Ramara Bulletin – November 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.  To further this mission, the Bulletin has been revamped into a more reader-friendly newsletter format, making it easier for residents to stay connected and informed. 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. 

Important Dates and Events

November Council and Committee Meetings

• Monday, November 6 - Combined Committee of the Whole and Council meeting - 1:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 5 - Committee of Adjustment - 9:30 a.m.
• Thursday, November 14 - Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission - 9:30 a.m.
• Monday, November 25 - Special Council Meeting - 9:30 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.

Remembrance Day Events

The Brechin Mara Legion will hold its annual Remembrance Day Service on Monday, November 11, 2024, starting at 10:45 a.m.

Learn more 

Learn more about the Poppy Campaign

Employment Opportunities 

The Township of Ramara is seeking a full-time Bylaw Enforcement Officer who can support the enforcement of our Township Bylaws and oversee the operations at the Ramara Township Canine Shelter.

The position closes on November 8, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

Learn more on how to apply and about the position 

Township Reminders 

Upcoming Holiday

The Township Administration Building and its facilities will be closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of Remembrance Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, November 12, at 9 a.m.

Yard Clean-Up

Before clearing your yard this fall, there are important reminders that you need to know about.

County of Simcoe Yard Waste Information

• Fall yard waste collection starts in October and ends in December
• Yard waste collection falls on your garbage weeks during this time
• Each zone receives 5 biweekly collections during the fall

Learn more about the pickup schedule, friendly tips and important information on the County of Simcoe's Yard Waste site.

Collection Schedule

View the garbage and recycling collection schedule to learn more about your collection days, what can go into your recycling bin and even how to set up service alerts and reminders.

Download the Simcoe County Collects app

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

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. 

Learn more

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. 

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.

Sign up

Ramara Recreation Information, Events and Highlights

Ramara Recreation - Winter Recreation Guide

Mark your calendars! The Winter Recreation is available to preview on November 20 at noon.

• Resident registration opens on November 27 at noon
• 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. 

Register online today

Ramara Township Public Library Events and Highlights

We are moving right along as we flip the calendar page to November! If you’re a snowbird, check in at the library before you leave to ensure your card is up to date so that you can still access eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines through our cloudLibrary and PressReader apps, along with valuable eResources. Staying put? We’ve got fun and FREE programs happening!

Adult Programming Highlights:

• Fibre Friends – Crafting Circle Wednesdays from 1:30-3:30 PM
  
  • Bring your own knitting, crocheting or other craft or participate in our volunteer project.
• Virtual/In Person Trivia
  Tues. Nov. 19^th and Dec. 17^th @ 7 PM
• Pop Up Puzzle Challenge @ Brechin Legion
  
  • Tues. Nov. 26^th @ 6:30 PM
  • We are inviting jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts, to the most awesome, brain-teasing, and snack-filled adventure you’ll ever embark on – a jigsaw puzzle party! 
• Spice Up Your Life – Grab and Go Cooking Kit
  
  • Tues. Nov. 26^th and Dec. 17^th

Children and Youth Programming Highlights:

• Little Adventurers – Ages 0-4
  • Fridays, Nov. 1^st  – Dec. 13th at 10 AM
• In Your *Library* Era!
  • Thurs. Nov. 14^th @ 6:30 PM
• Celebrate Taylor Swift being in Toronto with this fun hour of making friendship bracelets, trivia, karaoke and more!
• Pajamapalooza – Ages 4-12
  
  • Fri. Nov. 22nd and Dec. 20th from 5 – 6 PM
• Hungry Caterpillars – A Family Picture Book Club
  
  • Saturday, Nov. 23rd - Brechin location 10:30 – 11:30 AM
• After School Adventures! – Ages 8-12 @ Brechin temporary location
  
  • Thurs. Nov. 28th and Dec. 19th from 4 - 5 PM

  - 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.