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Letter from your Councillors:
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We hope you are enjoying the long weekend!
The Province has spoken and as ' creatures of the Province', the Town is working to support safe reopening in the prescribed areas. We have included a Town services update in this newsletter and encourage you to bookmark the Town Covid page to stay up to date as things are evolving quickly.
A few short calls out:
- We all love fireworks, but we need to continue to stay safe. Setting off fireworks is not permitted on public property this holiday weekend, including in our parks. Check out this virtual #Victoria Day fireworks display being offered by snapd! https://snapd.com/VictoriaDay.
- The Oakville Public library was surprised to hear the Provincial announcement regarding curbside reopening. Library staff are working on putting safety protocols in place to provide services by the end of May. Stay tuned.
- Crews are collecting litter while also cleaning islands and bridge decks, sweeping sidewalks, and roads as well as performing safety-related road maintenance. This year’s clean up programs have been moving slower than what we are used to due to the pandemic. Thank you to residents who have done cleanups during their walks. Please practice safe handling and physical distancing.
- Leash free parks are being prepared for reopening but are NOT open yet. Tennis and Pickleball plans are underway.
As we go forward remember that safety protocols protect everyone you come into contact with. Keep washing your hands, stand 6 ft apart, sanitize commonly used surfaces, and stay away from busy areas.
Janet and Dave
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The Province has launched its reopening plan. We provide you with links to key documents that describe the framework to re-opening and the additional workplace openings. We know you are hearing ' open' but open is conditional on safe practices being in place. Further in this newsletter, there is information on where the Town is at in terms of reopening preparations.
Framework to Re opening
Provincial Announcement to expand workplace openings.
The Province's safety guide for re opening workplaces
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Updated: May 16, 10:20 a.m.
Oakville prepares to open amenities
Following the Premier’s announcement on May 14, 2020, allowing seasonal services and activities to reopen, the town began to reopen more amenities, ensuring proper safety protocols are in place. Premier Doug Ford stated that all reopenings are contingent on health indicators continuing to show progress.
Marinas
Marinas and boat storage yards are now open for boat owners to tend to their boats and prepare for the coming season. Public handwashing stations have been installed in both locations and it is recommended that boat owners wear a mask.
Boat launch
The Bronte public boat launch ramp is also open. The Shipyard Park boat launch at the Oakville harbor will reopen in early June as we work to put stored boats and docks back in the water.
Sports facilities
Safety protocols for facilities such as tennis and pickleball courts are being prepared to ensure reopening is done in the safest and most responsible way for the town and the community. The town will work with our sport organization partners to ensure there are plans in place to meet provincial guidelines and their sport governing body’s requirements. Members of sports organizations are encouraged to contact their local club about their plans to reopen.
Other services
The town has already successfully reopened park greenspaces, community gardens and town-owned cemeteries. While greenspace is open, park parking lots remain closed to encourage people to stay in their neighborhood and to help prevent overcrowding at some of our larger parks. This will be reviewed as we consider additional phased opening of park uses.
What’s closed
Town amenities and spaces that remain closed at this time under provincial emergency order, include:
- playgrounds and play structures (e.g. swings, slides, climbers)
- outdoor exercise equipment
- sports fields such as soccer fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts
- leash-free dog parks
- park parking lots
- skateboard parks
- benches, picnic tables and shelters
- public washrooms
- town recreation centres and their parking lots – including swimming pools and skating rinks
While amenities reopen, the province’s emergency order is still in effect which means the town’s Physical Distancing By-law continues to apply on all public property.
ServiceOakville remains available at 905-845-6601 or service@oakville.ca and ServiceOakville online to respond to community questions and requests for essential services.
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On May 25th Council will be discussing concerns with the Federal and Provincial Commercial Rent program and encouraging changes that will better support tenants and landlords.
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Oakville Matters starring Councillor Gittings, Duddeck and Mayor Burton
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Conservation Halton's new online reservation program
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Conservation Halton is excited to announce that on Friday, May 22, Conservation Halton will be opening five of their seven parks for hiking and biking, using an advanced online reservation system.
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Crawford Lake, Hilton Falls, Rattlesnake Point, Mount Nemo and Kelso Summit (biking only) will be open to members and to the public. Most, if not all, of the trails at these parks, will be available, but facilities such as washrooms, outhouses and visitor centers, will remain closed. Robert Edmondson, Mountsberg, and the rest of Kelso, as well as more trails and facilities, will be opened in the coming weeks.
For details, please visit conservationhalton.ca/covid-19-faqs
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Town launching first virtual meeting with public participation.
