Here Is A Update On City Services During Enhanced Provincewide Shutdown

Here’s a media release from the City of Peterborough regarding how city services are impacted during latest shutdown…

With the provincewide shutdown extended until at least February 11th, 2021, City services and facility operations will continue to be adjusted to reflect direction by the Province to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The City encourages residents to connect online through peterborough.ca or use phone services whenever possible to reduce the physical traffic through municipal facilities as a way to follow the public health guidance on physical distancing.

Even as the City takes action to encourage and support physical distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, critical municipal services are continuing. Services such as emergency services, public works, transit, and wastewater treatment, continue uninterrupted with adjustments for the safety of the community and employees.

Photo courtesy City of Peterborough

New decisions may be made affecting municipal services and facilities as the situation continues to evolve. For an up-to-date list of affected municipal services and facilities, please visit peterborough.ca/covid19. Subscribe to receive updates directly to your email inbox at peterborough.ca/subscribe.

Arena Division

All ice rental bookings until at least February 11, 2021 have been cancelled. A full refund or credit for cancelled dates will be applied. An update will be provided closer to re-opening when details are available. Staff are available by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 2577 or by email at arenadivisionbookings@peterborough.ca.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough remains closed during the provincewide shutdown.

Planning and Building Services

Planning applications can be submitted and will continue to be processed. Hard copies of planning application materials can be dropped off at the North Wing of City Hall in the Building Services drop-off location.

Building Services is providing a modified pick-up and drop-off service from its location in the North Wing of City Hall. Residents are encouraged to access services online or by phone 705-742-7777 ext. 1892 whenever possible. Visit peterborough.ca/building for information, forms and the application process.

Child Care Centres

Licensed centre based and home child care can remain open. Families are encouraged to contact their current licensed child care provider to confirm access to care.

To support the families of school-aged children, the City of Peterborough is implementing the Province’s emergency child care plan for school-aged children of essential services workers as identified by the Province, at no cost to eligible families. Emergency child care services for children of JK/SK and school age (3.8 years -12 years) are available for eligible essential service workers in the City and County of Peterborough.

City Hall

City Hall is closed to the public until at least February 11, 2021 respecting the provincewide shutdown. The City will monitor provincial direction on the shutdown and will provide updates on re-opening for in-person services as they become available.

City staff will to be available during regular business hours by phone or email. If you do not know the individual or department you are trying to reach, please call 705-742-7777 or email cityptbo@peterborough.ca. Please understand that it may take longer to reply to messages depending on call and email volumes.

City Council

City Council meetings are being held electronically and livestreamed online at peterborough.ca/watchcouncil.  

Community Services

Community Services, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Public Art and the Heritage Preservation Office is available by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or by email at communityservices@peterborough.ca.

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Peterborough Museum and Archives remains closed during the provincewide shutdown. Please visit their website at peterborough.ca/museum for updates.

Peterborough Public Library

Peterborough Public Library is providing curbside pickup service during the provincewide shutdown. Access to the Main Branch of the Library is for pickup services only and there is a limit of 5 people at a time. Public washrooms are open during pick-up hours, with a limit of 1 person at a time per washroom. The DelaFosse branch remains closed currently. Further details are available online at ptbolibrary.ca.

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre is closed until at least February 11. An update will be provided closer to re-opening when details are available. Wellness Centre Memberships have been placed on an automatic hold beginning December 26, 2020.  For questions related to Recreation Division and Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, staff can be reached by calling 705-742-7777 x 2201 or by email at sportandwellnesscentre@peterborough.ca throughout the closure.

Provincial Offences Act Court

The court administration service counter will be closed for in-person service until at least February 11, 2021. Service inquiries and payments can be made by phone 705-742-7777 ext. 2099 or online at peterborough.ca/POA.

Public Operations Centre (Public Works)

The Public Operations Centre (Public Works) administration office at 791 Webber Ave. remains closed to the public. Public Works can be reached for urgent matters at 705-745-1386. This line is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For non-urgent matters, you may email pubworks@peterborough.ca, or use the online Report an Issue form at peterborough.ca.

Social Services

Public access to the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be limited to 2 people at a time. Clients are required to wear a face covering and stay in authorized areas only. Social Services client appointments will be done over the phone whenever possible. Current clients are encouraged to contact their case worker for further information and are encouraged to register for online services through MyBenefits. The local phone number is 705-748-8830 or 1-855-738-3755.

Clients who have bank accounts are encouraged to contact their case workers about signing up for direct deposit.

All applications for Ontario Works or Emergency Assistance will be done online or over the phone, when possible, to minimize face-to-face interaction, following the public health guidance related to social distancing. Applications for other services such as Child Care fee subsidy and Housing Access Peterborough will also be completed over the phone.

Emergency shelter services will continue to operate as normal, with COVID-19 safety measures in place. Individuals can call the shelters directly or the Social Services office during regular business hours. For emergency shelter services during evenings and weekends individuals can call 705-926-0096.

Transit

Peterborough Transit will continue to operate as currently scheduled. Face covering and physical distancing is required. Visit peterborough.ca/transit for service details.

Customer service at the terminal will remain open with only one customer permitted into the facility at a time. A face covering must be worn at all times.

Waste Management

Garbage and recycling collection will continue as normally scheduled. To protect workers, please ensure that all personal items and personal protective equipment are properly bagged in the garbage.

The Peterborough City/County Landfill will remain open, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Face coverings and physical distancing are required.

The Recycling Depot and Household Hazardous Waste Depot on Pido Road will remain open, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. More information is online at peterborough.ca/waste.

Outdoor amenities

Most outdoor amenities, such as parks, trails, and sport fields, are permitted to remain open under the Province’s shutdown order with certain conditions in place, such as maintaining physical distancing with anyone not from your household and prohibiting social gatherings of more than five people.

For some amenities, capacities have been set based on consultation with Peterborough Public Health to ensure sufficient spacing for physical distancing. Capacities for outdoor neighbourhood rinks have been posted at each rink.

Making Payments to the City

People are encouraged to make use of the numerous methods available when doing financial interactions with the City and avoid using cash.

Property taxes can be paid like any other bill through online or telephone banking using the 15-digit roll number as the account number. Cheques can be mailed to the Tax Office, City Hall, 500 George St. N., Peterborough, ON., K9H 3R9, or placed in the secure drop box located by the steps at the front doors of City Hall. The City offers preauthorized payment plans by completing an online form that’s available at peterborough.ca.

The City does not directly accept credit cards as a payment method for property taxes; however, people can use online bill payment services such as PaySimply, Plastiq or Paytm to pay property taxes online using a credit card. The listed payment services are not affiliates or partners of the City; they may apply service charges and there may be restrictions on the type of credit cards accepted.

For parking tickets, payments can be made online through peterborough.ca, over the phone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1865 or by cheque submitted through mail or using the drop box outside City Hall.

Miscellaneous invoice payments can be made over the phone at 705-742-7777 ext 1865. Cheques can also be mailed or placed in the secure drop box located at the front doors of City Hall along with the invoice payment stub.

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