August 2021
Published monthly
Newsletter
Vol. 3, Edition 2
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Welcome to our latest edition of The Monthly Report.
We had another busy month in Wasaga Beach as thousands of people visited, taking advantage of a winning combination: good weather, sand, and the refreshing water of Nottawasaga Bay.
Read on and you'll learn about the following:
- the positive report from the town's integrity commissioner;
- details about development projects that are moving ahead;
- new businesses that have opened;
- upcoming programs;
- upcoming events;
...plus much more.
Again, thanks for reading and if you haven't subscribed you can do so by visiting here:
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SUMMER CAMP WINDS DOWN Thank you to everyone who participated in our summer camp program this year. We had 160 campers come through the Oakview Woods Summer Day Camps and we had a blast. |
CROSSFIT GRAND OPENING Congratulations to Michelle Smeh and her husband John, owners of CrossFit Mozomo, on the grand opening of their new location at 19th Street. Mayor Nina Bifolchi and members of council were pleased to attend the ribbon cutting Aug. 7. Thanks to Mozomo for being a great part of our community. Learn more about the business. |
PARALEGAL FIRM OPENS AT NEW LOCATION Mayor Nina Bifolchi and members of council, as well as economic development officer Kait Monsma, attended the grand opening for De Palma and Associates at its new location at 14 Ramblewood Dr., Unit. 203 on Aug. 23. Congratulations on the beautiful new spot. Learn more about the paralegal firm. |
WELCOME STAR BUDS On Aug. 20, Mayor Nina Bifolchi, along with Deputy Mayor Sylvia Bray and economic development officer Kait Monsma, attended the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Star Buds Cannabis Co. located at 30-45th Street, Unit 6. General Manager Jason Edgar and Store Manager Jill Beresford were in attendance for the event. We wish them all the best in their newly opened location. Learn more about the business. |
VALUE BUDS Congratulations to Value Buds on its grand opening. Mayor Nina Bifolchi, Councillor Stan Wells, and economic development officer Kait Monsma attended the ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 27. The cannabis store is at 1295 Mosley St., Unit 5. Learn more here. |
IN MEMORY Former mayor Cal Patterson died in early August. Patterson made a tremendous contribution to the community over the course of his life. The town has placed a book of condolences in the lobby at town hall. Residents are welcome to sign the book Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. |
Town honours memory of former mayor Cal Patterson |
Cal Patterson, mayor of Wasaga Beach from 2003 to 2014 and a member of town council for nearly a quarter-century, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 4.
“On behalf of council and town staff, I extend sincere sympathy to the Patterson family,” Mayor Nina Bifolchi said. “Cal diligently served our community for many years as an elected official. His leadership and dedication were unwavering and his commitment to Wasaga Beach continued after he left municipal politics. He was a good friend, a mentor, ethical to the core, and someone I will miss greatly.”
George Vadeboncoeur, chief administrative officer for the Town of Wasaga Beach, said Patterson loved his community and always wanted the best for it.
“Cal found serving the people of Wasaga Beach to be quite rewarding. Sitting on council, dealing with the various issues of the day, ensuring the financial stability of the municipality, and planning for the town’s future brought him great joy. He witnessed the town accomplish so much over the years and was always optimistic about the future. I was always amazed how he juggled a successful full-time career in the private sector with his council responsibilities. In his many travels outside the community, Cal was a great goodwill ambassador for the town,” Vadeboncoeur said.
Wasaga Beach residents first elected Patterson as a councillor in 1991. He served for a three-year term.
In 1994, the community returned him as a councillor for another three years.
Then in 1997, Patterson stepped up and served two three-year terms as deputy mayor. At the same time, he served as a County of Simcoe councillor, playing a role in the decision-making process at the regional level.
During Patterson’s time as a town councillor and deputy mayor – serving with then mayor Walter Borthwick – the community experienced a real housing boom.
