City Council Approves Changes To Garbage Pickup; Clear Bags and Bi-Weekly Trash Pickup

City Council has endorsed adopting the clear bags and bi-weekly trash pickup as part of an the Waste Management Master Plan Update during a meeting on Monday night.

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The summary of changes in waste management services are the following:

• Requiring the use of clear garbage bags for waste collection

• Moving to every-other-week residential garbage collection starting Oct. 31 at the same time as the introduction of weekly Green Bin (household organic waste) collection service that will reduce the bulk of current garbage material

• Preparing for the provincially-directed switch to producer-responsible recycling program delivery, instead of it being a municipal service, starting Jan. 1

• Bringing a report to Council in the future to amend the Waste Collection Enforcement By-law to include new definitions of the waste stream, collection requirements, and penalties for non-compliance as an option if public education efforts are not effective in changing disposal behaviours

The changes would result in garbage collection would shift to every other week while Green Bin and Blue Bin collection would be provided weekly.

A ‘clear bag’ program refers to the use of a garbage bag that is transparent or see-through. According to the City, use of clear bags for garbage encourages waste diversion in several ways:

• Clear bag Programs improves worker safety and allows Transfer Station attendants the ability to conduct a quick assessment of the contents within the clear bag(s) to ensure that no recyclable or hazardous items are in the bag.

• Clear bags can serve as a reminder if people forget to separate out these materials from their garbage, as the clear bag allows residents to see what is being thrown out.

• Clear bags prompt people to reflect on their waste disposal habits and encourage them to consider waste diversion options.

• Clear bags can assist in with the enforcing of municipal material disposal bans by allowing waste collectors to monitor for compliance and reject any bags containing banned items.

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One Roof Community Centre Extends Service Hours From Tuesday Until Saturday Due to Weather Forecast

One Roof Community Centre’s warming room is extending its hours of service starting at 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday until Saturday due to cold temperatures in the Peterborough forecast announced on Monday.

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Meal service runs from 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter.

• YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 705-748-3851, 196 Brock St.

• Brock Mission men’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 120 Murray St.

• Cameron House women’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 739 Chemong Rd.

• Overflow Shelter at 210 Wolfe St., overnight phone 705-761-1875

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City of Peterborough Lifts Significant Weather Event Declaration

City of Peterborough has lifted its Significant Weather Event declaration that was issued on Dec. 22, 2022 from last week’s major winter storm announced on Thursday.

The declaration was lifted effectively at 2 p.m.

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Peterborough received 31.4 millimetres of snow from Dec. 22 to 23 with wind gusts reaching a high of 71 kilometres per hour on Saturday according to Environment Canada. The high winds caused snow drifts on roads, sidewalks and trails.

Declaring a Significant Weather Event is a way to advise residents, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists conditions on roads, sidewalks and bike lanes can be expected to be delayed compared to typical levels of service, due to the severity of a storm according to the City.

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City Seeking Peterborough Airport Restaurant Operator

The City of Peterborough is seeking an established Food Service operator at the Peterborough Airport through a Request for Proposals process announced on Wednesday.

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The restaurant was constructed as part of the Air Terminal building in 2011. The building has three wings made up of a City-owned restaurant facility with a capacity for 50 patrons, an airport lobby and administrative offices for Airport management and operations.

The City of Peterborough is seeking to establish a long-term operating agreement to provide food services at the airport.

Anyone interested in submitting proposals to provide food services at the airport can find information regarding RFP-32-22 online at Bids and Tenders - City Of Peterborough.

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City of Peterborough to Collect Christmas Trees During Regular Garbage Collection For January

The City of Peterborough has started to accept natural Christmas trees as part of regular garbage collection pending weather conditions announced Monday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City is reminding residents to do the following before having their trees collected for compost:

• Remove all tree decorations

• Place it at the curb in a clear and visible location

• Not place their trees in bags

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Peterborough Transit Adjusting Services For the Holidays and January

Peterborough Transit has made service adjustments for all routes for the holiday season from Saturday until Jan. 7, announced on Friday.

All Route 11 and 11A Water trips will be suspended from Christmas Eve until Jan. 8, with regular weekday service resuming on Jan. 9.

On Saturday, all routes end early, with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park). Evening PTBOnDemand service will not be available.

There will be no service on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

On Boxing Day, a Holiday/Sunday service schedule will be in place, with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (or 7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park). Evening PTBOnDemand service will not be available.

On all routes, late evening trips departing after 11:32 p.m. are suspended between the period of Friday 23 until Jan 7. (please note: late evening trips information was updated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday)

On Dec. 31 all routes end early with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park). Evening OnDemand service will not be available. Extended New Year’s Eve service will not be offered this year.

Transit Customer Service desk

The Customer Service desk at the Simcoe Street Terminal will operate with adjusted hours for the holiday period.

• Saturday, Dec. 24: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 25: closed

• Monday, Dec. 26: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, Dec. 27 to Friday, Dec. 30: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 31: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Jan. 1: closed

Regular hours resume at the Simcoe Street Bus Terminal on Monday, January 2, 2022.

For questions about Transit service, please call Transit Operations at 705-745-0525 or by email at transitoperations@peterborough.ca.

