Ramara Township staff from several departments reported on the progress of their work at a special council meeting Monday.
“It’s more of a workshop,” said mayor Basil Clarke of the informal meeting before each department head briefed council on key topics.
The township’s new IT co-ordinator has come in clutch across the board. Nearly every department noted working with IT to make improvements.
With the township’s implementation of the administrative monetary penalty system (AMPS) program in May, bylaw was a lengthy discussion.
Tony Stong, general manager of emergency and protective services/fire chief, said the department is currently dealing with “little issues that have historically grown,” but reported an overall effective use of staff time.
One goal, he said, is “understanding what constituents want,” as a way to work with councillors and lighten some of their load in responding to concerns.
The department is reactionary, meaning it is complaint-driven. In other words, people need to report infractions for something like a long grass violation to be addressed.
In a nutshell, “you can do whatever you want as long as your neighbour doesn’t complain,” said Stong.
Coun. Sherri Bell referred to a current issue with “legacy properties.” Residents, she said, are worried about hazards related to over a dozen boats with tarps left unattended for years. She asked about the enforcement officers’ proactive approach.
Stong recommended renewing complaints so that action can be taken.
“We will deal with complaints. It might not be the solution somebody wants, but it’s what we’re legally allowed to do,” said Stong.
Deputy Mayor Keith Bell asked how much time an enforcement officer has to be proactive once done answering everything that is active.
“Right now we’re just dealing with the complaints. It’s a high volume season,” said Stong.
He mentioned that a “blitz” could be scheduled to address a specific issue, if council directed it. However, it would come at the expense of something else.
CAO Gayle Jackson reminded council the meeting was intended for information only and no decisions were to be made today.
Reporting on several key projects, Laura Pye, the township’s general manager of development and infrastructure, ended with a note about improving the township’s five-year old “report a concern” system.
Some tickets are being closed before the issue is actually dealt with. The township has successfully directed residents to use the system, but the volume of tickets exposed some gaps in the system, which staff are working to fix.
Discussion led to Coun. Bell putting forward a notice of motion for the July 13 council meeting.
The notice of motion will address the problem with a pile of used tires at a shop in Brechin. Bell said she frequently hears from residents who now fear the fire hazard as the mound grows and infringes on the township’s road allowance.
The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Keith Bell, who said the issue is provincial and should involve Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop.
Meanwhile, Pye said two bridges need repairs and key communications with residents about the work have begun. They will require closure during daytime hours for a couple weeks, she noted. But because they lead to dead-end roads, mobility and accessibility issues any residents may have are being considered and acknowledged.
Understanding the inconvenience, she said the closures will be intermittent over the two weeks, and not for extended periods of time. The township is co-ordinating with residents when might be the better times for closures.
Staff are also working on creating a guideline for new quarry applications. As one of the top aggregate producing municipalities in Ontario, Ramara has 22 licensed quarry sites in operation.
The township is looking into formalizing an active community liaison committee with representatives from each quarry.
The CAO noted the trucker protocols initially proposed by Coun. David Snutch are in the works and that council will deliberate and decide what they agree on when the final work is reported at a future council meeting.
The K-9 program was a challenge in the past, said Stong, because of the proper care and time the dogs require. Enough exercise and weekend care adds a significant amount of staff time. The K-9 unit currently services Rama and Severn recently requested renewal, he noted.
Coun. Snutch asked if there is a way to work with the public to ensure the dogs are cared for and the program continues.
“There seems to be a demand for people who want to make money looking after dogs,” he said.
The conversation is something that will come to regular council in the future.
“Monetarily, we need to ask if this is a benefit to the taxpayers in Ramara,” said Stong.
When Pye provided a building and planning update Coun. Bell said the public is still waiting for the appropriate documentation that shorewall permits were issued.
She was referring to the permits associated with a legal battle that led to Ramara being found in contempt of court orders. Bell requested more than “a report with a sentence” that states the permits were issued.
“There should be some kind of permit number that shows they were issued,” she said.
The permits in question follow a system from 2017, said Clarke. Although they are now considered work under the provincial building code, because these permits were issued under the 2017 system there is no report for them to be on.
“That was another reason why the bylaw was repealed, because it was not easily trackable,” remarked Clarke.
Staff heard more argument in favour of another form of communication from Coun. Bell. Ryan Matson, Ramara’s director of corporate services/legal, then said the early communications were issued in the community information package and recommended that any further discussion be held off for the scheduled closed session.
Garnering less discussion but no less important, staff reported numerous positive takeaways from this term of council.
The fire department’s newly acquired drone effectively improves emergency response. It has assisted in circumstances from structure fires to search and rescue, said Stong.
With regard to the Bayshore Village sewer system project, Pye reported “the contractor is looking for completion of all 11 tile beds by the end of this year.” The goal is to minimize hauling, she noted.
While the construction of the tile beds are underway, Ramara has been paying to haul excess effluent from the current spray field system, which is working at capacity.
Brittany Wilson, director of human resources/health and safety/recreation, was pleased to announce developments at the Ramara Centre. With long-standing grant funds, she said the accessible playground construction is underway. Later this fall, the baseball diamond revitalization project will start.
She mentioned that camp programs start next week, with an off-site camping program new to this year.
“It’s at full capacity,” she said, noting the program was unsuccessful in the past.
The township’s communications and economic development committee updates included the purchase of three mobile signage units.
They are currently being used to advise the public about ongoing construction zones and one at the new medical facility.
“To ensure the new physician has a full patient load by the time she starts,” explained the CAO.
Coun. Joe Gough mentioned noticing the signs and how effective they are.
Rebecca Zanussi, from the “small but busy team in the clerks department,” reminded everyone that the Lagoon City Parks and Waterways Commission is looking for applicants. The deadline is June 30 at noon.
As it’s a municipal election year, she highlighted the election coordinator’s important role.
More information about Ramara’s election nominations can be found here.
Zanussi also outlined the ongoing task to improve records management. Continuity of file names is something the department is addressing. She also acknowledged the challenges the public has navigating the CivicWeb portal and said it’s on her list.
The agenda document, with links to the reports from each department, can be found on the township’s website here.
By Danielle Pitman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Jun 30, 2026 at 14:57
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