In 2003, Wasaga Beach voters elected Patterson as their next mayor. He would serve two more terms as mayor before leaving the role at the end of the 2010-2014 term.
As mayor, Patterson continued to sit as a County of Simcoe councillor and during these years served two consecutive two-year terms as warden, the senior political role at the county. Simcoe County councillors select who among their own will sit as warden.
“Cal loved serving as warden and providing leadership at the county level but his real interest remained the town where he lived and raised his family,” Mayor Bifolchi said. “Wasaga Beach grew substantially during Cal’s time on council. It grew in terms of new people living here and it grew in the sense of new services and amenities.”
As mayor, Patterson and his councils of the day led the implementation of new transportation improvements, including the widening of Mosley Street, from 45th Street to the Schoonertown Bridge.
Knowing the community was growing and evolving, Patterson and his councils implemented the community’s first municipal transit system and attracted significant new commercial amenities to Wasaga Beach. This included substantial commercial development in the west and east ends.
Patterson and his councils also spearheaded a highly successful doctor recruitment program.
The largest public-use infrastructure project during Patterson’s time as mayor was the building of the Wasaga Beach RecPlex.
“Cal leaves a remarkable legacy due to his lengthy career in public office. Our community benefits each day from the vision Cal and his colleagues showed. Cal’s wife Deb and the rest of the family can take great pride in the role he played helping build our town,” Mayor Bifolchi said.
Patterson found other ways to serve the community over the years too, including sitting on boards for G&M Hospital, RVH in Barrie, My Friend’s House, and United Way. He was also a Wasaga Beach Rotary Club charter member, a Wasaga Beach Lions Club member, and most recently served as a director on the Living Wish Foundation.
For his contributions, Patterson received the Wasaga Beach Citizen of the Year award, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Order of Wasaga Beach. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow through Rotary International.
In honour of former mayor Patterson, flags at town facilities will fly at half-mast.
Town of Wasaga Beach elected offices held by Cal Patterson
1991-1994 – Councillor
1994-1997 – Councillor
1997-2000 – Deputy Mayor
2000-2003 – Deputy Mayor
2003-2006 – Mayor
2006-2010 – Mayor
2010-2014 – Mayor
County of Simcoe warden (2010-2012; 2012-2014).
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Annual integrity commissioner's report received for information |
Jeffrey Abrams of Principles Integrity presented to council the annual integrity commissioner’s report.
Principles Integrity is the firm that provides integrity commissioner services to the Town of Wasaga Beach.
The annual report notes that during the year the company provided “a moderate level of activity as integrity commissioner for the Town of Wasaga Beach,” dividing this work into three categories: policy development and education, advice, and complaint investigation and resolution.
Fourteen complaints were filed, with none requiring a public recommendation to council. Through review, no contravention of the Code of Conduct or Municipal Conflict of interest was found to exist.
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South Georgian Bay
Tourism Update
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Melissa Twist, director of regional tourism for South Georgian Bay Tourism, provided an update on the organization’s activities.
South Georgian Bay Tourism is the regional tourism organization that markets the area.
The organization’s activities over the past year have included a variety of social media and website-based marketing campaigns, Twist said. This includes the ‘Live like a local’ campaign.
Other initiatives include a digital four-season guide and complimentary business listings on the organization’s website.
As part of its ongoing efforts to market the region, South Georgian Bay Tourism regularly promotes Wasaga Beach as a destination.
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Geosands update shows Wasaga Distribution Inc.
in good shape
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Geosands, the corporate entity that includes Wasaga Distribution Inc., presented its annual report to council.
Dave Stavinga, president and CEO, provided an overview of the organization’s activities, noting that overall Geosands and its subsidiaries are doing well.
He noted that Wasaga Distribution consistently ranks as one of the most efficient electricity distributors in the province.
A 2020 customer satisfaction survey found that overall people are pleased with the utility provider’s services.
Geosands and its subsidiaries provide service to more than 14,000 customers.
