Township News
October/November 2024
Council Meeting Schedule
Council Meetings:
Wednesday, October 9th – 3:00 p.m. Public Session
Wednesday, October 23rd – 3:00 p.m. Public Session
Wednesday, November 13th – 3:00 p.m. Public Session
Wednesday, November 27th – 3:00 p.m. Public Session
Development Services Committee Meetings:
Wednesday, October 2nd – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 6th – 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.
Registration is Open for Fall Recreation Programs
The Township is offering a variety of fall programs for pre-school, children, and adults. To learn about program offerings and registration information, please see the 2024 Fall Recreation Guide.
Slow Down For Us Digital Speed Reduction Campaign
The Township’s Traffic Safety Advisory Committee continues with their Slow Down For Us campaign in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police. The Township-wide crowd sourced awareness campaign is focused on speed reduction, through the use of a digital social media filter available on the Township’s Instagram profile. The #SlowDownForUs filter can be accessed and shared via social media posts and/or stories. To learn more about how to get involved including instructions on how to use the digital filter, please see Traffic Safety Advisory Committee – Speed Reduction Campaign (#slowdownforus) | Township of Oro-Medonte.
Sunday Gun Hunting Came into Effect in Oro-Medonte on September 1, 2024
With the upcoming hunting season quickly approaching, a reminder that Sunday gun hunting came into effect in the township on 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.
Safety Reminder Regarding Off-Road Vehicles
Central Region OPP has issued a news release regarding awareness pertaining to off-road vehicle safety. Please take time to review the release available here – bit.ly/3z5XIKu, follow critical safety guidelines, and remember that dirt bikes are considered off-road vehicles, and fall under the Off-Road Vehicle Act – ontario.ca/laws/statute/90o04.
Oro-Medonte Fire & Emergency Services Home Fire and Life Safety Audit Program
Oro-Medonte Fire & Emergency Services (OMFES) has implemented a Home Fire & Life Safety Audit Program for Oro-Medonte residents. The program aims to:
- Enhance fire safety in your home
- Identify and mitigate potential risks
- Ensure your compliance with the Ontario Fire Code
- Assess fire protection and detection devices
- Ensure you have working smoke & CO alarms where required
- Review your home escape plan
- Provide expert advice on home fire protection equipment
Please take advantage of this program to make your home safer by calling OMFES at 705-487-2171 to book your appointment.
Open Air Burning
An Open Air Burning Permit By-law (By-law No. 2019-046) has been established for the purpose of enabling and regulating open air fires throughout the Township. With the By-law in place, a Burn Permit is required for open air fires in Oro-Medonte. There is currently no cost to obtain an Open Air Burning Permit which is valid until December 31st of the calendar year it was obtained in. To obtain your Burn Permit, please visit Burn Permits – Township of Oro-Medonte. To learn more information, including a list of frequently asked questions, please visit Open Air Burning | Township of Oro-Medonte.
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.
Streetlight Information
With the arrival of fall, daylight hours will shorten. Streetlights are controlled by an individual photocell that turns lights on and off based on light levels – streetlights turn on when it gets dark, and off when it gets light. If a streetlight is out on your street, please report the streetlight that is not working to the Environmental Services department at 705-487-2171 ext. 2156. For additional information on streetlights including a comprehensive video, please visit Streetlights | Township of Oro-Medonte.
Milestone Celebration Certificates
If you or a loved one is celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary, Mayor Greenlaw and Members of Council are pleased to offer congratulatory certificates to help commemorate these special occasions. To request a celebration certificate, please visit Milestone Certificate | Township of Oro-Medonte.
Water Bill Payments
Water usage is billed quarterly with payment due dates falling on the last business day of February, May, August and November. Please note the third quarterly water bill payment for 2024 is due by Friday, November 29th.
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 |
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.
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.
Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour
Discover exceptional art and explore beautiful fall colours during the Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour taking place October 11-14, 2024. For detailed information including artist profiles and the tour map, please visit Home | Images Studio Tour (images-studio-tour.com).
