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Posted On: Monday, March 16, 2020
A dedicated webpage regarding COVID-19 has been created for the Town of The Blue Mountains. To view the webpage, please visit: www.thebluemountains.ca/covid-19.cfm
Notice of Information Centre - Internet Service Providers
The Rural Access to Broadband Internet Technology (RABIT) Task Force is hosting a virtual Public Information Centre for Internet Service Providers on February 16, 2021 at 3:30 p.m.
Council of the Town of The Blue Mountains created the Rural Access to Broadband Internet Technology (“RABIT”) Task Force to review and explore “matters related to the development, implementation and progress monitoring of sustainable solutions for Rural Access Broadband Internet in the Town of The Blue Mountains”.
To this purpose, Council has approved a Task Force-led Public Information Centre wherein competent and qualified Internet Service Providers can attend virtually to introduce their respective capabilities. The goal of this meeting is for the Town to be introduced to Internet Service Providers and understand the opportunities that currently exist, opportunities that may be available in the future, and to help inform the members of the task force, Council, staff, and members of the public. Internet Service Providers will be asked to provide suggestions to the RABIT Task Force on how to promote provision of broadband internet services to all the underserved areas within the Town. Ideally, this introductory session initiates a process that results in our rural areas being provided with affordable and reliable internet in the near future.
An overview of the meeting format was provided to Council at the January 11, 2021 meeting through a Task Force Report which is linked here: https://pub-bluemountains.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=1334
Format for Public Engagement Session
Public Information Centres are currently being held virtually due to COVID-19.
The Public Information Centre will be moderated by the RABIT Task Force Chair and will include:
For members of the public who are interested, the Public Information Centre will be livestreamed and recorded.
Watch Public Information Centre live online: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/council-meeting-live-stream.cfm
At this time, the Public Information Centre is being limited to participation and comments by Internet Service Providers and Members of Council. The Town is hoping to understand the capabilities of the various Providers and then provide additional information to members of the public in a subsequent publicly held RABIT Task Force meeting.
Additional information regarding the public RABIT Task Force meeting that will be held following the Public Information Centre will be released when available.
For additional information, please contact:
Please be advised that the January 27 Committee of the Whole meeting is being rescheduled. The items on this agenda will be added to the Revised Agenda for the February 1, 2021 Special Comittee of the Whole meeting at 9:00 a.m.
The Revised Agenda will be released on Friday January 29, 2021.
Please be advised that the January 27, 2021 Council meeting Agenda has been revised to include the following items:
Please be advised that the January 27, 2021 Council meeting Agenda has been revised to include the following items:
Over the next year, The Town of The Blue Mountains invites residents to share their ideas to help plan a bright and prosperous future for the community. Entitled “The Blue Mountains Future Story,” the project will support the creation of a Community Sustainability Plan that will guide decision-making in the Town for the next 50 years.
“The plan will define how we might build upon the unique attributes of the Town of The Blue Mountains while creating a shared path towards a future of increased livability, vibrancy and health of all living systems in our community,” says Councillor and Co-Chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee, Andrea Matrosovs. “Building on the last plan, “The Sustainable Path” that was completed ten years ago, the project vision will build a holistic understanding of the community and will chart a clear, actionable path towards a future that is increasingly livable and healthy for all ages and stages of life.”
The Blue Mountains Future Story project will be active for the next year, with the final plan scheduled to be received by Council in January 2022. The project will be organized into three phases, with each phase focused on various public engagement opportunities, including public surveys, focus groups, and phone questionnaires. To communicate the development of the plan, a detailed project webpage has been created to serve as the primary source of information. Public engagement opportunities will be advertised in the local media, on the Town’s social media accounts and through posted community signage.
“The development of the Community Sustainability Plan will provide an active and forward-looking framework to guide the Town and community forward for the future generations to enjoy and prosper,” explained Mayor Alar Soever. “The work of the community through the development of the Sustainable Path document, seeded the initial vision for our community, and this plan aims to build upon that momentum through the development of innovative recommendations that will be developed through robust and extensive community and stakeholder consultation.”
Phase 1 will focus on an assessment of the community’s current state, while Phase 2 will develop a vision for the future. The final phase will include the development of actions with the plan focusing on four key elements:
To kick-off the first phase of the project, the Town has launched a survey and invites residents to share their initial thoughts and feedback on what a sustainable future in the community looks like. To learn more about the Community Sustainability Plan and complete the survey, please visit: www.tbmfuturestory.ca.
