Wawa Receives $316,231 from Ontario’s Municipal Modernization Program

On January 17, 2022, the Municipality of Wawa received Ontario Government support for three projects to modernize and improve municipal services which includes implementing a new electronic record keeping system, purchasing needed audio and visual equipment for Council Chambers to improve the live steaming of public meetings and hiring a consultant to complete a 10-Year Water Financial Plan, Water and Sewer Rate Study and Master Plan. Funding of up to $316,231 was approved under Phase 3 of the Ontario Municipal Modernization Fund which will help strengthen the delivery of municipal programs and services.

“Municipal staff identified opportunities to improve operations and better serve our residents and these three important projects will help us to move Wawa into the future by using new technology and preparing forward-looking financial plans. Municipal Council is grateful for the financial support of the Province of Ontario provided through this program,” said Mayor Pat Tait.

Maury O’Neill, Wawa CAO, stated, “As costs continue to rise and sources of traditional revenues decline, municipal employee efforts to modernize operations have become even more important during the Pandemic. Thank you to staff who are always looking for ways to provide local services more efficiently, especially during the past two years as we all struggled with COVID-19. I am especially pleased that a new audio and visual system will be purchased with this funding so residents and visitors can better hear discussions at public Council Meetings broadcasted over You-Tube in the very near future.”

The Municipal Modernization Program was introduced in 2019 and assists small and rural municipalities to modernize operations and identify ways to become more efficient and effective. In 2021, the Municipality received $96,000 under the program to complete a Service Delivery Review: Municipal Transformation Study and the new Wawa Strategic Plan.