Newsroom

October 27, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.

Please be advised that the October 27, 2020 Special Meeting of Council Agenda is now available. Full meeting details are available on 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.

October 29, 2020 at 2:30 p.m.

A Leisure Activities Plan Steering Committee has been scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 2:30 p.m.

Meeting Agenda

Full meeting details are available in the Council Calendar.

NOTE: Committee meetings are taking place virtually 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 Assistant. The meeting will be recorded and the archived recording will be posted to the Town's website. The meeting will not be livestreamed.

To provide comments, please contact Community Services Administration Staff

The Town of The Blue Mountains has launched a contest to promote the use of the “TBM Waste Resource” application in support of Waste Reduction Week.

The Waste Resource app is available as a mobile and web-based application that provides residents with waste collection information, including collection day reminders, waste wizard searches, alerts for service interruptions and access to special waste collection campaigns.

To enter the contest, download the free mobile app on your Android or Apple device by searching “TBM Waste Resource” and complete the contest form, or visit Town’s website at www.thebluemountains.ca/solid-waste.cfm and click the contest button to access the sign-up form. The contest runs from Monday, October 19, 2020 to Sunday, November 1, 2020.

One entry will be randomly selected to win a Town of the Blue Mountains proud and circular economy prize pack, which includes the following:

• TBM hoodie
• TBM cap
• TBM sunglasses
• TBM reusable bag
• Delivery of wood chip mulch to your home
• Delivery of finished and screened compost to your home

Waste Reduction Week (October 19-25) is a nationally recognized event to promote the principles of a circular economy and resource efficiency, which aims to avoid products designed for convenience and instead focuses on designing products so resources can be reused or reinvested in a continuous cycle. To learn more, visit: www.wrwcanada.com/en/2020-theme-days/monday-circular-economy-kick

For more information, please contact:

Operations Department

Phone: 519-599-3131 x 276

Online Services are Unavailable

The following online services are unavailable until Thursday, October 22, 2020:

Please be advised that the Town of The Blue Mountains has hired a contractor to complete various water and wastewater lateral installations throughout town. Residents can expect lane restrictions between October 20 and October 30, 2020.

November 16, 2020 @ 9:00 a.m.

What is being proposed?

The By-law to Regulate and License Businesses in the Town of The Blue Mountains and the By-law to Establish a Comprehensive System of Administrative Monetary Penalties for the Town of The Blue Mountains are By-laws to replace the Town’s current regime of Licensing and Administrative Monetary Penalties. The By-law to Regulate and License Businesses in the Town of The Blue Mountains will permit the Town to License and regulate a range of businesses; however, Short-Term Accommodation Licenses will be subject of the initial By-law. The Administrative Monetary Penalty By-law will enable the Town to issue Administrative Monetary Penalties for infractions under other designated Town By-laws, initially, the Business Licensing By-law. This By-law represents an overhaul of the Town’s existing system and aims to make the Town’s infraction and penalty system for Business Licenses more robust, faster and simpler then pursuing charges under the Provincial Offences Act.

Notice of Public Meeting 

The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to notify the public that the jersey barriers on Bruce Street South will be removed this Friday, October 23, 2020.

Temporary lane restrictions will be in effect to expedite the removal process. Please avoid parking on Bruce Street South while the contractor is completing the work.

The Thornbury Business Improvement Area and nearby businesses have been notified.

For more information, please contact:

Operations Department

Phone: 519-599-3131 x 276

October 22, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

The Agenda for the October 22, 2020 Community Communications Advisory Committee meeting has been revised to include:

-Item D.1 Sharon McCormick, Executive Director, The Blue Mountains Attainable Housing Corporation Re: The Blue Mountains Attainable Housing Corporation Gateway Site Design Guidelines Task Force

For full meeting details, visit the Council Calendar.

The video message linked below was provided by Mayor Alar Soever as an update related to COVID-19.

Direct video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q60AZUOOy3Q

October 19, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

Please be advised that the October 19, 2020 Council meeting Agenda is now available. Full meeting details are available on 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.

• COW Highlights October 20, 2020 (165 KB)

October 20, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

Please be advised that the October 20, 2020 Committee of the Whole meeting Agenda is now available. Full meeting details are available on 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.

Notice of Public Open House (VIRTUAL) - Community Improvement Plan 

Notice of Public Meeting (Virtual) - Community Improvement Plan 

The video message linked below was provided by Mayor Alar Soever as an update related to COVID-19.

Direct video link: https://youtu.be/pym8P3ATDHE

It’s Fire Prevention Week, and the Town of The Blue Mountains Fire Department is urging everyone to take some simple steps to prevent kitchen fires in their home. This year’s theme of Fire Prevention Week is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!™”

The theme is very timely as cooking fires continue to be the leading cause of home fires in Ontario. It focuses on the prevention of cooking fires and staying fire safe in the kitchen.

