Council Update:

– OPP Commander Andrew Ferguson provided 2015 1st quarter statistics for Southern Georgian Bay. In most cases the numbers are unchanged or down from last year.
– Council continued its training. This month was the Council Procedural Policy, Human Resources and Fire and By-law enforcement.
– The GB Land Trust received a refund of $1,700 for a zoning amendment application of 2 Island 1959, while a request by the agent for the Trustees of the MacTier-Foots Bay United Church for a similar zoning request was deferred for further information.
– The 2015 tax rate was approved pending inclusion of the District tax rate which will be approved next week. The final tax bills will go out in early June.
– Council approved the funding for a new plow truck ($240K) and a second hand fire boat for the inland lakes ($50K).
– Council approved modifications to the Flag Raising Policy and Protocols to allow for the installation of a new flag pole to fly Courtesy Flags. The pride flag will be the 1st such flag.
– Rebecca Williams from the Muskoka Watershed Council presented the 2014 water quality program results from 11 lakes in the Township. Each Muskoka lake, including several GB sites, is monitored every 2-3 years.
– The 2015 septic inspection program was approved. Besides many following ups from last year, the new areas for 2015 include Severn River, Cognashene Lake and Go Home Bay.
– A couple of Councillors that represent the Township Recreation Portfolio will meet with the principal users of the MacTier Arena to review operational issues and explore options to increase revenue.

Here is the link to the May 2015 edition of the Townships e-news: May 2015 e-news Compressed.pdf