Recycling Services Shift to Circular Materials Starting On New Year's Day

Recycling collection services in the City of Peterborough will be provided by Circular Materials starting Jan. 1 under a new province-wide system that shifts the responsibility of recycling programs to producers (those that produce and supply Blue Box materials to residents).

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The local municipal government will no longer provide recycling collection and processing services.

There is no change in recycling services for residents, who will not notice any difference in their recycling schedule and will still be able to recycle the same materials.

Residents will continue to place their Blue Box recyclables curbside weekly, precisely as they do now, on their same collection day, separating container and fibre (paper) items into separate boxes for collection.

For recycling collection and processing services in Peterborough, Circular Materials has hired Emterra Environmental, the same company that the City of Peterborough has contracted for recycling curbside collection and processing. Using the same company that currently delivers the service will help ensure a smooth transition for residents.

For recycling collection issues, residents can contact Emterra Environmental at 705-742-3139 or 1-888-597-1541 as of Jan. 1, 2024.

To reach Circular Materials, residents can email customerservice@circularmaterials.ca or call 1-877-667-2626.

For recycling service information, including to search for collection dates and a “What Goes Where” tool, please visit circularmaterials.ca/peterborough.

Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit organization that builds efficient and effective recycling systems where materials are collected, recycled and returned to producers to use as recycled content in new packaging and paper. As the administrator of Ontario’s standard collection system, Circular Materials is responsible for operating the new system for blue box materials. It is committed to increasing recycling rates across Ontario and ensuring more materials are looped into the circular economy, benefiting both people and the environment.

In 2021, the Ontario government released the Blue Box Regulation that shifts the financial and operational responsibility of recycling programs to producers – those that produce and supply blue box materials to residents. In this new extended producer responsibility framework, producers become financially and operationally responsible for collecting and recycling blue box materials.

Historically, Ontario’s blue box programs were operated by municipalities responsible for paying about half of the program's costs, with producers accountable for the other half. Under the Blue Box Regulation, Ontario is transitioning to a new model where producers – the organizations that produce the products and packaging – are 100% responsible for operating and funding the program.

Transition to extended producer responsibility will occur between 2023 – 2025, with the new framework entirely in place on Jan. 1, 2026. Along with the Regulation, the government released a schedule that assigns a transition date to each of the 376 Ontario communities.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $10 Million to Peterborough and County For Infrastructure; Mayor Jeff Leal to Prioritize Fixing Downtown Roads, Calling Them 'Embarrassing'

The Ontario Government has invested $10,154,936 into Peterborough-Kawartha to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure for 2024.

Mayor Jeff Leal wants to prioritize upgrading several deteriorated downtown roads, calling them ‘an embarrassment.’

In 2023, the Ontario government provided $400 million in funding through OCIF to 425 communities. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund to help support economic growth and job creation, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“This investment of over $10 million will improve infrastructure throughout the municipalities in the region,” he said. “It is formula-based funding that is sent out to the municipalities each year and is something they can count on to plan for critical infrastructure projects.”

The following is what each municipality is receiving from the $10 million:

• North Kawartha: $100,000

• Trent Lakes: $119,868

• Douro-Dummer: $161,441

• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen: $180,124

• Selwyn: $304,404

• Peterborough County: $996,071

• Peterborough: $8,293,028

Leal was adamant about upgrading downtown roads such as Aylmer Street, George Street and Water Street.

“Some of these projects had been on the books for well over two decades,” he said.

The dilapidated roads are not representative of what Downtown Peterborough is supposed to be, according to Leal.

“When people come to the City of Peterborough, they drive to Downtown. What impression do we want them to have for the City of Peterborough?” he said. “The impression we want them to have is an innovative, growing and a progressive community and not talk about washboard streets in your downtown corner.”

Leal continued to label the roads as an embarrassment which should be addressed with the funds from the 2024 budget.

“As I've said many times, they're an embarrassment,” he explained. “An embarrassment to me and an embarrassment to every citizen in the City of Peterborough. You can't have your downtown streets in that kind of condition.”

