January
Council hosted a public meeting to discuss the 2021 Budget and approved a 1.91% increase and the capital projects of purchasing a tractor with roadside maintenance attachments and LED streetlight replacement.
February
Community grants were awarded to Team Van Go for the grooming of winter cycling trails in Mulmur; Museum of Dufferin for a juried photography and art show; Primrose Elementary School for the Grade 8 Academic Excellence Award and Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance for the development of a Farm Fresh Local Food Map.

Community Grant applications are now being accepted for consideration in February 2022. Apply today!

March
Council reduced the speed limit in the Big Tree Circle residential area and extended the 50 km/hr limit out to Airport Road along Sideroad 17. As part of a grant received from the County of Dufferin, Share the Road signage and cycling infrastructure has been purchased and is scheduled to be installed in spring 2022. Cycling stations will be located at the Pine River Fishing Area, Kilgorie, Township Office in Terra Nova, Mansfield Community Park, Thomson Trail Park, Dufferin County Forest Main Tract and Honeywood Park.  
April
Council supported the approved Recreational Master Plan, directing staff to monitor grant opportunities and research the cost for projects such as recreational programming, trail development, Mansfield Community Park improvements, playground equipment replacement and the development of outdoor rinks.
 
Through community support and consultation, Council approved the development of an outdoor ice rink at Thomson Trail Park for the 2021-2022 season. In addition, inspections were completed at all of the playgrounds in November 2021. As a result of the inspections, Council has approved maintenance to existing park infrastructure, the replacement of the playground in Honeywood in 2022 and has included the installation of a swing set at Thomson Trail Park as part of the draft 2022 budget. Ongoing consultation with the public will be completed in 2022 for the replacement and development of the playgrounds in Honeywood and Thomson Trail.
 
What features would you like the new playground structure in Honeywood to include? Complete the survey!
Honeywood Park
May
Council supported moving forward with renovations to the North Dufferin Community Center subject to grant availability and funding. The municipality is currently working on completing a building assessment and conceptual design which is scheduled to be completed in 2022.
June
The Township was forced to complete an emergency road closure due to a failed culvert on 3rd Line East, south of the Mulmur-Nottawasaga Townline. Council supported the emergency structure replacement, and staff were able to work with the Township Engineers, Nottawasaga Conservation Authority and Niagara Escarpment to successfully replace the structure and re-open the road the beginning of December 2021.
July
Council completed their strategic plan implementation review and re-aligned Committee mandates with the outstanding strategic plan actions. In addition, Council re-introduced the Mulmur Community Events Committee, Mansfield Parks Advisory Committee and created the Ad-hoc Planning Advisory Committee to oversee the 2022 Official Plan update.
 
We are looking forward to coming together as a community again with our first in-person community event on Family Day, February 21, 2022
August
Council entered into a parking lot agreement with Bruce Trail Conservancy to address ongoing parking concerns within the Township. As a result, improvements have been made to the Rockhill Park Parking lot on 1st Line East. In Spring 2022, improvements are scheduled to be made to the parking lot located on Centre Road accessing the Boyne Valley Provincial Park as well as possible roadside parking on 2nd Line East.
September
Council recognized September 30th, 2021, as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (National Orange Shirt Day). In November 2021 Council and staff completed cultural mindfulness training and took steps to address the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action directed at municipal government. 
October
Council passed a bylaw to enter into a Site Plan agreement with the Mansfield Ski Club for Phase #1 of development for 48 accommodation units located at the base of the ski hill.
November
The Township has received a grant for a 2-bay addition to the front of the public works building. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2022.
December- A Message from your Council
The holiday season allows us time to look back and reflect on the highlights (and lowlights) of our year.  It has been a pleasure to serve our residents on a Council that is truly interested in keeping Mulmur a very special place.

There have been challenges as we muddled through the ever-changing Covid restrictions, the mountains of red tape and the concerns of residents that reflected their anxieties with uncertainty. Our phones rang with questions about broadband, gypsy moths, neighbour disputes, barking dogs, fireworks and road conditions. And yet, through all of this, together, we were able to make some significant progress.

Our Council members share their highlights:
Janet Horner, Mayor: One thing that I am proud of as a member of this Council is the strong working relationship that we have developed with our neighbouring municipality of Melancthon. Together we manage the Mulmur-Melancthon Fire Department and the North Dufferin Community Centre for our residents in North Dufferin. We have been laying the foundation for a long term vision of doing things better together.
 
