Enbridge Assists Selwyn Fire Dept in Supporting Firefighter Training

The Selwyn Fire Department with 49 other fire departments is getting $250,000 from Enbridge Gas for educational materials for firefighters to enhance life-saving techniques. announced Wednesday.

Andrew Bowyer, Fire Prevention Officer (left), and Gord Jopling, Fire Chief for the Township of Selwyn (right) pose with a $5,000 cheque from Safe Community Project Assist and the educational materials purchased through the program. Photo Courtesy of Township of Selwyn.

The aid is through the Safe Community Project Assist, a program with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council that supplements existing training for Ontario volunteers and composite fire departments in the communities where Enbridge operates.

“Safety is our priority. We’re proud to support Ontario firefighters who share our commitment to keeping our communities safe,” says Steve McGivery, Director, GTA East Operations, Enbridge Gas.

Since the launch of Safe Community Project Assist in 2012, 244 grants have been provided to Ontario fire departments for additional firefighter training.

“Safe Community Project Assist improves access to training materials for fire departments,” says Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. “Firefighting can be dangerous and unpredictable, and these training materials positively contribute to the health and safety of firefighters and the broader community.”

“Selwyn Fire Department is honoured to have been selected by the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and Enbridge Gas for this valuable donation. With these funds, we can help to continue educating our firefighters in their skills as we work to keep our community safe,” says Selwyn Fire Chief Gord Jopling.

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Selwyn Township Lifts Significant Weather Event

The Significant Weather Event declared by the Township of Selwyn has been lifted as of Tuesday.

Selwyn announced the Significant Weather Event on Monday Morning after being hit with over 20 cm of snow. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The decision was made after the township reviewed Environment Canada weather reports and observing current weather conditions, sidewalk and road conditions.

Selwyn reminds everyone that declaring the end of the event does not mean the roads and sidewalks are in good condition. It only means that the Township of Selwyn now feels that the weather has subsided enough that it can meet our required maintenance objective timelines.

Drivers and Pedestrians are reminded to use caution while navigating in winter weather conditions. Selwyn Township’s Public Works crew is working diligently to restore the roads and sidewalks to a safe condition and are continuing with regular winter maintenance activities according to the release.

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Selwyn Fire Department Makes Four-Year-Old's Birthday Wish Come True

The Selwyn Fire Department paid a special visit to four-year old Lucas Vanderbyl to celebrate his birthday last week.

Photo courtesy of Jess Bushey.

Vanderbyl’s mom, Jess Bushey, wanted to make this birthday a special one, as last years was spent on a ‘failed zoom call’ with friends and family.

“It’s his second pandemic birthday,” said Bushey “We were just trying to think of something that could make it special. We’re not really into car parades, we live on a dead end road and he’s little so he doesn’t really understand that people can’t get out.”

Because of her sons obsession with first responders, Bushey thought she would reach out and see if they could do something to celebrate. She initially took to Twitter and tried to contact any first responder accounts she could, but ultimately her email to the township would make the birthday party happen.

“I sent them an email saying ‘hey I know you guys are super busy and stretched so thin right now, but could we maybe come by the station just to even look at a truck, poke the tire or something, I don’t know’.”

After emailing back and fourth the Selwyn Fire Department suggested that they come to the house, and they did just that.

Photo courtesy of Jess Bushey.

On Vanderbyl’s birthday, two firefighters from Selwyn came with a truck and Selwyn Fire Department branded gifts. They parked in the familys laneway, turned on the sirens, showed Vanderbyl the truck up close.

“It was above and beyond what was expected,” said Bushey “I was so shocked that they were willing to do that, given what’s going on, but they were so kind and so funny.”

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Selwyn Township Cancels Senior Skating Indefinitely Due to Rising COVID-19 Cases

The free senior skating events at Lakefield-Smith and Ennismore Community Centres have been cancelled by the Selwyn Township due to the rising cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant announced Tuesday.

Stock Photo.

The Lakefield skating ran from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. Ennismore’s skating occurred every Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The township wants to reopen free skating to seniors next year if it is safe to do so according to their social media post but no specific timeframe has been given.

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Selwyn Township Achieves Top Distinction in National Climate Protection Program

Selwyn Township has achieved Milestone 5 of the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program. PCP is a network of Canadian municipal governments that have committed to reducing GHG emissions and protecting our climate.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough ED.

Reaching Milestone 5 is a significant achievement and demonstrates the leadership of Selwyn Township and its deep commitment to taking action on climate change.

“As a Corporation, Selwyn has invested in sustainability initiatives including retrofitting Township street lighting to LED, leasing a hybrid electric vehicle for the Building Department, installing roof-top solar panels on a number of Township buildings, tree planting, etc. Achieving this Milestone demonstrates Council’s commitment to protecting our environment.” Andy Mitchell, Mayor Selwyn Township.

