July 27, 2021
By Nate Smelle
Hastings Highlands council reviewed the draft of the municipality’s proposed Exotic Animal Bylaw during a second reading at its meeting on July 21. Before the vote, council took time to discuss the proposed bylaw.
Praising staff for their work on developing the bylaw, Councillor Tammy Davis explained to her fellow council members why she is ready to move forward with the bylaw.
“This is an extremely comprehensive and complete bylaw,” said Davis.
“I believe it’s fair and just. Our public input has given us the same feedback with no new recommendations. I don’t have any suggestions for any further changes, and I am prepared to pass it as is presented. And, if there’s no changes I am not sure why it would go for a third reading.”
April 27, 2021
By Nate Smelle
With Hastings County developing an exotic animal bylaw template for local municipalities to use; and, both Limerick Township and the Municipality of Highlands East recently passing their own exotic animal bylaws, the pressure is mounting for Hastings Highlands to approve their own bylaw. While council has yet to pass legislation regulating the keeping of exotic animals in the municipality, they did emerge from a closed session meeting on April 21 to announce that they were one step closer to doing so.
After consulting with the municipality’s lawyer during the closed session, council directed staff to produce a draft exotic animal bylaw and present it for a first reading at an upcoming meeting. Although a timeline as to when the bylaw will be presented has yet to be determined, CAO David Stewart said municipal staff will continue to work hard to deliver all of council’s directives in a timely manner.