This project will complement the other planning processes currently being undertaken by the Town, including the Official Plan Update, Master Transportation Plan, Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, Economic Development Strategy, and the Community Improvement Plan.
For more information, please contact:
On January 11, 2021 Council for the Town of The Blue Mountains considered Staff Report PDS.21.011. As a result, Council has adopted two new Community Improvement Plans (CIPs). The Notice of Decision, CIP documents, and relevant bylaws are provided below:
After both CIP’s are in full force and effect, Town staff will provide a follow-up report to Town Council in the future regarding administration of the plan and recommended funding for 2021 CIP programs.
For your safety and the safety of your neighbours, it is important to keep hydrants clear and unobstructed so that they can be used by The Blue Mountains’ Fire Department in case of an emergency. If there is a fire hydrant in front of or adjacent to your property, please ensure the hydrant is clearly visible and unobstructed. Please help yourself, your neighbors, and your municipality, by ensuring it is kept free and clear of snow at all times. We appreciate your assistance.
The video message linked below was provided by Mayor Alar Soever as an update related to COVID-19.
Direct video link: https://youtu.be/MeI-srcLdj8
Notice of Committee-Led, Virtual Public Engagement Session
The Community Communications Advisory Committee is hosting a virtual Public Engagement Session to discuss highlights of the Corporate Communications Survey Results and to provide an update on the development of the Communications Strategy.
Insights from the Corporate Communications Survey will assist the Committee and staff in preparing the Communications Strategy for Council’s consideration.
In accordance with the Town’s Notice Policy, POL.COR.07.03 Notice is hereby provided that the Committee is hosting a Public Engagement Session for the purpose of reviewing with the public the results of the Corporate Communications Survey.
FAF.20.182 Corporate Communications Survey Results (note: survey results provided as Attachment 1 of the report).
Why is the Town Creating a Communications Strategy?
The Town is developing a Communications Strategy to foster greater public engagement and improve communications with its residents. The Communications Strategy is being developed by the Town's Communications Division with input from the Community Communications Advisory Committee.
Next Steps in the Communications Strategy Process
The first draft of the Communications Strategy was presented to Council on November 16, 2020. Utilizing the feedback received, the Committee and staff are working to prepare a second draft that will be presented to Council in the first quarter of 2021.
Full details are available on the Agendas, Minutes, Reports webpage.
To Pre-Register/Participate, please contact:
**NOTE: deadline to submit comments or request to participate is end-of-day Friday, February 5, 2021
Questions? Please contact:
Please be advised that the Agenda for the January 27, 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting is now available. Full meeting details are available of the Council Calendar.
NOTE:The Blue Mountains Council and Committee of the Whole meetings are currently closed to the public to assist with social distancing with respect to COVID-19. Comments received from the public that have not been included on the Agenda, will be read at the meeting by the Town Clerk.
The meeting will be livestreamed and an archived recording of the meeting will be posted to the Town's website.
Please be advised that the Agenda for the February 1, 2021 Special Committee of the Whole meeting is now available. Full meeting details are available of the Council Calendar.
NOTE:The Blue Mountains Council and Committee of the Whole meetings are currently closed to the public to assist with social distancing with respect to COVID-19. Comments received from the public that have not been included on the Agenda, will be read at the meeting by the Town Clerk.
The meeting will be livestreamed and an archived recording of the meeting will be posted to the Town's website.
Please be advised that the Agenda for the January 27, 2021 Council meeting is now available. Full meeting details are available of the Council Calendar.
NOTE:The Blue Mountains Council and Committee of the Whole meetings are currently closed to the public to assist with social distancing with respect to COVID-19. Comments received from the public that have not been included on the Agenda, will be read at the meeting by the Town Clerk.
The meeting will be livestreamed and an archived recording of the meeting will be posted to the Town's website.
The Town of The Blue Mountains Council is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2021 Grants and Donations Program. We welcome not-for-profit organizations servicing The Blue Mountains to request funding or subsidization of Town-owned facility space through this process. The deadline for applications is Friday, February 26, 2021. The Grants and Donations Committee will make recommendations to Council on April 9, 2021 and Council will consider the recommendation of the Grants and Donations Committee on April 19, 2021.
For further information, please email the Administrative Assistant for Finance and IT Services or call 519-599-3131 extension 227.
