Town Monthly E-Newsletter - February Edition

February 2022

Tree By-Law Update

On January 13, 2022, the Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Sustainability Advisory Committee met with staff during a Special Joint Committee Meeting to review the proposed updates to the Municipal Tree Preservation By-law 2010-68. During the meeting, staff presented a comprehensive list of potential scenarios explaining how the tree by-law could affect residents.

The proposed updates to the by-law are based on input from residents and Council and are intended to increase tree protection and preservation within the Town's Settlement Area.

Town Staff will refine the current draft before returning to Council for endorsement. A future Public Meeting will be held prior to the final draft being presented to Council for adoption.

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Town Facilities Gradually Re-opening

The Town would like to advise the public that select Town facilities began to re-open earlier this week, in response to the gradual re-opening announcement made by the Ontario government.

On Monday, January 31, 2022, the Beaver Valley Community Centre and Arena and the Craigleith Community Centre were opened for public access.

Town Hall will re-open for public access on Monday, February 7, 2022.

All Council, Committee of the Whole and Committee meetings will continue to be hosted virtually until further notice, with hybrid meetings to resume when it is safe to do so.

2022 Town Budget Public Meeting

The Public Meeting for the 2022 Town Budget will be held virtually on February 7, 2022 to review the Updated 2022 Draft Budget.

All residents are welcome to watch the meeting live-stream on the Town website, and a recording of the meeting will be posted to the Agendas, Minutes & Reports page following the conclusion of the meeting.

A staff report outlining comments from the public meeting will be received at the February 15, 2022 Council Meeting.

The budget is scheduled to be finalized through the approval of the Budget By-law which will be considered by Council on February 28, 2022.

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Ontario Building New Long-Term Care Beds in The Blue Mountains

Last week, the Ministry of Long-Term Care announced that the Ontario government will be adding 160 new beds in a new long-term care home in the Town of The Blue Mountains.

The new 160-bed long-term care home is proposed to be part of a community campus of care focused on healthy seniors’ living, which includes commercial space, multi-residential space, seniors’ housing, and attainable housing for staff working to support the campus of care.

The Town is expected to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for proponents interested in developing and operating the different components of the campus, including the long-term care home, on municipally-owned land in 2022. Construction is expected to start by summer 2024 and the home is expected to open by the end of 2026.

February Fun for the Entire Family

Go on a Blind Date with a Book!
The Blue Mountains Public Library and Good Grief Coffee want to send you on a Blind Date with a Book. You'll be set up with a new book based on your interests and a gift card to Good Grief Coffee Roasters. The program runs for the month of February (available while supplies last).

Register Now!

Adventures in Digital Arts for Youth
The Blue Mountains Public Library is offering a free tech session all about digital cartooning and creating action in comics using movement, images, words, scenes and sounds. Ages 8-13 years. Saturday February 12 from 10 a.m. to
12 p.m.

Register Now!

Public Skating
Public Skating is back at the Beaver Valley Community Centre! Parent and Tot skating will be offered for free on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Adult skating will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a $3.00 fee per adult.

Please note, verification of full vaccination is required by QR code.

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Featured Projects

Town-Wide Drainage Master Plan
A pre-recorded Public Information Centre regarding the Master Drainage Plan has been posted to the Town website to help provide an overview of the plan.

Following the Public Information Centre, on February 24, 2022, the Town will be hosting a virtual Question and Answer Session. A public comment sheet and interactive public survey will also be available. To register for the virtual Question and Answer Session, please visit the project webpage.

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Community Sustainability Plan
In late February, the Town will be launching Phase 3 of The Blue Mountains Future Story to support the development of the Community Sustainability Plan.

Phase 3 will focus on developing a selection of prioritized Bold Actions with supporting Key Steps and completion of the final Community Sustainability Plan.

A public survey will be issued to gain feedback and insight from the public that will be received by the Sustainability Committee and Council.

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East Side Water Storage Environmental Assessment
The Town is completing a Schedule C Class Environmental Assessment to evaluate and select the preferred solution to address the Town’s water storage and water supply in the general area east of Wards Road to Grey Road 21.

To support the plan's development, a virtual Public Information Centre will be held in March to provide an overview of the existing problem and conditions and to gain feedback from the public. Watch the project page for registration details.

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