The municipality’s actions to reduce community GHG emissions are driving positive results and helping it make progress toward its sustainability and climate change objectives.

For information about other green initiatives led by Selwyn Township, visit https://www.selwyntownship.ca/en/township-hall/Green-Initiatives.aspx.

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Selwyn Public Library is Hosting an Online Auction to Support Library Services

The Selwyn Public Library is holding an online silent auction from Nov. 1- Nov. 12, to raise funds toward the Support Our Library Campaign.

Bridgenorth Branch of Selwyn Public Library. Photo courtesy of Selwyn Public Library.

Fundraising revenues support library services such as virtual collections and resources (eBooks and eAudiobooks), adult and children’s programs, and community outreach initiatives including the home library service, pop-up libraries, and our pollinator garden.

These funds have traditionally been raised through the effort of volunteers at the libraries New-to-You stores, along with annual book sales. However, with the required intermittent closures of these stores and the inability to hold our annual book sales due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the library has been exploring new ways to raise these revenues.

This year's goal is to raise $10,000.

Selwyn Public Library’s Auction will be completely online, allowing participants to bid for items from home.

The auction is made possible through generous donations from community members and local businesses. It will feature a wide variety of interesting items including artwork, gift baskets, unique experiences, and gift certificates.

To view items and to bid, visit www.galabid.com/selwynlibrary

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1,500 Native Trees Planted to Rehabilitate and Restore a Former Gravel Pit in Selwyn Township

1,500 native tree seedlings were planted this fall as part of the ongoing restoration of a gravel pit in Selwyn Township.

Photo courtesY of otonabee conservation

The trees were planted in partnership with Otonabee Conservation, NEFAB Canada, Selwyn Township, One Tree Planted, Caterpillar, and students from the Youth Leadership in Sustainability Program (YLS) from Kawartha Pine Ridge District school board (KPRDSB).

Students from the YLS program planted 300 trees, employees from NEFAB Canada Peterborough planted 900, with employees from Selwyn Township and Otonabee Conservation putting the remaining 300 in the ground.

“We are pleased to be working in partnership with Otonabee Conservation on this restoration project, and excited to plant 1,500 trees at the site this year,” said Mike Richardson, from Selwyn Township.

A variety of native species of tree seedlings were selected for the site including White Pine, Red Pine, White Cedar, and White Spruce, which will restore the site and enhance habitat for local wildlife.

"Environmental restoration and community engagement go hand-in-hand, and we're honored to support this initiative to not only plant trees but also have an educational opportunity for young people to learn about local ecology," said Diana Chaplin, Canopy Director at One Tree Planted.

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Selwyn Township Office Receives $100,000 in Funding

The Township of Selwyn has received $100,000 through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan to support upgrades to improve the customer service entrance to the Selwyn Township Municipal Office.

Image courtesy of Selwyn Township

The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows the Government of Canada to invest up to 80 percent of total eligible costs for projects in provinces. The Ontario government will invest 20 percent of the eligible costs for projects across the province.

“The health and safety of our ratepayers, particularly during these uncertain times, is of the utmost importance,” said Andy Mitchell, Mayor of Selwyn Township. “This funding will allow the Township to retrofit its Administrative Office to provide a safer, more reliable atmosphere while ensuring the highest level of customer service now and in the future.”

The pandemic brought to light challenges that exist with the Municipal Office as it relates to adequate separation for customers to enter and exit the building. This funding will be used to retrofit the entrance of the Selwyn Municipal Office to support adequate physical distancing, and ensure that accessibility is maintained.

The Government of Canada is investing $200 million in municipalities through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing $50 million.

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First Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installed In Lakefield

Selwyn Township has announced its first electric vehicle charging station, as residents can now charge their electric cars in downtown Lakefield.

The electric vehicle charging station is located in the municipal parking lot beside The Village Inn of Lakefield.

Selwyn Township says on their Facebook page that the charging station is free-of-charge for an unknown period of time as part of a provincial initiative to promote electric/hybrid vehicles.

They add that appropriate signage will be installed in the Spring with more information about the station and that residents will be informed when the service is no longer free and how much it will cost.

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A Total Fire Ban Has Been Implemented In The Township Of Selwyn

Due to the increasingly dry conditions during this heat spell—we have had virtually zilch precipitation this summer—the Township of Selwyn has issued a total fire ban effective immediately.

They tweeted about the fire ban this afternoon...

**Total Fire Ban in Effect**
Effective immediately, a total fire ban has been implemented for @SelwynTownship. pic.twitter.com/NdkjvW6U2n

— Selwyn Township (@SelwynTownship) August 9, 2016

All open air burning (including campfires) is now prohibited and all fire permits that have been issued are now void until the fire ban is lifted. Residents will be notified when the fire ban has been lifted.

Water restrictions also remain in place and you can learn more about those regulations here.

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