerk@oakville.ca or calling 905-815-6015. Enter the Mayor's student holiday card contest Enter your original artwork for a chance to be featured on Mayor Rob Burton's 2016 holiday card. Two winning submissions will be chosen -- one from the Grade 1­5 level and one from the Grade 6­8 level. Your artwork should depict a holiday scene or event in the Town of Oakville. Submit your artwork in person at the ServiceOakville counter at Town Hall or by regular mail to Lisa Wedmann, Mayor's Office, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON, L6H 0H3. Mailed entries must be received prior to the submission deadline. If you would like to attend the meeting and have any accessibility needs, please contact Kathy Patrick at 905-845-6601, ext. 4235 or fill out the accessible online feedback form on oakville.ca. Can't make the Budget Committee meetings in person? Watch them live on our YouTube channel or email your comments to budget@oakville.ca. Visit oakville.ca and search "2017 Budget" for details. All submissions whether in person, writing, email or social media, will be considered as part of the Budget Committee deliberations. Budget Open Houses Speak with Councillor Tom Adams, Budget Committee Chair in person: · Saturday, November 19 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Glen Abbey Community Centre, 1415 Third Line · Monday, November 21 from 7 to 8 p.m. Central Library branch, 120 Navy Street Contest details: · Original entries must be submitted in the form of a drawing, sketch or painting · Artwork size should be between 4"x 6" and 8.5"x 11" · Acceptable materials include paper or canvas · Please do not bend or fold artwork · Artwork must be accompanied by a signed entry form (available online at oakville.ca/mayor or in person at the ServiceOakville counter in Town Hall) Submission deadline is Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or visit oakville.ca/mayor. The 2017 Budget process runs from November 15 to December 12, 2016. Oakville is committed to offering valued services and programs to residents and making strategic investments in community priorities. Each year the town's annual budget is one of the most important tasks facing Town Council, and Council has directed staff to prepare a budget that keeps the overall tax increase in line with inflation. Calling all student artists! Hydro line tree pruning Public Open House Wednesday, November 16, 6 to 8 p.m. Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road Tree pruning near hydro lines begins this December in neighbourhoods of south-central Oakville (Zone 2). The town's professional contractor will prune trees on behalf of Oakville Hydro to ensure safe clearance around hydro lines and to minimize safety hazards and power outages. Trees are pruned to the Electrical Safety Authority's (ESA) industry standard of providing a minimum three-metre (10-foot) clearance. In rare instances, trees growing too close to hydro lines may require removal when the clearance standard cannot be achieved using acceptable pruning practices. In some situations, the town must prune privately owned trees if they are growing too close to hydro lines. In cases where hydro lines are located in rear yards, Oakville Hydro has an easement through the property which allows the arborist to access the tree. Be informed: Join us for a public open house where you can ask questions of Oakville Hydro staff and Town of Oakville Forestry Services staff. If you have any accessibility needs, please contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or email serviceoakville@oakville.ca. More information on tree pruning around hydro lines can be found at oakvillehydro.com or oakville.ca and search "tree maintenance." Driveway Snow Windrow Clearing Program Registration is now open! If you are 65+ or have a physical disability or medical condition, you may be eligible for the Town of Oakville's driveway snow windrow clearing program. Our winter service will clear the snow pile left at the end of your driveway after the road has been plowed. Pick up an application form at Town Hall, any Oakville library, community or seniors' centre. You can also download a form at oakville.ca. Register in person until November 25 Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road ­ ServiceOakville counter Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only $97.97 ($86.70 plus HST) for the season! For more information, contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or visit oakville.ca and search "windrow clearing."