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New Tecumseth Times 2024 Year in Review

January 2, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

January

• New Tecumseth Town Council has agreed to spend an additional $735,000 to furnish the new Administration Centre that is nearly completed in Alliston.
• Stevenson Memorial Hospital closes medical and surgical in-patient unit to visitors due to an increase of COVID-19 at the hospital.
• The New Tecumseth Public Library has gone fine-free and is now making all of its programs free as well.
• The Alliston Hornets wrapped up 2023 as the first-place team in the north Carruthers Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League after the final game of the year against the Caledon Golden Hawks.
• Work to repair a structural failure at the Beeton Arena started with the project expected to take around three months to complete.
• Rapid antigen test kits made available locally as COVID-19 cases surge.
• The Simcoe Muskoka Distrcit Health Unit is warning the public that flu cases in the region are rising, and it’s advising residents to take necessary precautions.
• The CRIC Idea Lab offers certification courses at Tottenham library, with cutting-edge technology to help facilitate several different types of projects.
• Town owned property a 90 Prospect Street, adjacent to Beeton Community Park has been deemed surplus land to sell for potential future residential re-development.
• Stevenson Memorial Hospital is undergoing a large project that will see patient room windows replaced. The funds were provided through a Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF) grant from the Ministry of Health.

February

• The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is advising that precipitation, above-freezing temperatures, and associated snowmelt are likely to result in above seasonal water levels over several days.
• Brian Saunderson, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Simcoe-Grey, has announced that the Ontario government is launching a call for applications and is investing $5.5 million, including an additional $496,000 this year, in the Women’s Economic Security Program. The program aims to increase training opportunities for low-income women, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and experience to find a job or start a business and increase their financial security. 
• The County of Simcoe is once again providing $500,000 in funding to support eligible applicants in making homes more accessible, adaptable, and inclusive for individuals over 60 years of age in Simcoe County.
• The province is warning that students who have not received the required vaccinations could be suspended from school if they do not update their vaccination status over the next few months.
• The Ministry of Health has appointed an investigator to examine operations at Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston. The appointment was announced on Feb. 7.
• The Ontario government is investing almost $880,000 to connect more people to primary care teams in Simcoe Grey. This is part of the province’s $110 million investment to connect up to 328,000 people to primary care teams, bringing the province one step closer to connecting everyone in Ontario to primary care.

March

• The County of Simcoe Committee of the Whole preliminarily approved through a unanimous recommendation that the County of Simcoe secure a long-term external organics processing contract instead of pursuing the development of the Environmental Resource Recovery Centre at this time.
• The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is reminding people to stay up to date with measles vaccinations as cases have increased both globally and in Ontario. Measles is the world’s most contagious human respiratory virus as it is spread through the air indoors without a person needing to be close to someone who is infectious. It can quickly spread among people who are unvaccinated.
• South Simcoe Theatre stages its production of “God of Carnage.” When two couples meet to discuss an interaction between their children, it doesn’t take long for an initially somewhat friendly visit to turn into total chaos, in the South Simcoe Theatre’s production of “God of Carnage.”
• The Community Living Association for South Simcoe (CLASS) community fridge will open by mid-March. Inspired by other community food pantries, CLASS staff member Courtney Johnston proposed the idea of helping those in the Alliston area with food insecurity by opening a Community Fridge program.
• The Stevenson Memorial Hospital has received a matching gift pledge of $50,000 to go towards the Centralized Fetal Monitoring System fundraising initiative, which will enhance both the maternal and fetal healthcare at the hospital.
• With the population of New Tecumseth predicted to double over the next 30 years, the Town is already looking ahead to determine the best way to grow. A series of public meetings will be held to give residents a chance to voice their opinions on how growth should look.

April

• Beeton Memorial Arena scheduled to re-open after structural improvements. After being closed for six months, Beeton Memorial Arena is scheduled to re-open on April 15.
• County of Simcoe breaks ground on new paramedic station. County of Simcoe councillors, partners from Springwater Township and representatives from County Paramedic Services gathered to break ground for the County’s new strategically located paramedic station location in Midhurst.
• Royal Canadian Air Force celebrates 100 years. The Royal Canadian Air Force is celebrating 100 years as a branch of the armed forces, and much of the early history of military aviation in Canada happened locally at CFB Borden.
• The Alliston Hornets hockey team won four straight games to claim the North Carruthers Division championship of the Provincial Junior Hockey League. The Alliston Hornets are the 2023-24 Carruthers Division champions after winning the final series in four games over the Stayner Siskins.
• Flato Developments has announced a significant milestone in their development of Beeton Meadows – Phase 2. The Town of New Tecumseth Council ratified Flato’s draft plan on April 8, opening a new chapter in Beeton’s development.
• New Tecumseth and Collingwood award contract, share plans for expansion of water treatment plant. A joint statement from New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross and Collingwood Mayor Yvonne Hamlin announced an agreement to award the contract for the water treatment plant expansion.
• Landowners can now apply for the NVCA’s 2025 tree-planting grants. Landowners are invited to apply for the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority’s 2025 tree-planting grants before next winter.

