The upcoming forums "are a great opportunity for residents to share their ideas and provide input," said Marilou Murray, assistant to Chief Administrative Officer Brian Skinner.

The forum for residents of Wards 3 and 4 is being held on Wednesday, April 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the council chambers of Town hall.

The forum for Wards 1 and 2 is on Tuesday, April 15, during the same time and also in the council chambers.

Speaking to council on Tuesday, Ms. Murray updated councillors on what has been accomplished over the past year.

The strategic plan was adopted at the beginning of last year, shortly after the 2006 municipal election. It has five guiding principles, 12 issue or focus areas and 106 activities.

Over the past year, 74 activities have been started, with 32 "more than half complete and nine are complete," Ms. Murray stated. "We're moving along well."

Some of the accomplishments and projects started last year were "working with our partners on a community safety strategy," she said.

Others included construction of the new fire hall, which opens in June of this year, the Pickering Village land use study, which council adopted last month, a transportation plan, establishing the Youth Engagement Committee, and customer service improvements, such as updating the Town's website.

Projects this year include continuing work on initiatives that haven't been completed, as well as road construction work, marketing the community, and "exploring opportunities to apply new energy technology to municipal facilities."

The idea is to space the work out over the four years, she said. "It's a balanced workload over four years. A number of initiatives are on the go."

For the upcoming open houses, trained recreation staff will be on hand to provide free child care, doing crafts and activities, as well as homework support.

To register, call 905-619-2529, ext. 323.