The City's Social Services Office Continues Extended Office Hours

The City of Peterborough’s Social Services office continues to offer extended hours at their location in Charlotte Mews at 178 Charlotte St., announced on Friday.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday as part of a pilot project that began on Oct. 1.

By extending regular office hours, Social Services aims to improve in-person access to services for individuals working, attending school, or having other commitments during traditional business hours, according to the City.

The Social Services office can be contacted during office hours by calling 705-748-8830. Outside of regular business hours, Social Services maintains after-hours emergency services that can be accessed by calling 705-926-0096.

The six-month pilot project to test extended office hours for Social Services will continue until April 1, 2024. Social Services staff will track how well individuals use the extended hours, response times and client feedback, which will be considered when reviewing the effectiveness of extended hours.

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City to End Seasonal Yard Waste Collection On Dec. 1

The final week for the 2023 curbside yard waste collection service will be Tuesday to Dec. 1.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City of Peterborough reminds residents that in late fall, when temperatures drop below freezing, yard waste can freeze, sticking to the sides of bins and causing issues with collection.

The City adds that to ensure full pickup of yard waste, residents should consider using bags for disposal to avoid partially frozen material being left in a bin after collection.

The curbside yard waste collection program will resume in April.

Yard waste collection program details include:

• Unlimited quantities of yard waste are accepted when set out in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers that are labelled, bushel baskets.

• Rigid open-top containers with a maximum volume of 80 litres, with two fixed handles. Lids must be removable and not secured by any means. Yard waste material must empty freely when emptied/dumped by the collector.

• Bins must have two clearly identifiable yellow yard waste labels, available for no charge at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

• Plastic bags are not accepted for yard waste.

• Each bag or container must weigh less than 13 kilograms (30 pounds).

• Brush can be tied in bundles weighing not more than 13 kilograms (30 pounds), with a length of up to one metre (three feet) and a diameter of up to 30.5 centimetres (12 inches).

Yard waste is accepted year-round at the Peterborough landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. in Otonabee-South Monaghan; fees will apply.

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List of City Services Closed or On Modified Hours For Remembrance Day

Several City services are offering modified holiday hours or may be closed on Saturday or Monday, in observance of Remembrance Day.

File Photo.

City Hall

City Hall, including the Tax Office, Clerk’s Office and Building Services, will be closed on Monday. Online services are available at www.peterborough.ca.

Waste Management services

There will be no changes to curbside collection of Green Bins, recycling, yard waste and garbage.

The City/County Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. will be open from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Monday.

The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Public Works

Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Recreation services

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre will be open with regular hours on Saturday (6 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Monday (6 a.m. to 11 p.m.). Visit www.peterborough.ca/recreation for information about schedules and programs at the Wellness Centre.

Arenas will be available to user groups for scheduled ice time on Saturday and Monday:

Kinsmen Civic Centre will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Healthy Planet Arena will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight. On Monday, November 13, Customer Service at Healthy Planet Arena will also be open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Recreation Facility Booking office will be closed on Monday.

Peterborough Memorial Centre will be open for the Arkells concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Monday for scheduled user groups.

The Grant Thornton Box Office at the Peterborough Memorial Centre will be open from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday 11 and will be closed on Monday. Event tickets are available for purchase online at www.memorialcentre.ca.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and closed on Monday. For information about gallery exhibitions and programs, visit www.agp.on.ca.

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Peterborough Museum and Archives exhibitions and gift shop will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Monday. Information about current exhibitions is available online at www.peterborough.ca/museum.

Peterborough Public Library

The Peterborough Public Library will be closed on Saturday. Regular hours resume on Sunday. Information and digital resources are online at www.ptbolibrary.ca.

Provincial Offences Act office

The Provincial Offences office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed on Monday. Fine payments can be made online at www.peterborough.ca/POA.

Social Services office

The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed on Monday.

Emergency shelter services remain open: please call After Hours service at 705-926-0096 during weekends and holidays.

Municipal child care centres

City-operated child care centres Pearson Day Care and Peterborough Day Care will be closed on Monday.

Before and After School programs at Westmount Public School and Edmison Heights Public School will open and operate normally on Monday.

