TOWNSHIP SERVICE NOTICES

Road Restriction regulations will take effect and be enforced on all Township roads on March 11, 2025 or WHEN SIGNS ARE IN PLACE. These restrictions will remain in effect for a period that will depend on road conditions, with signs being posted accordingly.

Your Community, Your Budget JOIN THE DISCUSSION The Township of Armour will be discussing its 2025 Municipal Draft Budget at its regular meeting of March 25 and will be presenting a by-law to approve the draft budget at its regular meeting of April 11, 2025. Core services and capital projects are primarily funded by your tax dollars. The Township strives to allocate its limited funds the most efficient way possible, but your feedback is part of the process. Anyone interested in participating in the budget process is encouraged to attend and share their views. For more information please contact: Alison McGregor, Treasurer 56 Ontario Street, PO Box 533 Burk's Falls, Ontario P0A 1C0 Tel: 705-382-3332 ext. 105 Email: treasurer@armourtownship.ca

The Building Department will be closed on March 27 and 28, 2025 and April 3 and 4, 2025 for staff training. For emergency assistance, please call (705)787–5358.

January 15, 2025 ***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*** ARMOUR TOWNSHIP PROVIDES NOTICE TO WITHDRAW FROM TRI-COUNCIL SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENTS The Township of Armour believes that a strong municipality, providing the best possible value and the best possible services to its ratepayers, requires the best possible partnerships. Our small municipalities in the Almaguin Highlands cannot stand alone. In order for those partnerships to work, a clear and common vision is required. Insulating ourselves within our own municipal borders will not allow this vision to be realized. At its January 14, 2025 Council meeting, the Township of Armour took the difficult step of advising that it is providing written notice of its intention to withdraw from both the tri-council Library agreement (as of January 14, 2026) and the tri-council Shared Services Agreement for the Arena, Landfill and Fire Services (as of December 31, 2027). Council felt strongly that one of its tri-council partners does not share a common vision with us and prefers to stay insulated within its borders. Unfortunately, this means that the partnership is working counter to what we are trying to achieve. This decision was not taken lightly by any means. We see this as a step back from one partnership to allow us to work on more productive partnerships and lead a vision for the entire Almaguin Highlands. How this vision is formed requires these new partnerships. Region-wide, fully-supported services for economic development. Region-wide, fully-supported and coordinated services for healthcare delivery. Region-wide, fully-supported services for housing and land-use planning. Centres of excellence for individual services for everyone across the Almaguin Highlands. Building on the success-through-cooperation of our Fire Services across Almaguin. Building on the success of our economic development through Almaguin Community Economic Development (ACED). Building on the success of our Almaguin-wide approach to healthcare services through the Almaguin Highlands Health Council (AHHC). We need a view of our infrastructure needs across the entire region, from arenas to fire halls to health and wellness centres. We need a shift to acting as one cohesive unit with one common vision so that we can look down the road to future generations. This vision should serve the entire Almaguin Highlands. It is only with this type of broader, stronger partnerships that we will get the serious attention required from other levels of government to allow us to best-serve all of our citizens. It will allow us to provide the services that our current citizens should expect without the inefficiency of doing this in isolation. It will allow us to attract new businesses, new services, new people to our area. Of utmost importance at this point is the assurance that our intent is not to disrupt service levels while we work toward new partnerships and approaches which better align with the future of the Almaguin Highlands. Press Contact: Mayor Rod Ward, on behalf of the Council of the Township of Armour r.ward@armourtownship.ca | (705) 380-7654 or (705)380-7177