Service changes to Routes 3, 4 effective Jan. 2, 2023

Starting on Jan. 2, weekday service on Route 3 Park will operate hourly after 9 a.m. and Route 4 Weller will be reduced to operate hourly as Peterborough Transit continues to work towards providing more stable service for our customers during staffing challenges.

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City of Peterborough Closing Early or Modifying Friday Services Due to Winter Storm

Due to the major winter storm, the City of Peterborough programs and facilities is closing or altering services as of noon on Friday for the safety of employees and customers.

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The Peterborough Public Library, arenas, Morrow Building, the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, the Art Gallery of Peterborough and the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) Box Office will be closing early starting at noon on Friday.

Quaker Foods City Square skating rink is temporarily closed due to the weather causing unsafe ice conditions. When weather conditions allow the rink to be re-opened, an update will be posted on peterborough.ca.

The City of Peterborough had previously provided the holiday schedules for programs and facilities for the period between Christmas and the new year, with some facilities operating under different schedules. Due to the storm, some facilities are closing earlier than scheduled.

The Peterborough Public Library will return to regular operating hours on Wednesday, opening at 10 a.m.

The Healthy Planet Arena returns to normal holiday operations as of 11 a.m. on Monday. The PMC returns to normal operations on Tuesday while the Kinsmen Civic Centre will remain closed until Monday.

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre will return to normal operations as of 6 a.m. on Tuesday as previously scheduled for the holidays.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will resume regular operating hours starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

The PMC Box Office offers online services at memorialcentre.ca. It will reopen for regular in-person operating hours starting 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

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YMCA Closing All Branches For Friday Due To Inclement Weather

Due to the inclement weather from the winter storm, the YMCA is closing all their branches on Friday.

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The branches closed at 10 a.m. Friday, citing the health and safety of our staff and members is the top priority.

YMCA says they are providing an update to be open for Christmas Eve later on Friday. They were originally scheduled to be open until 2 p.m. on that day.

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City Providing Temporary Overnight Drop-in Space During Major Winter Storm

The City of Peterborough is providing temporary overnight warming space for people who are experiencing homelessness throughout the major winter storm from Thursday until Boxing Day morning (Dec. 26).

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The space is open from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. at the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St.

The City is also providing a daytime drop-in space in partnership with One Roof Community Centre at 99 Brock St. with extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. until Jan. 2.

Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter.

• YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 705-748-3851, 196 Brock St.

• Brock Mission men’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 120 Murray St.

• Cameron House women’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 739 Chemong Rd.

• Overflow Shelter at 210 Wolfe St., overnight phone 705-761-1875

If regular emergency shelters are full, or for individuals who cannot access traditional shelters, alternative accommodations may be available in motels. If people are given temporary shelter in motels during extreme winter weather, the City provides transportation to the motel and food onsite.

Emergency After Hours Services related to emergency shelter are available through the Social Services by calling 705-926-0096. The Peterborough Social Services website has full details at www.peterborough.ca/socialservices.

Information on the City of Peterborough response plan that provides a warm space for people who are experiencing homelessness to access 24 hours a day during extreme winter weather events is online at www.peterborough.ca/en/news/services-for-people-experiencing-homelessness-during-extreme-winter-weather.aspx.

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City of Peterborough Declares Significant Weather Event Of Impending Winter Storm

The City of Peterborough has declared a Significant Weather Event in advance on Thursday’s major winter storm.

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The forecase is calling for rapidly falling temperatures and potentially damaging winds along with snow and potential for blizzard conditions on Friday and into the weekend. This weather can be dangerous for users of City roads, sidewalks and bike lanes. Snow clearing operations will take longer to complete due to the potential severity of the storm.

“Declaring a Significant Weather Event is a way to advise residents, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists that conditions on roads, sidewalks and bike lanes can be expected to be delayed compared to typical levels of service, due to the potential severity of the approaching storm,” said John Czerniawski, Public Works Operations Manager. 

City of Peterborough Public Works staff are tracking weather radar and preparing operations according to forecasts. They are tracking significant snowfall over a long duration storm with the potential of a flash freeze and snow heavy at times.

Crews will focus on arterial and collector roads first, with residential streets, sidewalks and trails to follow depending on resources and conditions. The City says crews are working until the City’s 978 km of roads, 404 km of sidewalks, 39 kkm of trails and 650 bus stops are cleared. 

There will be 18 plow trucks, 11 sidewalk plows, two graders, seven loaders and backhoes and four light sanding units, with winter abrasives and de-icers stocked and staff ready to be deployed. 

During this time, residents are advised to use caution and 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. 

• Adjust driving based on the conditions 

• Visibility may be reduced 

• Go slow 

• Watch for taillights ahead 

• Be prepared to stop 

Road users and pedestrians are asked to leave crews the space they need to safely and effectively clean city streets, sidewalks and trails.

Winter parking restrictions are in place and parking is prohibited on all City streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. every night. Additionally, residents are asked not to park on City streets for the duration of the storm to allow for effective snow clearing. During snowstorms, free overnight parking is available in municipal parking garages and surface lots. Drivers can use the parking garage entrance ticket for a free ride home on Peterborough Transit. 

“Thank you to everyone for your patience and cooperation as our crews work through this major winter storm,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. ”My sincere appreciation to the City employees who will be working around the clock in difficult conditions this holiday season to keep our roads, sidewalks and trails safe.”

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