View - The Municipality of Lambton Shores
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Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. 7.<br />
<br />
ensuring that implementation issues have been considered, in order to minimize the likelihood <strong>of</strong><br />
appeals, complaints, reserve fund draw disputes and other problems associated with the By-law<br />
and/or Background Study.<br />
5. WATSON & ASSOCIATES ECONOMISTS LTD.<br />
Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. (Watson & Associates), a leading economics consulting firm, has<br />
extensive experience in the preparation <strong>of</strong> municipal development charge and related studies. <strong>The</strong> firm<br />
was first incorporated in 1982 and now includes a full-time staff <strong>of</strong> twenty-two persons.<br />
Our firm has undertaken over one-half <strong>of</strong> the consulting work done in Ontario in the DC field during the<br />
past decade. Appendix A provides a summary <strong>of</strong> our experience in the field <strong>of</strong> development charges. In<br />
addition to conducting policy studies and co-ordinating by-law preparation and adoption processes, we<br />
have carried out numerous special issue studies, provided continuing advice to municipalities on<br />
development charges in specific situations and have presented papers on the DCA at numerous<br />
municipal conferences. We have also participated in numerous OMB hearings and related processes. A<br />
summary <strong>of</strong> our services and areas <strong>of</strong> specialization is presented in Appendix A.<br />
<strong>The</strong> firm has made a long term commitment to the interpretation <strong>of</strong> development charge legislation,<br />
development <strong>of</strong> implementation methodologies, and ongoing surveying to maintain data banks <strong>of</strong><br />
information useful in DC matters. <strong>The</strong> knowledge gained from this investment, along with the wideranging<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> completing DC work in more than 100 municipalities, would provide the<br />
<strong>Municipality</strong> with a firm basis for the preparation <strong>of</strong> their new DC by-law(s), and the development <strong>of</strong> DC<br />
policies and practices.<br />
Due to the large number <strong>of</strong> development charge studies completed by our firm, Watson & Associates<br />
Economists Ltd. has the significant advantage <strong>of</strong> being able to assemble a solid information base, which,<br />
when coupled with our sound working relationships with municipal staff and others, enables us to<br />
facilitate the development <strong>of</strong> consensus around controversial issues. Public participation, particularly<br />
from the key stakeholders, is very important. Our approach is designed to ensure that material is<br />
presented in an understandable format, in order to encourage public input in the development <strong>of</strong><br />
recommendations and future directions as part <strong>of</strong> a study process.<br />
Gary Scandlan, PLE, Associate Director, would represent the firm and be responsible for all facets <strong>of</strong><br />
the study process and will present the findings <strong>of</strong> the study at all staff, Council and the Public Meetings.<br />
Mr. Scandlan has been with the firm <strong>of</strong> Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. for 23 years before which<br />
he worked for two Regional municipalities. In regard to the latter, he held senior managerial positions and<br />
was directly responsible for long range financial planning, long term rate and tax impact planning as well<br />
as all facets <strong>of</strong> capital financing. He is presently a member <strong>of</strong> the firm’s senior management group,<br />
which develops interpretations <strong>of</strong> legislative requirements, as well as methodologies and formats and<br />
determines alternative policy strategies for all facets <strong>of</strong> the corporate assignments. Mr. Scandlan has<br />
undertaken in excess <strong>of</strong> 100 DC studies since 1989, including studies for York and Halton Regions and<br />
District <strong>of</strong> Muskoka, former Toronto municipalities <strong>of</strong> York and Etobicoke, separated cities <strong>of</strong> Hamilton,<br />
London, Guelph, St. Thomas and Orillia and various Counties and local municipalities. Mr. Scandlan has<br />
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