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March 2023
Vol. 1, Edition 1
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Welcome to The Monthly Update, our new e-newsletter.
Subsequent editions will be available about every 30 days.
The e-newsletter is a great way to stay informed about council decisions, programs, services, and other types of information relevant to the Town of Gravenhurst.
Click the button below and sign up to receive future editions in your e-mail inbox.
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On behalf of council and staff, I'm pleased to present you with our first edition of The Monthly Update.
I hope you will check out future editions in the months ahead.
As you'll see we have several things on the go.
For example, I am happy to share with you that council approved moving forward with its strategic planning exercise. This is an important project in terms of determining our goals for this term. I hope you'll take part in the community engagement component - watch our website to learn more.
Check out the council highlights section of the newsletter to learn about other items we dealt with at the latest council meeting.
Also, in our e-newsletter you will find details about our 'Name the Moose' contest. This cool character has lived at the municipal office for nearly a decade and needs a name! Please consider entering your suggestion.
Other items in this edition include details about half-load restrictions on our local roads, spring thaw information, and details about how you can apply to join our fire department. We also have in the newsletter information about summer job positions with the town.
And be sure to review our community engagement opportunities. We are looking for feedback on the following:
- the draft Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan
- Kinsmen Park playground
- Cinema Under The Stars
With Passover and Easter fast approaching, on behalf of council and staff I extend best wishes to you for the holidays.
Take care and I look forward to sharing more next month.
Heidi Lorenz
Mayor.
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Town advances strategic planning exercise | Gravenhurst town council is moving ahead with the creation of a new strategic plan for the municipality. "This is an exciting opportunity," Mayor Heidi Lorenz said. "Council looks forward to supplying input during the plan's development. A community engagement process, plus contributions from town staff, will also play an important part in crafting the plan." | | |
Town of Gravenhurst launches 'Name the Moose' contest | This cool character lives at the Town Office and has been greeting people for close to 10 years! But we don't know what to call this special moose. Send us your best idea for a name so our friend won't be anony-moose anymore! GRAND PRIZE OF $100 GRAVENHURST DOLLARS! | | | On March 10, on behalf of council and staff, Mayor Heidi Lorenz presented local resident Melba Smith with a plaque for her 100th birthday. Happy Birthday, Melba! Best wishes for the year ahead. |
Council Highlights - March 21, 2023 | |
The latest edition of Gravenhurst Council Highlights is now available.
Review the highlights to learn what happened at the March 21 meeting.
| | | Planning Council - March 28, 2023 | |
Planning Council met March 28 at the municipal office.
Click the above image to watch the meeting and learn what happened.
| Members of the Gravenhurst Fire Department were busy with ice rescue training the weekend of March 25-26. Eight firefighters started in our ice rescue program and learned skills to build from. Eleven veteran ice technicians completed their annual refresher training. | Spring thaw - Personal preparedness | |
Spring is here, and with temperatures increasing and the winter snow pack beginning to melt, high water levels in lakes and rivers are possible. Town staff have been actively monitoring water levels on a daily basis at the Black River, Severn River Road, South Kahshe Lake, and Lake Muskoka. Officials would like to remind the public that local high water levels are most often a result of heavy precipitation combined with the snow melt.
“We encourage everyone to keep an eye on the weather forecasts,” said Todd Clapp, Community Emergency Management Coordinator. “Preparedness should begin well before any potential local flooding occurs. Working sump pumps, clearing eavestrough so water flows away from foundations, and elevating items of value from basements are just some of the things to consider” he added.
The Town has established five locations where sand and fillable sandbags will be available to residents that may be affected by high water. Those locations include Cowbell Lane (at the end of the lane), Severn River Road East (at the cul-de-sac at Hwy 11), Sunshine Court, Muskoka Bay Park, and the Municipal Public Works Yard located at 1054 Crawford Road.
Officials are asking residents and visitors to be extremely diligent when venturing out near waterways, as well as travelling along roads. Conditions can change quickly, sometimes in only the matter of a few hours. Additionally, the Town continues to encourage residents and property owners to subscribe to Voyent Alert. In times of crisis, it is important to have access to trusted, timely and accurate information to ensure your own safety and that of your family’s and loved ones. Registration for the service is free, simple and totally anonymous. Visit https://register.voyent-alert.com or download the app on your smartphone.
Please visit www.gravenhurst.ca/alerts for more information.
| Half-load restrictions in effect | |
Each year, the Town places half-load or reduced/seasonal load restrictions on municipal roadways to protect its infrastructure.
This year, the restrictions took effect on March 13.
The temporary restrictions on heavy weight vehicles (vehicles exceeding 5 tonnes per axle) help avoid damage to municipal roads during the spring season.
In early spring, as frost comes out of the ground and moisture comes out of the roadbed, roads become softer and weaker making them susceptible to permanent damage caused by vehicles with heavy loads.