Transit

Peterborough Transit will operate on a regular service schedule on Saturday and Monday. Visit www.peterborough.ca/transit or call 705-745-0525 for detailed schedules.

Peterborough Airport

The Airport hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Monday.

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Snow-Clearing Crews Ready 24/7 For Winter Weather Says The City of Peterborough

The City of Peterborough has stated that snow-clearing crews are ready to respond 24/7 for the community when winter weather arrives.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

“Snow clearing on roads, sidewalks and trails helps residents move around the City safely when the snow falls,” said Michael Papadacos, Acting Commissioner, Municipal Operations. “Our crews clear the way, so you can get to work, visit friends and family, go to the store, or get around town for the many other activities that happen in our community.”

The City clears roads, bike lanes and sidewalks based on regulated maintenance standards.

Their snow-clearing operations include:

• 18 plow trucks, two graders, seven loaders and backhoes and four light sanding units to cover 978 kilometres of roads

• 11 sidewalk plows to cover 450 kilometres of sidewalks

• Maintenance of 39 kilometres of trails and 650 bus stops

Service levels

Snow-clearing operations are based on a priority route system.

Roads that see the highest traffic volume, are on transit routes or pass by the hospital are the highest priority for maintenance in winter weather. Arterial and collector roads are cleared first as required by legislated standards.

Once the arterial and collector roads are clear or safe, snow-clearing operations shift to residential or local streets.

Depending on the storm's severity, the time it takes to finish snow clearing can vary. A big storm with snowfall over a long time may mean clearing snow from neighbourhood streets takes longer.

The City follows the provincial guidelines set under the Municipal Act, 2001, O. Reg. 239/02: Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways. The regulations categorize and prioritize roads based on traffic volumes and speed limits – the greater the volume of traffic and the greater the speed limit on the roads, the greater the priority for snow and ice clearing. The guidelines also include standards for the winter maintenance of bike lanes along roads and sidewalks.

Snow clearing in the downtown

As snow accumulates during the winter, City crews regularly remove snowbanks in the downtown area. No parking signs are posted before the snowbank removal work to keep the space clear for the snow removal.

Winter parking restrictions

Parking rules change in the snowy season to assist with snow-clearing work. Keeping streets clear overnight allows for better, quicker snow clearing of City streets.

From Dec. 1 to April 1, parking is prohibited on all City streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. The fine for a violation is $25.

During a snowstorm, when snow-clearing operations are underway, no parking is permitted on any City street. The fine is $80 for this violation and vehicles may be towed. Snow-clearing operations typically take place between midnight and 8 a.m.

Free overnight parking is permitted at all municipal parking lots, the King Street Parkade and the Simcoe Parking Garage. Vehicles parked overnight at either parking garage can obtain a gate arm ticket upon entry to the garage to be used for a free transit trip home.

Declaring a Significant Weather Event

Municipalities can declare a Significant Weather Event under the Municipal Act, 2001, O. Reg. 239/02, relating to maintaining municipal roads, sidewalks and bike lanes. All roadways in the municipality are deemed to be in a state of repair for snow accumulation during a Significant Weather Event declaration.

During a significant weather event, residents are advised to use caution and are reminded that typical winter maintenance service levels for roads may not be met. Motorists are advised to stay home and only use the roads for necessary travel.

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City of Peterborough Beginning Decorative Streetlight Retrofitting For November

The City of Peterborough is retrofitting decorative street lighting to more efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures starting early this month, with expected completion in late fall of next year.

File Photo.

The City’s contractor, Guild Electric Limited, will supply and install energy-efficient LED retrofit kits with smart photocell controllers and accessories for all roadway decorative streetlights.

Access for local traffic will be maintained during the work and traffic control will be provided as required for each location.

