February 2025

Updated Draft Town Budget Available, Public Meeting Scheduled for February 18

An updated draft of the 2025 Town budget is now available for public review. In addition, a Public Meeting to receive feedback on the updated draft budget has been scheduled for February 18, 2025, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The updated draft budget reflects the decisions of Council following the budget meetings held throughout January. The updated draft budget amounts to a total Municipal Levy of $23,091,910 which equates to a tax rate increase of 6.15% over 2024, inclusive of growth. When considering the Town’s property tax rate increase alongside Grey County and Education taxes, the proposed blended property tax rate increase is 3.98%. This means that on a median assessed home of $530,000 the total property tax increase will be $201.67 per year, or $16.81 per month.

More information on the updated 2025 Draft Budget, including details on the Budget process and how to provide your feedback, is available on the Town's website.

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Grace Period Ends for 2025 Parking Passes

The Town would like to remind residents that the grace period to register vehicle licence plates for a 2025 digital parking pass has officially ended as of February 3, 2025.

Please note parking passes have transitioned to a fully digital system, and physical hanging parking passes will no longer be issued or accepted.

In just a few clicks, residents can park for free at any paid parking location owned by the Town, including beaches, parks, and trails. Stay tuned for future updates as the new digital system will also offer the option to purchase Friends and Family Parking Passes.

Please remember that parking passes are valid for one year, so re-registration is required annually. Register for a 2025 parking pass today by visiting our website or Town Hall during business hours.

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Upcoming Public Information Centre for Town-Wide Wastewater Master Plan

Staff have finalized a date for the second Public Information Centre (PIC) regarding the Town-Wide Wastewater Master Plan Environmental Assessment. This PIC will be held virtually on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 beginning at 5:00 p.m. The PIC is being held to present proposed servicing alternatives, and to gather input from members of the public. The meeting will include a public comment and question period. All those interested in the project are invited to attend. Pre-registration is required.

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Fire Hydrant & Water Services Reminder

Sustained winter conditions like we're experiencing this year can have a number of impacts on the Town's and residents' water systems. If there is a fire hydrant in front of or adjacent to your property, the Town asks for your cooperation to ensure it is clearly visible and unobstructed by snow.

Residents that use Town water are encouraged to take voluntary measures during the winter season to minimize the chance of frozen water pipes, such as:

• Winterize outside faucets
• Insulate pipes
• Look for cold drafts
• Be prepared when travelling
• Find your water shut-off valve

More information is available on the Town's website.

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Renew Your Dog License Before March 15

All dogs must be licensed within the Town of The Blue Mountains. This licensing requirement applies to all residents including those that stay in the community full-time or seasonally.

A license must be purchased as soon as you become a dog owner or on or before March 15 every year. Owners will receive a metal dog tag showing the serial number and year of issue.

All dogs must be leashed when not on their owner’s property. The only exceptions are the off-leash dog parks at Moreau Park in Thornbury and at Heritage Park in Craigleith. These enclosed dog parks include a staging area and an open green space for dogs to run and play without a leash.

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Business Model Canvas Workshop

Join us for an exciting in-person event where we will dive into the art of crafting a successful business model canvas. This event is perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking to enhance their understanding of their business model.

Location: 32 Mill St, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
Where: Town of Blue Mountains Town Hall - Council Chambers
When: Thursday February 13, 2025 - 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cost: Free

During this interactive session, participants will delve into key examples, actively relating this knowledge to their own entrepreneurial endeavours. This workshop serves as an initial stride towards effective business planning, opening doors to SBEC mentorship and comprehensive support. Take this opportunity to crystallize your vision and construct a tangible representation of your business's potential trajectory.

What exactly is a business model canvas?

Consider it as your business blueprint condensed onto a single page. This globally recognized template has empowered millions across businesses of all scales, enabling them to describe, design, challenge, and adapt their business models.

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Lobbyist Registry Supports Ongoing Accountability and Transparency in The Blue Mountains

Did you know? The Town of The Blue Mountains has a lobbyist registry that provides a comprehensive record of interactions between lobbyists and public officials or Town staff.

The lobbyist registry went live on November 22, 2024, following approval by Town Council. Enforcement and penalties will come into effect on Monday, May 12, 2025, allowing for a grace period to enable Council, staff and the public training and familiarization with the new process.

The registry lists lobbyists' names, affiliations, lobbying objectives, and the Town officials they lobbied. Lobbyists must register within ten days of any interaction with a public official.

The Town's website provides more information about the lobbyist registry, including enforcement measures and what qualifies as lobbying.

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The Blue Mountains OPP Encourages Residents to Register with CamSafe

CAMSafe is a new program aimed at creating a database of private security cameras in the province. It will act as a resource for police when investigating criminal offenses and will establish a community network that will help protect our neighbourhoods.

CAMSafe is a database of camera locations only. The program is a resource that will allow police to know the location of cameras within a geographic area when investigating crime. If police require access to your footage, they will reach out to you and make a request directly.

How Does CAMSafe Work?

Register any security cameras with as many or as few details you as wish: direction the camera captures, footage retention and even screenshots. If a crime is committed and officers believe the footage may benefit the investigation, an officer will contact you to request footage. You can delete your account and change your information at any time. And you are under no obligation to share your footage with police.

If interested in registering for the CAMSafe program, you can visit the CAMSafe website for more information. 

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