Hanover Council navigated a full agenda this week, beginning with a resident delegation presenting concerns around the East End Trail Development Project. Following staff updates and a review of available options, council directed staff not to proceed with any trail construction within the wetland area that borders two residential subdivisions. Staff will prepare a follow up report exploring additional sidewalk installations to support the trail network, as well as a potential parking lot in the Saugeen Cedar Heights West Subdivision.
Council also received the Hanover Fire Department’s 2025 annual report, which highlighted strong progress in emergency readiness, training and service delivery. A major accomplishment was the opening of the department’s new net‑zero fire station, an investment that will advance firefighter safety, enhance operational capability and support long-term sustainability.
In other business, staff provided further analysis on Grey County’s Urban Roads Transfer as it relates to Hanover. After reviewing financial modelling concerns and comments within the report, council directed staff to share Hanover’s request that Grey County defer the proposed transfer.
Council awarded the 2026 Road Resurfacing Tender to Duncor Enterprises. Work scheduled for later this year includes resurfacing sections of 10th Avenue, 9th Avenue and 22nd Avenue.
Additional approvals included an updated municipal donation policy and an amendment to the Saugeen Cedar Heights West Subdivision Agreement regarding tree retention on Block 124.
With the retirement of Hanover’s current Chief Administrative Officer scheduled for December 31, 2026, council authorized staff to engage an external executive recruitment firm and confirmed members of the CAO Recruitment Ad Hoc Committee.
Council also approved minutes from several committees, including Finance, Joint Health and Safety and the Planning Advisory Committee. A by-law was passed authorizing the Town to enter into a transfer payment agreement with the Province for funding under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream.
Residents are reminded that the next regular council meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 4 p.m. Members of the public may attend in person or join virtually via the Town of Hanover Facebook page or Zoom link on the agenda. Meeting agendas are posted online by 4 p.m. on the Friday prior to each meeting and are also available for viewing at the Hanover Public Library.