Armour Council 2024 Updates From the official ribbon-cutting to commemorate completion of our major upgrades at the Katrine Community Centre (KCC) to planning for the retirement of some long-term staff, 2024 has certainly been another eventful year. Projects and Priorities Staff and Council at Armour Township measure ourselves against six key focus areas which were developed at the start of this council term in November 2022. These areas were felt by Council to represent the best ways to steer our energies and support our ratepayers. These are: Value for Constituents Protection of Natural Assets Cooperation and Shared Services Health and Wellness Economic Development Housing and Growth The original “Preparing for the Future in the Almaguin Highlands” presentation is available on the Armour Township website at PowerPoint Presentation (cdn-website.com) . We also monitor and update our progress every 6 months. Value for Constituents The site for a new Fire Hall to replace the current aging building was selected and the purchase of the property at the corner of Ferguson Road and Pegg’s Mountain Road was completed by staff in 2024. In addition, Armour retained the services of a local developer to create a site plan for this location which would lay out the Fire Hall site as well as a location for a future Health and Wellness Centre and potential other services. Armour staff have also been working, on behalf of Tri-Council, on options for a new / expanded library location. Along with the previously-mentioned major renovation of the Katrine Community Centre, a project to expand storage capabilities at the Watt Century Farmhouse were also completed in 2024. Both projects were completed through successful grant applications. Our new Recreation Department has been exceptionally busy implementing very popular and successful programs, covering all age groups and activities. From the Kids Summer Program to the annual Winter Karnival and everything in between, the KCC is an extremely busy place all year round. We continue our work creating Centres of Excellence whereby Armour Township can provide various services to partner municipalities. We are now providing full By-Law services to seven municipalities (along with training services to others); leadership and accountability for Emergency Planning for four municipalities; shared resources for Economic Development and Clerk/Treasurer roles; expanded services outside Armour by our new Recreation department; and contingency and coverage for Building services with surrounding municipalities. We will continually look for ways to provide excellent services while covering our costs, with a view to the entire Almaguin Highlands. We also continue our leadership role in areas that impact the entire region, including economic development, healthcare and land-use planning. And our region-wide focus is also represented by staff leadership in organizing and running both the highly-successful annual Heritage Day and Firefighters Challenge and the annual Santa Claus Parade. Protection of Natural Resources The lakes, forests, trails, rivers and parks in the Almaguin Highlands are critical in so many ways. Protection of these resources really underpins everything else in the community. Much of the planning principles that exist in our Official Plan and our Zoning By-Laws (and other related planning activities) centre around protection of resources. Staff and council took part in an Integrated Watershed workshop hosted by the Town of Huntsville and Township of Lake of Bays and continually take part in on-going sessions hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). Cooperation and Shared Services Armour started hosting quarterly “Almaguin Highlands Heads of Council” sessions in January of 2023, with all 12 mayors from the Almaguin Highlands invited to discuss topics which impact all of us across the region. These sessions have proven to be very valuable and certainly assist from a communication perspective. These sessions are expected to continue quarterly. Health and Wellness Armour Township Council has listed the pursuit of a new, purpose-built health and wellness centre as a top priority. We continue to work with private sector partners, Muskoka Algonquin Health Care (MAHC), the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, local healthcare providers and the Almaguin Highlands Health Council (AHHC) to determine requirements for the potential new facility. Armour has already donated a lot of 3 acres on the newly-acquired Ferguson Road / Pegg’s Mountain Road parcel for this purpose. Armour Township had already taken a lead role in championing support across Almaguin for the new Muskoka Algonquin Health Care hospital build (Huntsville / Bracebridge). As announced officially in October 2023, the “local share” component of the build has now been confirmed. The new build will take into account not only two physical builds, but the need for an entire healthcare ‘eco-system’ from Gravenhurst to Sundridge and all points in between. The Almaguin Highlands is a true partner now in this initiative. The application for funding by MAHC was officially sent to the Ministry of Health / Infrastructure Ontario in November 2024. Economic Development We continue to work alongside Almaguin Community and Economic Development (ACED) in efforts to attract development to our area. Starting in 2025, the director of ACED, Dave Gray, will act in the dual role of Director for ACED and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Armour Township, upon John Theriault’s retirement in March. This will provide cost savings for ACED and allow succession planning to other ACED staff in the coming months. Our set of priorities is ultimately meant to support future, steady growth in our region. We see huge opportunity for Armour to be a future housing destination, with a full range of built-for-purpose rentals and single, detached family homes. Housing and Growth ACED initiated the Almaguin Housing Task Force in 2023, with participants from a range of housing-related areas (developers, builders), municipal planners and building officials, business owners, planning boards and members of council. The final set of recommendations was provided to all Almaguin municipalities in September 2024. Staff Adjustments As mentioned, 2024 and 2025 will bring some changes in staffing; however, succession planning has been in the works for some time. We are sad to see our CAO/Clerk-Treasurer, John Theriault, head into retirement after 10 years at Armour (and an astounding 50 years in municipal jobs!). John will continue to be available to us for assistance throughout 2025 but his last day of full-time work will come at the end of January. John will be succeeded by a familiar face, Dave Gray, who will take on the expanded role of CAO and Director of Economic Development (ACED). In addition, long-term staff Charlene Watt and Alison McGregor will take on roles of Clerk and Treasurer, respectively. Dave McNay retired as the Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson Fire Chief in 2024 and was replaced by another familiar face, Joe Readman. Doug Godin was welcomed on board in 2024 as our new Chief Building Officer. And we will also be sad to see Keith McCoy retire in 2025. Keith has been with Armour Township since 2008, and has been our Roads Supervisor since 2012. We wish John, Keith and Dave M. all the best in their retirement!  List of Key Committees and Contacts Library – Rod Blakelock, Councillor Almaguin Community Economic Development (ACED) – Wendy Whitwell, Councillor (chair) Parry Sound District Social Services Board (DSSAB) – Jerry Brandt, Councillor Katrine Community Centre – Dorothy Haggart-Davis, Councillor; Danika McCann (chair) Almaguin Highlands Health Council – Rod Ward, Mayor (chair) South East Parry Sound Planning Board (SEPSPB) – Rod Ward, Mayor (chair) Almaguin Housing Task Force – Wendy Whitwell, Councillor; Rod Ward (SEPSPB) Armour / Ryerson / Burk’s Falls Agricultural Society – Rod Blakelock, Councillor Emergency Response Committee – Amy Tilley (chair) MAHC Local Share and Muskoka Area OHT committees – Rod Ward, Mayor Burk’s Falls & District Historical Society – Diane Brandt (chair) Heritage Festival – Charlene Watt (chair) Santa Claus Parade – Danika McCann (chair)

