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Ramara Bulletin – December 2024 Edition
Welcome
The Ramara Bulletin, which first launched in May 2021, plays a crucial role in keeping residents informed about upcoming projects, news, and information related specifically to Ramara. The new format can be read online or in print, giving residents more access to the information they need.
If you have an exciting way to keep residents informed, contact us at info@ramara.ca. If you wish to receive this by print, please email info@ramara.ca.
Important Dates and Events
December Council and Committee Meetings
- Tuesday, December 3 - Committee of Adjustment - 9:30 a.m.
- Thursday, December 5 - Economic Development - 9:30 a.m.
- Monday, December 9 - Combined Committee of the Whole and Council meeting - 9:30 a.m.
- Thursday, December 12 - Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission - 9:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, December 17 - Appeals - 10 a.m.
All Committee and Council meetings are streamed on the Township of Ramara's YouTube channel and available in person in the Council Chambers in the Administration Building at 2297 Highway 12. Learn more about Committee and Council meetings, including reading Council Highlights, how to communicate with Council and more at www.ramara.ca/Councilmeetings.
Upcoming Office Closure
The Township of Ramara Administration Building will be closed on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 9 - 10 a.m. for staff recognition event. The office will reopen on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Canada Post Strike Impacts
Since Nov. 15, 2024, Canada Post workers have been on strike. If you are expecting a bill from the Township, have a payment due or you may think you have an outstanding balance, we encourage you to contact staff to confirm your balance, due date and available payment options. Please remember, even during mail disruptions, all penalties, interest, or fines remain in effect. We are unable to make exceptions for late payments sent by mail.
The Township of Ramara utilizes the following payment methods:
- Online and telephone banking
- Online Credit Card payments
- In Person
- Pay at the bank
- Pre-authorized payment plan
Don't miss a payment! Learn about all the ways you can pay a bill.
Accounts Payable - Vendor Direct Deposit
Go Paperless!
Sign up and you will receive a PDF version of your tax and/or utility (water and wastewater) bill delivered directly to your email account. The eBill will look exactly the same as your current paper bill.
How does electronic billing work?
Once your eBilling service has been activated, your future bills will be electronically delivered to the email address you provided. Residents may sign up more than one property account or utility account for eBilling.
What if I change my mind and want to revert back to paper billing?
If you decide to withdraw from eBilling, simply provide your name, property address, property roll number, and/or utility account number (if applicable) in an email request to jthompson@ramara.ca (taxes) or alee@ramara.ca (utilities) or contact the Utility or Tax Inquiry Clerk at 705-484-5374.
Employment Opportunities
The Township of Ramara is seeking for Recreation Program staff who will plan and implement recreational programming between December 2024 and June 2025.
The position closes on December 13, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
Learn more on how to apply and about the position
2025 Dog Tags
Keep your furry friends safe! In the Township of Ramara, all dogs need to be licensed, and having a dog tag makes it easier to reunite lost pets with their loving families.
The 2025 Dog Licence are available for purchase either online, by mail or in person.
2025 Budget and Water/Wastewater rates
Ramara Council adopted its 2025 $35,686,600 budget with a 5.14% increase on the municipal portion of the tax rate, equating to an extra $30.65 per $100,000 assessment value, or a total of $627 per $100,000 assessment value.
View the 2025 Budget and Budget Highlights on our website
Council also adopted the 2025-2033 water and wastewater rates, which outline an 8% increase for water rates and a 13% increase for wastewater rates.
Township Reminders
Upcoming Holiday
The Township Administration Building and its facilities will be closed on December 24 at noon and will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 9 a.m.
Township's Community Information System - Alertable
Our Community Information System (CIS) provides alerts about emergencies and other important Township and community news directly to all your devices including e-mail, home phone, cell phone and even fax. Ramara CIS uses the Alertable system to allow for multiple means of communication for both Emergency Alerts and relaying Township and Community information.
Sign up today to receive an alert either by email, phone, text and more
Fire and Rescue Services Reminders
12 Holiday Fire Safety Tips
- Water fresh trees daily.
- Check lights before decorating.
- Make sure you have working smoke alarms.
- Practice your Fire Escape Plan.
- Use extension cords wisely.
- Give space heaters space.
- Blow out candles before you leave.
- Ensure you have working CO alarms.
- Keep matches and lighters out of site and reach of children.
- Do not leave your cooking unattended.
- Encourage smokers to smoke outside
- Do not hang stocking from the mantel while the fireplace is in use.
