COMMUNITY NOTICES

The Township of Armour is grateful for the residents that are environmentally conscious and contribute to a cleaner and more beautiful municipal road system. Your efforts are very much appreciated and we look forward to working with you on this very important initiative. Your community pride has not gone unrecognized. Thank you for your volunteering hours! With your help, you beautify the Township and help animals by cleaning up the wild spaces where they live.

The Township of Armour is hosting our annual Pitch-In week from April 15 - 22, 2024. Pre-register at the Township of Armour's Municipal Office and pick up your garbage bags and gloves. Participation Certificates will be issued to children under the age of 16, upon request.

We have a dedicated online platform that provides information, promotion, and registration information. Check out the new page by clicking the above image. The site has all of the event details for those that do not have access to social media. Explore the links and images from previous years. The page showcases our firefighter challenge, car show, vendors market, attractions and sponsors and gives you a glimpse of the event’s atmosphere and helps you to visualize what you can expect! Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Burk's Falls Fairgrounds, 220 Centre Street and runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The grounds will host our annual Southeast Almaguin Firefighter Challenge, Car Show with awards (free registration), Vendors Market (over 100 vendors this year), Tractor Display (free registration), and loads more free attractions for all ages! Email Charlene Watt at deputyclerk@armourtownship.ca to register a vehicle for the car show or a tractor for the tractor display. Our vendors market is FULL for this year. We welcome donations for the Car Show awards, please email Charlene is you are interested in supporting the Car Show. Your business will be recognized as a sponsor on the Car Show page. FREE ADMISSION, FREE BOTTLED WATER, FREE POPCORN!

With the upcoming changes to the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA), We are inviting applications from community members to join the newly formed Almaguin Highlands OPP Detachment Board. If you live in one of the above member communities and would like to support community wellbeing, we invite you to apply to join the Board.

ServiceOntario has returned to our community. Service will be available Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Armour, Ryerson and Burk's Falls Memorial Arena (220 Centre Street, Burk's Falls). The mobile service centre offers the following services: driver's licences vehicle permits and plates stickers for commercial vehicles accessible parking permit driver and vehicle records health card and insurance ( OHIP ) organ and tissue donation birth, marriage and death photo card apostille/authentication of documents fishing, hunting and camping housing and property taxes Visit Ontario.ca/Locations for additional locations. Don’t wait in line, book an appointment online at Ontario.ca/Appointments Web Page: Ontario.ca/ServiceOntarioOnTheGo Provincial Announcement: https://www.ontario.ca/page/serviceontario-mobile-service-centres

Spring is approaching! With consistent and increasingly warmer weather upon us, the Katrine outdoor ice rink has been closed for the season. Thank you to Dylan Hamilton and Sons Property Maintenance for an outstanding job as our Ice Technician. Thank you to everyone that was able to make use of the rink for a wonderful outdoor skating season! The ice pad will be converted into a basketball court once the snow melts. If you want to throw some hoops or hang out with friends while breaking some sweat, the outdoor basketball court will be a great place to do so!

Water Tanker Shuttle Accreditation Water Tanker Shuttle Accreditation is a process that provides the assurance that adequate water can be brought to a fire incident from an alternate water supply other than a fire hydrant on a Municipal Water System. There are two grades that are reviewed in the accreditation process. The first is the Dwelling Protection Grade which relates to the protection of personal dwellings. In order to attain the Accreditation for this grade, the fire department must maintain a flow of 950 litres (200 imperial gallons) per minute for duration of two hours. The second grade is a Public Fire Protection Grade which focuses on the need for protection of commercial and industrial needs. To attain Accreditation for this grade, the fire department must maintain a flow of 1900 litres (400 imperial gallons) per minute for duration of two hours. What is Involved in the Testing? The test sites are selected and agreed upon by the testing authority and the fire department. The water dump site is selected as is a water source approximately five kilometers away in order to meet the Insurance Bureau requirements. In order to receive benefits of the Water Tanker Shuttle Accreditation, the building being assessed by an Insurance Company must be within 8 kilometers for Dwelling Protection Grade and 5 Kilometers for the Public Fire Protection Grade to the nearest fire station. Secondly, the water source must be within 5 Kilometers of the building. If the required flows are met the building receives an additional grade point. This grade point difference could translate to savings in annual insurance costs. These savings are dependent upon the insurance company being used. Water Tanker Shuttle Accreditation Certificate For more information regarding the Water Tanker Shuttle Accreditation please contact the Burk's Falls & District Fire Department . FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER Cameron Haffner chaffner.bffd@gmail.com 705-788-4676 

Road Restriction regulations will take effect and be enforced on all Township roads on March 1st, 2024 or WHEN SIGNS ARE IN PLACE. These restrictions will remain in effect for a period that will depend on road conditions, with signs being posted accordingly.

February 9, 2024 - Media Release: Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is releasing an important statement to reinforce its commitment to further consideration of the hospital redevelopment proposal. The Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare team understands the importance of carefully considered hospital redevelopment plans, not only to our communities but also to our healthcare team. Consultation on a proposed model is an essential step in our journey toward defining a future model of care across two new hospitals that enhances quality of care for everyone and is sustainable and affordable. There has been substantial feedback shared through eight community engagements attended by nearly 2,000 people in person or virtually, on various social media platforms, and direct emails to Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare. All feedback is valued and appreciated and is being listened to, including the advocacy and feedback provided by community leaders such as Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith and local mayors. The team is committed to taking the time necessary to explore input and changes to a future model of care to develop the right solution for all communities served by the hospitals that ensures enhanced quality care, sustainability and affordability. Consultation is continuing with discussions scheduled later this month with the medical staff that belong to the Credentialed Staff Association. Arrangements are also being made for a second community meeting in Bracebridge on Monday, February 12, 2024 with more details to be shared. The Capital Redevelopment Project Team is committed to continued engagement with all stakeholders – hospital staff, physicians and midwives, volunteers healthcare partners, and the community at large – over the next several months. All media inquiries should be directed to Administration through Corporate Communications at 705-789-2311, ext. 2544. Keep up to date on media releases: https://www.mahc.ca/Modules/news/en