May 2025 Ramara Bulletin

Ramara Bulletin – May 2025 Edition

Important Dates and Events

Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings

Monday, May 26: Council (including Committee of the Whole)
Monday, June 2: Council (including Committee of the Whole)
Tuesday, June 3: Committee of Adjustment
Thursday, June 12: Couchiching OPP Detachment Board
Wednesday, June 18: Trails Committee
Monday, June 23: Council (including Committee of the Whole)

All 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 Council meetings, including reading Council Highlights, how to communicate with Council and more at ramara.ca/CouncilMeetings.

Nominations Open for Ramara's Volunteer Awards

The Township of Ramara's Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Ramara Wall of Fame and Spirit of Ramara awards. Nominations are open until June 27, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

Access the nomination forms and learn more at ramara.ca/awards.

New Climate Action Committee Seeking Members!

The Township of Ramara is seeking engaged and passionate residents to join a new Climate Action Committee, a Council advisory committee dedicated to supporting local environmental and climate change initiatives.

The Climate Action Committee will act as a resource to Council and staff on matters related to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and environmental stewardship. The committee’s mandate includes developing a Climate Action Work Plan, providing input on programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and serving as a community model for climate action and environmental issues as requested by Council.

The Committee is seeking three members of the public as part of its membership. Applications are open until June 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

Learn more and apply at ramara.ca/ClimateActionCommittee.

Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission Opportunity

The Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission is responsible for managing, maintaining, and regulating the waterways, private parklands, two footbridges, and connecting paths within Lagoon City. One commission position is currently available for a levy-paying resident of Lagoon City. The term ends June 30, 2028, and the Commission meets monthly on the second Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Applications are open until June 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Learn more and apply at ramara.ca/ApplyNow.

Ice Storm Cleanup: Brush Collection and Drop-Off

As cleanup continues from the recent ice storm, the County of Simcoe has provided the following updates on brush collection and drop-off sites:

Residents in the hardest hit areas, including the Township of Ramara, will automatically receive one more collection, beginning May 20, 2025.
County of Simcoe waste drop-off sites will be accepting brush debris, free of charge, until the end of June 2025. This applies to all residents, businesses and municipalities in the County. Private debris contractors will not be charged unless the material is clearly not storm-debris related. Root balls will have a charge applied, as they require additional processing. The Mara Waste Facility is located at 5200 County Rd. 169.
To date, the County has amassed nearly 13,000 tonnes of brush debris, which is more than triple the amount that is typically processed in an entire year.

Learn more about brush and other waste collection in the County of Simcoe at simcoe.ca/waste.

Employment Opportunities

We’re hiring! Available positions include:

Financial Analyst
Deputy Treasurer/Manager of Financial Services - 12-month contract
Manager of Operations

Learn more about each position at ramara.ca/employment.

Recreation Report

June is Recreation and Parks Month

June is Recreation and Parks Month and the Township of Ramara is celebrating by offering a variety of events and activities for all ages! Activities will be ongoing all month long. Follow Ramara Recreation on Facebook or Instagram to see what is happening!

Interested in participating? Sign up will be available online or in person at the Ramara Centre (5482 Highway 12).

Learn More About Recreation in Ramara

Summer Camp Sign-Up

There is still time to sign up for summer fun! The Township of Ramara has an exciting slate of camp programs for the 2025 season! Camps are mainly hosted at the Ramara Centre, a fantastic facility equipped with spacious indoor and outdoor play areas designed to foster creativity and active play.

Please remember to verify your registration details, as the locations for our camps may differ based on the specific program selected. This ensures you have the most accurate information for planning your child's summer activities.

View Camp Guide

Township News

Official Plan Review Update

The Township of Ramara has been undertaking a review of its Official Plan. The final draft of the Official Plan was shared with Council for comments on May 12, 2025, and May 26, 2025. At the June 2, 2025, Council meeting, the finalized plan will be presented for adoption.

Read the Draft Official Plan and Learn More

2025 Recreation Master Plan Adopted in Principle

The Township of Ramara has officially adopted in principle an updated Recreation Master Plan following a presentation and report at the April 28, 2025, Council meeting.

The Recreation Master Plan is a forward-looking strategy designed to guide decision-making around parks, trails, recreation facilities, and programs over the next 10 years. Developed with community input, demographic data, and expert analysis, the plan outlines a vision and series of recommendations to support accessible and inclusive recreation opportunities across the Township for all stages of life.

Read the 2025 Recreation Master Plan

Thank You to Volunteers!

