Here’s a look at some of the key decisions and updates from this month’s Township of Muskoka Lakes meetings:
New rules for daytime burning
The amendment to the Burning By-law 2023-034 aims to update the definition of “daytime” hours from 7 AM to 7 PM, changing it to 8 AM to 6 PM. The new hours are based on the average of the Forest Fire Prevention Act’s recommendation of allowing burning two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset.
Council voted in favour of the update.
Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance – 2025 Ice Storm
A report was presented, outlining the expenses incurred, to date, due to the significant ice storm that hit the Township in March. An application will be submitted to the province detailing the invoices, employee overtime and equipment costs spent on recovering from the ice storm. Council passed a resolution to activate the Township’s inclusion in the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance Program.
As of June 5, 2025, the estimated costs to be submitted as part of this application are $783,895 which includes contract services for ice storm clean up, employee overtime hours spent on opening roads and clearing parks and cemeteries of hazardous trees and branches, equipment costs, volunteer firefighter hours where they attended public hazard hydro calls and performed wellness checks on parts of the vulnerable population.
Windermere Village Playground Final Design
Council approved the final playground designs for the Windermere Park and directed that equipment be ordered and installed at which time the community has fundraised their agreed to share of the costs. Based on community feedback, revision included a swing structure to match the earthscape wood play structure, and larger slide and climbing structure to accommodate more ages. Should additional funds be raised in the future, there are opportunities to add basketball shooting hoop and extra bay to the swing set.
Park n Play indicated that they were able to complete the revised project design with a budget of $150,000.00 + applicable taxes.
Council approved a project commitment of $75,000 from the Parkland Dedication Reserve Fund with the balance to be funded by community donors for a total amount of$150,000.
Old Walker’s Point Fire Hall to be demolished
Upon visiting the building this spring, staff recognized that the roof had begun to collapse due to large snow loads and was unsafe. The Township’s Chief Building Official issued Orders Prohibiting Occupancy and to Comply on March 28, 2025.
After completing a building condition assessment and property valuation, Committee recommended that Council demolish the building and retain the lands. Committee also requested that a Report be brought forward in the future outlining potential options for use of the lands.
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