2025 Fall Newsletter

Safety Cameras Coming to Mono

Automated Speed Enforcement A.K.A. ‘safety cameras’ have arrived in Dufferin County and are coming to Mono. Before you react skeptically, consider the following:

According to a recent survey by the CAA, 73% of Ontario drivers slow down nearing a safety camera while 53% are unlikely to then speed up. 76% of Ontarians believe cameras deter speeding altogether. Studies and reports from other municipalities and countries around the world say the same thing: they work, like them or not.

So why don’t some people like them? Here are a few of the reasons along with counter arguments

‘They are a cash grab’. Actually, they are only a cash grab because the Province forces us to locate them in Community Safety Zones where fines double. We don’t need a doubling of fines and have repeatedly asked Queen’s Park to decouple safety cameras from School or Community Safety Zones but so far they won’t.

‘We don’t know where the money goes’. In Mono, we’ve made a commitment that all monies collected from cameras and Provincial Offence fines go to offsetting police and bylaw enforcement costs. Every dollar collected is one less dollar we need from property taxes for policing and bylaw enforcement.

‘Drivers in other municipalities are getting tickets for going only a few kilometres over the speed limit.’ Municipalities choose the ‘trigger speed’ that results in a ticket. The police usually don’t bother issuing tickets for less than 10 km/h, nor do I think Mono should set an unjustifiably low trigger speed.

‘Camera equipment will just be vandalized resulting in cost to municipalities’. Two things: first, many camera providers are responsible for maintenance of the equipment. Second, our provider’s equipment will be mounted high up on existing utility poles thereby less susceptible to vandalism.

‘The technology can’t be trusted and is inaccurate.’ Actually, it is accurate but subject to challenge. One thing it can do is pick up motorbike licences. Speeding by these vehicles is a huge problem in Mono, especially on Hockley and Airport Roads. Police pursuit is dangerous.

‘Why not hire more police officers to enforce traffic laws?’ Fact: every officer dedicated to road safety enforcement costs us around $200,000 annually, far more than using this technology. As well, police services face recruitment and staffing challenges.

‘This is intrusive technology that isn’t well advertised in advance.’ Actually, it is. The Province requires all sorts of signage noting zones where safety cameras are deployed.

To this latter point, it’s ironic there is no fuss over the fact that most police cruisers (without specific markings) are equipped with Automated Licence Plate Recognition that after reading a plate identifies a host of outstanding infractions and other issues. This technology is hugely important in identifying stolen vehicles, locating missing persons and people driving under suspension or prohibition to name just a few things.

I will be fighting hard to see safety cameras deployed on Hockley and Airport Roads.

— Mayor John Creelman

APPLY NOW!

The Recreation Advisory Committee is seeking new members!

Apply online.

Know Before You Go with Municipal511

Municipal511 is a map that shows current and future road closures, projects and construction. Know before you go by visiting the online Municipal511 map.

Winter Parking Restrictions: please remember that there is no parking on any Town road or highway between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. starting November 15th and running until April 15th. Keeping cars off the roads during this time helps our snow removal equipment clear roads safely and efficiently.

Fall Landfill Openings

Gates at the Town of Mono's Landfill Site

The Town of Mono’s landfill site located at 795261 3rd Line (between Mono Centre Road and 25 Sideroad) will be open to residents on the following dates:

Saturday, September 20 from 8 am – 3 pm
Wednesday, September 24 from 8 am – 1 pm
Saturday, September 27 from 8 am – 3 pm
Wednesday, October 1 from 8 am – 1 pm

Tree and Brush Debris Only (No Garbage & No Leaves in Bags).

Alternatively, residents can follow the guidelines of the County of Dufferin Leaf and Yard Waste Program.

Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT)

The OFT is celebrating its 21 years of pursuing its mission: to protect and preserve Ontario farmlands and associated agricultural, natural, and cultural landscapes of food production.

The OFT is launching a Farmland Access program, aiming to protect 10,000 acres by 2029, developing agricultural preserve models, and supporting more communities in engaging in farmland protection.

Learn more about the Farmland access program or the OFT by visiting the OFT website.

