2024 Budget Approved

Town of The Blue Mountains Council approved the 2024 Town Budget on Tuesday, April 2. The approved budget includes the three-year operating budget, the five-year capital budget and the 2024 Fees and Charges.

The approved budget can be viewed by visiting: www.thebluemountains.ca/budget.

This year’s budget includes a property tax rate increase of 2.77%, representing an increase of $60 on the Town’s portion of the tax bill for an average home in The Blue Mountains as set by MPAC at $555,000.

The approved budget includes an $80M capital budget to support key projects throughout the Town, including:

• Renovations of the Craigleith and Mill Street Sewage Pumping Stations
• Replacement of the Thornbury Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall
• Replacement of the Craigleith Fire Hall and renovate the current building for Operations & Community Services

For more information, visit www.thebluemountains.ca/budget or contact Sam Dinsmore, Acting Director of Finance/Treasurer by email or phone at (519) 599-3131 ext. 274.

Volunteer Award Winners Announced

The Town is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Volunteer Awards.

• Arts and Culture Award: Judy Shield
• Heritage Award: Royal Canadian Legion Beaver Valley Branch 281
• Sustainability Award: Barry Tatchell & Stella Preshus Juhasz
• Sports and Recreation Award: Jessica Elkins
• Good Neighbour Award: Sarah Beveridge
• Blue Mountains Community Builder (Adult 26+): Linda Wykes
• Outstanding Community Group Award: The Marsh Street Centre

In partnership with The Seniors Network, the Town will honour the recipients at the Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony and Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Beaver Valley Community Centre.

The Volunteer Fair will run from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the Awards Ceremony beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Learn More

Solar Eclipse Safety

On Monday, April 8, 2024, parts of Ontario will experience a total solar eclipse for the first time since 1925. The Blue Mountains will be outside the ‘path of totality’, but will still experience a partial eclipse. The eclipse is expected to begin near 2 p.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m., with the largest part of the sun blocked at around 3:20 p.m.

Grey Bruce Public Health is reminding the public that looking at even a small portion of the sun during the eclipse without proper protection can harm your vision. Regular sunglasses or ski goggles will not protect your eyes. Only glasses with specialized filters will provide proper protection.

The Blue Mountains Public Library is offering free solar eclipse glasses at the L.E. Shore Library and Craigleith Depot beginning Friday, April 5, while supplies last. Due to limited supply, one pair per household. An adult must pick them up and supervise their use. 

For more information from The Blue Mountains Public Library about the eclipse, visit their Solar Eclipse webpage. 

For more safety information regarding the eclipse, visit the Canadian Space Agency or the Canadian Association of Optometrists websites.

Pitch-in Canada Week

Monday, April 22, is Earth Day and the Town of The Blue Mountains is proud to be a participant in Pitch-In Canada Week from April 22 to 28! Pitch-in Canada Week encourages members of the public to pick up litter from parks, trails, shorelines and public spaces throughout their community.

Community cleanups have been organized throughout the Town, including:

• Georgian Bay Forever shoreline cleanup at Little River Park from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 22
• Clarksburg Village Association cleanup at Lion’s Park from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27
• Beaver Valley Outreach cleanup at the Beaver Valley Community Centre from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27
• Climate Action Now Network community cleanup at Town Hall from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27

Pitch-In branded waste collection bags are also available for free at Town Hall and at the Landfill & Recycling Depot, while supplies last. Once filled, waste collection bags can be placed curbside on your normal collection day. The bags will be collected free of charge, with no garbage tags necessary.

For more information, contact Nicholas Cloet, Town of The Blue Mountains Sustainability Coordinator, by email or phone at (519) 599-3131 ext. 235.

Natural Heritage Study Open House #2

Open House #2 for the Natural Heritage Study & Natural Asset Inventory will take place on Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Town Hall and virtually via Microsoft Teams.

This session will present and seek feedback on draft project outcomes. Results of the Natural Asset Inventory and draft targets, criteria and recommendations for natural heritage management will be presented.

Registration is required. 

Register for the Open House

Town Seeking Nominations for Senior of the Year Award

The Town of The Blue Mountains is encouraging residents, local service clubs and community groups to submit nominees for the Province of Ontario Senior of the Year Award.

Established in 1994, the Senior of the Year Award honours one outstanding local senior in each municipality in Ontario. The nominee must be over the age of 65 and have enriched the social, cultural or civic life of his or her community.

To be considered by Council, all nominations must be submitted to the Town Clerk by Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at noon. Please contact the Town Clerk for nomination instructions and details.

More Information