Decorative street lighting retrofit locations will be along the following streets:

Downtown Peterborough

• George Street and Water Street from McDonnel Street to Rink Street

• Charlotte Street from Aylmer Street to Simcoe Street

• King Street from Aylmer Street to Water Street

• Hunter Street from Aylmer Street to Rogers Street

West End of Peterborough

• Ravenwood Drive from Parkhill Road West to Glenforest Boulevard including adjacent roads with decorative light fixtures

• Glenforest Crescent, Lillico Crescent, Tamblin Way, Hancox Court and Eagle Crescent

• Waddell Avenue, Waddell Crescent, College Park Drive and Forster Avenue

• Bowen Drive, Peace Crescent and Logan Lane

Heritage Park Subdivision

• Heritage Trail, Blacksmith Way, Farrer Crescent, Colonial Crescent, and Carriage Lane.

Related information is available on the Road Construction Map posted on the City’s website.

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Peterborough Remembrance Day and Service Schedule Released

Peterborough’s Remembrance Day service — organized and hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52, Peterborough — is being held at the Citizens' War Memorial in Confederation Square on Nov. 11 from 10:30 a.m. until approximately 11:20 a.m. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

A parade is held before the service, departing from George Street next to Confederation Square, travelling south on the street, starting at 10 a.m.

All are welcome as the community gathers to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who served and continue to serve our country during times of war, military conflict, and peace.

Schedule

10 a.m.

Parade departs Confederation Square, travelling south on George Street, east on Hunter Street, north on Water Street and west on McDonnel Street, where it returns to Confederation Square. Parade Marshal: Joel Chandler.

10:25 a.m.

Parade arrives at the Citizens' War Memorial

10:30 a.m.

• O Canada led by the Salvation Army Band and Peterborough Pop Ensemble, followed by the Prayer of Invocation

• Hymn: O God, Our Help in Ages Past

• Addresses by City of Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52 Past President Joel Chandler

• Placing of the Wreaths

• Hymn: O Valiant Hearts, Salvation Army Band

• The Peacekeeper's Prayer

11 a.m.

• Last Post, Bugler Brian Lee

• Two minutes of silence

• Lament

• The Rouse, Bugler Brian Lee

• We Honour You with Peterborough Pop Ensemble

• Guest Speaker: Chief Stuart Betts, Chief of Police, Peterborough Police Service

• God Save the King led by the Salvation Army Band and Peterborough Pop Ensemble

• Benediction

• Children place poppies on wreaths

• March off the colours

The parade and service is being broadcasted live by Cogeco and YourTV (cable channels 10 and 700). The service will be re-broadcast on Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and at noon on Nov. 12.

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Applications Open For 2024 Low Income Senior & Low Income Property Tax Assistance

Applications are open for The City of Peterborbough Low-Income Senior & Low-Income Property Tax Assistance Program.

fILE pHOTO.

Qualifying applicants receive a $400 tax credit on their municipal property tax accounts to be applied to the February 2024 interim tax bill.  Anyone who previously received more than a $400 credit is grandfathered in at their higher credit amount. 

Property owners can apply under one of the following qualifications:

1. Low-income Senior aged 65 years or older

2. Low-income Senior aged 55-64 years of age

3. Low-income persons with a disability receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

Applications are available on the City’s website or at the City Hall Tax Office, 500 George St. N. Anyone that received tax credits this year, automatically receives a 2023 Property Tax Assistance application in the mail.

Feb. 19 is the deadline for submitting this application.

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Temporary Downtown Patios To Be Removed Starting On Oct. 24

The temporary downtown patio spaces will be removed to prepare sidewalks and roads for winter snow-clearing operations starting on Oct. 24.

The expanded patio spaces were installed in May. File Photo.

Any businesses with temporary patios on sidewalks and in on-street parking adjacent to them will remove their patio furniture by the end of the day on Oct. 23 to clear the way for the removal of the fencing and large planters startingthe next day.

After removing the expanded patio areas, Hunter Street between George and Aylmer Streets will return to a two-lane, two-way street. During the summer, it was temporarily made into a one-lane, westbound, one-way street to add more patio and pedestrian space.

This was the fourth summer that the City implemented temporary changes to the downtown public space to allow for more patio and pedestrian space.

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City Council to Consider Ceasing the Use of Garbage Cans For Curbside Collection Starting Oct. 31

Garbage containers could be a thing of the past as the idea is being proposed to City Council regarding waste collection by-law changes taking effect on Oct. 31.