2026 Budget Consideration

Council will be setting its 2026 budget. This is your chance to follow the discussion and have your say! The following dates have been scheduled for the 2026 Budget Process:

October 14 at 9 am: Capital Projects
October 28 at 9 am: Capital Projects (continued)
November 12 at 9 am: Draft Budget
November 18 at 7 pm: Special Budget Meeting (Public Comments)
November 25 at 9 am: Council Budget
December 9 at 9 am: Budget Approval

2026 Budget Promo showing pie chart with dollar sign, checklist, and chart paper

These dates are still tentative and may change. Please verify meeting dates and check the published agendas for the budgetary items on the council and committee meetings website.

Thank you! Bylaw Surveys: Backyard Chickens & Discharge of Firearms

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to complete our recent Backyard Chicken Bylaw and Discharge of Firearms Bylaw surveys.

We will include updates on these two bylaws in future issues of the newsletter.

Shelburne Public Library: September Is Library Card Sign-up Month!

A library card gives you access to free movies, music, books, parks passes, eResources & more!

Get your card today!

Qigong Program

10-week program at Mono Community Centre

Program Times:

September 23 to November 27

Tuesdays from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.

And

Thursdays

7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

$50 for Mono Residents

$62.50 for Non-residents

Harvest Euchre Tournament

Friday, October 3, 2025

6:30 P.M. to 10 P.M. at Mono Community Centre

Tickets: $25 per person, includes one drink ticket. Non-alcoholic drinks are available.

Food, Drinks, Cash Prizes, and Fun! (19+)

Harvest Euchre Tournament promotional graphic

Mono’s Children’s Halloween Party

October 26 from 3 to 5 P.M. at Mono Community Centre (754483 Mono Centre Road)

Crafts, Snacks, Entertainment, and Prizes

Online registration is required. $5 admission.

Mono's Children's Halloween Party Promotional graphic

Monora Pumpkin Trail

November 1, 2025

Monora Park Trails (500 Monora Park Drive, Mono)

Pumpkin drop off: 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. | Walk the pumpkin trail: 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

Carve your pumpkin, light up on halloween, and drop-off the next day to light up Monora Trails!

3R's Christmas Bazaar

Seasonal vendor craft fair.

Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Monora Park Pavilion

Apply to be a vendor online.

3R's Christmas Bazaar Promotional Graphic

Seniors: Additional Programming Options Coming in Fall

Hey seniors!

Watch our website for additional programming options coming this fall! You don't want to miss them!

Upcoming Scheduled Council Meetings:

Sep. 23 at 9 am
Oct. 14 at 9 am
Oct. 28 at 9 am
Nov. 12 at 9 am
Nov. 18 at 7 pm
Nov. 26 at 9 am (Note: This date was changed after the newsletter went to print)
Dec. 9 at 9 am

Heritage Advisory Committee: Saving Barns — Why It Matters

Of the nearly 500,000 Ontario barns that were built before 1900, it is believed that only

1,000 remain. The Town of Mono has over 100 barns and outbuildings listed on the Heritage Register. If we are to ‘save’ any barns we need to know where they are, how old they are, which ones are in great shape, which need some work, and which are important to save and their contribution to our rural landscape. We also know that there are many old barns that cannot be saved. Special old barns, that at the very least need to be documented because once a barn is gone, it is gone, and all the history is gone too. Saving barns can sometimes mean designating because of its special design or physical value, historical or associative value and/or contextual value.

We hope there are some property owners who will want to save their barn and agree to a designation. To learn more about possible barn designation, reach out to your Heritage Advisory Committee. In fact, we will be hosting a “Barn” forum, on Saturday, October 18th at the Historic Hockley Community Hall (994174 Mono-Adjala Townline), 9:30 to 12 noon. If you are interested in barns or in the history of Mono, want to know more about the process and impact of designating your property or would like to join the Heritage Advisory Committee we are here to help. Please contact us at

heritagecommittee@townofmono.com

Ontario’s Business Ice Storm Assistance (BISA) Program

The Business Ice Storm Assistance (BISA) program is an application-based program that provides one-time support to small businesses, small farms, and not-for profit organizations that incurred damage from the ice storm that started on March 28, 2025 that is not covered by insurance.

