Council Highlights - March 2

Noise Exemption Request – Carson Road Developments Inc.

Council approved a Noise By-law exemption that Carson Road Developments Inc. requested in order to install a sanitary effluent main and conduct minor tree clearing along Hwy 26 and Wilson Drive. The exemption will allow some of the works along Hwy 26 to be completed overnight, in compliance with construction time limitations imposed on the developer by the Ministry of Transportation. Construction is scheduled to conclude in June 2022.

Partners for Climate Protection Program

Council provided authorization for the Township of Springwater to join the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program. The PCP program provides a five-milestone framework for Canadian municipalities to engage in climate change action planning, which include:

1. Developing a community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory
2. Setting a GHG reduction target
3. Developing a local climate action plan
4. Implementing said action plan
5. Monitoring and reporting on progress

Through services approved in the 2022 Budget, the Severn Sound Environmental Association will assist the Township in obtaining membership and achieving Milestones 1 and 2. PCP membership commits a municipality to moving through all five milestones within 10 years of joining the program.

Naloxone Access for Springwater Fire & Emergency Services

Council approved an agreement with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit that will register Springwater Fire & Emergency Services for the Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP). Under this agreement, the department will receive the required amount of Naloxone kits to be placed on fire apparatus and replenished as required. All Springwater Fire & Emergency Services firefighters have been trained to administer Naloxone through the Simcoe County Paramedic Services Quality Care Program.

Mandatory Firefighter Certification

The Provincial Government has announced a new regulation that would establish mandatory minimum certification standards for firefighters within the Province of Ontario. The proposed approach provides flexibility to meet local training needs based on the level of fire protection service set by municipal council. Through a new time-limited “legacy” option, certain firefighters would be exempt from certification standards based on their prior knowledge, skills and training. The regulation would not change or add any new regulatory requirements on fire departments that are currently training and certifying to full NFPA standards. It is proposed to come into effect on July 1, 2022.