Scugog August eNewsletter

2024 Meeting Schedule, Proclamations and Appointments

• Special Council Meeting: September 5 @ 4pm
• General Purpose and Administration Committee: September 9 @ 1:30pm
• Planning and Community Affairs Committee: September 16 @ 6:30pm
• Council Meeting: September 23 @ 6:30pm

For all Council & Committee schedules, minutes and agendas, please visit scugog.ca/council. Comments/questions regarding agenda items can be directed to the department (contact us on scugog.ca), or to our general email: mail@scugog.ca or call 905-985-7346.

News

Township Prioritizing School Crossing due to Crossing Guard Shortage

Because of a shortage of Crossing Guards, the Township of Scugog has prioritized school crossings based on student numbers. As a result, the crossing at Simcoe Street and Queen Street will not be covered at the start of the new school year.

Due to the continued difficulty in hiring Crossing Guards, the Township of Scugog undertook a crossing guard warrant study in 2023 to effectively prioritize school crossing locations in the event that resources are not available. Unfortunately, at this time, we do not have enough resources to cover all the locations for the beginning of the school year.

The Township is continuing to seek qualified candidates who are interested in serving their community as a school crossing guard and hope to have all positions filled soon. The position pays $20.40 per hour with up to 10 hours of work per week.

To submit an application for a Crossing Guard position, please email works@scugog.ca or call 905-985-7346 ext. 112.

We would also like to remind motorists to help keep our children safe as they return to school and please:

• SLOW DOWN when approaching a school zone
• COME TO A COMPLETE STOP once a Crossing Guard raises their stop sign
• CONTINUE only after all children and the Crossing Guard are safely across the road
• OBSERVE all no stopping and no parking signs and park only in designated areas

Tanker Shuttle Accreditation – Scugog Fire & Emergency Services

Tanker Shuttle Accreditation is accredited to rural fire departments that have demonstrated that they are capable of delivering a continuous 200 gallons per minute of water for a period of 120 minutes.

The accreditation demonstrates our ability to fight fires in rural areas more quickly and effectively by providing a continuous flow of water to fire scenes far from municipal hydrants.

Recently the Township of Scugog Fire Department was successful in attaining this certification for:

Station 61 (30 Crandell Street, Port Perry) – Class 7

Station 62 (3550 Durham Road 57, Caesarea) – Class 7

Many insurance companies recognize the Tanker Shuttle Accreditation Rating. Rural residences within eight (8) kilometers and/or commercial properties within five (5) kilometres of this fire station may receive a reduction in insurance premiums. Rural residents and business owners should contact their insurance agent and ask if they qualify for a rate reduction.

In addition to the potential reduction of insurance rates, the Tanker Shuttle Accreditation means that the Township of Scugog Fire Department has demonstrated ability to transport water to rural fire scenes to protect our residents.

“I’m so pleased that we were able to obtain this accreditation for both our fire stations,” said Mayor Wilma Wotten. “Through the continuing excellence of our department through training and accreditation, the Fire Department has demonstrated its ability to provide adequate water for suppression in rural areas not protected by the hydrant system. I am so proud of our firefighter teams in Port Perry and Caesarea. Congratulations to both stations on receiving tanker shuttle accreditation.”

Notice of Public Information Centre – Plan for Sanitary Sewage Pumping Station – Port Perry

The Regional Municipality of Durham is undertaking a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) Study to plan for the sanitary sewage servicing needs of the Port Perry Employment Area, identify and review various alternative sites for a new SSPS, and ultimately select a preferred alternative to allow for existing non-serviced areas to be serviced plus future growth of the Port Perry community.

The study is being conducted in accordance with the ‘Schedule B’ requirements of the MCEA (as amended in 2023). It is the goal of this study to determine a preferred sanitary servicing plan for the vacant and privately-serviced land within the Employment Area.

Public consultation is a key part of the MCEA process. A virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) has been planned to provide an opportunity to review the study background, existing conditions, problems and opportunities and our recommended solution.

PIC materials will be available for review and download on July 31, 2024, at durham.ca/PortPerryEmploymentLandsSSPS. We encourage you to review the information posted and provide your comments by September 30, 2024.

Blue-Green Algae Found in Water Samples Tested from Lake Scugog

Durham Region Health Department has been advised by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks that a water sample collected on July 15 from Lake Scugog, near Platten Island, indicates the presence of blue-green algae in the area.