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Our first virtual Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee meeting will be on Tuesday May 19 at 9:30 am and will be hosted on Zoom. Anyone can watch and/or listen to the meeting live from our website. Members of the public who would like to attend the virtual meeting can do so through a link or phone number that will be available on Tuesday under the livestream on oakville.ca. During the meeting, an attendee will be able to use the Q&A functionality to request to speak to an item (alternatively, callers will be able to use *9 to alert Clerks staff). Clerks staff will monitor the meeting activity, and notify the chair when there is a request to speak. Staff will unmute the attendee to allow them to ask their question. When the question is asked and answered, the attendee will then be muted again. We look forward to hosting our first virtual meeting that involves public participation. Staff will apply any learnings from this meeting to virtual meetings moving forward.
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Coyotes tend to be more visible during the spring – more sightings, more interactions with dogs, more shadowing of people.
The reason for the increased visibility is due to denning and pupping season, the time of year when coyotes are both more active around and protective of their den sites. While hazing usually works to frighten off a coyote, it doesn’t always work during the spring when there is a den and pups to defend.
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The Urban Coyote Initiative states:
“If a coyote seems intent on defending a certain area, particularly around pupping season, your best bet may be to alter your route to avoid conflict with a normally calm animal.”
If a Coyote is aggressive please call 911. Currently the Coyote Reporting form is not connecting. To report a non- urgent coyote concern please contact Service Oakville 905 845 6601.
Discourage coyotes from entering your property:
- NEVER FEED or leave food out for a coyote.
- Remove all water and food sources from your yard
- Store garbage, compost and pet food in a place coyotes cannot access.
- Supervise animals when they are in the yard. Cats should not be permitted to roam freely.
- Clean up after your dog. Coyotes are attracted to dog feces.
- Remove long grass, dead brush and wood piles. These conditions provide potential den sites for coyotes or other wild animals that attract coyotes.
- Ensure gaps around and under decks and sheds are closed off with wire screening.
- Use motion sensors.
Earlier this year with the support of our Council colleagues we requested Town staff revisit Coyote Protocols. We are advised a Coyote report will be brought to Council in June.
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Keep checking the Downtown BIA website to get updates on what local retailers are open and how they will provide a safe shopping experience.
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Meet Emma the creator of the Wall of Joy located at Douglas and Galt. Emma’s has graciously agreed to share her an interview about her health journey and what inspired to create the wall. This neighbourhood public art display brings smiles to all ages with riddles, art, and encouragement all from a safe distance! She welcomes local contributions; just insert your contribution into an empty page protector. We celebrate Emma as a great example of resilience and community spirit!
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Supporting our local Hospital
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You may have noticed these signs on lawns around Oakville,
Did you know government funding does not cover the cost of most medical equipment needed by hospitals? That's why we rely on community support to put essential medical equipment in the hands of OTMH cargeivers. Your efforts can make all the difference in improving healthcare in our community.
For further information on this campaign, and how you can help, please visit
www.Oakvillehospitalfoundation.com
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Lighthouse's fundraising events are vital to their survival and of course, they cannot have large gatherings. They need your support so they can continue to provide hope and healing to those most impacted.
- Their groups are currently being run virtually and families are receiving at-home activities and ongoing regular support from staff.
- With two-thirds of Lighthouse families being sole parents, the increased isolation and anxiety caused by this pandemic will mean our services will be needed more than ever.
- In the aftermath of this pandemic, they anticipate a surge in the need for grief support as families have been unable to say goodbye to loved ones and mourning rituals have been restricted.
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Let's celebrate community during these difficult times!
Join them for their virtual Run4Lighthouse ‘5kAnyWay’ – walk, run, bike, swim, dress up…be creative! Nominate others to join the challenge and help us raise essential funds so that we can meet the growing needs for grief support. Complete the challenge between now and June 10th, register today at www.run4lh.com!
If you cannot take part please consider making a donation.
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Nicholas Pearce Wines: Oakville Galleries Wine Cellar
Oakville Galleries' has announced an exclusive online wine fundraiser with Nicholas Pearce Wines: Oakville Galleries Wine Cellar. This is an opportunity for you to order premier wines and have them safely delivered to your doorstep, and a portion of the proceeds go to supporting Oakville Galleries. Stay home, stay safe and drink great wine. Order today and receive your order within 2-4 business days by following the easy instructions below and use the coupon code VSOGALLERIES.
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Councillor Contact Information
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Town Councillor Haslett-Theall:
Email: janet.haslett-theall@oakville.ca
Phone: 289-837-3923
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Regional & Town Councillor Gittings:
Email: dave.gittings@oakville.ca
Phone: 905-844-5513
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Your Ward 3 Councillors,
Dave and Janet
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