A round-up of recent news from communities throughout our beautiful region

We’ve put together some of our own Muskoka Newsbites along with a few contributed by our friends at The Bay 88.7 FM.

Bracebridge Considering A 40km Per Hour Speed Limit

Bracebridge General Committee agreed to consider a new 40km/h speed limit for the Town’s local and collector roads during their November 7 meeting.

The recommendation is a part of the new 20-year Transportation Master Plan that will be used as a guide for staff and decision makers to respond to the Town’s growth, public concerns, and safety issues with speeding. Other goals include incorporating and revising cycling, crossing, and accessibility networks throughout the Town to improve connectivity.

Many comments in favour of the speed reduction from 50 km/h to 40 km/h were heard and it was noted that speed reductions have historically led to less accidents.

The Committee will review the recommendation and make a decision in the upcoming December meeting.

Glen Orchard School Child Care Centre Opens

On Friday, representatives from Trillium Lakelands District School Board were joined by MPP Graydon Smith, the Mayor of Bracebridge and Deputy District Chair Rick Maloney, as well as representatives from the District of Muskoka and Muskoka Lakes Preschool for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new child care centre at Glen Orchard Public School.

The new facility will offer 36 new spaces for toddler to preschool aged children, which is in addition to the 20 spaces currently being operated by Muskoka Lakes Preschool.

This project was initially approved by the Ministry of Education in 2018 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it wasn’t until July 2022 that the renovation began. Working within the footprint of the school, the renovation transformed some classrooms into child care spaces.

Winter Operations In Huntsville Means Closures

The Town of Huntsville began their winter operations on November 1. In addition to snow removal, the town says they have a lot of outdoor spaces and amenities which require management or winterization ahead of the cold weather.

Changes to services residents can expect within the first few weeks of November include the closing of Hunter’s Bay Trail for the season; portable toilets in most park locations have been removed for winter; water services at parks and outdoor town amenities has been shut off; roads and parks vehicles have been converted to winter operations; the locks are closed for the season; furniture from parks has been brought in for the season, and all sport courts at parks will have netting removed and will be closed for the winter season.

Bay Food Crew Supports Table Food Bank

On Thursday, November 2, The Bay Food Crew delivered food and toilet paper to The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation. Pasta sauce, noodles, toilet paper, canned fruit and vegetables totaling over $5000 will help fill some empty spaces on the shelves.
Food bank usage is on the rise and local food insecurity for families is real. If you are able to help in any way please do what you can.
We are The Bay Food Crew: Hunters Bay Radio, Bullock’s Your Independent Grocer, Capstone Market and Petro Canada Huntsville, Dairy Lane Dental & Dreams Becoming Reality Marketing Friends Feeding Families.

Fairvern millions over budget

Fairvern Long Term Care Home’s redevelopment project is looking at being millions of dollars overbudget according to a report by Jeff Yeo, the director of facilities and support services for the District of Muskoka.

Yeo told council during the October 19 health services committee meeting that an additional cost of $2,184,608 (excluding tax) above the previously reported $3 million estimate for the foundation excavation and replacement work required (excavation, surface preparation backfill, concrete formwork and concrete supply) to achieve a suitable bearing surface.

As well, which is cause for further concern, other tender packages (electrical, plumbing, windows, roofing, mechanical, HVAC and more) are $12.2 million over the tender control budget, originally set at $42.2 million.

However, there was some positive news, including that they are exploring options that would see potential savings of $4.3 million of the possible $12.2 million overages. The new Fairvern is set to be a 160-bed facility located on 7.32 acres in Huntsville. The approximately $94-million project is expected to be completed in 2025.

Bracebridge OP Review Kicks Off

The Bracebridge Official Plan (OP) Review is underway and already the six key issues to address have been identified – along with public input on each of the areas through a pair of visioning workshops held in October.

The key issues are housing, the environment, employment lands, rural lands, growth management and intensification, and waterfront. The OP Review being conducted by consulting firm Meridian Planning is in the second phase of their four-phase process.

Phase 2 includes the public consultation process, visioning working group sessions, identifying priorities for the community, and presenting the list of findings to council.

The current Official Plan in Bracebridge was adopted in 2013. The province now requires that Official Plans be updated every 10 years, so the time is right for the process to get underway. 

According to the Province of Ontario, an approved official plan can be reviewed at any time, and in situations where an official plan is not being replaced in its entirety, it should be updated at least every five years. 

District releases draft water and waste management rates

The District of Muskoka draft capital budget for water and waste management shows slight increases to the cost for both services.

This is part of the annual budget process all municipalities go through and all draft budgets still need to be deliberated and approved by their respective councils.

On the water and waste water side of the coin, for each $300,000 of property assessment for a typical residential customer, there will be a $5.34 monthly increase (2.8 per cent) should this draft be approved.

Commercial and industrial users could see an increase of 3.2 per cent, with variable factors including size of meter, volume of usage and assessment.

Overall, the combined water and wastewater levy has increased by 0.6 per cent or $86,319 from the 2023 levy. This is well below the budget guideline approved by Council of 5 per cent.

The draft capital budget on the waste management side is set at $3.7 million with a 7.5 per cent increase in both the net levy and tipping fees ($13.65 per household).

However, minimum load fee at facilities ($12) or for additional bags over the two or less per calendar week ($8 per bag), will remain the same.