The video message linked below was provided by Mayor Alar Soever as an update related to COVID-19.
Direct video link: https://youtu.be/OiszENQwliU
The Town of The Blue Mountains is seeking applications, in the form of letters of interest, together with resumes, from members of the public for appointment to the Town’s Committee of Adjustment. The Committee appointment runs concurrent with the Term of Council, being 2018 - 2022:
5 member Committee (4 Public Members + 1 Council Member)
3 Public Committee members and the Council Member have been appointed
This advertisement is seeking letters of interest for the 4th Public Member
In accordance with By-law 2006-122, being a By-law to provide for payment of remuneration of expenses to Public Members of the Committee of Adjustment, Members of the Committee of Adjustment receive $75 in remuneration per meeting that they are in attendance, as well as reimbursement for mileage and attendance at any pertinent training and/or conferences at the rate of $110 per day
Information about the Committee of Adjustment can be found here: Committee of Adjustment Information.
Applicants are encouraged to include personal or professional background information and any special qualifications or experience that may be related to land use planning and/or the Committee of Adjustment.
All Applications should be submitted no later than Friday, February 5, 2021 1:00 pm to:
Town of The Blue Mountains
Attention: Town Clerk
32 Mill Street
Thornbury, Ontario N0H 2P0
Personal information provided by the applicant is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and will be used for the purpose of candidate selection. The Town of The Blue Mountains is an equal opportunity organization. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The Town of The Blue Mountains are seeking applications, in the form of letters of interest, from members of the public for appointment to the Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee. The Committee is comprised of membership from the Town of The Blue Mountains, the Town of Collingwood, Clearview Township and the Municipality of Grey Highlands.
The committee appointment runs concurrent with the term of Council, being 2018 - 2022:
1 Practicing or Retired Family Physician (non-voting member) from any of the participating municipalities is being sought
Applicants are encouraged to include background information and any special qualifications or interest related to the Committee.
The Committee Terms of Reference can be found on The Blue Mountains website at www.thebluemountains.ca/physician-recruitment-retention-committee.cfm.
All Applications should be submitted no later than Friday, January 29, 2021 1:00 p.m. to:
Town of The Blue Mountains
Attention: Town Clerk
32 Mill Street
Thornbury, Ontario N0H 2P0
Personal information provided by the applicant is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and will be used for the purpose of candidate selection. The Town of The Blue Mountains is an equal opportunity organization. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The video message linked below was provided by Mayor Alar Soever as an update related to COVID-19.
Direct video link: https://youtu.be/sSNszeim4RE
The Town of The Blue Mountains is excited to announce the grand prize draw results for the Give the Gift of Blue Shop Local Holiday Contest.
The grand prize draw was filmed on January 7, 2021, with the selected winner contacted shortly following the conclusion of the draw. To watch the full video of the Grand Prize Draw, please visit: www.exploreblue.ca/shop-local
List of Contest Winners
About the Shop Local Contest
To encourage community support for local businesses, the Town launched a Shop Local Holiday Contest, entitled Give the Gift of Blue from November 30, 2020 to January 3, 2021, with the contest including five (5) weekly prizes, as well as the chance to win The Blue Mountains Ultimate Grand Prize Package.
The contest period saw over 1,000 total entries, with the majority of entries submitted by local residents. The campaign generated an approximate economic benefit between $49,000 to $117,000, contributing real dollars directly back into the community and supporting the local businesses throughout the Town.
“On behalf of Council, I would like thank everyone who shopped local throughout the contest period, and to congratulate all five of the weekly prize package winners,” said Mayor Alar Soever. “I can’t emphasize enough the importance of shopping local and supporting our small business owners. The survival of these small business has a direct impact on the quality of life of our residents. Thank you again to everyone who chose to shop local in the Town this holiday season!”
For more information, please contact:
The Town is recommending a number of revisions to the powers and duties that have been delegated to Town staff by Council as outlined in Policy POL.COR.07.04. These delegated authorities allow Town staff to perform specific duties and authorize specific activities to take place within the Town without requiring Council approval of each action.
The Town is also recommending the addition of a delegated authority for the Director of Legal Services to approve requests for relief from the Town’s Noise By-law.
A list of the proposed revisions to the Town’s current delegation of powers and duties is available as an attachment to Staff Report FAF.20.188 Revisions to Council Delegation of Powers and Duties Follow Up.
