Arran-Elderslie is postponing two public meetings on the at large versus the ward based municipal electoral system.
They were scheduled for Wednesday, February 12th, and Thursday, February 13th, but the forecasted winter storm has prompted the municipality to postpone the meetings.
The region could get 20 to 40 cms of snow Wednesday evening into Thursday.
Arran-Elderslie says in a statement, new dates will be announced soon.
The reason for the meetings is because Arran-Elderslie Council wants community input on how municipal representation should be structured.
Right now, it operates under a ward-based system, where council members are elected to represent specific geographic districts (wards).
Council would like to know if residents would prefer an at-large approach to selecting town council members in elections.
A consulting firm called “Clerks on Call” has been contracted to lead the engagement process.
A pre-recorded video is also available on the municipal website.
Meanwhile, until February 28th, residents can participate in a 16-question community engagement survey. Paper copies are available at the Municipal Office in Chesley and at Community Centres and Libraries in Chesley, Paisley, and Tara.
Residents are also encouraged to complete the survey online via the municipal website: www.arran-elderslie.ca.
A report summarizing the community’s feedback will be presented to council in May.
The municipality says any changes to the representation system must be finalized by the end of 2025 to take effect for the 2026 municipal election.