May

• It was a chance to find some quality baked goods while helping local good cause when Toonies for New Tecumseth held its first fundraiser at the Tottenham Legion on Saturday, April 27.
• Honda to build $15 billion EV production facilities in Alliston. Honda will invest $15 billion in Canada to create an electric-vehicle supply chain, including four manufacturing plants.
• The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit shares how to protect yourself from disease-carrying ticks this spring. The warmer weather is now here, and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is reminding people to protect themselves from ticks when in an outdoor setting.
• Town of New Tecumseth welcomes new Chief Administrative Officer. Neil Garbe will join the Town effective June 3, 2024.
• New Tecumseth releases current Budget Variance Report. The Town of New Tecumseth released a report on the 2024 forecasted year-end operating financial results and capital projections as of March 31.
• The 46^th Annual Tottenham CRIC Draw and Dance sees huge success. It was a night to have some fun while potentially earning a big cash prize at the CRIC Draw and Dance held at the Tottenham Community Centre, on Saturday, May 4. 
• Stevenson Memorial Hospital currently under investigation. Stevenson Memorial Hospital is under investigation by the provincial government, and investigators are seeking input from the public regarding their experience at the hospital.

June

• New Tecumseth marks historic milestone with the opening of new Town Hall. The Town of New Tecumseth has marked a milestone in its history with the opening the new Town Hall.
• The annual Tottenham Bluegrass Festival is coming to the Tottenham Conservation Area with three days of toe-tapping music at the end of June.
• A local family was recently dismayed over vandalized and stolen memorial plaque. When Stephen Engelhardt and his siblings took advantage of a Town program that provided a memorial plaque with a tree to be planted in a local park, it was meant as a tribute to their late parents. The plaque was later vandalized and stolen.
• Stevenson Memorial Hospital welcomes new Chief of Staff. Dr. Roger Musa will take over the position effective June 24.
• A Brampton man received a three-year sentence for a train collision in Tottenham. The Brampton man drove a car that collided with a train on the 5th Line near Tottenham on the night of October 13, 2021, and was handed a three-year prison sentence as well as a lifetime driving ban.
• County provides progress update on Simcoe Village long-term care development. The County of Simcoe held a preview day to allow visitors and the media to see first-hand the progress being made on the construction of the Simcoe Village Campus in Beeton.
• LINX Transit expands routes to connect towns within Simcoe County. The County of Simcoe’s LINX Transit service is expanding its presence in Bradford West Gwillimbury by adding stop extensions to Route 5 with service scheduled to begin on July 2. Route 5 provides access to the heart of the town centres of Alliston, Beeton and Bradford. 

July

• The Town of New Tecumseth received a report by the Emergency Management Group detailing the Community Risk Assessment and the Fire Master Plan during a Committee of the Whole working meeting on Monday, June 24.
• New Tecumseth Council discusses allowing chickens in the backyard following a presentation by a local resident requesting a consideration to change the bylaw regarding backyard chicken coops. This resulted in some discussion during New Tecumseth Council’s July 8 meeting.
• The NVCA issued a high-water warning following significant rainfall. A heavier-than-normal amount of rain in the region caused local waterways to rise. The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) issued a warning about possible flooding.
• The County of Simcoe has released its 10th annual Housing Our Future report for 2023 to measure and evaluate the implementation of recommendations contained in its Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
• New Tecumseth received $125,815 in transit funds from the provincial gas tax. The Ontario government supported transit in Simcoe-Grey with a $840,267 investment from the 2023-24 Gas Tax program.
• Automatic speed enforcement is coming to New Tecumseth. Plans are to have two mobile camera systems in operation beginning in spring 2025. 
• Stevenson Memorial Hospital introduces 2024-25 Board of Directors. The hospital announced Nishika Jardine has been elected as the Chair of the Board of Directors, having been a member since June 2019.

August

• Petition on new school spurs Council debate. A petition opposing plans for a new high school on the Banting Homestead opened yet another discussion on the subject at New Tecumseth Council’s regular meeting on Monday, July 22.
• Simcoe-Grey’s MPP was named Parliamentary Assistant to Vic Fedeli. Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson has been named a Parliamentary Assistant to Vic Fedeli, who serves Ontario as the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT). Saunderson will work alongside his colleague, MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, who is also a Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister.
• CONTACT Community Services’ Grand Parade to return next month. CONTACT Community Services will host its Second Annual Grand Parade in support of seniors in need in South Simcoe.
• County of Simcoe releases statement on possible job action by CUPE. The County of Simcoe has issued a statement regarding possible impending work action by CUPE 5820.00 and 5820.01.
• Heath Unit urges routine immunizations as part of back-to-school planning. The start of the new school year is a few weeks away and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) continues to offer vaccination clinics throughout the region to help children and youth aged four to 17 years old to catch up and stay on track with their publicly funded routine vaccines before classes begin.
• A new mural depicting local history was unveiled in downtown Alliston. Visitors of downtown Alliston will now be greeted by a large mural depicting scenes through history.