Simple steps to serve up fire safety in the kitchen include:

• Always stay in the kitchen when cooking and turn off the stove if you must leave the kitchen.
• Keep a proper fitting lid near the stove. If a pot of oil catches fire, slide the lid over the pot and turn off the stove. Do not move the pot. Never throw water on a burning pot.
• Keep anything that burns - plastic utensils, dishcloths, paper towels - a safe distance from the stove.
• Cook responsibly. To prevent cooking fires, you must be alert. You will not be alert if you have consumed alcohol or drugs.
• Wear tight-fitting or rolled-up sleeves when using the stove. Loose, dangling clothing can easily catch fire.
• Keep young kids one metre away from the stove. Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge so they can’t be easily knocked off.
• If you burn yourself while cooking, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes. If the burn is severe, seek medical attention.

If you require further information, please contact The Blue Mountains Fire Department during normal business hours at 519- 599-5411 ext. 101 or visit: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/fire-prevention-week-2020.cfm?is=2

One (1) vacant position

The Blue Mountains Attainable Housing Corporation is seeking applications in the form of letters of interest and resumes from members of the public for appointment to The Attainable Housing Corporation Board of Directors.

The Board’s composition is a 9-member volunteer Board of Directors, of which 8 Directors have been previously appointed. The Board is currently seeking to fill the remaining vacancy with a person in this volunteer role who is willing to share their real estate development experience and passion to address the housing market affordability gap for the growing and underserved middle income families and individuals in our community.

In the letters of interest and resumes, applicants are encouraged to include background information and any special qualifications or interest related to attainable housing. The Attainable Housing Corporation is seeking candidates preferably with experience in multi-family residential construction or development experience however, all interested individuals are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants should be prepared to participate in daytime and evening meetings at least once monthly and commit enough time to read meeting materials in advance of the meeting.

For additional information regarding the Attainable Housing Corporation, please visit The Blue Mountains Attainable Housing Corporation website: https://www.thebluemountainshousing.ca/

Those individuals who have previously applied in 2019 and 2020 for the Board will be contacted to confirm their continued interest in the Board position.

All Applications should be submitted no later than Friday, October 23, 2020 at 1:00 pm to:

Contact Attainable Housing

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 Attainable Housing Corporation is an equal opportunity corporation.  Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

To improve and strengthen communication and public engagement, the Town of The Blue Mountains has launched a public survey to gain feedback from residents and stakeholders to help understand how the Town can continually improve and enhance positive community engagement.

To take the survey, please visit: https://yourview.thebluemountains.ca/communications-strategy-2020

The survey results will be reviewed by the Community Communications Advisory Committee and Town Staff and will be used to help create a comprehensive Communications Strategy for the Town of The Blue Mountains. The five-year Communications Strategy will serve as a strategic document to guide communication efforts between the Town and residents.

To complete the survey online, please visit the following link and sign in or register to create an account: http://yourview.thebluemountains.ca. Paper copies of the survey will be available at Town Hall and at The Blue Mountains Public Library Branch. The deadline to complete the survey is Sunday, October 25, 2020.

“We can’t get enough Community input into the planning process,” said John Milne, Chair of the Community Communications Advisory Committee. “We will be working with Council and staff to ensure that the Communications Strategy incorporates the input we receive from this survey and the thinking of the residents. The Community Communications Advisory Committee invites you to participate in the survey and please encourage your friends and neighbours to do so as well.”

For more information, please contact: 

Tim Hendry
Manager of Communications & Economic Development
519-599-3131 ext. 282

The public survey for the Leisure Activities Plan has been extended by two additional weeks and is now scheduled to close on Friday, October 16, 2020.

The extension allows additional time for residents and stakeholders to submit comments regarding the development of the Leisure Activities Plan for the Town.

“With over 600 survey responses received to date, this additional two-week timeframe will allow a final opportunity for residents to submit their comments and feedback,” explained Councillor Peter Bordignon. “The creation of a Leisure Activities Plan is important to ensure proper planning for recreational, cultural, indoor and outdoor activities along with Community Hub infrastructure investments and to also ensure that the entire community has access to varied recreational opportunities.”

The goal of the Leisure Activities Plan is to anticipate and plan for the growing and changing recreational activity needs and desires within the community. When complete, the updated Leisure Activities Plan (LAP) will identify and prioritize community wants and desires and recommend a sound and realistic course of action to deliver recreation facilities, programs, and services to our residents. The study will identify opportunities for recreation and culture and will outline the process to examine the need for a multi-use recreation facility and consider what other Community Hub type infrastructure should be considered in the future short term to long term.

To complete the survey online, please visit the following link and sign in or register to create an account: http://yourview.thebluemountains.ca/leisure-activities-plan. Paper copies of the survey are also available at Town Hall and at The Blue Mountains Public Library Branch.

For more information regarding parks, trails and beaches, please contact:

Ryan Gibbons
Director of Community Services
519-599-3131 ext. 281

The video message linked below was provided by Mayor Alar Soever as an update related to COVID-19.

