OPINION: How did Smiths Falls council measure up in 2024? The report card is out

LAURIE WEIR

The Town of Smiths Falls released its 2024 Annual Year in Review report and council had a chance to reflect on a busy year of accomplishments.

CAO Malcolm Morris didn’t hold back on the highlights at the May 12 committee of the whole meeting, saying, “2024 was a very productive year for the Town of Smiths Falls. We captured most of what we did in terms of the big items in the 10-page, concise annual report that I would encourage everyone to read. It’s an easy six- or seven-minute read.”

Among the major wins: the opening of the 34-unit affordable housing development at 44 Chambers St. “That was a significant contribution to the housing shortage,” said Morris. Another milestone was the opening of Bridge House, providing homes for 13 people previously facing homelessness. “I think that’s a tremendous accomplishment.”

Public works improvements included completion of Phase 1 of the George Street reconstruction. “Not in terms of aged infrastructure, but in terms of diverting storm water where it should be and not to the wastewater treatment plant,” Morris said. Phase 2 is expected to be awarded shortly.

Let’s not forget about the new water tower. A huge addition to Air Care Drive, which is slated to be up and running by the fall.

The town’s plans for the Confederation Bridge also took a leap forward. “We heard just last week that that’s moving ahead,” said Morris, referring to the timber structure crossing  which will be a showpiece over the Rideau Canal.

The Canal District Revitalization Plan, now complete, lays the groundwork to transform the former Frost & Wood site. “It’s a beautiful piece of property that needs an investment, so we have a blueprint for that,” Morris said.

On the recreation front, council invested in Hyland-Corbett Park with new accessible play equipment and a mini-forest project. The year also saw 104 building permits issued, totalling $17.4 million in construction value. “That’s not an insignificant contribution or investment in our community,” said Morris.

Council even scored a national PR win as CBC’s Still Standing filmed in town. “That was a lot of fun, great exposure, and I think it kind of captured the spirit of Smiths Falls.”

Coun. Peter McKenna also praised the report as evidence of long-term planning paying off. “When I came here, Hershey was gone, Rideau Regional was gone,” McKenna said. “But then the following years, we redeveloped a hospital, redeveloped an arena, had a new high school put in. This document is really good.”

So what did they score? I give them a B+.

This council has delivered on major infrastructure projects, downtown improvements, housing initiatives, and community programming.

They’ve also been consistently visible and accessible, attending countless events, meeting with residents and being part of the day-to-day life of the town. That community connection matters.

They’ve worked hard to find creative ways to keep taxes palpable while still moving big projects forward ­— a delicate balancing act most municipalities would envy.  And the push to create affordable housing, while far from solved, remains a priority they’ve never shied away from.

And they seem to like each other. They respect each other’s differences of opinions even away from the council table.

 So why not an A? Only because the work is ongoing. Public engagement still has room to grow. There are always new opportunities to listen more closely, especially as the town expands and diversifies.

This is a council that shows up. They’ve proven they’re willing to roll up their sleeves. I’m confident 2025 can be their ‘A’ year if they continue building momentum. In a town that’s still standing, standing taller should be the goal.