NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF PENETANGUISHENE
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As we are sure most of our community is already aware, Premier Doug Ford announced yesterday that all non-essential businesses will be shut down for a period of 14 days (minimum) starting today (March 24, 2020) at 11:59 p.m.
What does this mean for our Town of Penetanguishene services? It means that all of our offices and facilities remain closed with staff now working remotely, but we will continue to offer essential services through our usual or alternative means as described below.
No matter what happens, rest assured, the Town of Penetanguishene will continue to provide essential services like Fire and Rescue, Police, Roads Maintenance, Transit, Water and Wastewater.
Instead of listing all of the services offered and whether or not we are continuing, we felt it would be more effective to communicate to you the services we are continuing to offer and the way we are offering them. If you do not see a service listed here, it is to be presumed that it is not considered essential and will not be offered over the next two weeks minimum or until further notice. If you are uncertain, please contact our office by phone 705-549-7453 or email and staff will respond as soon as possible.
Please know that this decision was not made lightly; however, we are confident that a remote work protocol is the best way to ensure that staff and the community remain healthy and in a position to continue providing the essential services that our residents rely on.
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Municipal Service |
Impact |
Action |
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Fire & Emergency |
The Fire Hall remains closed to the public and administrative staff will be further reduced. |
Fire and emergency services will remain functional for response and request for fire inspections will be reviewed on an individual basis; however, access to the fire stations remain closed to the public. We are temporally suspending the need for a fire permit for open air burning. All other conditions of the open air burning by-law are still enforceable and in effect. The Fire Department can be contacted by email. |
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Municipal Administration |
Townhall remains closed to the public. |
The municipal office phone will allow for voice messages to be received which will be picked up daily and relayed to the appropriate department. All Staff and Council continue to be available by email through our contact listing on our website. |
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Public Works |
Public Works building remains closed to the public. |
Public Works services will remain functional. Public Works office phone will allow for voice messages to be received which will be picked up daily and relayed to the appropriate department. As always, for Roads, Water or Wastewater emergencies call: 705-527-8210. |
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Recreation & Parks |
Parks – Parks remain open however all park amenities such as play structures, courts and the dog park will be closed. |
Signage will be posted at applicable amenities advising of closures to encourage social distancing. |
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Building Department |
Building permit applications will be processed and mandatory building permit inspections can be coordinated by appointment with certain conditions. We request that arrangements be made for inspections 48 hours in advance. |
The Building Department can be contacted by email for more information. |
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Permits and Licensing |
Burial permits and Taxi Licences (both drivers and vehicles) will be processed as needed through alternative methods. |
The Town Clerk can be contacted by email for information. |
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