January 2026 Ramara Bulletin

- Jan 21, 2026

Important Dates and Opportunities

Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings

  • Monday, January 26: Regular Council Meeting (includes Committee of the Whole)
  • Thursday, January 29: Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission
  • Monday, February 9: Regular Council Meeting (includes Committee of the Whole)
  • Wednesday, February 18: Ramara Trails Committee
  • Thursday, February 26: Ramara Economic Development Committee

All regular Council meetings may be 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.

 

Employment Opportunities

We’re hiring! Available positions include:

  • Manager of Taxation, Procurement & Risk
  • Summer Day Camp Counsellors

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

 

Appeal Tribunal – Applications Invited

The Township of Ramara is inviting applications from residents interested in serving on the Appeal Tribunal.

The Appeal Tribunal is an independent, quasi-judicial body established under Bylaw 2020.66. It hears appeals related to Township bylaws, including licensing, short-term rental accommodations, and canine control, and plays an important role in promoting fairness, accountability, and transparency in municipal decision-making.

The application deadline is January 27, 2026.

To learn more about the role, visit  Notice of Vacancy – Township of Ramara Appeal Tribunal | Township of Ramara

Apply Online 

 

Holiday Schedule

Family Day – February 16, 2026

The Township Administration Building will be closed for Family Day on Monday, February 16, 2026, reopening on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 9 a.m.

During this time, online services remain available including:

  • Report an infrastructure or bylaw concern
  • View interactive mapping for trails, zoning and bylaw information
  • Pay a bill
  • Sign up for paperless billing
  • Register for a recreation program
  • And beyond

See all online services at ramara.ca/OnlineServices.

After-Hours Phone Numbers

·       Canine Control - 705-623-7295

·       Roads, Municipal Water/Sewer - 705-484-5374, Option 9

 

Pre-authorized Payment Plans and E-Billing

Pre-authorized Payment Plans:

Did you know that the Township of Ramara provides Pre-Authorized Payment (PAP) Plans to make it more convenient for you to pay your tax or utility bills.

You can sign up online using the forms below or you can also print the form, fill it out, and provide the completed copy by mail or in person.

Apply Now for Taxes

Apply Now for Utilities

E-Billing:

Sign up for e-billing to receive a PDF version of your tax and/or utility bills delivered directly to your email account. The e-Bill will look exactly the same as your current paper bill.

Paperless - Tax Bills

Paperless - Utility Bills

 

 

Food Producer & Business Feedback Session: Growing Local Food and Infrastructure

The Orillia & Area Food Strategy Planning Group is seeking input from farmers, food businesses, aspiring food entrepreneurs, and community partners to help strengthen local food production, infrastructure, and market access. Participants will help identify practical actions and priorities for the regional food system. Online feedback options are available for those unable to attend in person.

Date: January 29
Time: Light meal at 12:30 p.m.; Session from 1–2:30 p.m.
Location: Orillia Public Library

For more information & registration:
https://sharingplaceorillia.org/food-producers-feedback/

 

Ask an Ag-xpert Series: From Market to Meal – Making Your Products Stand Out

Farmers and agribusinesses are invited to an interactive webinar with Farmers’ Markets Ontario focused on becoming a successful farmers’ market vendor. Learn practical strategies for showcasing products, creating strong first impressions, and connecting with customers from market to meal.

Date: March 4, 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m.

More information & registration:
From Market to Meal: Making Your Products Stand Out - Simcoe County EDO

 

Township News and Information

Township of Ramara Grateful for Provincial Investment in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

The Township of Ramara is grateful for the Province of Ontario’s $30 million investment through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program – Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS) to support critical water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades in our community. 

The funding was announced on Friday, January 16, 2026. Read the Province’s full news release here: Ontario Investing $700 Million in Critical Water Infrastructure to Protect Communities and Support Housing | Ontario Newsroom

What this funding is for:

This provincial investment supports water and wastewater upgrades in Ramara focused on:

  • Protecting public health
  • Strengthening climate resilience
  • Safeguarding Lake Simcoe
  • Modernizing aging, highly regulated infrastructure

Projects funded include upgrades to wastewater infrastructure in Bayshore Village and Lagoon City/Brechin, installation of tertiary filtration and real-time monitoring to prevent sewage spills and reduce phosphorus, replacement of outdated spray irrigation systems, upgrades to the Brechin/Lagoon City Water Treatment Plant to support further growth and development, and the expansion of safe, clean drinking water to underserved homes in South Ramara. 

Why this funding matters for Ramara:

This funding represents the largest single infrastructure grant the Township has ever received.

Provincial funding helps offset a substantial portion of major capital costs that would otherwise need to be fully funded by a small ratepayer base, helping to manage long-term financial pressures on the system and rates.

This funding is a long-term investment in Ramara’s future. By addressing aging infrastructure now, the Township can extend the life of critical assets, reduce the risk of system failures, and avoid significantly higher emergency repair and replacement costs in the future.

