Peterborough City Council Endorses The Reduction Of Single Use Plastics In The City

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Peterborough City Council has endorsed recommendations on ways to reduce the use of single-use plastics items, including municipal government activities, sharing information, a public awareness campaign, and a 24-month contract position to coordinate the implementation of the single-use plastics reduction strategy.

File Photo.

Under the recommended strategy, the City would:

  • implement a single-use plastics reduction strategy at a select number of City-owned locations including City Hall and the Waste Water Treatment Plant;

  • start the creation of a City of Peterborough - Zero Waste Event Planning Guide;

  • develop and implement an enhanced public awareness campaign including updated promotional and educational signage for public spaces including parks, recreational facilities and City-owned locations; and

  • create a temporary 24-month contract position to assist with the design and implementation of the single-use plastics reduction strategy recommendations.

The total cost of the proposed contract is estimated to be $100,000, which would be funded through the Waste Management Reserve.

Single-use plastics are a significant contributor to the global plastic pollution problem. Although considered convenient for short term use, many of these items including plastic straws, utensils, stir sticks, cups, water bottles, plates, bowls, take out containers are not easily recyclable and ultimately end up in landfill, according to a City press release.

City Council adopted the following resolution on February 25, 2019: That staff report on existing waste diversion practices and the potential for an awareness-building program focused on encouraging the reduction of hard to recycle single-use plastics.

A Single-Use Plastics Reduction Working Group, chaired by Councillor Gary Baldwin, that included eight volunteers from diverse sectors of the community met six times to consider information and contribute to recommendations.

In September 2021, the City hired Exp. Services, a third-party professional Ontario based consulting firm, to undertake the review and update of the existing Peterborough Waste Management Master Plan (WMMP), which was last updated in 2012.

This initiative will be undertaken through 2022, including a review of industry proven diversion opportunities, public consultation, and culminating in an updated WMMP to optimize diversion opportunities. All recommendations made by the Single-Use Plastics Reduction Working Group will be included in the assessment for consideration for inclusion in the updated plan recommendations.

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City Of Peterborough Accepting Informal Bids For Annual Bulk Wood Sale

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The City of Peterborough invites informal quotes for the annual sale of bulk wood from trees removed from municipal property by City forestry staff.

Stock Photo.

This sale includes approximately 250 trees of various sizes, averaging 18 inches in diameter. The bulk wood sale excludes the ash trees in accordance with the City’s Emerald Ash Borer Program.

The successful bidder will purchase all the wood for the year, and is required to take all the wood, not just selected parts.

The award of the bulk wood sale will be based upon the following criteria:

  1. Distance from the Public Works Yard, 791 Webber Ave, to the bidder’s drop-off location. The drop site will be cleared of wood once a week.

  2. Ease of access to the drop-off site, including summer and winter road conditions, any laneways must be maintained by the successful proponent.

The City of Peterborough reserves the right to renew this contract for up to an additional two years.

For further details, or to submit a quote, please email Sean Adey, Supervisor – Public Works Division, City of Peterborough sadey@peterborough.ca.

The submission deadline is July 15 at 3 p.m.

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Photos: Rally Staged In Downtown Peterborough To Call For An End Of Climate Delay

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Members of the Peterborough Alliance for Climate Action and For Our Grandchildren gathered outside the Ministery of Natural Resources (MNR) building to call for a shift off of fossil fuels on Wednesday.

The rally was supported nationally by 350.org, similar rallies were staged across the country. Photo by Luke Best.

Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of the heat dome in British Columbia where record-breaking temperatures surpassed 40 C.

There were 231 people who died on June 29 last year due to extreme temperatures. Nearly 10 people every hour according to The British Columbia coroners’ service.

The rally began at 11 a.m. where protestors proceeded down Water Street before returning back and disbanding around noon.

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Otonabee Conservation Board of Directors Announced New CAO

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The Otonabee Conservation (ORCA) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Janette Loveys Smith as the new Chief Administrative Officer / Secretary-Treasurer, effective July 5.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

The selection committee included ORCA Chair Ryan Huntley (Township of Cavan Monaghan), Vice Chair Michael Metcalf (Municipality of Trent Hills), and Directors, Andy Mitchell (Selwyn Township), and Kim Zippel (City of Peterborough).

“Janette impressed the selection committee throughout the interview process citing many examples of her ability to address difficult and often politically complex situations,” said Huntley, “She will be a great asset to ORCA, possessing a lot of energy and creativity along with the skills and experience to guide the Authority through any challenges that lay ahead.”

Loveys Smith comes to ORCA with plethora of senior administrative experience in the municipal sector ranging from environmental protection and fostering Indigenous relationships, to strategic and parks master planning. Loveys Smith has held upper managerial positions as the CAO for the Sunshine Coast Regional District in British Columbia, and most recently, as the City Manager for Brockville, Ontario.  

“I am excited to be joining Otonabee Conservation and continuing the important work the Board of Directors and staff have laid out,” Loveys Smith, said. “It is an honor to be a part of the ORCA team and I would like to thank the Board of Directors for this incredible leadership opportunity in work that is essential and close to my heart. I look forward to meeting all the partners and working together to ensure a successful and viable future for all at ORCA.”

After relocating to the area with her family, Loveys Smith looks forward to enjoying all that the Peterborough Region has to offer including her favourite outdoor pursuits: kayaking, hiking, and birdwatching.

Dan Marinigh, Otonabee Conservation’s outgoing CAO, announced his retirement in March 2022; Marinigh will be retiring at the end of July and will be working with Loveys Smith to ensure a seamless transition for the organization.

