Township News – June/July 2024

Council Meeting Schedule

Regularly scheduled Meetings of Council for the months of June and July, 2024 will take place on the following dates:

Council Meetings:
Wednesday, June 12th – 3:00 p.m. Public Session
Wednesday, June 26th – 3:00 p.m. Public Session
Wednesday, July 17th – 3:00 p.m. Public Session

Development Services Committee Meetings:
Wednesday, June 5th – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 3rd – 5:30 p.m.

All meeting times are subject to change and Special Meetings of Council may also be called on an as needed basis. For a complete schedule of 2024 Council meetings, please visit the Council Portal available through our website – bit.ly/3Gz6S1B.

Please Note: Township Council Chambers are open to the public. To ensure safety of the public, members of Council, and staff, room capacity limits are in place.

Virtual attendance is available, with Council meetings following a hybrid format and continued live-streaming. Members of the public are welcome to view Special Council and Development Services Committee Meetings via livestream on the Township’s YouTube channel.

Public Participation in Electronic Meetings

The Township of Oro-Medonte has amended its Procedural By-law to allow for electronic participation at Council meetings. Protocols have been established to advise how to participate in the public portions of these meetings. Please visit Council | Township of Oro-Medonte for more information, including how to participate in Open Forum or request a deputation/presentation.

Live Streaming

Township of Oro-Medonte Council meetings are live streamed. To view meetings live, visit bit.ly/44CAbLT and subscribe to the Township’s YouTube channel – Township of Oro-Medonte.

Citizen and Senior of the Year Awards

Special presentations will highlight the Wednesday, June 26th Council meeting with recognition and presentation of the 2024 Oro-Medonte Citizen of the Year Award to Dalyce Hutchinson, and the Ontario Senior of the Year Award to Bruce Chappell.

The Township thanks and greatly appreciates Dalyce and Bruce for their many years of outstanding contributions to the community, and extends our congratulations for being selected by Council and the Citizen/Senior of the Year Advisory Group as this year’s winners.

Summer Camp Programs and Registration

Registration for summer camp is filling up, but there are still some spots available. Program options include Ready, Set, Go Camp, and Pickleball, Basketball, and Multi-sport Camps. For complete details and to register your child, please see page 12 of the 2024 Spring/Summer Recreation Guide.

Spring/Summer Recreation Programs and Registration

The Township is offering a variety of programs for pre-school, children, and adults. To learn about program offerings and registration information, please see – Spring/Summer Recreation Program Guide.

June is Recreation & Parks Month – Complimentary Recreation Program Offerings


June is Recreation and Parks Month, an initiative that promotes the benefits of recreation and parks for physical, social, and environmental health. The Township is offering Oro-Medonte residents the opportunity to participate in recreation programs throughout the month of June, free of charge. For complete details and to register, please see page 10 of the 2024 Spring/Summer Recreation Guide.

2024/2025 Township Parking Information

For information regarding Township of Oro-Medonte resident parking, non-resident parking, and Honk Mobile parking options, please see Parking | Township of Oro-Medonte. Please note 2024/2025 Township of Oro-Medonte resident parking permit stickers are available at the Township Administration Centre located at 148 Line 7 South.

Fireworks Information

The Township of Oro-Medonte regulates the sale and discharge of fireworks. A permit is required to set off fireworks, and is available for purchase at the Township Administration Centre located at 148 Line 7 South.

A permit is not required when setting consumer fireworks off on Victoria Day, Canada Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Consumer fireworks being displayed on any day of the year shall only be set off between dusk and 11:00 p.m., except for New Year’s Eve where fireworks are permitted until 1:00 a.m.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Municipal Law Enforcement Division at 705-487-2171 or by e-mail at municipallaw@oro-medonte.ca.

Please Note: In addition to the required permit, individuals must hold a valid certificate issued by the Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural Resources Canada.

Open Air Burning

A reminder the Township has an Open Air Burning Permit By-law (By-law No. 2019-046) in place. You can access your free Open Air Burn Permit by visiting om.burnpermits.com. Please visit Open Air Burning | Township of Oro-Medonte for additional information including a list of frequently asked questions and to review the By-law.

Sunday Gun Hunting Comes into Effect in Oro-Medonte on September 1, 2024

As a reminder, Sunday gun hunting does not come into effect in the township until September 1, 2024. To review a staff report considered by Council on March 27, 2024 regarding implementing Sunday gun hunting in Oro-Medonte, please see bit.ly/4aZ5H9y.

Spring Construction Season

With the arrival of spring, construction projects throughout the Township will soon begin and/or increase in activity. Whether it’s a residential, commercial, or recreational project, for your safety, the safety of children, and construction crews, a reminder to please stay away from construction sites. On behalf of construction project teams, thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

2024 Property Tax and Water Bill Due Dates

Property Taxes
Property taxes are calculated annually by applying Council’s approved tax rates to property assessment values as provided by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Tax rates include Township, County, and education taxes. Payment for property taxes is due in four installments on the last business day of February, April, July and September respectively.

*Please note the September property tax due date is Friday, September 27, 2024 due to the Township Administration Centre being closed on Monday September 30, 2024 in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Water Bills
Water usage is billed quarterly, with payment due dates falling on the last business day of February, May, August, and November.