The seasonal load restriction protects the road and road base from damage caused by heavy vehicles and is ultimately intended to increase the lifecycle of municipal roadways.
Half-load restrictions are generally from March to May annually. Exact dates are set each year, dependent on road conditions and temperatures. The date in which the 2023 half-load restrictions will be lifted will be advertised once determined.
For more information on the Town’s seasonal load restriction program, including roads exempt from these restrictions and suggested alternate routes, please visit www.gravenhurst.ca.
For information on District of Muskoka half-load restrictions, please visit www.districtofmuskoka.ca.
|  | Contact North is now in Gravenhurst at 405 Muskoka Rd. S. Council members visited the education resource facility on March 15. Thanks to the staff for an informative presentation on the services available. Learn more about Contact North. | Join the Gravenhurst Fire Department | |
Are you looking for a way to serve your community?
Are you a person who likes to learn and never stop learning?
Would you like to be part of an awesome team?
The Gravenhurst Fire Department is seeking applicants for paid-on-call firefighters. Please visit www.gravenhurst.ca/joinGFD for more information.
Is there a fire in you?
| Looking for summer employment. Visit our website to learn more. |
Muskoka Wins Silver Medal at International Water Tasting Competition | You don't have to travel far to drink some of the best-tasting tap water in the world. For Muskoka residents, award-winning water is only a few steps away - and comes right from their tap. | | |
Notice of Study Completion - North Morrison Lake Road Parking Lot Expansion | The Town of Gravenhurst has completed a Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study for the proposed expansion of the North Morrison Lake Road Parking Lot. Visit our website to learn more. Comments are due April 4. | | |
Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan | The Draft Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan is now available for review! Visit Engage Gravenhurst to learn more. | | |
The new Kinsmen Park playground was constructed in 2021 to create a social and creative play environment with lots of challenging activities. We’re looking for your feedback about the accessibility of this structure to help plan for future playground upgrades. Is it inclusive and accessible for all ages and abilities? Let us know your ideas. Click the button below. | | |
What movies should we show at Cinema Under The Stars? | Have a movie suggestion that you'd like to see on the big screen during Cinema Under The Stars this summer? Visit Engage Gravenhurst and let us know. | | | Members of Gravenhurst town council showed off their colourful socks after the March 21 council meeting. The bright footwear is in recognition of World Down Syndrome Day, marked each year on March 21. Learn more about the day. | FedNor invests more than $2.2-million in Muskoka | |
FedNor, the Government of Canada's economic development agency for northern Ontario, is investing more than $2.2-million in Muskoka.
Learn more about the news.
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Looking for something to do in Gravenhurst?
Make our website your first stop for information.
Visit our website for great ideas.
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We have a variety of recreation options available in Gravenhurst.
In some instances, these opportunities are offered through the town and in other cases they are provided by various organizations.
Visit our website to learn more.
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Stay in touch with the Gravenhurst Opera House.
Built in 1901, the opera house is a focal point for great entertainment.
Check out the opera house website to learn more about upcoming performances.
Visit the opera house website.
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Gravenhurst Public Library
The Gravenhurst Public Library is a great spot to access reading material, movies, programs, entertainment, and so much more.
Located at 180 Sharpe St. W., the library is open Monday to Saturday.
For hours and more information, visit the library website.
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Planning and building
Looking for planning and building information?
We are here to help.
Visit our website to learn about the town's official plan, zoning bylaw, building permits, and much more.
Visit our website.
| Gravenhurst Fire Department | |
The Gravenhurst Fire Department provides fire protection services for the community.
Please call 9-1-1 if the department's assistance is required in an emergency.
Read a message from the chief.
Visit our website to learn more about the department.
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Members of council are your representatives.
They are elected to a four-year council term.
Visit our website to learn more about council members and how you can reach them.
| Meeting agenda information | |
Want to stay informed about upcoming meetings of council and committees?
Visit our website to learn more.
You can also subscribe to receive notice when new agendas are available for review.
Subscribe to agendas.
| Watch our meetings online | |
Did you know our council meetings are available on our YouTube channel?
By watching the meetings, you can hear council and staff discussion on a variety of topics and stay better informed about municipal business.
Visit our YouTube channel.
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The District of Muskoka provides important services to our community.
Governing the district is a 23-member council.
To learn more about the district and what it does visit the district website.
| Ontario Provincial Police | |
Policing in Gravenhurst is provided by the Ontario Provincial Police.
If you require police assistance for an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
For non-emergency matters, call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Minor non-emergency matters can also be reported through the OPP website.
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211 Ontario is a free service that connects people to a variety of resources, including programs and services.
To reach 211 Ontario, simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone. 211 is also available by text and e-mail.
Learn more by visiting the 211 website.
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