NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF MIDLAND
*****************
In continuing to keep the health and safety of our residents and staff in mind, while ensuring a continuation of services, the Town of Midland is announcing that as of 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, the Town Municipal Office will be closed to the public.
“We are continuing to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation and considering the wellbeing of our residents and staff with every decision we make,” said Mayor Stewart Strathearn. “By taking the step to close our Town Hall to the public, we are giving residents one-less reason to have to leave the house or challenge their social distancing efforts.”
Town Hall will move forward with reduced staff working at the facility to provide social distancing within the workplace, with staff working from home when not in the office. Residents are encouraged to use the drop box located at the Third Street entrance for making payments for tax bills, water/wastewater bills and parking tickets, or via electronic fund transfer through their bank. Essential services provided at Town Hall, as previously mentioned, will be available by appointment only.
Essential community services such as water and wastewater, fire and policing are still being provided, however the Fire Hall is closed to public and the OPP ask that residents not enter their buildings without an appointment. Should you need to report a crime, they encourage residents to use their online reporting tool at opp.ca/reporting.
The Town of Midland will still proceed with the council meeting on March 18 as scheduled, however the public will not be permitted to attend in Council Chambers. Instead, residents are encouraged to watch the Council meeting on RogersTV (cable 53) or on RogersTV live stream.
“We understand that this will be an inconvenience to some residents, but even though our Town Hall is closed, our staff will still be reachable through email and telephone,” added Mayor Strathearn. “The reality is that the COVID-19 pandemic is evolving everyday, and we all have to evolve with it in order to help reduce the rate of spread.”
Building Permits and Required Inspections
Building Inspectors continue to provide the mandatory construction inspections. While our Inspectors will strive to meet our processing and response times, we are unable to guarantee that normal processing and inspection timelines can be met. As of Monday, March 23, the Town may not provide same day inspections and may require a minimum of 48 hours notice when booking an inspection for your site. Inspections are conducted Monday to Friday during normal business hours.
At the building inspectors individual discretion, they may not enter occupied areas of buildings under construction including personal dwellings or occupied areas of industrial, commercial, multi-residential or institutional buildings. Building staff will ask you to answer brief non-intrusive screening questions related to the COVID-19 health risks, and Inspectors will practice social distancing. Please understand this is for the protection and peace of mind of our staff who will be serving you and other members of the public.
Building inspections are to be booked through the Town’s inspection booking phone line (705-526- 4275, ext. 2248). Building Permit applications, including drawings, may be submitted by email to [email protected]. Permit applications and cheques may be dropped off at Town Hall in our drop off box at the Third Street entrance. The Town will also accept applications by prior arrangements which are to be made through email at [email protected]; you will be provided with a time and location for the drop off.
The Guesthouse Shelter
The shelter itself is only open to their registered guests, and they are currently fully-registered. They can’t allow more access by the public because they’re trying to instill social distancing efforts as we all should be. They are providing a first-come/first-serve brown bag lunch to the public from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., while their supplies last. Residents looking to help make their supplies last longer can make financial donations or food donations:
- Financial donations can be made electronically through their website.
- Food donations are accepted as well:
- Packaged breads and meats (grocery store packaged)
- Canned goods
- Fresh produce
Please note that no premade food/meals will be accepted at the Guesthouse Shelter.To donate food residents can either call ahead to arrange delivery by calling 705-527-4111 or ring the doorbell at their main entrance. The shelter is staffed 24/7 so someone will be available at any time.
The Town strongly encourages residents to not spread rumours and information on social media that hasn’t been 100 per cent confirmed by the organization in question, or by various government agencies. Spreading information before it’s been confirmed as causes added stress and panic, which many people are already feeling during this pandemic. Let’s look out for each other. We are in this together!
For more information on the state of COVID-19 in our area, please contact the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or visit their website at simcoemuskokahealth.org.
*****************
