Peterborough County Council Approves 2023 Budget

The Peterborough County Council has approved the 2023 Budget at Wednesday’s meeting.

photo courtesy of peterborough county council.

The total increase is 4.93 per cent which includes a dedicated infrastructure levy of 2.5 per cent.

“Staff have brought forward an extremely fiscally responsible budget again this year. There are so many outside influences, that are beyond our control and yet together with our Finance Committee, we are bridging the infrastructure gap and fulfilling our mandate to our residents,” said Warden Bonnie Clark.

For 2023, the tax levy increase of 4.93 per cent approximates an increase of $19 per each $100,000 of residential assessment and equates to an approximate 3.9 per cent tax rate increase.

photo courtesy of peterborough county council.

Approximately 51 per cent of the total tax levy increase is dedicated to capital infrastructure, with the remaining 49 per cent supporting County operations and the External/Shared Services.

photo courtesy of peterborough county council.

Each 1 per cent levy increase is equal to approximately $507,000 of additional revenue.

“Our Finance Committee did not lose any momentum even though we had a number of new Councillors on the committee, they grasped the technology and tools quickly. We met our objectives using our system we implemented last year, and things moved very smoothly,” said finance committee chair Councillor Matthew Graham.

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Residents Advised To Use Caution When Providing Personal Information To Unsolicited Sources

The City of Peterborough has been informed that an individual received a phone call regarding a survey on public transit despite not currently conducting any surveys.

stock photo.

The City says they do  not currently have a market research firm conducting polling about public transit, and advises residents to be cautious when providing any personal information to unsolicited sources.

Below are some fraud tips from the Peterborough Police Service:

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Embrace Equity in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough With Free International Women's Day Community Events

The Kawartha World Issues Centre (KWIC) and the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre (KSAC) are hosting two free International Women’s Day (IWD) community events celebrating the theme Embrace Equity in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough.

photo courtesy of Kawartha World Issues Centre.

The first event is a community march/rally on March 8 from noon to 1 p.m., and the second event will explore Diverse Youth Voices in Leadership with guest speaker Cheyenne Sundance on March 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day is recognized worldwide to acknowledge the historical and ongoing work towards women’s equality and social justice. The day was created by the United Nations in 1977 to increase awareness on the vital role of women in peace efforts and development, with aims to end discrimination and achieve women’s full and equal contribution to the world.

The daytime rally and march on will be hosted in-person, starting downtown at Peterborough Square Courtyard and traveling North along the sidewalks of George Street to Confederation Park, across from City Hall. Once reaching City Hall Town Ward City Councillor Joy Lachica will speak, and local poet Emily Cleary will do a short reading.

The second, evening event will be hosted in a hybrid format with community members having the opportunity to join online via Zoom or in person at the Lion’s Community Centre (347 Burnham St.) The event will be hosted by CRRC Coordinator Czarina Garcia, and will feature an opening drum from Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle and an opening welcome by Anne Taylor of Curve Lake First Nation. Peterborough's First Poet Laureate Sarah Lewis will also be performing an original piece written for this event.

The majority of the event will be guest speaker Cheyenne Sundance. Sundance, the 25 year-old executive director of Sundance Harvest and full-time farmer of a three-location farm in south western Ontario, will speak on Diverse Youth Voices in Leadership. Following the presentation, there will be a 20-minute open space discussion period and the evening will wrap up with a closing prayer.

Registration is required through Eventbrite.

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Peterborough Police Seeking Information After Glass Smashed At Eight Local Bus Shelters

Peterborough Police Service is asking anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or has video footage to come forward after the glass was smashed at eight bus shelters earlier in the week.

file photo.

On Tuesday, Peterborough Police received an online report stating the incidents happened between the night of Feb. 19, and the morning of Feb. 20. Damage is estimated at $8,000.  

The bus shelters damaged were:

1. Dobbin Road and Lansdowne Street

2. Brealey Drive and Lansdowne Street

3. Clonsilla Avenue and Lansdowne Street

4. Monaghan Road and Lansdowne Street

5. Chemong Road and Milroy Drive

6. Chemong Road and Simons Avenue

7. Water Street and Edinburgh

8. George Street and Princess Street

Anyone with information is asked to call the Peterborough Police Crime Line at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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Repairs to Kirkfield Lift Lock To Begin; Temporary Lane Closures on Kirkfield Road

Parks Canada advises that there will be intermittent single-lane closures on Kirkfield Road, at Lock 36 near the community of Kirkfield in the City of Kawartha Lakes between Feb. 21 and Feb. 24.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

The single-lane closure is required to facilitate the placement of a crane as work continues on repairs to the Kirkfield Lift Lock.

Flaggers will be in place, and the public can expect short delays.

Parks Canada thanks nearby area residents and visitors for their patience during this closure.

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Explore the Wonders Of Ancient Egypt With Continuing Education At Trent University

Find inspiration with in-person courses and workshops, including a special course and weekend workshop on the wonders of Ancient Egypt, hosted during the Spring term through Continuing Education at Trent University.

photo courtesy of Trent University.

Spring Continuing Education courses and workshops run throughout March and April. Register before March 1 and save 25 per cent with the promo code SPRING25.

