Spring Street Maintenance Underway In Peterborough

The City of Peterborough has begun its annual spring maintenance program of street sweeping and pothole treatment, announced on Thursday.

pHOTO courtesy of The City Of Peterborough.

Public Works crews are patching potholes throughout the City. They frequently occur in the spring when water gets below the road's surface through pavement cracks. Water expands when it freezes, increasing the size of the crack and repeated freeze/thaw cycles as weather changes weaken the pavement. Traffic in weakened areas can cause the road's surface to deteriorate, causing potholes.

The City asks motorists to use caution and reduce speed when approaching road maintenance crews, leaving a safe distance for crews to complete their work.

The street sweeping program removes pollutants from road surfaces and reduces urban runoff through the stormwater system to downstream water bodies. It also improves the cleanliness and aesthetics of City streets and parking lots by removing residual salt and sand used during winter operations, according to the City

Between March and May, once temperatures are continuously above freezing, 958 lane kilometres of roadway, including all city-owned sidewalks, trails and parking lots, must be cleaned. Several areas receive a secondary sweep as required based on the amount of residue on the surface. The work typically takes seven weeks to complete, weather pending.

This year, operations will start at the city’s east end, followed by the north and west ends and finish at the south end.

Residents are asked to keep streets clear to improve the street-sweeping program's overall effectiveness. By removing sports nets, placing garbage and recycling containers on the lawn or driveway and not parking on the street, residents can ensure sweeping equipment can reach the full street surface.

When approaching street-sweeping vehicles, please proceed with caution and allow for plenty of room for safe operations.

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City Services During Family Day

Several City services will offer modified hours, and some City facilities will be closed on Feb. 19 for Family Day.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

Snofest offers four fun-filled days of winter-themed activities for all ages during the Family Day long weekend.

Snofest highlights include a family swim night, the Snow Much Fun outdoor skating and snow play party at Quaker Foods City Square, the Mayor’s Pancake Breakfast presented in partnership with the East Peterborough Lions Club, a snowsuit story time provided by the Peterborough Public Library and the Peterborough Museum and Archives, a family skate on holiday Monday at Healthy Planet Arena and much more. Visit peterborough.ca/Snofest for the full schedule of events.

City Hall

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

Green Bin and garbage

There will be no Green Bin and garbage collection changes on Monday, February 19.

Recycling collection, which is now managed by Circular Materials remains unchanged on Feb. 19.

The City/County Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. will be closed.

The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. will be closed.

Reminder that the City of Peterborough 2023/24 Waste Management Calendar had an error on the date of Family Day, however collection information is correct.

Recreation

Sport and Wellness Centre

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

Visit www.peterborough.ca/recreation  for information about schedules and programs at the Wellness Centre. Snofest Drop-in Sports will take place, including Pickleball, Badminton and Basketball. Learn more at peterborough.ca/Snofest.

Arenas

Peterborough Memorial Centre will be open as the Peterborough Petes host the Kitchener Rangers at 2:05 p.m. Memorial Centre event tickets are available online at www.memorialcentre.ca.

Healthy Planet Arena will be open from noon to 10 p.m. The Snofest Family Day Free Public Skate with Snofest Pete will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Healthy Planet Office will be open from noon to 3 p.m.

Kinsmen Civic Centre will be closed.

Facility booking inquiries for the Arenas Division are not available on February 19.

Quaker Foods City Square will be open, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Downtown Youth Space

The Downtown Youth Space at 201 McDonnel St. will be closed. To learn more about free drop-in programs for youth aged 13 to 18, please visit www.peterborough.ca/dys.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed on February 19. For information about gallery exhibitions and programs, please visit www.agp.on.ca. 

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Peterborough Museum and Archives exhibitions and gift shop are open from noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 19.

Celebrate Family Day at the Peterborough Museum & Archives with activities including Drag Storytime, puppet fun, crafts, food canteen and more. This event is a collaboration with the Fleming Museum Management and Curatorship program.

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

Peterborough Public Library

The Peterborough Public Library will be closed on Feb. 19. Information and digital resources are online at www.ptbolibrary.ca/.

Provincial Offences office

The Provincial Offences office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed. 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

Emergency shelter services remain open: to access emergency shelter services outside of regular business hours or on holidays, please call After Hours service at 705-926-0096.