Loveys Smith has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Waterloo and holds a Local Government Public Administration Certificate from Capilano University. She also holds certificates in Leadership and Executive Development from University of Virginia and Royal Roads University.

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Peterborough City Council Endorses Applying To Become A 'Bee City' To Promote Pollinators

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Peterborough City Council endorsed applying to Bee City Canada to designate the City of Peterborough as a Bee City and committing to the standards of the Bee City Canada program at their meeting on Tuesday.

Photo by Luke Best.

Bee City Canada (BCC) was formed in 2015 as a national organization to champion insect pollinators. Bee City Canada seeks to protect pollinators by maintaining and creating pollinator habitats in communities.

A certification program designated for cities is administered by BCC to approve municipalities that commit to expanding pollinator habitat, increasing public education about the benefits and plight of pollinators, and committing to annual celebrations during International Pollinator Week.

Bee City certification requires all municipalities to adhere to the following criteria to achieve approval by BCC:

  • Creation of a Bee City Pollinator Team with one City staff liaison

  • Submission of supporting pollinator initiatives that have been completed or ongoing in the community

  • Submission of an introductory statement describing the importance of Peterborough becoming a Bee City

  • Signed council resolution nominating the municipality as a Bee City

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Special Air Quality Statement In Effect For Peterborough Area

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Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Peterborough, Lakefield and Southern Peterborough County, on Tuesday.

Photo by Laura Montague.

Due to hot and humid weather conditions high levels of air pollution have developed.

Higher pollution levels are expected to persist this afternoon through this evening.

Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.

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Temporary Green Waste Drop Off Site Meant To Mitigate Storm Debris Will Close This Weekend

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The temporary green waste drop-off site at 425 Kennedy Rd. will be closing as of 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

File Photo.

The site will be open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until end of day Sunday for residents to drop off debris from trees and brush resulting from the storm on May 21.

Green waste resulting from the storm can be dropped off at the Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd.  free of charge until June 30, at which time normal green waste tipping rates will apply. Regular curbside collection of yard waste continues, with no limits on quantity but size and weight guidelines in place.

A special curbside collection for storm-related green waste, including trees and tree limbs that are beyond the sizes and weights accepted through regular collection, is planned later this season. It is expected to take several weeks before the City can divert resources to cleaning up piles of green waste debris from private property that is placed on City boulevards.

The temporary disposal site on Kennedy Road has been operating seven days a week since May 28 as part of storm recovery efforts.

For more information about green waste collection and disposal, please visit peterborough.ca/GreenWaste or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1657.

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Peterborough Public Library To Unveil Their Native Plant Garden On Saturday

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The Peterborough Public Library will celebrate the opening of its new Native Plant Garden on Saturday, with the Peterborough & Area Master Gardeners.

Peterborough & Area Master Gardeners at the Library. Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Public Library.

The Master Gardeners will be on-site in the Library Commons from 10 a.m. to noon to answer gardening questions and to celebrate the opening of the new native plant garden.

Families can also register for the 2022 TD Summer Reading Club, Canada’s biggest, bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages (0-12), interests and abilities. Registrants will receive a free kit with surprises to encourage summer reading. The first 100 registrants will receive a TD Tree Box to grow their own spruce tree.

The Library Commons Garden is planted with species that are native or are near natives of the Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) area.

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Downtown Is Blooming Thanks To Volunteers And Peterborough's New Green Team

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Peterborough’s new Green Team has kicked off another season of beautifying the downtown with planters full of colourful flowers.

Hillary Flood (DBIA) with Dawn Pond (DBIA) admiring flowers to be used in downtown planters. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

This year, the downtown is slated to be brimming with plants with over 100 planters and green spaces for the Green Team gardening crew to tend to.

“Having green space, having plants and flowers - that impacts how people perceive our town,” said Dawn Pond, DBIA Placemaking Project Manager. “These edible planters will help businesses, they’re also great for the environment as they offer food and shelter for pollinators.”

Restaurants and businesses that have planters in front were given the opportunity to chose between an ‘edible’ planter with herbs and greens, a flower planter, or a mix of both. Many restaurants chose the edible option and will be using these greens in their dishes.

On Tuesday, volunteers and members of the Green Team met at Peterborough Square to put together planters and learn about gardening.

The Green Team is run through One City Peterborough and offers employment to those who otherwise may have a difficult time applying to or having a job.

According to Jenny Kennedy-Bloom, Employment Facilitator at One City, employees of the Green Team are trained in horticulture, offered support and given the opportunity to gain valuable, employable skills.

“This is a supportive employment program,” she said. “We know that there is a gap between people wanting to work and the jobs that are available sometimes being to big of a jump for people.”

Planters and gardens in the downtown area will be maintained throughout the season by the green Team.

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High Water On the Severn, Trent and Otonabee Rivers Warns Parks Canada

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Expect higher-than-normal water levels and flows on the Severn, Trent and Otonabee Rivers during navigation hours until further notice from Parks Canada announced on Thursday night.

File Photo.

Flows will increase outside of navigation hours at Lock 1 - Trenton to Lock 27 – Young’s Point as of Thursday until further notice. These flows are considered non-navigable according to Parks Canada.

The increased flows overnight are the result of water management dam adjustments to address the higher than normal water levels caused by the recent precipitation.

Over the past week, the watersheds have received 50 - 100 mm of rain which significantly exceeds the normal precipitation in June. The last 25 days have seen precipitation values in excess of 50-75 per cent above normal.

Residents and visitors should exercise extreme caution around and on the water.

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