June 24, 2021 Town Page

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Customer Service is available during facility closures. You can reach the team at 905-478-4282 or reach us online through either of these methods:

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Council Highlights - June 15, 2021

Pollinator Gardens - The Environmental Advisory Committee raised funds to create two pollinator gardens as part of Butterfly Way in EG. The gardens are located at the parkette on River Street and at the River Drive Park Community Centre. For more information about Butterfly Way visit www.davidsuzuki.org

19658 Centre Street Development - Council discussed the proposed settlement on a Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) appeal for a Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning Amendment Application for 19658 Centre Street in Mount Albert and proposes to divide the lands into 9 development blocks comprised of 14 townhouses and 15 single detached homes on a private road. The final decision regarding this application rests with the LPAT. If the appeal is settled at the LPAT, future site plan applications are required to facilitate this development. A final staff recommendation report will be placed on the July 27 Council meeting. For more information, visit our 19658 Centre Street Project page.

Land Acknowledgement Next Steps - Council directed staff to develop a strategy, in partnership with the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, for a shared learning journey towards Truth and Reconciliation, with the end goal of developing a positive relationship with First Nations and a formal Land Acknowledgement for the Town of East Gwillimbury.

“How I Vote” Campaign - In preparation for the 2022 Municipal Election, the Town will seek public feedback on potential methods of voting including in-person, vote by mail, and internet voting (or hybrid). A survey will be available on the Town’s website beginning July 1. Paper surveys will also be available at libraries. Staff will report back on the results in September.

Broadband - Council received a progress update from the Broadband Working Group which is coordinated through the Town’s Economic Development department. Most notably, the group announced that the Bell application under the Universal Broadband Fund was successful. The funding will bring fibre to 44 homes in the Callwood Court area. The group also highlighted ongoing efforts to address underserved areas through a mix of fibre to the home and wireless technologies including YorkNet’s funding application under the Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) program which is still under provincial review.

Engaged Inclusive Communities - The Town is partnering on this initiative involving with Aurora, Newmarket, and Neighbourhood Network. Phase 2 of the project will involve further exploration of demographic data in EG to identify how it can be used to inform municipal decision-making.

COVID-19 Updates and Information

Second Dose Eligibility

York Region Public Health states that individuals who live, work or attend school in York Region who received their first dose on or before May 30, can book their second dose appointment on Friday, June 25, starting at 8 a.m. at www.york.ca/COVID19Vaccine

If you need assistance with booking or getting to your appointment, visit our COVID-19 Vaccine Support page.

If you have a second dose booked, you can re-book an earlier appointment. Previously booked second-dose appointments will be honoured and will not be cancelled unless a new and earlier appointment is confirmed.

AstraZeneca

As of June 12, the Ontario government has accelerated the second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to 8 weeks, with informed consent. Individuals who received AstraZeneca for their first dose can book their second dose appointment 8 weeks after their first. For more information, visit http://ow.ly/7tqx50Fac0T.

Individuals who received a first dose of AstraZeneca should receive their second dose 12 weeks after the first dose. The second-dose options provide strong protection against COVID-19 and will count as a completed series. Visit www.york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to book a second dose appointment or contact the pharmacy, clinic or primary care provider where you received your first dose to make your appointment.

Public Notices

Canada Day Waste Collection Schedule Changes

Waste collection that regularly takes place on Thursdays and Fridays will be one day later due to Canada Day. For more information regarding waste collection in EG, visit our Collection Schedule page.

Canada Day Holiday Hours

Customer Service will be closed on Thursday, July 1 for Canada Day and available again by phone on Friday, July 2 at 8:30 a.m. If you have an emergency with regards to water, sewers, roads, parks or recreation facilities, please call 905-478-4282, and press option 3. For up-to-date holiday information, visit our Statutory Holiday page.

Fireworks Safety

Please remember that fireworks can only be set off on your own private property between sunset and 11 p.m. from June 29 to July 3. You must be 18 years old to set off fireworks. Make sure you have a water source nearby, read label directions carefully, and keep sparklers away from children. Please visit our Fireworks page for more firework safety tips and rules.