Capital investments are ongoing for Geosands and in 2021 include $1.7-million to replace aging infrastructure such as hydro poles and transformers.
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RFP awarded to design beachfront area road upgrades and streetscaping |
Council awarded an RFP to Tatham Engineering, at a cost of $687,500, to design Beach Area 1 roadway upgrades and streetscaping.
The work will support the redevelopment of town-owned land at the main beachfront. The work is required prior to development taking place.
An environmental assessment determined the scope of the design work that Tatham will carry out.
To implement the new road network and streetscaping the town will use a phased approach.
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Public meeting for
Brookvalley development
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A public meeting regarding the Brookvalley Wasaga Ltd. development took place at the Aug. 19 Coordinated Committee meeting.
Brookvalley requires a zoning bylaw amendment for its residential development to proceed as planned at 601 Sunnidale Road South. The site is part of the Sunnidale Trails community under construction.
Town staff have not completed a detailed review of the Brookvalley application, but will provide a recommendation to council later.
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Public meeting for condo project in west end |
A public meeting for the Beachwood Developments Inc., proposed condominium development occurred at the Coordinated Committee meeting on Aug. 19.
The proposal requires an official plan amendment, zoning bylaw amendment, and draft plan of condominium approval for the project to proceed.
The property is in the west end, on the north side of Beachwood Road, south of Shore Lane.
Numerous members of the public spoke to the applications.
Town staff will conduct a detailed review of the various planning applications and the comments received and then make a recommendation to council.
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Municipality taking closer look at planning requirements for west end |
Council authorized staff to issue an RFP for completion of the proposed West Wasaga Secondary Plan.
The plan will be a focused review of development policies for the west end of Wasaga Beach.
The study will result in policies that will be part of the town’s official plan.
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Town ready to issue building permit for retirement home project when
site plan registered
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Councillor David Foster, chair of the Development Services Section of Coordinated Committee, said the town will lift the hold on M6 Development’s property at 705 River Rd. W. when the company registers its site plan, which is nearly in its final form.
Committee received a report on the project during its Aug. 19 meeting and Foster briefed council on the latest during the Aug. 31 meeting.
Lifting the hold will allow the town to issue a building permit for a four-storey 117-unit retirement home.
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Zancor development can move ahead when company meets related conditions |
Zancor Homes’ development off Ramblewood Drive can start its first phase of construction when the company satisfies all of the town’s conditions.
The Development Services Section of Coordinated Committee received a report on the project at its meeting on Aug. 19. Councillor David Foster, chair of Development Services, provided an overview of the report to council.
Foster said when Zancor meets the conditions, the town will lifts its hold on the property, allowing the municipality to issue building permits for 123 detached lots.
Staff anticipate Zancor applying for the permits this fall.
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Budget dates established,
preliminary work under way
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The General Government Section of Coordinated Committee, at its Aug. 19 meeting, approved the 2022 budget process and schedule.
Staff work on the budget is under way and Committee of the Whole will receive the first draft on Oct. 7.
Deputy Mayor Sylvia Bray, chair of the General Government Section of Coordinated Committee, advised council of the budget status during her monthly report.
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Online resources to support you during the COVID-19 pandemic |
Town of Wasaga Beach
County of Simcoe
Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit
Ontario Ministry of Health
Health Canada
Government of Canada
World Health Organization
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Government of Ontario COVID-19 updates |
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Take the LINX bus to Barrie
The route runs weekdays between Allandale Station in Barrie and the Real Canadian Super Store in Wasaga Beach.
Hop on Wasaga Beach Transit to get around town
Wasaga Beach Transit is an affordable and economical way to get around our community.
Our buses run seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Leave the car at home and take the bus.
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When to call 211 or 911
211 is a tremendous community connection program, where a live person assists callers 24 hours a day to find information about a wide range of health and community services.
911 is strictly for emergencies (fire, ambulance, police) when help is urgently required. More here. |
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Search "Town of Wasaga Beach" on Facebook and Twitter and follow us for daily updates on town activities and services.