- Make sure appliances are serviced, and their exhausts are clean and clear of obstructions.
- Ensure your Chimney is cleaned prior using your wood-burning appliances.
Feeding Families Campaign
The Township of Ramara is launching the Feeding Families campaign from November 20 to December 15 to support local families in need. Over the past four years, the campaign has raised over $40,000. This year’s goal is $10,000 in monetary and gift card donations.
How can I get involved?
It's easy to make a difference! This year's focus for the campaign is raising $10,000 or more in money and gift card donations. You may also donate the following: scarfs, mittens, winter coats and canned & non-perishable food.
Where can I donate?
Residents and businesses can drop off Money or gift cards at the following locations: Township Administration Building, Ramara Centre, or Ramara Public Library branch - Ramara Centre.
All donations are distributed to local children and families in Ramara. Residents are asked for their continued generosity and support in helping those most in need in our area.
Learn more about the campaign on our Feeding Families page
December Community Events
Fun, Frost, Family - Free Holiday Event
Join the Ramara Recreation Department and Ramara Library on December 7 from 10 to 1 p.m. for a fun winter wonderland open house! Bring a non-perishable food item, and visit the gym and library to check out the family fun stations. There is something for the whole family to enjoy!
Brechin Mara Legion and District Lion's Club Santa Pancake Breakfast
Visit Santa and eat some pancakes on December 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brechin Legion. Open to everyone who can attend and the cost to attend is donation at the door.
Learn more about the event
Ugly Sweater - Youth Dance
Get out your ugly sweaters and dancing shoes and join Ramara Recreation for the Ugly Sweater Youth Dance on December 13 from 7-10 p.m. for youth in grades 4-8. The cost of admission is $10 or $5 with a non-perishable food item.
Stamp Out Hunger - Boot Drive
Join the Ramara Firefighters Association for their annual 'Stamp Out Hunger' boot drive at Brechin Foodland on December 14 from 8 a.m.to 1p.m.
Infrastructure Information, Updates and Closures
Winter Operations
Winter is on its way!
The Township of Ramara follows it's Winter Control Policy that meets the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways which includes staff providing plowing, sanding, ice treatment, and ice blading.
Help our snow plow operators clear roads safety and quickly by doing the following:
- Ensure you vehicle doesn't block snow removal operations
- Mailboxes are kept clear of snow
- Garbage bins are visible, yet removed from the road allowance
- When clearing your driveway, consider the direction of the snow plow. Move snow to the side of your property that the plow finishes on, so less snow is spread back across the driveway,
- Snow is not blown onto the roadway. Rather, blow or place snow onto your own yard.
- Keep children off snow banks. Do not let children tunnel into snow banks, as they can collapse or be pushed back by snow plows.
- Snow piles do not block access in front or beside fire hydrants, catch basins, drains or culverts
As snow and ice builds up on the street, clearing the area around the sewer grates, curbside gutters and drainage ditch will help to prevent flooding and property damage.
Learn more about our winter operations in Ramara on our Winter Control page.
Overnight Parking
From November 15 to April 15, overnight parking is prohibited on ALL municipal (Ramara) roadways between midnight to 7 a.m.
View our Parking in Ramara page to learn about the Resident Permit Parking Program, paid parking and parking restrictions.
Load Restriction in Effect - Poplar Crescent Bridge
Please be advised as a result of our Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) bridge inspection completed by Tatham Engineering, it was determined that Bridge 201 (Poplar Crescent Bride) exhibits structural deficiencies and that a gross weight restriction of 20 tones be imposed to ensure structural integrity until its repair or replacement in 2025.
As a result, effective immediately, the Township of Ramara has placed a weight restriction on Bride 201, situated on Poplar Crescent between Pinetree Court and Turtle Path, limiting the maximum weight to 20 tonnes. No vehicle or combination of vehicles, regardless of whether they are empty or loaded, may exceed a gross vehicle weight of 20 tonnes when crossing Bridge 201.
Don't remove YOUR water meter
Unless authorized by the Township, property owners are prohibited from removing their water meter. If your meter needs to be winterized, a licensed plumber can do that without removing the meter.
If you are going away this winter, a licensed operator can turn the water off at the curb stop at a price of $50. This cose will be billed on the next billing cycle. When turning the water back on in the spring, an additional cost of $50 will be billed.
