Council decisions explained in plain language, the town's latest notices, and the local headlines worth your time.
Reported from the November 2 council meeting (watch the recording). Summaries are written by PETAWAWA.com from the public meeting video.
Petawawa's 2027 OPP bill is about $2.22 million, roughly 11% higher than this year. Mayor Gary Serviss said covering the increase alone works out to about a 1.5% municipal tax hike. Council received the bill and noted the town still gets good value for its policing dollars.
“Just keep that in mind because guess what the increase is? It's 11%.”Mayor Gary Serviss
Radar devices clocked 64% of drivers on Acres Road over the 60 km/h limit, and one driver topped 128 km/h. After 18 residents complained, council approved a $5,000 radar speed display sign plus $500 for installation on the Petawawa side. Laurentian Valley has agreed in principle to install a matching sign on its side of the road.
“A similar report could be written for at least a dozen other roads in our town, if not more.”Chair, Petawawa OPP Detachment Board
Auditor Angela from Welch LLP gave the town a clean audit opinion on its 2025 finances. Cash rose by about $5 million, unpaid taxes dropped by $639,000, and wages came in under budget despite new hires. The town ended the year with a $3.2 million operating surplus and $137 million in accumulated surplus.
“A lot of good news. I love to hear the words savings and surpluses.”Mayor Gary Serviss
Council awarded a $139,944.24 (plus HST) contract to Park N Play Design for a new accessible playground at Dustin Drive. The bid earned a perfect score among seven submissions. Equipment designed for kids aged 18 months to 12 years will be installed in 2027.
“It's also very exciting to see a town putting in playgrounds. It means we're growing.”Mayor Gary Serviss
A local family has asked to place a memorial in a Leo Street neighbourhood park for their son Benny, who died at age two and loved playing there. Council voted to further investigate installing a piece of play equipment with a memorial plaque. Staff will help the family price options, possibly including a little red car Benny loved.
“I have to say I got a little emotional reading this one.”Mayor Gary Serviss
Council honoured Sue Clair, a registered early childhood educator for 38 years and children's services manager at the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre for 15. The tribute marked Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. Clair has spent the past two years preparing for the new early learning centre opening at Garrison Petawawa.
“On behalf of the Town of Petawawa and the thousands of children you've helped over the years, thank you very much.”Mayor Gary Serviss
Council passed By-law 1865-26, declaring that Ontario's Line Fences Act no longer applies in Petawawa. The century-old act lets municipally appointed 'fence-viewers' decide boundary fence disputes between neighbours. The mayor called it the town cleaning up an old legacy issue.
“For all of you watching, if you're a deputy, do you have to wear a hat?”Mayor Gary Serviss
The Pembroke and Area Airport reported a 241% jump in charter flights in its third-quarter snapshot, driven largely by Ministry of Natural Resources tree surveys and pipeline monitoring. DND logged 192 flights, there were 14 medevac flights, and Hydro One has set up a staging area there for at least 24 months. Airport officials say they are actively looking for a scheduled passenger carrier.
“This is the only certified airport from here to North Bay and here to Ottawa. So that is why we're attracting this type of business.”Airport Commission representative
The Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre is expanding its leachate treatment system to meet provincial standards. A consultant's report on future expansion, which includes going 'upwards' as well as onto property across the road, is expected in early 2027. Council was reminded to keep setting money aside for future costs at the site.
“We're looking at the property across the road, but we're also looking about going up, and I mean upwards.”Council representative, Waste Recovery Centre board
Renfrew County has formed an ad hoc housing task force to tackle homelessness and social housing needs, Mayor Gary Serviss reported. The county may also add 12 affordable supportive living units for seniors at the same facility that houses 12 transitional units. The county is also asking the province to create a task force on advancing Highway 17.
“We're still going at the province over Highway 17 and hopefully that'll gain some traction.”Mayor Gary Serviss
The OPP detachment board's 'Too Fast for a Pumpkin' Harvest display, featuring a pumpkin officer holding a hair-dryer 'radar gun,' won an award in the business Harvest display contest. Mayor Gary Serviss noted that 85% of vehicles on another municipal road are speeding. He suggested asking the county again to lower the speed limit on a stretch where 250 new homes are coming.
“Maybe we should consider next year putting a real radar in it. They might catch a few people unaware.”Mayor Gary Serviss
Petawawa's Christmas Angels will again offer a turkey dinner to any resident on Christmas Day. Organizers are encouraging people to come out to the community dinner, which will include entertainment and volunteers. Takeout and delivery will be available for those who need it.
“It's never too soon to let the community know that we will once again be providing a turkey dinner to any resident in the Town of Petawawa on Christmas Day.”Deputy Mayor
Council opened its first meeting since the municipal election by congratulating all incumbents on their return. It then held a moment of silence for Brody Rose, a young student whose death has deeply affected the community. A councillor urged residents to look out for one another.
“I hope that each of us can find a moment to spread that care and to take notice of what we have in each other and what support we can offer.”Councillor
The Petawawa Accessibility Advisory Committee's accessible trick-or-treat at the fire hall drew more than 170 children. The committee is developing a community accessibility award. It also flagged a disappointing change to site plan review that limits its input on new private construction.
“It reduces our impact... which is a bit disappointing, kind of a setback to accessibility.”Chair, Petawawa Accessibility Advisory Committee
Mayor Gary Serviss and the town's Christine Mitchell toured potential investors from Montreal around possible commercial sites on October 19. The visit happened to fall on Farm to Trail weekend, with thousands of people out around town. The visitors kept asking to stop and film the views.
“So we told them it's like this every day. Thousands of people spending money all over the place.”Mayor Gary Serviss
The Dutch ambassador to Canada sent Petawawa another batch of white tulips to plant, honouring the town's friendship with the Netherlands. Efforts to twin Petawawa with Leeuwarden are on hold until the Dutch city has a long-term mayor, likely in summer 2027.
“Hopefully this is an annual event and in future years our entire town will be filled with white tulips.”Mayor Gary Serviss
Council members reported on a busy few weeks. Highlights included a packed Discovery Day at the Petawawa Public Library, a well-attended Veterans Business Expo with more vendors than last year, and a successful National Seniors Day event.
“There was a new resident who'd been here two weeks in town and they said to get connected they knew they had to come to the library.”Councillor