Be the first to know what's new!
Get information about agendas, town programs, council happenings, and much more.
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Wasaga Beach Council Highlights |
Wasaga Beach Town Council met on Tuesday, Aug. 31.
For an overview of what took place, see our highlights package: Here
Watch the meeting below:
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Find a meeting in our calendar |
Looking for information on when town meetings take place?
Check out our website for dates and times. You can see the whole month at a glance.
Learn more here:
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Town of Wasaga Beach Quick Fact
Did you know we post Town of Wasaga Beach job opportunities on our website?
Interested in joining our team?
Visit our website to learn what positions we are looking to fill: Job postings
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Did you receive a parking ticket and wish to have the charge re-examined? If so, you have the option of submitting a First Attendance form which can be found on our website. Please fill out the form and submit it to the Municipal Law Enforcement Department either by email at [email protected] or in person or via mail at Town Hall located at 30 Lewis St., Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A1. Once submitted, an officer will be assigned to re-evaluate the ticket and will be in touch with you based on the information provided on the form. |
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Are you being disturbed by nuisance noise from a loud party or persistent dog barking? If so, know that the Town of Wasaga Beach has a by-law #2019-15 prohibiting noise and nuisance activities. If you have a noise complaint, please call the by-law department at (705) 429-2511. Officers are on duty Monday-Thursday until 12:30am and Friday-Saturday until 2:30am. On long weekends, we have officers on shift until 3:30am. If the complaint is being made after the noise has ceased, fill out the Citizen's Confidential Complaint Form. |
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Waste collection information |
The County of Simcoe is responsible for waste collection in the Town of Wasaga Beach.
You can learn more about waste services by visiting the county's website.
The site includes a variety of information, including waste collection schedules and landfill locations.
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Water conservation rebates are available! |
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The Town of Wasaga Beach has a water conservation rebate program.
When you install a low flow or dual flush toilet you are eligible for a $70 rebate.
Residents who install a rain barrel can get a $30 rebate.
Please note that only property owners on municipal water are eligible for the rebate.
You can find rebate forms at here or pick one up at town hall, 30 Lewis St. Applicants must include copies of receipts indicating that they purchased the particular item.
Completed forms and supporting documentation can be presented at town hall. The rebate will be applied to your next water bill.
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You've got payment options
through Plastiq
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Through the town's website using Plastiq (third party), you can pay your property tax and/or water/wastewater bill by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
There will be a service fee of 2.5 percent applied by the service provider, Plastiq.
Please note that there are several low or no-cost means of paying your bill with the town. These include equal payment plan, telephone banking, mailing a cheque, or placing a payment in our drop box.
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Check out Let's Talk Wasaga Beach here: Click
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Pocket dialing can tie up resources |
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When inadvertently dialing 911 on your cell phone, please remember you are activating an emergency service.
In doing so, emergency personnel are committed to determining the origin and extent of the emergency that may be happening.
This means they have to locate the individual who inadvertently dialed 911.
This response can draw needed resources away from actual emergencies. To prevent this please, when not using your phone, lock it so that unintentional calls do not happen.
If you do dial 911 by mistake, please do not hang up on the operator. Explain the call is in fact not an emergency, tell the operator where you are and stay there. This is because an officer must attend your location to determine an emergency is not taking place.
By hanging up or leaving your current location, you create a situation where emergency services must try to locate you, and in the process tie up precious resources.
Only you can stop 911 misdials.
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Are you familiar with MedicAlert Connect?
MedicAlert Connect provides Ontario Provincial Police with 24/7 direct access to a person's medical information including conditions, anxiety triggers, and de-escalation techniques, to assist with reuniting you and your loved ones.
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Did you know the OPP has an online crime reporting site?