Municipal child care centres

City-operated child care centres Pearson Day Care and Peterborough Day Care will be closed on Feb. 19.

Public Works

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

Transit

Peterborough Transit will operate on the holiday service schedule on Feb. 19.

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

Peterborough Airport

The Peterborough Airport is open February 19. Airport staff are on-site for regular winter hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Emergency and after-hours callouts for airport staff are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 705-743-6708.

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City of Peterborough To Continue Collection Services For Multi-Residential and Condominium Properties

Garbage collection services for multi-residential and condominium properties that currently receive City garbage collection will continue after the City Council decides to maintain the service after a meeting on Monday night.

About 37 per cent of multi-residential and condominium units, or homes, in the City receive City-provided garbage collection services, with the remaining approximately 63 per cent of multi-residential and condominium units on private garbage collection services. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The services continue until additional information and options become available to be implemented. Council has requested a report to consider additional information and options on waste collection services for multi-residential and condominium properties.

This does not affect the status of properties that use private garbage collection services.

City garbage collection service for these properties that cannot meet the standards or collection requirements in the new waste collection by-law Council approved in October last year or that are on private roads that cannot be safely accessed or navigated by City waste collection vehicles were scheduled to change to private garbage collection services starting April 1, 2024.

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City of Peterborough to Begin Curbside Collection of Christmas Trees On Jan. 2 Throughout the Month

The City of Peterborough begins curbside collection of natural Christmas trees throughout January starting on the second.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Collection takes place (weather permitting) and does not follow traditional collection schedules. Residents do not need to call to request collection.

Trees will be composted, therefore all decorations and tinsel must be removed and trees must not be in plastic bags.

Residents are asked to place trees at the curb in a visible location within safe reach for collection staff. Please avoid snowbanks and ensure that trees do not get buried in them.

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List of City Services Operating On Modified Hours During the Holiday Season

Many City of Peterborough services will offer modified hours, with some closures, from Friday to Jan. 1 as regular hours for most City services resume on the following day.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

Curbside collection of Green Bins, garbage and recycling over the holiday period remains unchanged, except for Boxing Day, with Zone 1 and 2 collections moving to Dec. 30. Residents with Tuesday collection are asked to have their items to the curb by 7 a.m.

For missed recycling collection, please phone Emterra at 705-742-3139. For missed garbage or Green Bin collection, phone Public Works at 705-745-1386. The City County Landfill will close early at 11:45 a.m. on Friday and will be closed during Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1.

Essential services, such as emergency services, public works and wastewater treatment, continue uninterrupted. Public Works can be reached for urgent matters at 705-745-1386. This line is monitored 24/7.

City Hall, including the Tax Office, Clerk’s Office, Building Services and Planning and the Heritage Preservation Office will be closed starting at noon on Friday, reopening with regular hours on Jan. 2.

Most recreation and community services are open with revised hours of operation.

The Quaker Foods City Square outdoor rink will be open most days from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Christmas Eve, the rink is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be closed on Christmas. Unscheduled rink closures may be required due to inclement weather and ice conditions.

While the Social Services administration office is closed over the holiday period, individuals can phone 705-926-0096 at any time for emergency shelter services. City-operated childcare programs will be closed starting at noon on Friday and reopen with regular hours on Jan. 2.

There will be holiday adjustments to Transit schedules from Friday to Jan. 6, including suspended late-night trips, as well as trips ending early on Christmas Eve and Dec. 31. There is no Transit service on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

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Peterborough Transit Making Service Adjustments For the Holidays Beginning Friday

Peterborough Transit service adjustments are being made for all routes during the holiday period from Friday until Jan. 7.

File photo.

All Route 11 and 11A Water trips will be suspended from Friday until Jan. 7, with regular weekday service resuming on Jan. 8.

Late evening trips after 11:32 p.m. will be suspended from Friday to Jan. 7 on all routes.

On Sunday, all routes end early, with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park).

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

On Dec. 26, all routes will be on a Holiday/Sunday service schedule, with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park).

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). Extended New Year’s Eve service will not be offered this year.

The Customer Service desk at the Simcoe Street Terminal will have adjusted hours for the holiday period:

• Sunday, December 24: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Monday, December 25: closed

• Tuesday, December 26: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, December 27 to Saturday, December 30: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Sunday, December 31: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Monday, January 1: closed

Regular hours resume at the Simcoe Street Bus Terminal on Jan. 2.

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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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