To help limit the spread of COVID-19, this Public Meeting will be held in a virtual (online) format. You are encouraged to provide your comments or questions in writing using email or regular letter mail to the Town Clerk in advance of the Public Meeting.
Written comments will be circulated to Council. Comments received at least one (1) business day in advance of the Public Meeting (by Friday February 5, 2021 by 1:00 p.m.) will be read by the Town Clerk at the Public Meeting.
Anyone wishing to speak on this matter at the Public Meeting is encouraged to pre-register early, and no later than five (5) business days in advance of the Meeting (by Monday February 1, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.). For those without a computer, a dial-in phone number is available.
Contact the Town Clerk to pre-register or to submit comments. Comments may also be submitted by calling the Town Clerk at 519-599-3131 extension 232 or via Fax: 519-599-7723.
Comments can also be mailed to: Town Clerk, Town Hall, 32 Mill St. Box 310, Thornbury ON, N0H 2P0
Shared Tower Corporation is proposing to construct a new telecommunication tower on the subject lands. The proposed tower is planned to be 65m in height and is proposed to be a self-support lattice-style tower. A pre-fabricated galvanized steel equipment cabinet is also proposed to be located at the base of the Tower.
Please note that the establishment of new telecommunication facilities is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government. Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada is the approval authority for telecommunication towers and requires all proponents of new facilities to consult local planning authorities to ensure local protocols and surroundings are considered during the mandated site selection process. The Town of The Blue Mountains Municipal Telecommunication Protocol requires public consultation for any proposal for new telecommunication facilities.
The Town of the Blue Mountains would like to advise residents that following the direction of the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit, a COVID-19 outbreak has been declared as three Town employees have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit and the Town would like to emphasize that the three positive cases are isolated to one Town department and are from employees that do not regularly interact with members of the public. Through extensive contact tracing efforts, all individuals that were in direct or close contact have been contacted and have been instructed to self-isolate.
“Working together, the Town of The Blue Mountains and Health Unit staff carefully evaluated the situation and implemented immediate measures to mitigate the risk of transmission,” said Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer of the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit, Doctor Ian Arra. “The collaboration between the Health Unit and the Town, along with rapid and accurate communication of vital information allowed for a timely, robust, and effective contact tracing process to take place. We thank the Town leadership and staff for their dedication and commitment to health”.
Following Public Health direction, the three individuals are at home in self-isolation. As a further safety precaution, additional employees within the department that were identified as close contacts are also at home in self-isolation. To ensure privacy and confidentiality, the identity of the individuals will not be disclosed. No additional information will be provided by the Town in respect to the processes and measures that are led by the Health Unit.
“I would like to thank the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit for their leadership and management of this situation. Through an excellent working relationship, and through detailed record-keeping, contact tracing was conducted immediately, and all individuals found to have had close contact to these cases have been contacted,” explained Chief Administrative Officer Shawn Everitt. “On behalf of the Town and community, I would like to extend my best wishes for the health, safety and recovery of the impacted individuals”.
As is the case in all outbreaks and case management, Public Health is the lead and will contact individuals if they have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, based on a thorough risk assessment completed by Public Health. Determining who is a close contact is a decision that can only be made by Public Health. Anyone identified as a contact to these cases has been contacted by a Public Health case manager directly. Anyone that has not been contacted by Public Health is not considered at risk and does not need to take any additional steps, including asymptomatic testing.
“I join CAO Everitt in thanking the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit for helping us manage this situation,” stated Mayor Alar Soever. “COVID-19 is here in our community, and it is inevitable that some cases will arise. It is important that we all follow Public Health advice and keep our close contacts to an absolute minimum so that when cases do arise, contact tracing and containment can be effective in preventing further spread.”
For more information, please contact:
The Town of The Blue Mountains is excited to announce that the new groomed trails on the Georgian Trail and at the Tomahawk Recreational Facility are now ready for public use.
New for the winter season, the Town has expanded winter recreation opportunities to help encourage residents to explore and experience nature and the natural beauty of The Blue Mountains. Details regarding the new groomed trails have been included below:
Georgian Trail
The Town will be grooming the Georgian Trail throughout the winter season. The Georgian Trail is a multi-use trail for walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and other eco-friendly activities. There will not be set tracks for cross county skiing on the Georgian Trail due to the limited space.
Tomahawk Recreational Facility
The Town will be grooming a hard-packed loop trail at the Tomahawk Recreational Facility throughout the winter season. Weather permitting, set tracks for cross country skiing will be added along the groomed trail.
