After more than three years at the helm of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s development department, Kirsten McCauley, the director of community and development services, is departing from the town to take on a new municipal role a couple of towns over in Grimsby.
The Town of NOTL announced Friday that McCauely’s last day in her current role will be Wednesday, Nov. 26. The town has not yet named a replacement.
“Niagara-on-the-Lake is a wonderful place,” McCauley said in a news release. “I feel so lucky to have been part of the town and I have truly appreciated the support from council and the leadership team.”
In the release, the town credited McCauley for her part in driving forward municipal projects such as the development of a secondary plan for Glendale, which will determine the future of the community’s development, the town’s new official plan, set to be finalized early next year, and a review and expansion of Old Town’s heritage conservation district boundaries, among other initiatives.
“I am proud of all the work accomplished during my time here, and I know that the community and development services team will continue to do great work and deliver on council’s strategic plan,” she said.
McCauley joined the Town of NOTL in 2022 after a career of working in the Niagara region and Hamilton.
She worked as a planner for the Township of West Lincoln from 2003 to 2007, then spent a decade with the City of Hamilton, primarily in community and recreation planning.
She joined Niagara Region in 2017, serving as a senior planner focused on secondary plans before joining the Town of NOTL in March 2022, taking over the role of director of community and development services from Craig Larmour.
Town staff praised McCauley’s leadership and teamwork.
“Her professionalism, collaborative approach, and passion for community development have elevated our planning and development services and set a strong foundation for the future,” said chief administrative officer Nick Ruller in the release.
“She will be greatly missed, both personally and professionally.”
The director of community and development services is a senior position within the town’s administration. The department advises council on building, alteration and development in the community, and understands related policies, bylaws, agreements and permits.