“It is an ideal time to invite people to expand their horizons with Trent Continuing Education as we continue to grow Traill College’s presence as a downtown arts and culture hub,” says Dr. Michael Eamon, principal of Catharine Parr Traill College and director of Continuing Education at Trent. “Whether you’re coming out for a single day workshop, a multi-week course, or our special weekend course, this term promises affordable opportunities where you can learn something new and connect with people.”

New for this spring are offerings focused on Ancient Egypt. The six-week course “Wonders of Egypt: The Great Tombs, Temples & Towns of the Pharaohs” begins on March 22, as well as a special Ancient Egypt weekend running April 29 and 30. Here, participants can choose from a single workshop (for $40) or the full weekend experience with four distinct workshops (for $100). Workshops include: The Great Pyramids of Giza, Valley of the Kings: The World’s Most Famous Burial Grounds, Canadians on the Nile – Early Explorers in Egypt, and Secrets of Egypt Revealed – Recent Discoveries in Egypt.

Additionally, multi-week courses and workshops will provide participants the opportunity to get creative with watercolours, writing and more. All in-person classes take place at Catharine Parr Traill College.

Courses starting at $140 (including HST) for the series, and workshops start at just $40 (including HST), plus appropriate materials. Registration for all courses and workshops is available online.

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Half Load Restrictions Starting March 1 in The City of Peterborough

Commercial vehicles will be restricted to half loads on the following streets in the City of Peterborough from Wednesday, March 1 to Sunday, April 30.

file photo.

The following streets will be restricted to half loads:

• Airport Road from Sir Sanford Fleming Drive to the south city limits

• Armour Road from Nassau Mills Road to Paddock Wood

• Ashburnham Drive from McFarlane Street to Maria Street

• Ashburnham Drive from Neal Drive to the south city limits

• Bensfort Road from River Road South to the south city limits

• Brealey Drive from Parkhill Road West to Lansdowne Street West

• Carnegie Avenue

• Crawford Drive from Sir Sanford Fleming Drive to 0.6 km east of The Parkway

• Cumberland Avenue from Ungava Avenue to Carnegie Avenue

• Dobbin Road

• Guthrie Drive

• Harper Road

• Hetherington Drive from Richard Road to Woodland Drive

• Johnston Drive

• MacFarlane Avenue - from Trentview Road to Television Road

• Maniece Avenue from Ashburnham Drive to Television Road

• McNamara Road from Guthrie Drive to Driscoll Road

• Nassau Mills Road

• Old Norwood Road from Ashburnham Drive to Television Road

• Otonabee Drive

• Parkhill Road East from Armour Road to Trent Severn Waterway Swing Bridge

• Pioneer Road

• River Road South from Lansdowne Street to Bensfort Road

• Sherbrooke Street from Glenforest Boulevard to the west city limits

• Towerhill Road from Chemong Road to Fairbairn Street

• University Road

• Wallace Point Road from Bensfort Road to Driscoll Road

• Whittington Drive

• Woodland Drive

These restrictions are pursuant to by-law No. 12-044 and any amendments.

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City Services; What's Open and Closed on Family Day 2023

Many City of Peterborough services will be offering modified hours and some City facilities will be closed for Family Day on Monday, Feb. 20.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

City Hall

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

Garbage and recycling

There will be no changes to garbage and recycling on Monday, Feb. 20.

The Recycling Depot at 390 Pido Rd. remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

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

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

Public Works

Public Works can be reached by phone 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Arenas Division

Quaker Foods City Square will be open, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit the website for updates.

Arenas will be available to user groups for scheduled ice time.

Healthy Planet Arena will be open from noon to 10 p.m. The Snofest Family Skate with Snofest Pete takes place from 1:10 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the Leon’s Ice Pad. $5 per skater. Skaters can Register now to guarantee your spot. 

Kinsmen Civic Centre will be closed.

Facility booking inquiries for the Arenas Division are not available on Feb. 20.

Peterborough Memorial Centre will be open as the Peterborough Petes host the Sudbury Wolves at 2:05 p.m. Memorial Centre event tickets are available for purchase online.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed on Feb. 20.

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 are open from noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 20. Information about current exhibitions is available online at www.peterborough.ca/museum.

Peterborough Public Library

The Peterborough Public Library will be closed on Feb. 20. 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. 20.

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.

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, visit www.peterborough.ca/dys.

Transit

Peterborough Transit will operate on the holiday service schedule on Feb. 20.

Please visit the website for adjustments to schedules as on demand service has expanded www.peterborough.ca/transit or call 705-745-0525.

Peterborough Airport

The Peterborough Airport is open Feb. 20, with airport staff 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.

Snofest offers four fun-filled days of winter-themed activities for all ages during the Family Day long weekend. Visit peterborough.ca/Snofest for the full schedule of events and contests. Highlights include Snowsuit Story Time, a Fun Swim with Snofest Pete, a winter party at Quaker Foods City Square on Saturday, Feb. 18 and the Mayor’s Pancake Breakfast with the East Peterborough Lions Club on Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Sport and Wellness Centre.

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