Before You Go
The Town would like to emphasize that motorized and gas-powered machines are not permitted on the Georgian Trail or at the Tomahawk Recreational Facility. In addition, all dogs must be leashed, and please remember to pick up after your pets. Please also respect the natural areas and take all garbage with you.
As a reminder, when enjoying a public space please remember to practice 2-metre physical distancing, wash your hands regularly and stay at home if you are sick. In addition, the Town would like to emphasize that common touchpoints within public outdoor spaces are not sanitized or cleaned after each use.
For details, visit: www.exploreblue.ca/recreation
For more information, please contact:
Community Services Department
(519) 599-3131 ext. 281
Notice of Public Information Centre (Virtual)
The Town has identified water pressure and fire flow concerns in Pressure Zone 4C which is in the area known locally as Tyrolean Village. A large portion of the watermain in this area is at the end of its useful life and requires replacement. The works will include the following:
The Town intends to proceed with this construction project in the summer of 2021.
To register for this event and/or for additional information please contact:
Yesterday, the Province of Ontario announced that the Town of The Blue Mountains will receive $385,000 in emergency operating funds as part of the second phase of the Federal-Provincial Safe Restart Agreement. In addition, the Town will receive $99,000 to help cover 2021 operational funding.
“I would like to thank the Province for its continued support.” stated Mayor Alar Soever. “This funding is critical to the Town to cover costs associated with COVID-19,” Since the start of the pandemic, the Town of The Blue Mountains has implemented a variety of measures to ensure community safety and to support local businesses through these difficult times. This funding will go a long way towards mitigating the costs we have had, and continue to have, to keep our community safe. Last but not least, I want to thank our finance staff, who have worked so diligently to manage and document our costs throughout the pandemic, so that we were able to successfully apply for and receive this funding.”
About the Safe Restart Funding
The federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement is an historic partnership that secured up to $4 billion in emergency funding for Ontario’s municipalities to help them on the road to a safe recovery. Of the $695 million announced today, $299 million is being allocated across all 444 municipalities to help provide more financial relief, as 2021 operating budgets are finalized.
To read the full press release from the Province of Ontario, please visit: https://news.ontario.ca/mah/en
For more information, please contact:
Notice of Construction Activity
RE: Thornbury Village Cidery Sanitary Service Installation
This is to advise residents of upcoming construction work to provide sanitary servicing to the Thornbury Village Cidery. Construction will start on January 11, 2021 and is expected to be completed by February 12, 2021.
Residents are advised that normal construction activity will be occurring on the site, including but not limited to construction equipment, dump trucks, and site crews. Noise from construction activities will be in accordance with the Town Noise By-law 2002-9.
Should there be planned service interruptions to nearby properties, advance and detailed notice will be provided. In addition, in the event that road or lane closures are require, notice will also be provided. The sewer construction will temporarily interfere with the use of the Georgian Trail where it crosses through the public park area near McAuley and Huron Streets. For this stretch of trail, the contractor will place Construction Ahead signs along the trail east and west of the work area.
The trail will remain open at all times and a dedicated flag person will be on site during construction to safely escort trail users past the construction area. At the end of each workday, the contractor will reinstate any portion of disturbed trail area for after hours use.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation for any inconvenience that the temporary construction activities or service interruptions may result in.
For more information, please visit the Development Project page on the Town website: thebluemountains.ca/thornbury-cidery
Please be advised that Town By-law No. 2014-65 indicates that no person shall deposit snow or ice on a roadway, including those portions of the highway commonly referred to as the shoulder, sidewalk, walkway, pathway, boulevard or ditch, without written permission from the Director of Operations.
Please be advised that the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990 Chap. H-8 Section 170(12) indicates that no person shall park or stand a vehicle on a roadway in such a manner as to interfere with the removal or clearing of snow from the roadway. It should also be noted that Town By-law No. 2003-11 prohibits overnight parking on Town streets from November 1st, 2020 to April 1st, 2021 from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Let’s work together to make this a safe and enjoyable winter.
For more information please contact:
Town of The Blue Mountains
Operations Department
Phone: 519-599-3131 x 276
The Blue Mountains Community Watch
Crime Stoppers - Grey Bruce or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
For more community news please visit the following local news outlet links.
For information please visit our Public Engagement page.
Visit our Public Notices page for an up to date list of Town public notices and public information centres.