Cycle Smart

Remember to be safe on the road. Check to make sure your bicycle is in working condition, wear a helmet, install lights/reflectors and a bell/horn. Always use hand signals and obey all traffic signals and road rules. Learn more and register your bicycle at www.yrp.ca/bikesafety

Open House - Water & Wastewater Master Plan

York Region is hosting its third and final online open house until July 8 to discuss the 2021 Water and Wastewater Master Plan update. To participate or learn about previous open houses, visit www.york.ca/waterplan

Business Support Opportunities

The Economic Development team is here to support businesses through their ongoing recovery and assist with navigating programs and resources. New programs are being announced frequently and updated on our website COVID-19 Business page. If you have any questions, please email the Economic Development team.

Tourism & Travel Small Business Support Grant

Friday, June 25 is the final day to submit an application. One-time payments of $10,000-$20,000 are provided to small businesses in the tourism and travel sector. Learn more and apply by visiting www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/otsb/#/

Business Bounce Back Program

The Town of East Gwillimbury is pleased to partner with Town of Georgina and YSpace to launch the Business Bounce Back program. This new three-month program is designed to support businesses and individuals who are primarily but not exclusively, within the hospitality and tourism sector, and require the entrepreneurial and digital skills needed to pivot their existing business or create a new venture. Visit our Business Bounce Back Program page for more information. Applications are being accepted until Sunday, June 27 for the first cohort.

COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative

Free rapid tests available for businesses with under 150 employees! The East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Ontario and Canadian governments, have launched the COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative. Through this initiative, the EG Chamber of Commerce will be distributing free rapid tests to small and medium-sized businesses in EG! Order your free rapid test at www.egcoc.org/covid-19-rapid-screen-initiative

Lymantria Dispar Dispar (LDD / Gypsy Moths)

The Town continues to respond to LDD (gypsy moths) throughout the community. Response includes flushing and sweeping sidewalks, using burlap to wrap street tree trunks. The Town is also preparing for a late/summer/early fall workshop/demonstration to showcase how to remove egg masses to help limit the spread next summer.

The Town also has a healthy population of NPV, the virus that kills the caterpillars, present in the Tall Pines, Donaldson, Artesian area! They will be working with the LSRCA to manually spread the virus to the Anchor Park Conservation Area within the next day or two. The virus is host specific and will only be harmful to the LDD species. It will not affect the trees, pets or people.

Residents are encouraged to continue using burlap to wrap trees for the next few weeks as caterpillars will begin their adult moth transformations. LDD’s have started to pupate, meaning that feeding has slowed and will soon stop completely. Caterpillars will secure themselves to leaves and bark then form a cocoon using their hairs as protection. If removing pupae, please continue to wear long sleeves and gloves as the hairs are present around the casings and can still cause dermatological reactions. Visit our LDD: Protect Your Trees page for more information.

Burlap Giveaway

We’ve extended our burlap giveaway! Residents can pick up free burlap at the EG Public Library - Holland Landing Branch (while supplies last). Visit our LDD: Protect Your Trees page for their hours and more information.

Canada Day - Farmers Market event ad

Community Events

Mount Albert Community Challenge - This June, make every minute of activity count! Mount Albert residents are invited to sign-up and join the ParticipACTION challenge with MAVA at www.mountalbert.com to help raise money for future Mount Albert events.

Pride Month - Join in virtual Pride events from 7 to 9 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Visit our Pride Month page to see all upcoming virtual events and connect with York Pride on social media

55’N Up Club - Come check out this club at the EG Farmers’ Market on Thursday, June 24 from 2 to 7 p.m.! There will be information, giveaways and a door prize.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers - Beginning July 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. join this free six week workshop. It will teach skills to help you manage day-to-day challenges of caregiving. Pre-registration is required. To register and learn more about this workshop, please visit our Powerful Tools Event page.

EG Food Pantry - June 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holland Landing Community Centre.

James Anglican Church Food Pantry - Open every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon, located at 18804 Leslie Street. Residents can drop in to the food pantry for assistance, if you require clothing, please call 905-478-1959 to make arrangements for pick-up.

Visit our website calendar to learn about all upcoming and new events in the EG community or to submit an event of your own! Check out our Calendar now!