All Community Centres and Programs Closed

When:
March 27, 2020 all day
2020-03-27T00:00:00-04:00
2020-03-28T00:00:00-04:00

NOTICE RE: COVID 19 Preparedness in Algonquin Highlands

20Mar

UPDATE # 20-03 COVID-19

For Immediate Release

Algonquin Highlands, Ontario
Friday, March 20, 2020
4:30 pm
Release # 20-03

Subject:  Township of Algonquin Highlands COVID 19 Update

The Algonquin Highlands Emergency Control Group met earlier today to continue its assessment of the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 pandemic situation and its potential effects on Algonquin Highlands. Updates from today’s meeting include in-person meetings, an extension of the tax deadline, public washrooms and a new page on the Township website. 

Please see the NEW information, as below.

Administration

  • The administrative office on North Shore Road is closed to the public effective March 18, 2020.

Airport

  • The terminal building is closed to the public effective March 18, 2020.
  • Fuel remains available via the card lock system.
  • Regular aviation operations continue.
  • Emergency services such as Hydro One, Ornge and MNRF retain full access to the airport.

Building/By-Law Department

  • NEW: Interaction with staff is limited to telephone and email.  In person meetings are not available at this time.
  • Application forms pertaining to this department can be found online.
  • Staff will continue field inspections while observing appropriate distancing and hygiene protocols.
  • The public is asked to consider the urgency of their request or application.

Council

  • All Regular Council meetings and Council Committee meetings have been cancelled until further notice.

Finance Department

  • NEW: The due date for the first installment of the 2020 Interim Taxes has been extended to April 24, 2020.
  • At this time, we are unable to accept cash or debit payment.
  • Tax payments are accepted as follows;
  • Online and /or Telephone Banking.
  •  At your financial institution – please check with your local branch for hours.
  • Cheques may be mailed or deposited in the secure drop box located on the front porch of the Township office (absolutely no cash is to be deposited in the drop box).
  • Pre-Authorized Payment – Registration forms are available on the Township website.

Library Services

  • Stanhope Library is closed to the public.
  • Library Book Depot at the Dorset Recreation Centre is closed.
  • Public Wi-Fi hotspots at both locations remain available.

Parks, Recreation and Trails  

  • The Water Trails office is closed to the public effective March 18, 2020.
  • The recreation centres located at Stanhope, Dorset, Oxtongue remain closed until further notice.
  • Public Wi-Fi hotspots remain available at the Stanhope, Dorset and Oxtongue Community Centres.
  • Trails remain open.
  • Equipment rentals are not available.
  • NEW: Public washrooms remain available at the Dorset Parkette, Elvin Johnson Park, Stanhope Courts and Playing Field as well as our Water Trail access points.  Although these facilities are regularly checked and cleaned, users are asked to undertake appropriate hygiene protocols.

Planning

  • NEW: Interaction with staff is limited to telephone and email.  In person meetings are not available at this time.
  • Public meetings related to Planning matters will occur with appropriate distancing and hygiene protocols.
  • The public is asked to consider the urgency of their request or application.
  • Application forms pertaining to this department can be found online.

Public Works – Roads

  • Service levels will be maintained

Public Works – Landfills

  • Until further notice, the Township will no longer be accepting the following materials at ANY landfill site;
    • No construction materials, concrete of shingle
    • No scrap metal
    • No bulky items (anything that doesn’t fit in a standard size garbage can is considered a bulky item)
    • No mattresses
    • No furniture
    • No appliances (Fridges, stoves, freezers, etc.)
    • No electronics
    • No batteries or fluorescent bulbs
    • No brush, no leaves, no yard waste
    • No boats
  • Only up to 1 cubic yard per vehicle of household waste and blue box recycling will be accepted
  • Re-use centres at Maple, Dorset and Oxtongue will be closed
  • Please ensure you check the latest information prior to attending a landfill site.

The public can be assured that essential services will be retained as best as possible. Fire Services will continue to operate at full capacity with universal precautions in place.

The Township remains attentive to this quickly evolving situation and any changes to the above can be found: 

  1. On the News and Notices section of the Township website; you may subscribe to News and Notices
  2. On the Township’s NEW webpage dedicated to this issue;
  3. Via the Township’s various social media channels

For further questions or inquiries, please call the Township office at 705-489-2379.

Once again, we thank the public for their understanding as we work toward keeping our community safe and healthy.