Hello WORA Members,
For those of you who may not have received this directly, we are pleased to share the latest erom e-newsletter.
The e-newsletter is very well done and contains a lot of valuable information all residents of O-M should be aware of. In particular, it contains some key agenda items for this Wednesday’s O-M Council meeting.
Erom has also organized an event with a special keynote speaker in early May for a very timely and important discussion on Development in Oro-Medonte, details are included below. Please mark your calendar and we hope you can attend.
Sincerely,
The WORA Executive
Oro-Medonte, Ontario
L0L 2E0
———- Forwarded message ———
Date: Sat, Feb 10, 2024 at 10:40 AM
Subject: Re-Imagining Development in Oro-Medonte (Save the date)
To: <woraratepayers@gmail.com>
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The objective of erom is to promote a healthy and sustainable community by informing and engaging residents on matters important to all of us in Oro-MedonteVolume 3 Issue 1
Subscribe to receive the erom e-newsletter directly
SAVE THE DATE
Re-imagining Development in our Rural Community:
Oro-Medonte
Sunday May 5, 2024 at the Oro-Medonte Community Centre in Guthrie
Doors open at 1:30 pm – Session starts at 2:00 pm
Development is inevitable …. but what it looks like and how it occurs can be shaped.
For this reason, erom invites you to an interactive session with
Guest speaker Sean Hertel, Registered Professional Planner (RPP) and University Lecturer. Together let’s start the discussion about future development in our township.
A MESSAGE FROM LORI HUTCHESON COUNCILLOR WARD 1
Regarding the 4th Line School – Recreation Centre
Hello! You will have definitely noticed that earth works have begun at the future Community Centre – School site. I wanted to provide a brief update on the progress of the joint venture between the Township and the Simcoe County School Board.
In September 2023 the Province announced their support in moving forward with the issuance of a tender for the project. December 20, 2023 Council approved the current project budget and endorsed the tender to Remo General Contracting. Now the on-site preliminary earthworks have started forming a component of site preparation. This activity will continue over the coming months. Detailed information including the most recent staff report on the project and financing can be accessed on my webpage https://www.lorihutcheson.ca/ .
The Township has launched a project webpage which will be regularly updated as the project moves ahead. The webpage can be accessed through the Township website. Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions you may have about this project or anything else you would like to discuss. I’m always available. All the best – LoriPhoto courtesy of Zuzana Bleha
Report on “Meaningful Communication with Local Officials”
On January 24, 2024 Council was scheduled to hear a presentation by John Mascarin, Aird & Berlis LLP re: Meaningful Communication with Local Officials. The presentation was delayed and with be added to an agenda in the near future. This is a very interesting report. I encourage everyone to read it.
One quote from this report states that:
“local politicians are perceived by citizens as having an impact on daily life more directly and intimately than federal or provincial politicians. Consequently, there is an emotional intensity present in municipal politics which can lend itself to colourful commentary and criticism of its participants.” (David A. Potts and Jacqueline Gumienny, “Municipal Politics and Libel” Municipal World (Nov. 1993) at p. 21:)
We are hearing from residents in Oro-Medonte that some of the Social Media content circulating on several Facebook pages in our township goes well beyond “colourful commentary and criticism of its participants.”
Residents are expressing concern that it often borders on being defamatory. The report by Mr. Mascarin addresses some of these issues.
To see the entire slide deck click here
We will post on our Facebook page when this report is back on the agenda.
Fire Services Review, Open Presentation to Council
Also on January 24, 2024 Council and the public heard a Presentation by Oscar Poloni, KPMG LLP re: Township of Oro-Medonte Fire & Emergency Services’ Operations Review.
Our Fire and Emergency Services (FES) are a critical service and many of our fire fighters are volunteers. We encourage everyone to become familiar with this report.
Presentation Click Here
View it go to YouTube and fast forward to 2:00 hours into the meeting
Township Corporate Projects Status Update
Have you ever wondered how to get a progress report on developments like Craighurst Crossing, Eagles Rest, Shanty Bay Estates or township projects like East Oro Fire Hall or the Line 15 Traffic Calming project.
Every quarter the township creates a “Corporate Projects Status Update”. To review the update from the last quarter of 2023 Click Here
Next Council Meeting is February 14th
3:00 p.m.
Open Session starts at 3:00pm
Closed Session following Item 3
Open Session immediately following Closed Session
We encourage you to review the entire
Agenda
Here are some items that maybe of interest to you:
Item 8 (a) 3:30 p.m. Deputation by Malcolm Morum, Nurse Practitioner and Executive Director, Huronia Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic re: Update on Huronia Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.
Item 8 (b): 3:45 p.m. Presentation by Inspector Coyer Yateman, Detachment Commander, Orillia Detachment, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) re: Quarter 4 (October, November, December 2023) Statistic Update.