This past year has shown us that we have a very talented staff team that were able to adapt and respond to the many changes and challenges that arose. It takes a team to make a municipality work and I am thankful for the strong leadership and staff we have.
Earl Hawkins, Deputy Mayor: I am so grateful to have been able to continue to serve the residents of Mulmur. Over this past year, Council has been able to overcome hardships and make some amazing accomplishments. Through the completion of Recreation Studies, Council has re-committed to servicing the recreational needs of our residents and make recreation a priority. We are not only investigating ways to renovate and better the North Dufferin Community Centre in Honeywood, but we also approved the development of an outdoor Community Rink in Mansfield. Upgrades are also being scheduled for the playground equipment in Honeywood Park and Thomson Trail. These betterments will not only improve our wonderful communities but will help re-establish our sense of community and bring our residents together.

I would like to thank our emergency services, including our fire departments of Rosemont, Mulmur-Melancthon and Shelburne. Our volunteer fire fighters continue to go above and beyond to better our communities and serve our residents.
 
Although Council has had to adapt these past two years and continues to meet electronically, I would like to thank everyone for sticking with us and continuing to participate in our local government. Your voices are heard and appreciated. Thank you, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I am looking forward to seeing you all face to face again in 2022.
Shirley Boxem, Councillor: What many love most about Mulmur is the natural features; the forests, the trails and the well being those features bring. Council continues to strive to protect those features and that diligence has been evident in our partnership with the NVCA in the protection of our watershed. As well, the Mansfield Ski Hill accommodation project was a big decision this year and included a focus on our environment, water quality and lifestyle. Council does strive to do what’s best for Mulmur and this process has certainly highlighted how that isn’t a cut and dry issue.

Mulmur communications growth was a significant accomplishment this year. The growth was realized in several ways. First, the distribution list grew significantly which represents a huge increase in resident engagement. Connected residents are more likely to get involved and contribute to their community and weigh in on things like the Official Plan round tables. The format and content of the newsletter has evolved into a very professional newsletter that is representative of our community. My final comment is PLEASE join our distribution list if you haven’t already!!
Patricia Clark, Councillor: This past year I have been very pleased to see how well Council and staff were able to work together in a virtual environment during this pandemic, allowing us to continue to work towards our goals and dreams for Mulmur. A significant accomplishment was finalizing the Strategic Plan to give Council and staff a clear direction as to how we want to move forward together. We want to keep the rural charm of Mulmur, but there is also a need to increase diversified housing opportunities. We have improved communications with the residents and have taken steps to improve our internet capacity. I am also excited that we were able to start to address the recreation needs of residents. The Recreation Plan was completed and approved and a joint agreement was made on the rejuvenation of the North Dufferin Community Centre. An outdoor skating rink has been created in Mansfield this winter and maintained by volunteers. Those are some great accomplishments! A great deal of time was also spent ensuring that the new Mansfield Ski development will be an enhancement to the community. Not all residents were in support of the development, but the staff went above and beyond their responsibilities to ensure that all concerns were addressed by our expert consultants. I look back and am pleased with what we have accomplished, and I look forward in anticipation of what we will achieve next year.
Ken Cufaro, Councillor: As we approach the end of another year, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the work of our resolute Road Safety Committee (RSC) members. Thank you to RSC members/volunteers, Brian Whitney, Cheryl Russel, and Yvonne Graf.

Throughout 2021, the RSC met to examine the safety issues surrounding the public use of our roads within Mulmur. Passenger vehicles have dominant use of our roads, however, we also have motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, horse riders, and farm vehicles. There has also been an increase in ATVs on roads, despite the fact ATVs are prohibited, under a Bylaw. Add snowmobiles in the winter months and you can see it can be challenging for all users of the Mulmur roads.

The RSC have identified priority roads within Mulmur requiring additional police presence and traffic enforcement. Council has budgeted for additional paid duty police for this purpose. The RSC made recommendations to Council for the reduction in speed on several roads, which have now been implemented by Council. Mulmur Council is committed to ensuring all users of are roads are kept safe. John Willmetts, Director of Public Works, and our roads crew, are to be commended for their demanding work and commitment to keeping our roads maintained and safe for use by our residents and visitors.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas season and a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
Mulmur Spotlight
The next municipal election is scheduled to be held Monday, October 24, 2022. Are you registered to vote?

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