The application deadline for this program is Friday, October 31, 2025.

To determine eligibility under the program, potential applicants should carefully review the program information, including guidelines and application form on the Business Ice Storm Assistance website.

Blue Bin Recycling Program: Recycling Carts Coming to Dufferin

Starting January 1, 2026, Dufferin County residents will be using new recycling carts, rather than blue bins for their recyclables.

The recycling carts will have lids that will help to minimize litter on windy days and reduce odours and pest issues. They will be 360 litres (95 gallons) and can hold more than two blue boxes combined!

Residents can expect to receive their carts some time in October 2025 and start to use them as of January 1, 2026.

The recycling program in Mono and the rest of Dufferin County is provided by Circular Materials. For more information and updates, visit the Circular Materials website for Dufferin County.

Mono Centre Road’s Transfer from Dufferin County to Town of Mono

In its 2023 Road Rationalization Plan, Dufferin County assessed that Mono Centre Road (County Road 8) did not serve a significant volume of traffic, offer direct service, or contribute to a significant level of connectivity or provide continuous service through Dufferin County or beyond its borders. Based on this assessment, it was determined that Mono Centre Road and the assets within be downloaded to the Town of Mono.

The transferred section of road includes approximately 25 lane kilometres (an approximately 16% increase to Mono’s current asphalt road network and 3 core structures (a bridge and culverts). In addition, the Town is also receiving two bridges: one located at Mono-Adjala Townline and one located on the Mono-Amaranth Townline.

The estimated capital financial impact of this transfer to the Town is $5,933,500, based on inspections that took place in 2024. This amount does not include operating and maintenance. For more information, please see the report from the August 26 Council Meeting.

Orangeville Public Library: Books Are just the Beginning!

Orangeville Public Library

Connect ● Discover ● Soar

Books are just the beginning!

Alder Street: 275 Alder Street (inside the Alder Rec Centre)

Mill Street: 1 Mill Street

Stay Connected!

(519) 941-0610

New Online Planning Resources

We have overhauled our Planning page to put resources for our most common Planning inquiries right at your fingertips!

The self-help resources that you can explore include:

Finding out what you can do on your property (zoning and permitted uses)
Information about the building / development permit process and where to get started
Severing your lot/building an additional residence
And much more

If you can’t find the answer to your question, fill out the contact form on the page.

Our Health and Climate Change

Climate change is not a distant threat; it is our current reality.

As climate changes continue, it is apparent that the climate crisis is also a health crisis. The major health risks in Canada are high heat events, air pollution, insect borne diseases, extreme wind/rain events, and mental health consequences from experiencing a distressing health event (Government of Canada's website: www.canada.ca).

The most obvious climate related change is increasing temperatures. Canadian temperatures have increased at almost twice the global average and even higher still in our Arctic. Increasing temperatures will alter our rainfall patterns, bring on extreme weather, worsen forest fires, melt the arctic ice, increase sea levels and melt the permafrost (NOAA climate.gov). The direct health risks from increased temperatures are particularly experienced by infants, seniors, outdoor workers in agriculture & construction, and by financially disadvantaged persons who cannot easily escape to air-conditioned spaces.

We are watching the severity and frequency of wildland fires increase in most parts of Canada. Not only do fires release massive amounts of CO2, but they also produce noxious gases and very fine particles that irritate lungs, and they displace people from their homes. Persons with respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and cardiovascular diseases are most affected. With our increasing temperatures, our huge areas of quick to burn dried boreal woodlands, and increased lightning strikes, more frequent and more severe forest fires will become the new Canadian norm (Canadian Climate Institute: climateinstitute.ca).

It is expected that with increasing temperatures, insect-borne diseases will become more common in Ontario (OAHPP maps).The black legged tick is spreading across our wildlands. Up to 40% of southern Ontario ticks carry Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease and is transmitted by a tick bite. A single dose of doxycycline taken a few days after a tick bite will prevent Lyme disease.

Unfortunately, we tend to see climate changes as a far-off risk, and we tend not to be concerned and not take it seriously. All someone needs is to personally experience heat exhaustion, flooding your home, or loss of electrical power due to an extreme weather event to realize that climate change is here.