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
Upcoming Office Closures
- Monday, September 30th in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Monday, October 14th for Thanksgiving
- Monday, November 11th in observance of Remembrance Day
Regular business hours will resume at 8:30 a.m. following each closure.
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
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
Proud Heritage / Exciting Future
www.oro-medonte.ca
Township Implementing Community Safety Zones Throughout Identified Areas in Oro-Medonte
Building on the Township’s Traffic Safety Advisory Committee’s “Slow Down For Us” (#slowdownforus) awareness campaign, which is in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Oro-Medonte Council is taking additional proactive steps to provide a safe and healthy community for residents and visitors, by establishing Community Safety Zones (CSZ’s) throughout identified areas in Oro-Medonte.
The primary objective of CSZ’s is to elevate the safety of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users near locations such as schools and identified parks, by enhancing awareness of a safety zone to improve driver behaviour.
A CSZ is a section of road defined through the Township’s Community Safety Zone By-law. CSZ’s provide an environment to improve safety on certain sections of road where public safety is of particular concern. Certain Highway Traffic Act fines (including speeding, careless driving, distracted driving, failing to comply with road signs etc.) are doubled within a CSZ. License suspensions and potential convictions can be amplified within CSZ’s.
Speed limits in CSZ’s remain the same. However, the objective is to enhance traffic compliance through the implementation of increased visual signage and stricter penalties for violations within these areas.
Automated Speed Enforcement can only be implemented in areas that are established as CSZ’s, and must meet a set of criteria to be used. The Township’s Community Safety Zone By-law allows the consideration of the use of automated speed enforcement, and will be reviewed following completion of the implementation of all CSZ’s. However, automated speed enforcement is not part of the current implementation of CSZ’s .
- adjacent to elementary or secondary schools;
- adjacent to senior’s centres and institutions;
- adjacent to hospitals or medical centres; and
- adjacent to township-wide/regional parks and community parks as defined in the Township’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
The Township appreciates telephone calls and emails from residents to discuss concerns pertaining to Township roadways. If you have a concern, please contact the Township’s transportation division by e-mail at transportation@oro-medonte.ca or by telephone at 705-487-2171 ext. 2122. Township staff will document your traffic concern and take necessary steps to determine possible solutions. Additionally, Township staff will evaluate the road section to determine if a CSZ is applicable.
CSZ’s are an additional tool to enhance safety throughout the township, and is complementary to the Slow Down For Us awareness campaign which is focused on speed reduction. Rollout and establishment of CSZ’s continues in areas throughout Oro-Medonte in order of priority.
The best way to be notified of new CSZ’s and keep up-to-date on this important initiative is to follow the Township’s social media channels, and by using #slowdownforus:
- Twitter at of Oro-Medonte (@TwpOroMedonte) / Twitter
- Facebook at Township of Oro-Medonte | Facebook
- Instagram at Township of Oro-Medonte (@oromedontetwp)
For detailed information including a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions, background materials, and mapping of new CSZ’s, please visit Community Safety Zone Implementation | Township of Oro-Medonte.
As a reminder, please promote and participate in the Slow Down for Us campaign, and encourage your neighbours to do the same by using the Slow Down For Us filter found on the Township’s Instagram profile; take a photo with a personal message or create a video and share the filter on your own social media platforms, including Facebook, using hashtag #slowdownforus. Participants of the campaign have the option to submit photos or videos directly to the Township by visiting Traffic Safety Advisory Committee | Township of Oro-Medonte. Details regarding the campaign, including instructions on how to use the digital filter, and submit photos and videos can be found by visiting Traffic Safety Advisory Committee – Speed Reduction Campaign (#slowdownforus) | Township of Oro-Medonte.
If you see or encounter concerning driver behaviour including speeding, please report it to the OPP using the non-emergency telephone number at 1-888-310-1122. The OPP’s Provincial Communications Centres operate 24/7, answering emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Incidents may also be reported online by visiting Ontario Provincial Police – Online Reporting (opp.ca).
Together, we can create positive change and mitigate the often devastating consequences associated with excessive speed, sign violations, and distracted driving.