In order to assist with keeping track of the Township’s water billing schedule, please see below:

Water Billing Schedule
Usage Period Bills Mailed Payment Due Last Business Day of:
January – March April May
April – June July August
July – September October November
October – December January February

Additional Payment Option
The Township is pleased to offer an additional payment option by credit card, Interac e-transfer, in-person at a post office using cash or debit, and PayPal. This service is being offered through PaySimply.ca, a secure, third party Canadian payment provider. All fees are paid directly to PaySimply. Please note the Township does not retain any portion of the fee. You will be notified of the fee amount prior to your payment being processed. You will also receive an email confirmation of your transaction including fees paid.

For complete details regarding payment options for your property tax and water bills including the Township’s pre-authorized payment program, please visit How to Pay Your Tax & Water Bills | Township of Oro-Medonte or contact the Finance Department at 705-487-2171.

2024 Dog Tags

A friendly reminder that dog tags are required for all dogs owned by residents of the Township. For additional information and to purchase your tag(s), please see Dog Tag Licensing | Township of Oro-Medonte.

County of Simcoe 2024 Bursary Program

Through the County’s long-standing Education Bursary Program, twenty-one (21) $3,000 bursaries are available to County of Simcoe students attending a post-secondary institution in Canada. One (1) bursary is guaranteed for a resident of each of the County of Simcoe’s 16 member municipalities.

Bursaries are available to full-time and part-time Simcoe County students entering any year of a post-secondary education program in Canada. The online application deadline Wednesday, July 31, 2024. For detailed information, please visit County launches 2024 Bursary Program to support local students and families – Simcoe County.

Oro-Medonte Tourism Ambassador Certificate Program

Oro-Medonte Tourism Ambassador Certificate Program

A reminder to residents and businesses to consider participation in the Oro-Medonte Tourism Ambassador Certificate Program. The program features six online eLearning modules featuring informational videos, interactive maps and situational scenarios regarding local history, arts & culture, opportunities to explore, available experiences, and information on planning a visit to Oro-Medonte.

The purpose of the program is to incentivize people living and working in the township to stay up-to-date on available tourism experiences, encourage longer visits, and to support local businesses.

The certificate program is a free-flowing and enjoyable experience, allowing participants to complete the program at their own pace. Completion of the certificate program’s modules will take approximately two hours total. Upon completion, each participant will be awarded a certificate of completion and recognition.

For detailed information please visit Oro-Medonte Tourism Ambassador Certificate Program | Township of Oro-Medonte.

Oro-Medonte Tourism Ambassador Certificate Program

Township Social Media Channels

General Township information that might be of interest can be found by visiting and following the Township’s social media channels:

Twitter/X
Twp. of Oro-Medonte (@TwpOroMedonte) / Twitter

Facebook
Township of Oro-Medonte | Facebook

Instagram
Township of Oro-Medonte (@oromedontetwp)

Upcoming Office Closures

The Township Administration Centre will be closed on Monday, July 1st in recognition of Canada Day.  Regular business hours will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2nd.

Please Support Local Business

Suggested ways of how you can help local businesses:

 

  • When possible, buy local
  • Look for local farm gate sales, buy from local producers
  • Purchase from local businesses by visiting in person or shopping online
  • Order local meals for takeout or delivery
  • Share messages about local businesses through social media
  • Share businesses social posts through your social media channels
  • Write positive reviews of businesses you have visited
  • Purchase gift certificates now that can be used later

COVID-19 Information

The Township continues to monitor the status of Covid-19. The Township Administration Centre and Township facilities are open for customer service. 

Residents have the option to utilize electronic means for Township related business – staff are available to provide customer service by phone or e-mail. To learn more, please Contact Us​.

To stay informed about information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, please visit COVID-19 (simcoemuskokahealth.org). 

Please note: COVID-19 is a fluid situation and information is subject to change.

Township of Oro-Medonte News
148 Line 7 South, Oro-Medonte, Ontario LOL 2E0
Phone: (705) 487-2171
Fax: (705) 487-0133
Email: info@oro-medonte.ca

Stay Connected with the Township Through Reliable Sources of Information

The Township of Oro-Medonte recognizes that in today’s busy world, it is necessary to provide residents and business owners with a variety of ways to receive information.

The Township communicates through the following methods:

Information received through any of the above methods is guaranteed to be accurate, reliable, and factual Township communication/information. It does not include individual thoughts and/or opinions, and is the best way to keep up-to-date regarding Township business, initiatives, activities, and events.

Information posted on social media channels, websites, and blogs other than those maintained by the Township, does not reflect the official position of Council, nor the municipality, on issues of interest to the reader. You are encouraged to follow the Township’s corporate social media channels to find unbiased and reliable information.

The Township’s website offers a Council portal where information regarding upcoming Council and Committee meetings can be found.  Within the portal you can:

  • subscribe to meetings that interest you to receive email notifications when agendas are posted;
  • review agendas and minutes within the meeting area;
  • view upcoming and past meetings using the calendar;
  • search for agenda documents and minutes in the online library; and
  • find contact information for the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and your Ward Councillor.

To access the Portal, please visit Township of Oro-Medonte – Home (civicweb.net).

In addition, all Council meetings (regular and special), and Development Services Committee meetings are available through live streaming on the Township’s YouTube channel.  If you are unable to watch meetings live, video recordings can be viewed at any time. Please subscribe to the Township’s YouTube channel to follow live streaming, and to view previous meetings. There is also the opportunity to visit the Council Chambers during these meetings with seating provided in the audience area, to see democracy in action.

Regardless of how Oro-Medonte community members choose to receive information, the communication methods outlined above will ensure reliable, timely, accurate, factual, and up-to-date information regarding the Township.