Nominations Open: 2025 Volunteer Recognition Awards The Town is excited to announce that nominations for the 2025 Volunteer Recognition Awards are now open! Nominate a dedicated volunteer or community group by March 14, 2025, to help recognize and celebrate those who make The Blue Mountains such a great place to live. Award categories include: - Arts & Culture Award
- Blue Mountains Community Builder Award (Youth under 26, Adults 26+)
- Heritage Award
- Outstanding Community Group Award
- Sports & Recreation Award
- Sustainability Award
The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Beaver Valley Community Centre, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Additionally, a Volunteer Fair will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., where local community groups can meet with the public and discuss local volunteer opportunities. To learn more, nominate a dedicated volunteer, or apply for a booth at the Volunteer Fair, visit the Town's website. Learn More | Council To Review And Approve Final 2025 Budget Town staff will be bringing a staff report regarding the 2025 Town Budget to Council on Monday, March 10, 2025. This report presents an update on the 2025 Draft Budget, incorporating amendments as per Council's direction from the Committee of the Whole meeting held on February 24, 2025. The 2025 Draft Budget has been reviewed by Council and the Public over a series of meetings throughout 2025. Following the January 27, 2025, Council meeting, the 2025 Draft Budget had a Municipal Levy of $23,091,910, which equated to a tax rate increase of 6.15% over 2024. A Public Meeting seeking public input on the 2025 Draft Budget was held on February 18, 2025, and staff provided a follow-up report to Council on February 24, 2025. Council provided additional direction to staff regarding the public input which is outlined in the report going to Council on Monday, March 10. The staff report recommends that the Council approve the Budget by-law to adopt the estimates of all sums required for 2025 for Town purposes. The staff report and budget by-law have been posted to the Town's website as part of the Monday, March 10 Council Meeting Agenda. Learn More | Youth Climate Action Fund Accepting Round 2 Applications For Up To $7,000 In Funding The Youth Climate Action Fund is now accepting applications for its second round of funding, which will be distributed as microgrants of between $1,500 and $7000 to fund youth-led climate initiatives. Eligible projects can include, but are not limited to: - Awareness, education, research and co-development initiatives
- Launching climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives
- Involvement in the governance of local climate action plans
These projects can be implemented in any community within the traditional Territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which includes The Town of The Blue Mountains, Grey County, Southern Georgian Bay communities, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation, Bruce County and other communities within this area. Projects must be led and implemented by three or more youth between the ages of 15 and 24 and support The Blue Mountains Future Story (the Town’s sustainability plan) and/or Going Green in Grey (Grey County’s Climate Action Plan). Proposals require the support of an eligible sponsoring organization to be considered. Organizations that are looking to participate or partner with youth applicants are encouraged to refer to the Eligible Groups and Organizations section of the Youth Climate Action Fund website. Applications are due by March 31, 2025. Applicants or interested applicants are encouraged to attend a free Grant Writing Workshop with the Youth Climate Action Fund project team to learn more about how to apply. Two dates have been scheduled: - Tuesday, March 11, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the Blue Mountains Public Library
- Thursday, March 13, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the Meaford Public Library
Submission guidelines, eligibility criteria and funding details are available on the Town's website. Learn More | Site Clearing Activities Begin for New Craigleith Fire Hall Contractors have begun brush-cutting and clearing activities on the site of the new Craigleith Fire Hall. As part of the construction plan, the Town will restore extensive naturalized areas across the site, enhancing privacy and preserving the natural heritage. This initiative, combined with previously designated protected lands, will help safeguard local ecosystems and ensure their long-term sustainability. A draft tree restoration and landscaping plan for the Fire Hall site has been completed and can be reviewed on the Town's project web page. The Town is in the process of pre-qualifying contractors for construction of the new Fire Hall, and expects to award the final construction tender before the end of April 2025. Learn More | Call for Volunteers to Participate in the Family Physician Recruitment Working Group The Town of The Blue Mountains is seeking applications from members of the public for appointment to the new Family Physician Recruitment Working Group. The Working Group will play a pivotal role in actively tackling key challenges and developing strategic solutions for Family Physician recruitment. Its primary objective is to attract new physicians and support the local community's needs by utilizing the Town's municipal authority to address healthcare access. Applicants are encouraged to complete the Application Form and include a resume, cover letter or any other background information and any special qualifications or interests related/applicable to the mandate of the Working Group. Shortlisted applicants will be confirmed on Monday, March 24, 2025, and will be invited to participate in an informal interview on either Thursday, March 27 or Friday, March 28, 2025. NOTE: Applicants shall be qualified electors within the Town of The Blue Mountains. All applications should be submitted no later than Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. to: Town of The Blue Mountains
Attention: Town Clerk
32 Mill Street, Thornbury, Ontario N0H 2P0
Email: townclerk@thebluemountains.ca Learn More | Renew Your Dog Licence 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 licence 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. Learn More | Council Cafe Event at the Marsh Street Centre on Friday, March 28 Join Council for an open and informal 'meet and greet' between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Friday, March 28, at the Marsh Street Centre in Clarksburg. The public is invited to join Council at the Marsh Street Centre to discuss topics of interest for the community. Coffee, tea and breakfast snacks will be provided. This event is open to all, and pre-registration is not required. There is no formal agenda for the Council Café and attendees may join at any time during the event. | Spring Road Maintenance Spring weather has finally arrived, and the Town's Roads Division is hard at work. Crews have started clearing catch basins and exposing culverts ahead of the spring melt. Residents can assist by helping to clear catch basins and reporting any instances of flooding. Axle weight restrictions have also come into effect on many of our rural roads to help protect them during the thaw. More information about spring road maintenance is available on our website. Learn More | Georgian Trail Detour Access to the Georgian Trail between Grey Road 19 and Lakeshore Road East is anticipated to be restricted beginning Monday, March 10, with a tentative completion date of Friday, March 21. This closure will be in place to allow a contractor to replace two culverts crossing under the trail as part of the Regional Stormwater Management Plan - Drainage Act Works. A detour route will be marked and maintained along Lakeshore Road East for the duration of the closure. Learn More | Food Surplus Redistribution Hub Survey Interested in food security and reducing food waste? A group of University of Waterloo students are exploring the idea of a Food Surplus Redistribution Hub for the Town of The Blue Mountains. Click here to respond to a short survey and support their student research by March 14, 2025. Take The Survey | | | | |
_(1)(3).png?1741103572901)