Item 8 (c) 4:00 p.m. Deputation by Jay Beech, Vice President, Development, Georgian Communities re: Update on Craighurst Settlement Area. Click Here to view the presentation.
Item 11 (a) DS2024-017, George Vadeboncoeur, Planner re: City of Barrie Proposed Boundary Expansion. To read the Staff Report Click Here
Item 11 (b): DS2024-024, Michael Barton, Township Planning Consultant re: Zoning By-law Amendment Application 2022-ZBA-08 and Plan of Subdivision Application, 2022-SUB-02 by Eagles Landing Estates Ltd., 2735 Line 3 North.
This is a request to rezone the lands northeast of Bass Lake Sideroad and 3rd Line. It’s the next phase of Eagles Rest.
To read the staff report Click Here
Item 11 (e) OCS2024-02, Roz Llewellyn, Manager, Community Services re: Wharf Rehabilitation (Hawkestone and Santy Bay Wharfs) To read the staff report Click Here
Item 17 (a) Notice of Motion brought by Councillor Bard,
To be dealt with at the February 14, 2024 Council meeting
“Be it resolved that the Community Service Department bring forward a report to review the development of a confidential fee assistance program for qualifying residents facing financial barriers to provide access to recreation and sport programs in Oro-Medonte.”Item 17 (b): Notice of a Motion brought by Deputy Mayor
To be dealt with at the February 28, 2024 Council meeting
Whereas, the Top Aggregate Producing Municipalities of Ontario [TAPMO] is an organization comprised of municipal representatives,
And Whereas, the open-pit mining of aggregates is a provincially controlled concern of municipalities and TAPMO,
And Whereas, such open-pit mining can have impacts on groundwater security, traffic, township road infrastructure, site rehabilitation, taxation, natural habitat, agriculture and wetlands,
And Whereas, the Auditor General of Ontario has produced a Value-for-Money Audit on the Management of Aggregate Resources that identifies a shortage of inspectors, lack of compliance, outstanding violations, lack of enforcement and prosecution, incomplete site rehabilitation, and etc.,
And Whereas, through the efforts of an MPAC property assessment appeal by the County of Wellington the Township of Oro-Medonte will realize an aggregate mining tax increase of $60,000 annually that commenced in 2023,
And Whereas, TAPMO proposes that it requires an Executive Director to assist in overseeing the objectives of the municipalities to encourage co-operation of the Province and the aggregate producers,
And Whereas, TAPMO requires $20,000 from each of five municipalities to fund an Executive Director position,
Now and Therefore, this Motion is to allocate $20,000 in the 2024 Oro-Medonte budget to assist in funding the position of Executive Director for TAPMO, on the following conditions;
That, other municipalities commit, at minimum, an amount in total to $100,000, inclusive of this commitment, to the funding necessary for the position of Executive Director of TAPMO,
And That, in the calendar year of 2024 TAPMO shall hire an Executive Director,
And That, should an Executive Director not be hired in 2024, then this commitment will cease to have effect,
And That, in any event this commitment will expire on December 31st, 2024.The Township is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Oro-Medonte Citizen of the Year award recipient, and Ontario Senior of the Year award recipient. Please consider nominating a resident who you believe makes a real difference in your community, and give them the opportunity to be rewarded and recognized for their important contribution. Deadline for submission is Friday, March 8th at noon.
For details including the nomination form, please visit: https://ow.ly/10PW50QrpIlWe still have some fantastic ice time available to rent.
Great idea for birthday parties, family gatherings or maybe a good ‘ol hockey game!
For more information, call or email Courtney.
705-487-2171 ext.2133 recreation@oro-medonte.ca
SPEAK UP AND LET COUNCIL KNOW WHAT YOU THINKYou can have your say about any item on the Council meeting agenda by sending your comments, in advance of the meeting, through an email containing your name, address and your comments on the matter to agendacomment@oro-medonte.ca or by participating in Open Forum (either virtually or in person). To participate in Open Forum fill out this Participation Form
HOW TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT YOUR TOWNSHIP
We encourage everyone to subscribe to receive the Agendas for Council Meetings and the Township monthly Newsletter. Subscribing is easy
Click Here to subscribe to the Agendas.
Click Here to subscribe to the Newsletters
If you have a community not-for-profit event you like to promote in our e-news or on our Facebook page please send the details to erom.info4u@gmail.com
Oro District Lions Family Day Skate.
There will be a collection of non-perishable food items as well as used eyeglasses and sunglasses to be repurposed around the world as part of Lions International efforts.
And FREE hot beverages and cookies! (Cookies donated by Fox’s Bakery)
MARCH BREAK CAMP – Register NowJoin us for a FUNtastic week of crafts, skating, outdoor/indoor play, games, songs, and a special guest!
Limited Spots Available!
Click here to register: https://ow.ly/Cxkm50Qscjn
WORA 