Direct video link: https://youtu.be/CpSE5SEymeY

The following press release has been issued jointly between the Town of The Blue Mountains the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit.

Yesterday the Grey Bruce Health Unit announced it has identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases in our area resulting from some of these individuals failing to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/About-Us/News-Releases/ArticleID/664/COVID-19-Community-Clusters

“In this case, we are confident we have reached the close contacts of this cluster and we're managing them and it's not beyond our capacity. So, there is no need to post a business or post the name or location.” said Dr. Ian Arra, Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health. “While the outbreak is in several communities, the one thing in common is that people lowered their guards. It is mainly related to people over-extending social gatherings and having too many contacts.”

“With the increase in cases throughout Ontario, it is not surprising that we have a few cases pop-up in our Town”, stated Mayor Alar Soever. “What is disturbing is the fact that the Grey Bruce Health Unit contact tracing had to follow up with approximately 100 contacts, including 32 known high-risk close contacts, within this one cluster. I have also received reports of people having dinner parties and other gatherings in contravention of provincial orders and the guideline to maintain a social bubble of no more than 10 people.”

“I am disappointed that the small number of residents who are contravening Provincial Orders and Public Health Guidelines are putting our community at risk.  They are being completely irresponsible and showing complete disregard for the health of their family, friends, and neighbours, as well as a lack of respect for our community. As they seem incapable of understanding the potential consequences of their actions, I will spell it out clearly for them.”

• If we have people like you, who continue to ignore provincial orders and guidelines, it will only be a matter of time before COVID-19 takes hold in our community, businesses have to close, and people get sick and die.
• As you appear to be selfish and not care about the health of your family, friends, and neighbours, and your community, I ask you to consider the impact on yourself.
• We are a small tight-knit community and your family, friends, neighbours, and other community members will know that it is you that behaved irresponsibly.
• Even if you don’t get sick and die, consider how you will be looked upon for the rest of your life when it is your actions that lead to the spread of COVID in our community, and the death of a family member, friend, neighbour, or community member.

“To the vast majority of our residents who are doing their best to keep our community safe, I want to thank you for your dedication and sacrifice. Working together and supporting one another, we can get through this safely.”

Public Health reminds everyone that to break the spread of COVID-19, it is important to continue to follow current public health guidance, including:

• Maintaining your social bubble
• Watching  your distance and maintain physical distancing of 2 metres between yourself and others
• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Wearing face coverings correctly in indoor public spaces

To learn more, please visit the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit website: www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca

For more information, please contact: 

Alar Soever
Mayor
(519) 599-3131 ext. 400

The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to advise residents who are supplied with Municipal Water that the annual flushing of fire hydrants and watermains is currently underway.

This is a routine maintenance procedure carried out in the Spring and Fall to ensure proper fire hydrant operation and water quality throughout the water distribution system. Lower water pressure due to hydrant flushing may be experienced in some areas. 

Minor water discolouration may occur periodically and can be rectified by letting faucets run until clear.

The Town has launched a public survey to gain feedback from residents to inform the preparation of a new Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Town of The Blue Mountains.

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is developed by municipal planners and economic developers working collaboratively to develop policies and incentives targeting specific types of growth and investment. This Project will consider opportunities for the Town to administer grants or loans to encourage private sector investment in attainable housing. It will also consider opportunities to update the existing Commercial Core Community Improvement Plan in light of recent economic challenges due to the Pandemic.

To complete the survey online, please visit the following link and sign in or register to create an account: http://yourview.thebluemountains.ca. Paper copies of the survey will be available at Town Hall and at The Blue Mountains Public Library Branch. The deadline to complete the survey is Thursday, October 22, 2020.

In addition, a Virtual Public Open House has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2020 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Further details regarding participation in the Virtual Public Open House will be posted to the Town website when available.

For more information please contact:

Nathan Westendorp
Director of Planning and Development Services
(519) 599-3131 ext. 246
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Committee of Adjustment - Notice of Public Meeting - A16-2020 Suutari & Lamy

Committee of Adjustment Notice of Public Meeting A15-2020 Miller 

Committee of Adjustment Notice of Public Meeting A09-2020 Beaver Hops

The video message linked below was provided by Mayor Alar Soever as an update related to COVID-19.

Direct video link: https://youtu.be/RDq748qqwgA

The 2020 Annual Tax Bills were mailed August 12, 2020.

The 2020 annual tax bills were mailed on August 12, 2020. This year, the due dates are September 30th and November 30th; a month later than usual due to the pandemic. The mailing included an insert with tax bill information. To view the Tax Bill Newsletter, please visit: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/document_viewer.cfm?doc=1468

Please direct questions on assessment to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) or call 1-866-296-6722.

For tax inquiries, please contact the Tax Department or call 1-888-258-6867 ext. 221.