September

• An Alliston woman was inducted into the Water Ski and Wakeboard Hall of Fame. The first time Betty Preece tried water skiing, she knew she had found her sport. Betty was 14 years old when a neighbour at her family cottage on Sparrow Lake started teaching local kids what was then, a relatively new sport.
• Funding aims to create faster emergency care in Simcoe County. The Ontario government is investing $29,677,813 in Simcoe County to connect people to emergency care faster and increase the availability of ambulances.
• Council receives year-end Budget Variance Report. New Tecumseth Council recently received a Budget Variance Report with information as of June 30, 2024. The report was received at the Aug. 26 council meeting. The report forecasts year-end operating financial results and capital projections as of June 30.
• School Board trustee sanctioned for unauthorized presentation to Town Council. “That’s quite the bomb that’s just been dropped on this council,” said New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross after a presentation by Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) Trustee, Sarah Beitz, at a council meeting on Sept. 11, 2023.
• Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit confirms human case of West Nile. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reminding residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites and the possible transmission of the West Nile virus.
• Honda preparing for start of new electric vehicle and battery plant construction. As part of its historic $15 billion Canadian Electric Vehicle Value Chain initiative announced in April 2024, Honda of Canada Mfg. unveiled plans to build two new facilities in Alliston for assembling electric vehicles and their batteries. Site preparation work has begun at Honda’s location on Industrial Parkway in Alliston.

October

• An investigation by the Ministry of Health at Stevenson revealed concerns over leadership and quality of care. A final report of an investigation into Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) reveals several concerns about governance, leadership, quality of care, operations, and financial performance.
• County of Simcoe to launch new medical dispatch triage system. With support from the Ontario government, the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services will join services throughout the province in implementing the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS).
• Equipment Ontario opens its doors to serve the local farming community. Equipment Ontario has opened a huge new dealership just south of Alliston that has pretty much everything you need. From small units for home use to massive machines designed for large farming operations, they have the equipment for every job.
• Town of New Tecumseth mulls options for old town hall at recent council meeting. Now that the Town of New Tecumseth staff and Council have moved into the new town hall, a decision on what to do with the old town hall is under consideration.
• New Tecumseth and Collingwood responded to a provincial funding announcement for water treatment. The Towns of New Tecumseth and Collingwood have issued a joint statement following the announcement that Ontario is investing nearly $70 million into a water treatment plant extension in Collingwood.
• Stevenson issued a statement in response to a provincial investigator’s report into its operations. The report, issued by a provincially appointed investigator and an investigation team, raised several concerns about Stevenson Memorial Hospital’s operations.

November

• Banting Homestead celebrated Sir Frederick Banting’s birthday. It has been 101 years since Sir Frederick Banting became Canada’s first Nobel laureate in Medicine in 1923.
• The Beeton Horticultural Society celebrated 100 years within the community. Established in 1925, the society promotes horticulture in the community through a variety of activities, including regular meetings with speakers, community beatification projects, and the establishment of annual plants in Beeton.
• Local filmmakers shoot a movie in a rural Beeton location. Local filmmakers Greg Johnston and Neil Mackay have teamed up for their latest movie.
• Community facilities receive provincial funding for building upgrades, repair. The Ontario government is investing $85,400 in two local social service agencies for necessary building upgrades and repairs.
• County of Simcoe updates 2025 draft budget after deliberations. reviewed the County’s budget on Nov. 12. During the review and deliberations in both meetings, cost adjustments were brought forward by staff, hiring for two specific roles was deferred and a final recommended percentage tax rate increase of 3.25 per cent was decided.
• Trillium Ford getting four new electric vehicle chargers amongst other locations. The province is building 20 new electric vehicle charging stations in Simcoe-Grey. This is part of the province’s plan to increase access to EV chargers outside of large urban centres and support the electrification of transportation across the province.

December

• Postal strike affects Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation donations. The current strike by Canada Post employees is having a direct effect on charitable organizations across the country that rely on mail to receive donations.
• Simcoe County Council approves 2025 budget with a 3.6 per cent tax increase. County of Simcoe Council approved a $962 million budget on Nov. 26, focused on the resources necessary to maintain existing services and address significant growth in its communities.
• Banting’s robotics team is heading to Germany for an international event. Several members of the Banting Memorial High School Robotics Team will be travelling to an international robotics event in Hanover, Germany during the first week of April next year. Coming with them is a robot goalie they plan to exhibit.
• Council receives report on Automated Speed Enforcement cameras. The Town of New Tecumseth Council has received a report with recommendations regarding the policy of upcoming use of automated speed enforcement cameras.
• Cold weather bringing outdoor rinks to New Tecumseth soon. The weather is getting colder, but not yet cold enough to start working on the Town of New Tecumseth’s outdoor rink. Outdoor rinks can be difficult to maintain as they are totally dependent on the weather, and how Town crews maintain them the best they can during the winter months.

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