What this means for residents:

  • This funding does not directly reduce water or wastewater rates.
  • It offsets a portion of major capital costs for future projects that would otherwise need to be fully funded by local users.
  • While the funding does not directly reduce water or wastewater rates, it will help to manage long-term financial pressures on the system and rates.
  • It’s important for residents to understand that grant funding is not intended to be used to subsidize user fees. Instead, grant funding goes directly toward the Township’s capital program and would ultimately help reduce financial pressure over time and avoid sharp increases in rates.

Learn more at: Township of Ramara Grateful for Provincial Investment in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure | Township of Ramara


Overnight Parking

A reminder to residents that 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.

 

Recycling Changes in Effect

A reminder to residents that residential recycling collection in Ramara is now managed by Circular Materials, a not-for-profit organization appointed by producers under Ontario’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.

The County of Simcoe continues to manage garbage and organics collection, as well as operate waste-drop off facilities as usual.

Your recycling is scheduled to be collected on the same day and uses the same carts.

Recycling and organics will continue to be collected on the same day but handled by separate trucks from different contractors, meaning that collection will occur at different times due to distinct routing schedules.

Collection schedules will remain the same with garbage and recycling alternating weeks and organics collected weekly.

To view the recycling schedule for Ramara and more information on set-out requirements, visit circularmaterials.ca/ramara.

New Contact for Recycling Inquiries

For questions related to recycling, such as collection schedules, missed pickups or recycling cart replacements, please contact Emterra directly by phone at 1-888-597-1541 or customercareont@emterra.ca.


Recreation Update

March Break Camp is coming up with some exciting special guests; registration is now open! Register today – spaces are filling up!

We’re hiring! Ramara Day Camp Counsellor job postings are also live, and we’re now accepting applications. Visit ramara.ca/employment for details.

Ramara Township’s winter programs are in full swing, and we invite seniors to join us on Monday, January 26, 2026, for a Seniors Social featuring guest speaker Karen J. Moore, who will be speaking about ADHD.

For more information on these programs and more, visit ramara.ca/recreation.

 

 

January Fire Safety Tips

New Fire Code Requirements for CO Alarms in Existing Residential Homes

Effective January 1, 2026

Ramara Fire & Rescue is reminding residents that new Ontario Fire Code requirements for carbon monoxide (CO) alarms came into effect on January 1, 2026. These updates are designed to enhance safety and protect residents from the dangers of carbon monoxide — a colourless, odourless, and potentially deadly gas.

What’s Changing?

Under the updated Fire Code, all existing residential homes that contain a potential source of carbon monoxide must have properly installed and maintained CO alarms.

A CO alarm is required if your home has:

  • A fuel-burning appliance (such as a furnace, water heater, stove, or fireplace)
  • An attached garage
  • Heated air that comes from a fuel-burning appliance outside the home (an appliance in a utility shed) 

Where CO Alarms Must Be Installed

If your home meets any of the conditions above, you must install a CO alarm in these two locations:

  • Adjacent to each sleeping area (near all bedrooms).
  • Effective Jan. 1, 2026: On every storey (floor) of your home, including storeys that do or do not have a sleeping area.

Maintenance

CO alarms must be:

  • Kept in working condition
  • Tested regularly (monthly)
  • Replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule

Choosing a CO Alarm

Residents may use:

  • Hardwired alarms
  • Battery‑operated alarms
  • Plug‑in alarms
  • Combination smoke/CO alarms

Look for certification marks from recognized testing agencies such as CSA, ULC, or ETL to ensure the device meets Canadian safety standards.

 

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:

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 email, 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.

Sign Up for Alertable

 

Library Information, Events and Highlights

Happy New Year!

Let the library help you meet your goals this year. Learn a new language, brush up on your tech skills, save money on eBooks, and more! Visit our website or give the library a call at 705-325-5776 to find out about all the programs and services your library has to offer. 

Ramara Library Membership Drive

Did you know library memberships are free for residents, seasonal taxpayers, and Township employees? Sign up in person at one of our library branches or apply online for a library card. January and February we are having a membership drive! Sign up for a card or renew your membership to be entered for a draw. Know someone who doesn't have a library card? Refer a friend to win a gift card for a local business!

Adult Programs (Registration Required)  

  • Evening Book Club: Wednesday, January 21 | 7:00 PM | January Book: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah | Register on Eventbrite
  • Elderberries 101: Tuesday, February 3 @ 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Ramara Centre | Register on Eventbrite
  • Do Not Ignore Your Mortality: Thursday, February 5 @ 2 PM | Ramara Centre and Virtual | Register on Eventbrite

Children & Teen Programs (Registration required unless otherwise stated)  

 

Highlights 

Tech Time:

Ramara Centre | Tuesday, January 27 @ 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Register on Eventbrite

Want to know more about using your smartphone or tablet? Join one of our Tech Times! Twice a month we'll learn about a new topic. Upcoming Tech Talks include: Mindfulness Apps, Using Ancestry Library Edition, and AI.

 

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. 

Did you know that community boards and organizations can also add events to the calendar if the event meets the following criteria:

  • 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 ramara.ca/calendar.

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Contact Us

Corporation of the Township of Ramara
2297 Highway 12, PO Box 130, Brechin, ON, L0K 1B0

T. 705-484-5374
E. ramara@ramara.ca

 

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