Todd Willis, sanitation foreman tosses a garbage bag into the garbage truck. Bags can weigh anywhere and can exceed 45 lbs. in weight. Roughly 1,200 bags of garbage are collected by each truck daily. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The proposed change was brought up in a garbage demonstration related to the Waste Collection By-law by the City of Peterborough at the Municipal Operations Centre on Thursday morning.

The proposal will be considered at City Council’s General Committee meeting on Tuesday before going to the regular Council meeting to be considered for approval on Oct. 23.

The move was proposed to improve workplace health and safety for all sanitation workers. An average route for one truck results in 1,100 to 1,200 stops a day. Omitting garbage cans makes it easier for sanitation workers to get the garbage bags out of the cans according to the City.

Garbage collected outside containers allows collectors to see their contents while switching to clear bags.

“We’ve had workers get cut across the leg from glass or anything else sharp from garbage bags,” said Sean Adey, the City’s manager of parks, forestry and sanitation. “Some of our staff can get pricked by a needle and could contract HIV. We’ve had workers out for a few days to a few months because of it and it slows down our garbage collection.”

Over-piled bags, incorrect disposal of items, untied bags and overstuffed garbage bags are hazards that could pose threats to garbage workers. Photos courtesy of Sean Adey.

By-law changes already approved are switching to clear garbage bags, roughly 8,000 households having their waste collection day changed, introducing Green Waste Bins and garbage collection running every other week.

Households eligible for the Green Bin program are permitted four bags for garbage collection every other week on their respective collection day. The current limit is two lifts per week for collection for each household.

Bag weight limits are 30 pounds with up to three opaque privacy bags (up to 25 litres or 20 x 20 in. for each bag) can be put in each large clear garbage bag.

Businesses that use the garbage collection service are permitted 12 bags every other week.

Any downtown Business Improvement Area addresses will not shift to a bi-weekly schedule.

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City Services During Thanksgiving Monday

Several City services will offer modified holiday hours and some City facilities will be closed on Thanksgiving Monday.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

City Hall

City Hall, including Building Services, the Clerk’s Office and the Tax Office, will be closed. Online services are available at www.peterborough.ca.

Public Works

Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Arenas Division

Healthy Planet Arena will be open on October 9 from noon to 10 p.m. for ice rentals booked in advance. The Customer Service counter will be open from noon to 3 p.m. for the Public Skate scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The Peterborough Memorial Centre and Kinsmen Arena will be closed on October 9.

The Recreation Facility booking office is closed from Friday, October 6 at 3:30 p.m. and will re-open on Tuesday, October 10 at 8:30 a.m.

Sport and Wellness Centre

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre will be open on October 9 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visit www.peterborough.ca/recreation for information about programs and schedules.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed on Monday, October 9.

For information about gallery exhibitions and programs, please visit www.agp.on.ca.

Garbage, recycling and yard waste

There will be no change to curbside collection of garbage, recycling and yard waste.

The Peterborough County and City Waste Management Facility (landfill) and the Household Hazardous Waste Depot will be closed on Monday, October 9.

The Pido Road Recycling Depot remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more details, please visit www.peterborough.ca/waste or call the Waste Management Division at 705-742-7777 ext. 1657.

Marina

The Marina will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, October 9. This is the final day of Marina operations for the 2023 season. To contact the Marina, please phone 705-742-0005 or email marina@peterborough.ca.

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Peterborough Museum and Archives and gift shop are open from noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 9.

Information about current exhibitions is available online at www.peterborough.ca/museum.

Peterborough Public Library

The Peterborough Public Library will be closed on Thanksgiving Monday. Information and digital resources are online at www.ptbolibrary.ca/.

Provincial Offences office

The Provincial Offences office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed on Oct. 9. Fine payments can be made online at www.peterborough.ca/POA.

Social Services office

The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed.

Emergency shelter services remain open: call 705-926-0096 after hours, during weekends and on holidays.

Child care centres

City-operated childcare centres will be closed on Oct. 9.

Transit

Peterborough Transit will operate on a Holiday Service Schedule on Oct. 9.

Please visit the website www.peterborough.ca/transit or call 705-745-0525 for detailed schedules.

Peterborough Airport

The Airport hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 9.

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