The site lets you report a crime without visiting an OPP detachment. Learn more. |
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OAKVIEW BEACH From the Historical Archives Committee. Oakview Beach was one of six beach areas that would eventually form what is now the Town of Wasaga Beach. Oakview Beach encompassed the area from Joan Avenue (now 18th Street) to 45th Street. It was part of Sunnidale Township and was annexed by Wasaga Beach in 1966 with what was described as a battle. Oakview Beach had its own cottage courts, inns, restaurants, year round businesses and the first bank. The library and the chamber of commerce were also located in this area in the early 70s. For a period, from the 1950s to the 1980s, it was considered the town center. This changed over time, with the building of the new bridge and the new housing developments that span Wasaga’s unique long shape. New businesses developed and long-standing ones relocated to the west and east ends of Wasaga Beach to support the growing population. Picture courtesy of the Bowles Family Archive. |
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There's always something to do through the Wasaga Beach Public Library
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Message from Mayor Nina Bifolchi |
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August was another great month in Wasaga Beach.
There was terrific weather, we celebrated grand openings, welcomed thousands of visitors to town, and enjoyed great community events such as Jazz and More in the Park, movie nights, the farmers' market, and the Back to the Beach concert series. It seemed like things were returning to normal.
Council was happy to welcome Melissa Twist to our most recent meeting. Melissa is the regional tourism director for South Georgian Bay and she provided an informative update on all of the organization's activities to promote our community and other parts of the region.
At the same meeting, representatives from Geosands, the corporate entity that owns Wasaga Distribution, presented the organization's annual report to council. Thanks to the leadership of the board and president/CEO Dave Stavinga, Geosands is in great shape. It was noted during the presentation that Wasaga Distribution is one of the most efficient distributors in all of Ontario.
As well, the town’s independent integrity commissioners, Principles Integrity, delivered their 2021 report to council covering the last 18 months of activity. Over this period the integrity commissioners responded to 18 requests for advice and dealt with 14 complaints. None of the complaints required a report to council, as it was determined after a thorough review that no contravention of the Code of Conduct or Municipal Conflict of Interest Act was found to exist. They also found that the town’s Code of Conduct already incorporates recommendations from the Collingwood Judicial Inquiry, providing guidance to members of council on conflict of interest matters. Overall, they noted, “a marked improvement in members of council engaging more respectfully and collaborating during this reporting period.”
Also at our latest council meeting we approved hiring Tatham Engineering to design Beach Area 1 roadway upgrades and streetscaping. This work will support the redevelopment of town-owned land at the beachfront.
Several other important matters were dealt with at the August council meeting and I encourage you to review The Monthly Report and our council highlights package for further details.
Soon council will start work on the 2022 municipal budget. Staff work on the budget is under way now and a first draft will be presented at Committee of the Whole on Oct. 7. Watch our website for updates.
On a sad note, our community lost former mayor Cal Patterson in early August. I once again want to express my condolences to the Patterson family. Cal was a friend and contributed so much to Wasaga Beach and he is greatly missed.
Children across our community are heading back to class in September. This will be an exciting period after so much time spent at home due to the pandemic. I remind all motorists in the coming weeks to use extra caution when travelling through school zones and neighbourhoods - be on the lookout for little people who might not be paying attention.
In closing, stay safe and I look forward to updating you again soon.
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Wasaga Beach Town Council |
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Mayor Nina Bifolchi
705-429-3844, ext. 2225
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Deputy Mayor Sylvia Bray
705-888-1131
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Councillor Joe Belanger
705-816-0733
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Councillor David Foster
705-441-2211
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Councillor George Watson
705-309-7653
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Councillor Stan Wells
705-429-3239
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Your town council...
Members of Wasaga Beach town council are elected to represent the people of Wasaga Beach.
You can discuss town matters with a member of council by calling or e-mailing them.
If you would like a member of council to attend a special event please contact Pam Kenwell at 705-429-3844, ext. 2246 or e-mail [email protected]
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George
Vadeboncoeur
Chief Administrative Officer
705-429-3844, ext. 2222
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See what's happening on our social sites: |
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