On April 29, the Township of Ramara honoured and celebrated the volunteers of the Township's Boards and Committees for their hard work and dedication to the community.

Thank you to all Ramara volunteers for enhancing our community by devoting their time, expertise, and knowledge to the committees and boards they support, and to Ramona Hall for hosting the event.

Congratulations to the Years of Service Award recipients:

• Kari Cipolla (5 years)

• Steve Weinberg (5 years)

• Larry Barton (10 years)

• William Leslie (10 years)

• Adrienne Davies (25 years)

2025 Resident Parking Pass

Residents can register for two free parking passes, and if needed, one paid parking pass, online at ramara.ca/parking or in person at the Township Administration Building located at 2297 Highway 12, Brechin, during business hours. The 2024 resident parking permits are no longer valid.

Find full details about the Township of Ramara's 2025 Parking Program at ramara.ca/parking.

Get a Parking Pass

May is Building Safety Month

May is Building Safety Month, and all month long the Township of Ramara has been sharing tips on social media about Ontario Building Code updates, what to think about when planning a summer project, how to submit permit applications online, and beyond! Check out the full series on Facebook, Instagram, or X.

Learn More About Building in Ramara

Township Reminders

After-Hours Number and Reporting

The Township of Ramara's regular office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from Monday to Friday, with the exception of holidays. Outside of these hours, residents can contact the following:

Bylaw Enforcement: Email bylaw@ramara.ca
Canine Control: Call 705-623-7295
Open-Air Burning Complaints: Call 705-484-5374 ext. 253.
Municipal Roads, Water or Sewer Emergencies: Call 705-484-5374 and select option 9

Non-emergency concerns for issues occurring within the Township of Ramara, and relating to the Township's areas of responsibility, can also be reported online. A valid email address is required to create a service request ticket.

Learn How to Report a Concern

Township's Community Information System: Alertable

The Township of Ramara's 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 platform to allow for multiple means of communication for both emergency alerts and relaying Township and community information.

Fire Facts: Open-Air Burning

Open-air burning is permitted in the Township of Ramara! Before you burn, make sure you are following the Township's Open-Air Burning Bylaw to keep the community safe!

For residential properties:

Check the Fire Danger Rating: Currently, it’s moderate.
The volume of materials being burned is no larger than 1 metre cubed and should consist only of organic materials (like dry untreated wood, leaves, grass, or paper).
Prepare the Area: Ensure the fire is surrounded by non-combustible materials.
Be Ready to Extinguish: Always have a form of extinguishment on hand.
Stay Alert: The fire must be supervised at all times.

To report a burning complaint, call 705-484-5374 ext. 253.

See the Open-Air Burning Bylaw and Learn More

Ramara Township Public Library Information, Events and Highlights

See what's in store for June at the Library! ☀️

Summer is almost here, the days are longer, and it’s the perfect time to dive into something new. Whether you're looking for fun programs, great reads, or a cool spot to unwind, we’ve got exciting things happening all month long at the Library!

Summer Programs are Coming Soon

Get ready for a season full of fun! Summer programs for kids, teens, and adults are just around the corner.

Resident registration opens Friday, May 30.
Non-resident registration opens Friday, June 6.

We’ve got a packed schedule of activities and events for all ages. Don’t miss out — keep an eye on our Eventbrite page for new listings, or sign up for our eNewsletter to stay in the loop!

June Programs (Registration Required)

Saturday Hub Club: Drop-In and Self-Led Activities: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Drop by the Ramara Centre branch with a caregiver (ages 12+) to participate in different activities each weekend! No registration needed.
Art Explorers! (Children): Wednesday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m.
PA Day Programs (Children): Friday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Once Upon a Rainbow (Ages 0-6 with caregiver)
Rainbow Studio (Ages 7-12)

Bingo Party (All Ages): Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Brechin-Mara Legion (2146 Concession Rd. 4, Brechin).
- Kick off summer in style with exciting prizes, thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Library!
Ramara Library Book Club (Adults): Wednesday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Discuss The Women by Kristin Hannah.

Check out more on the Library's Eventbrite page!

The sun is shining, the snow is melting, and friends are returning from warmer climates. It's the perfect time to celebrate new beginnings, and we’ve got exciting things happening at the library!

Community Calendar

Have you ever wondered when a Committee or a Council meeting takes place or what the Ramara Recreation and Library teams are up to? Check out our community calendar that highlights various events, public meetings or programming that are happening in the Township. Visit ramara.ca/calendar.