Accessibility requirements The AODA is the law that sets out a process for developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards that government, businesses, non-profits and public sector organizations must follow to become more accessible. These laws and standards are intended to make Ontario open to everyone by helping to reduce and remove barriers. Municipal Accessibility Plan Customer Service Policy 2024 Accessibility Compliance Report 2023 Accessibility Compliance Report The Township of Armour is committed to: Improved accessibility for people with disabilities; Removing barriers in a timely manner; Maintaining accessibility as a priority in the township's decision-making process; and Excellence in serving all of our clients, including people with disabilities. The Township's website has been designed to be WCAG 2.0 level AA compliant and to meet the Province of Ontario's Accessible Information and Communications Standard. Exceptions The Township recognizes that there are situations where it is not practical to present content in an accessible format. Examples of such exceptions include: Mapping or GIS data; Engineering drawings or complex technical data; Vendor web applications where the Township was unable to negotiate contractual obligation to maintain accessibility; Presentation content where rendering accessible would hinder the ability to achieve its intended purpose; Content that cannot be rendered accessible without significant impact; and External contributors may provide content which does not comply with Township web accessibility standards. Converting such document to an accessible format is deemed non-practicable. Legislation View the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 View the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 Other Resources Guide to Accessible Public Engagement Request accessible formats and supports Upon request, we will provide or will arrange for accessible formats and communication supports. If you require accommodation, have any questions, want to provide feedback or if you have a comment, please contact our office.