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Classic Musical 'Fiddler on the Roof' Is Peterborough Theatre Guild's February Production

The classic musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is hitting the Peterborough Theatre Guild for eight shows in February, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Theatre Guild.

Shows are scheduled for Frb. 16, 17, 18*, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25* with matinee shows at 2:30 p.m. and evening shows at 7:30 p.m.

*denotes matinee performance

The nine Tony Award-winning musical is being produced by Jerry Allen and produced by Pat Hooper. Janina Krauss is the musical director while Laura Lawson is the choreographer for the shows.

The following are the cast for the production:

• Donnell MacKenzie – Tevye

• Lyndele Gauci – Golde

• Hilary Evans – Tzeitel

• Christine Helferty – Hodel

• Laura Lawson – Chavalah

• Bruno Merz – Motel

• Eddy Sweeney – Perchik

• Simon Banderob – Feydka

• Alex Hodson – Sprintze

• Poppy Alderson – Bielke

• Nicole Grady – Yente, the Matchmaker

• Matt Kraft – Lazar Wolf

Tickets are available online or by phone at (705) 745-4211.

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Hometown PTBO: Pete Dalliday and PTBOCanada Send Off the Holidays With the Weber Brothers

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday and PTBOCanada want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays as we finish off the year with some music from The Weber Brothers.

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Peterborough Police Service Announce New Deputy Chief

The Peterborough Police Services Board has appointed Jamie Hartnett as the next Deputy Chief of the Peterborough Police Service, announced on Thursday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Services Board.

Hartnett carries his 23 years of policing experience into the job. He joined the Peterborough Police Service in 2001 and has held positions in all ranks and divisions since then.

Hartnett was previously serving as Acting Staff Inspector prior to the role.

“I am pleased to extend my congratulations to Deputy Chief Designate Jamie Hartnett on his appointment, as well as my appreciation to the Peterborough Police Services Board for their continued support,” said Chief Stuart Betts of the Peterborough Police Service. “As a Chief who is still relatively new to the organization, having joined in January 2023, the appointment of a Deputy Chief from within the Organization will assist me to leverage organizational knowledge and history while building a new and exciting future.”

Deputy Chief Designate Hartnett will officially assume his new role on Jan. 9.

“I have had the opportunity to work closely with Deputy Designate Hartnett this past year and we will continue to work closely together to support the men and women of the Peterborough Police Service as well as the community,” said Betts.

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Peterborough Man Facing Impaired Driving Charges and Caught Speeding Through Clonsilla Avenue and Sherbrooke Street Intersection

A 30-year-old Peterborough man is facing an impaired charge due to a traffic stop just after midnight on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 12:35 a.m, an officer was patrolling the Clonsilla Avenue and Sherbrooke Street area. They noted a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed through the intersection and conducted a vehicle stop. The officer determined the driver was impaired by alcohol.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol

The accused was given an automatic 90-day license suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.

The accused was released on an Undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 9.

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Peterborough Fire Services Warns Public of Expired Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Following recent incidents involving expired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the city, Peterborough Fire Services urges all residents to ensure their alarms are functioning correctly and are not expired says the City of Peterborough.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms require regular checks and maintenance. Residents are reminded to look at the back of the alarm to find its manufacturing date. If the alarm is 10 years old or older, it must be replaced with the same type of alarm.

Key information regarding smoke and carbon monoxide alarms:

• Smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years.

• Homeowners play a crucial role in maintaining their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms which are vital for home safety.

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every floor of your home, including the basement. If possible, interconnect all alarms so that if one goes off, they all do.

• When replacing your alarm, opt for the same type of alarm, preferably interconnected and hardwired.

• Ensure any new alarms installed have the CSA and UL seal of approval.

