Lougheed to chair reduced NVCA board

Innisfil councillor Doug Lougheed will continue to lead the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) board of directors in 2016.

Lougheed, a former police officer and family farm manager, was acclaimed chair of the board at the NVCA’s 56th annual general meeting on Jan. 22. He also served as chair in 2015.

“It has been my pleasure to work with the board members and staff of NVCA over the past year,” said Lougheed.  “NVCA is a dynamic organization committed to protecting and enhancing the health of our watershed. In 2016, we’ll be working with our many community partners to deliver an ambitious work plan that promotes, supports and inspires innovative watershed management.”

Blue Mountains deputy mayor Gail Ardiel was elected as vice chair, a position she has held since 2014. Wasaga Beach deputy mayor Nina Bifolchi will continue to serve as past chair.

The start of 2016 also saw the NVCA board size reduced from 27 to 18 members as part of a pilot project. These members are appointed by watershed municipalities in the counties of Simcoe, Dufferin and Grey. New to the board is Councillor Rose Romita, of Barrie, who replaces councillors Arif Khan and Sergio Morales.

“Last year, we moved to reduce our board size as part of our commitment to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the NVCA,” said Lougheed. “This change will save NVCA an estimated $11,000 annually, while still making sure we have proper representation from across the watershed.”

The board governs the authority, a public agency dedicated to protecting, enhancing and restoring the Nottawasaga Valley watershed to support a healthy environment, communities and lifestyles.

Visit www.nvca.on.ca for more information.