Contact OCWA at 705-484-5600 to book an appointment
Pre-Authorized Payment - Utilities ONLY
The Township of Ramara is introducing a new 12-month Pre-Authorized Payment (PAP) Plan to make it more convenient for you to pay your utility bill. The current PAP plan, which involves regular instalments four times a year (April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31), is still available.
The new program will take effect on January 1, 2025. Users can sign up at any time, but it takes three weeks after signing up for the program to come into effect.
How does it work?
The monthly PAP amount will be calculated based on usage in the previous year. For 11 months of the year (January to November), the same PAP amount will be automatically withdrawn from utility users' accounts. December of each year will be an adjustment month. During the adjustment month, any remaining balance for the year will be cleared, leaving the account with a zero balance or possibly a credit balance.
Please note that credit balances will not be refunded but used towards future billings. Refunds will only be issued if a property is sold. You can also sign up during the year if you meet all the requirements below.
Program Criteria
- The utility user must own the property for at least one year.
- The current utilities must be at a zero balance.
- The utility user must not miss their PAP payments. If a user misses payments less than twice a year, they can stay on the PAP if they make an agreement with the Utility Clerk and follow through with the agreement.
- The utility user must agree to the terms above.
How to Sign up
You can complete the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan form online, in person, or by mail. The electronic form can be found on our website.
Water Usage Customer Portal
Stay informed about your water consumption!
The Township of Ramara has launched its new Water Usage Customer Portal, which allows water users to monitor their water consumption. The online portal will also allow owners to set up email notifications when abnormal water usage is detected at their property.
The portal allows water users to monitor their water usage, understand their current and previous billing, optimize water conservation through water usage monitoring and customize alerts regarding water consumption, which can help identify leaks.
Visit our Water Usage Customer Portal page to learn how to sign up, set up your account, navigate the portal, and set up alerts.
Ramara Recreation Information, Events and Highlights
Ramara Recreation - Winter Recreation Guide
Apply today to register for a program - Staying active and let your creative juices flow in Ramara
- Resident registration is open!
- Non-resident registration opens on December 4 at noon.
Learn more about recreation in Ramara on our Recreation and Registration page, including facility rentals, senior services, programs and courses and more.
Ramara Township Public Library Events and Highlights
Here we are...the final moments of 2024! We can’t believe where the time has gone. This month also brings Janet’s retirement! Be sure to stop in before December 17th to give her your well wishes on 25 years with the Ramara Library. Visit the Ramara Centre branch to also purchase great stocking stuffers such as movies, videogames, books and more for children, and great gift items from our holiday table.
We encourage you to also stop by before holiday hours commence to get your winter reading or TV/movie watching! The following are dates we'll be open:
- Dec. 24 10 AM to 3 PM
- Dec. 27 10 AM to 6 PM
- Dec. 28 Ramara Centre 9 AM to 3 PM, Brechin 10 AM to 2 PM
- Dec. 31 10 AM to 3 PM.
Looking for some down time between the busyness of the season?Register for one of these great programs:
- Winter Take and Make Kits – Ages 4-12. Deadline to register is Dec. 3rd.
- Fun, Frost and Family with Ramara Library & Ramara Recreation - Drop in on Sat. Dec. 7th between 10 AM – 1 PM to fun activities for the whole family!
- Little Adventurers – Ages 0-4 on Fridays until Dec. 13th at 10 AM.
- Afterschool Adventures in Brechin – Ages 8-12 on Thursday Dec. 14th at 4 PM.
- Spice Up Your Life – Grab and Go Cooking Kit (Adults) - Tues. Dec. 17th. * Pajamapalooza – Ages 4-12 on Fri. Dec. 20th from 5 – 6 PM.
Wishing you all a wonderful, happy, healthy and safe holiday season and New Year!
- Your Ramara Public Library Staff: Janet, Jo-Hellen, Lori, Rebecca and Vanessa
Community Calendar
Have you ever wondered when a Committee or a Council meeting takes place or what our wonderful Ramara Recreation and Library team is up to? Check out our community calendar that highlights various events, public meetings or programming that are happening in the Township.
Please note that our community boards or the public can also add an event to the calendar as long as it falls within our policy.
- Organized or funded by another level of government.
- Organized by a government-funded agency or board.
- Organized by a Township of Ramara affiliated committee.
- Funded in full or in part, the Township of Ramara.
- Sponsored by the Township of Ramara.
- Organized by a registered charitable organization or service club operating within the Township of Ramara.
- Located in a facility owned by the Township of Ramara.
Visit www.ramara.ca/calendar.
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