Scugog September eNewsletter

2024 Meeting Schedule, Proclamations and Appointments

• Special Council Meeting: October 7 @ 9:30am
• General Purpose and Administration Committee: October 8 @ 1:30pm
• Planning and Community Affairs Committee: October 21 @ 6:30pm
• Council Meeting: October 28 @ 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

Scugog Hosts Community Event for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The Township of Scugog hosted a free community event Friday, September 27, for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students from R.H. Cornish, Good Shephard, and various residents joined us at the Pollinator Garden for this commemorative event.

This event displayed artwork from local students on ‘What the MSIFN means to me,’ saw the unveiling of a land acknowledgment plaque at our Pollinator Garden, a museum exhibit of Indigenous artifacts as well as greetings from Mayor Wotten.

The Palmer Park gazebo was also lit up orange in recognition and flags at the Municipal Office were lowered to commemorate the victims of residential schools.

Scary Stories at the Museum returns in October!

Theatre on the Ridge is teaming up with the Scugog Shores Museum to bring back their Scary Stories event! Once again, we’ll be serving up a little fright and a lot of fun each evening as our guides escort you around the museum village to hear humorous and scary tales of the supernatural and macabre, including true stories of paranormal activities within some of the museum’s own buildings. There are 4 performances each evening, times below, with a maximum of 15 persons per group.

Tickets are $25 per person and are available in advance only. Evening performances recommended for ages 12 and up and have limited capacity - purchase your tickets early!

When: Friday, October 25, 2024, and Saturday, October 26, 2024, with tour slots at 7:00pm, 7:20pm, 7:40pm, and 8:00pm each night

Where: Scugog Shore Museum Village (16210 Island Rd., Port Perry). 

The Scugog Shores Museum is hosting its annual ‘Adventure at the Boo-seum’ in the afternoon of October 26 for families to enjoy the spooky season. Theatre on the Ridge will also be on site to share some spooktacular stage props and a few family fun tales as you learn to carve a pumpkin and trick-or-treat around the village. Costumes are welcome – and encouraged! Admission for ‘Adventures at the Boo-seum’ is pay what you can.

When: Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Activities and performances take place outdoors, rain or shine, at Scugog Shores Museum Village. All proceeds from Boo-seum and Scary Stories at the Museum will benefit the museum and the programs of Theatre on the Ridge.

For full event details and tickets, visit Theatre on the Ridge's website or our Museums page.

The Scugog Environmental & Climate Change Advisory Committee (SECCAC) is holding its first Scugog Nature Photo Contest

All year round, mother nature is busy in the Township of Scugog.

Let’s celebrate all of this natural beauty with your best photos taken of the plants, animals, and scenery in our Township!

SECCAC will select 12 photos to feature and publish in its 2025 Scugog Nature Calendar, plus, a 1st place winner will be selected and awarded the cover page photo for the Calendar. The contest is open to Scugog residents of all ages. 

Submissions for the photo contest will be accepted through our online form. Simply input your information, some details about the photo(s), upload photo attachments and submit to the team.

Please be advised this contest has submission rules that must be followed by all participants. The list of rules can be found on our online form linked above. By participating in this contest, you hereby acknowledge that you agree to the contest rules.

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.”

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.

Public Notices

Water Street Construction Update

The construction work to rehabilitate Water Street has started. The contractor is currently working on repairs to the storm sewer. The next step will involve removing sections of the concrete curbs on the east side. Please exercise caution when you are in the construction zone.

All businesses on Water Street remain open during construction. We encourage you to visit your local businesses and support them during construction.

For more information, project updates and notices, please visit our Water Street Rehabilitation project page. Stay informed and check the website for project updates.

Employment Opportunities

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

• Seasonal Public Works Operator (Temporary, Full-Time) – closes Thursday, October 3, at 4:30pm
• By-Law Officer, Level 3 (Permanent, Part-Time) – closes Thursday, October 3, 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