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Multiple Police Services Receive $492,000 In Ontario Government Grant To Combat and Prevent Auto Thefts

The Ontario Government has invested $492,609.94 over three years to help the Ontario Provincial Police - Central Highway Safety Division, Rama First Nations Police Services and the Peterborough Police Service to combat and prevent auto thefts, announced at the Fisher Drive carpool lot on Wednesday.

(from left to right) Chief Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP; OPP Inspector Chris Galeazza and OPP Staff Sargeant John Buligan at the Fisher Drive Carpool Lot. Car thefts in Ontario have increased by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2023, when compared to the same period last year according to the Ontario Government. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“This collaborative partnership between police services will help will give officers the tools needed to fight auto theft between Peterborough and Rama First Nations,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “Car thefts within this community are happening at alarming rates and this is unacceptable. We must stay one step ahead of these thefts and this investment will assist law enforcement in getting these criminals off the street and keeping vehicles safe and secure.”

The funding is part of the provincial government’s new Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant program designed to support new and enhanced crime-fighting measures. It focuses on prevention, detection, analysis and enforcement. In total, 21 police projects across the province are receiving funding for an investment of $18 million over three years in the fight against auto theft, according to a press release.

From 2014 to 2021, there was a 72 per cent increase in auto thefts across the province and a 14 per cent increase in the last year alone, according to the Ontario government. They also claim that car thefts in Ontario have increased by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2023 compared to last year in the same timeframe.

“This investment will make a difference in combatting auto theft, and we are happy to support our law enforcement colleagues in addressing this issue,” said Chief Stuart Betts of the Peterborough Police Service. “What people don’t realize is that auto theft in itself is serious and can lead to other serious crimes in our community. We see this grant as a way to continue to ensure public safety in Peterborough and surrounding areas.”

The funding will aid the police in special training and increase public awareness.

“This will allow the policing community to work collaboratively with industry stakeholders to disrupt and suppress auto thefts,” said OPP Inspector Chris Galeazza. “The Peterborough County OPP Detachment has a close-working relationship with the Peterborough Police Service. We will work diligently to enhance our partnerships with our non-enforcement agencies and disrupt the threat posed by individuals and organized crime networks, leading to safe communities and a secure Ontario.”

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Police Arrest and Charge a Man Flailing Arms On the Road With A Knife

A 52-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges of possessing a knife during an incident Tuesday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At approximately 9:13 p.m., officers were called to the area of Wolfe Street and Aylmer Street about a man with a knife. Officers spotted the man described in the middle of the road flailing his arms. Officers called out to a man who started moving toward them. One officer drew their firearm and another officer drew their conducted energy weapon as the male did not comply with the officer's demands.  During the exchange, the man dropped the knife he had been holding and police were able to take him into custody. The knife was seized.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose  

The accused is being held in custody and will appear in court on Wednesday.

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Temporary Encampment Site Undergoing Property Maintenance

Property maintenance, including garbage removal, will occur at the temporary encampment site at Aylmer and Wolfe Streets on Wednesday, announced by the City.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Over the last month, most people on the site have been connected with available shelter and housing services. As of Monday, four people were staying in tents on the property, as reported by the City.

When the temporary encampment site was approved by City Council in early September 2023 as a way to clear the nearby Rehill Parking Lot property for the construction of 50 modular housing units for people experiencing homelessness, there were about 55 people who moved onto the Aylmer and Wolfe streets property.

About 40 people living on the Aylmer and Wolfe Streets property were offered units in the new Modular Bridge Housing Community. The City partnered with One City, which has opened the new Trinity Community Centre with a winter overnight drop-in space with 45 beds and a daytime drop-in program.

The City’s emergency shelter network, operated by community partner agencies, offers 127 shelter beds.

Social Services outreach workers and community partner agencies work together to assist people who are experiencing homelessness with accessing available shelter and housing services.

Outreach workers are speaking with the four people staying on the temporary encampment site to help them access shelter.

City Council has temporarily allowed tenting on the Aylmer and Wolfe Streets property until Jan. 5 or earlier if the Mayor rescinds the temporary by-law exemption before that date.

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