Application Guidelines: For projects taking place January 1 to December 31 in each application year. Application deadline is 4:30 p.m., on the last Friday in November of each application year. Objective: The objective of the Township of Armour Grant Program is to involve the residents of Armour in the preservation and protection of the quality of water in our watersheds including shoreline designated lakes and rivers. Contact: For more information contact the Clerk at clerk@armourtownship.ca Program Details: The Township of Armour is offering a program to provide limited funding to groups and associations or to one individual that represents a lake without an association involved with water quality testing and monitoring in shoreline designated lakes located within the boundaries of this municipality that are not covered by the Ontario Lake Partner Program offered by the Provincial Government. Purpose of Grant Program: The purpose of this grant program is to assist in the development of a water maintenance program for the shoreline designated lakes and rivers within the Township of Armour by providing funds to lake associations, other organizations or individuals that protect the waters within the Township and are operated by volunteers. The goals of this grant program are: Provide funding to organizations or individuals to assist with water monitoring and testing of shoreline designated lakes and rivers in the Township that are not covered by other programs available. With the submission of a minimum of three (3) annual test results of a lake or river within the Township of Armour, additional consideration for funding will include education information to property owners, residents and users of the lakes which demonstrate an education of good stewardship and/or outline impacts of specific actions on the ecosystems of the lakes and rivers in the T ownship. Application Qualifications: To be eligible for support, your organization must: be a volunteer-based organization that has been in existence for a minimum of one year; or be an individual volunteer for a lake or river without a volunteer-based organization. Who Cannot Apply: Health districts, libraries, private schools, government agencies, educational institutions, universities, preschools, and daycares; Schools are not eligible to apply by themselves, but can apply in partnership with an eligible organization (such as a Community Association). Activities held in schools or organized by schools must be: held outside of regular school hours; separate and distinct from the regular school curriculum; and  not just for the students of a particular school. Organizations that: provide third-party funding; or exist for the primary purpose of fundraising. Funding: The Township of Armour will be providing up to $1,500 to each organization or to one volunteer individual that represents a lake without a volunteer-based organization. The grant process provides no guarantee that an applicant will receive funding. Organizations or an individual volunteer that represents a lake without a volunteer- based organization submitting applications for grants must submit to the Township all test results, receipts and documentation for eligible expenses, failure to submit required documentation will result in the grant application being rejected. Only one application per application deadline will be considered from a given organization or for a given lake. Eligible Projects: Projects that focus on monitoring the water quality of shoreline designated lakes and rivers within the Township of Armour. An organization which submits a minimum of three (3) water quality monitoring tests for the year may also be eligible for additional consideration for expenses related to informing and educating the public on good stewardship of the lakes or rivers in the Township of Armour, see eligible expenditures. Eligible Expenses: Expenses in relation to the monitoring of water quality of shoreline designated lakes and rivers in the Township of Armour including test fees, monitoring equipment and testing supplies. Expenses in relation to the education information distributed to property owners, residents and users of the lakes or rivers which demonstrate an education of good stewardship and/or outline impacts of specific actions on the ecosystems of the lake or river in the Township of Armour, which will include information flyers which are provided specifically for the purpose and signs. The message and location of a sign must be approved by Council prior to installing or erecting on municipal property. Copies of all documents must be provided with the grant submission, including the distribution volume and location of the distribution. Adjudication Process: Applications will be reviewed by Council and processed upon approval. Notification: Applicants will be informed, in writing by the Township of Armour, of the results of their application within two weeks of a decision. A decision is to be made at the first meeting of Council after the application is submitted. Reporting and Payment Procedures: Successful applicants are required to submit a completed application and copies of receipts for eligible expenses, to the Township Office within 60 days of the completion of their project or no later than the last Friday in November in the application year, whichever comes first. Recommendations for funding will go to the 1st Council meeting in December and once approved funds are released to the applicant organization. Grant Submission Instructions: Deliver One Original and One Copy of the completed application, with test results, receipts and any further required documents for eligible expenditures by the last Friday in November in the application year by 4:00 p.m.to: Township of Armour - Water Monitoring Grant Program P.O. Box 533, 56 Ontario Street Burk’s Falls, Ontario P0A 1C0

2025 Dog Licence Fees Dog owners must register all dogs within the Township of Armour. Licensing your dog(s) can give you peace of mind. In the event your dog wanders away from you or your property a dog licence will help the By-law Enforcement Department to contact you quickly and easily. A Lifetime dog licence is now available. A one time fee of $155.00 will cover your pet for life - no need for annual renewal fees for your dog tag! Replacement Dog Tags: If you lose or break your dog tag, you can purchase a replacement tag for $7.00. To purchase your dog licence(s) please visit our Municipal Office located at 56 Ontario Street Burk's Falls or you may register online. For more information, please contact our By-law Officer at bylaw@armourtownship.ca or by phone at (705) 477-3793

Citizens are reminded that Section 170 (12) of the Highway Traffic Act prohibits the parking or standing of vehicles on any road when it will interfere with winter operations. Citizens are also reminded that Section 181 of the Highway Traffic Act prohibits any person from depositing snow or ice on a public roadway. This would include the placing of snow on roads to accommodate snowmobiles or skiing activities. Keep a safe distance back from plows and avoid passing. Please be patient with our plow drivers. Roads maintenance is ongoing throughout the year. With about 132 kms of roads in the Township, it takes many hours for our equipment to work over the entire system. In a winter storm event, our roads crew is out on the job. Please be patient, we will get to your road as soon as we can. Roads Supervisor: Keith McCoy 705-382-5982 roads@armourtownship.ca