In the summer months, as weather conditions vary, there may be more occurrences of blue-green algae throughout Lake Scugog and other bodies of surface water in Durham Region. While there is currently no evidence of blue-green algae at Kinsmen Beach (Palmer Park, Port Perry), due to history of blue-green algae at Kinsmen Beach and the fact that blue-green algae has been observed in another part of the lake, the Health Department will be posting advisory signs at Kinsmen Beach as a precaution. If people observe algae mats that may be blue-green, olive-green, or red in colour, they are advised not to enter the water in the surrounding area as some can produce toxins which may be harmful to humans and pets. Residents are also reminded not to use the lake as a source of drinking water.

Blue-green algae are microscopic, plant-like organisms that occur naturally in ponds, rivers, lakes and streams. Although often blue-green in colour, the algae may also be olive-green or red. People can protect themselves and their pets from blue-green algae blooms by not swimming or playing in areas where water is discoloured or where foam, scum, or mats of algae on the water’s surface are present. Children and pets should not play in, or drink water from areas where a beach advisory is posted. Consuming fish from areas where mats of algae are present or where a swimming advisory is posted is also not advised.

The Health Department monitors 14 public beaches throughout Durham Region beginning in early June until the end of August. Information notices about blue-green algae are posted at all public beaches during the beach monitoring season. If blue green-algae are confirmed at these beaches, advisory signs indicating the presence of blue-green algae will also be posted. The Health Department’s beach monitoring program does not cover all areas where lake water is accessible in the region, or privately owned waterfront properties. However, blue-green algae may also be present in these waters and visitors are advised to be cautious of the possibility of blue-green algae in these areas.

For more information about blue-green algae, visit durham.ca/beaches or contact Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.

Avenu Properties Corp. Proposed Development Project Currently Under Review

On June 24, 2024, Township Council considered a Minister’s Zoning Order, under section 47 of the Planning Act for a new community in Port Perry. The request was referred to staff for review and comment. You can view the livestream through our Council Calendar at scugog.ca/council.

A report will be presented to the Scugog Planning and Community Affairs Committee on September 16, 2024, to consider passing a resolution and request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to enact the MZO to implement the proposed development.

In December 2023, Avenu Properties initially made a request to Council to consider a Community Infrastructure Housing Accelerator (CIHA) application. The Province of Ontario has, however, eliminated the CIHA program and Avenu Properties has subsequently requested the Township to support an MZO.

Fore Scugog Charity Golf Tournament Registration Now Open!

We invite you to join the Township of Scugog's 23rd Annual Fore Scugog Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Proceeds from this year’s tournament will continue to assist youth initiatives in Scugog. These funds have provided a variety of opportunities to area youth, allowing them to attend camps and have access to enhanced programming at many youth organizations, along with an annual bursary program at the Port Perry High School. 

Mayor Wilma Wotten shared “We are looking forward to hosting the Fore Scugog Charity Golf Tournament again this season! I extend this invitation for you to join us for a day of golf and giving back to our community, supporting youth initiatives in Scugog. Your participation makes a difference; let’s tee off for a great cause!”

This year’s event will be hosted at Sunnybrae Golf Club and includes:

• 18 Holes of Golf
• Power cart
• On Course Contests
• Barbeque Lunch before golf
• Plated Dinner after golf
• Silent Auction

Further information can be found at scugog.ca/golf

Public Notices

Notice of Construction: Water Street

The Township of Scugog has contracted IPAC Paving to rehabilitate Water Street between Scugog Street and Queen Street as part of our Waterfront Action Plan. Work started Monday, August 26, and will continue through to December. While we strive to plan accurate schedules, any forecasted date can be subject to change due to weather conditions and other factors.

The work will include storm sewer repairs, sidewalk bump outs at intersections, removal of the existing asphalt, a new sidewalk on the east side of Water Street between Mary Street and Queen Street and repaving the road. Brick entrances to properties in the construction zone will be paved with asphalt and localized repairs to sidewalks and curbs will be performed.

For more information, project updates and notices, please visit my.scugog.ca/waterstreet. Stay informed and check the website for project updates.

Employment Opportunities

The following employment opportunities are available with the Township of Scugog!

• Director of Corporate Services/Municipal Clerk (Permanent, Full-Time) – posting closes Thursday, September 12, at 4:30pm
• Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) (Full-Time) – posting closes Thursday, September 12, at 4:30pm
• School Crossing Guard, Regular and Spare (Temporary, Part-Time)

Information about Township of Scugog employment opportunities can be found at scugog.ca/employment