Huron-Kinloss maintains services; municipal office closed to public

The Ontario government has declared a state of emergency and announced orders, which came into effect at 12:01 a.m., Thursday (Jan. 14), to help stop the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Huron-Kinloss Township will continue to provide core services to its residents in a safe manner, states a press release, issued Thursday.

The following changes have been made to township services:

Municipal Office: The township office at 21 Queen Street in Ripley, is closed to the public until further notice. Staff will be available by appointment, phone or E-mail by contacting 519-395-3735 or info@huronkinloss.com. You can apply for your dog licences, fire permits and building permits on-line. Council and committee meetings will continue in an electronic format. Meetings are streamed through Zoom and can be accessed on the website.

Landfill: The Huron Landfill remains open. Operating hours are Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Garbage and recycling pick-up will continue as scheduled and residents are urged to please utilize this service rather than visit the Huron Landfill site.

Emergency Services: The Ripley-Huron Fire Hall and the Lucknow Fire Hall are closed to the public until further notice. The Emergency Services Department will continue to provide emergency response services to the community without delay or interruption.

Finance: Taxes and municipal payments will continue to be processed. For all tax inquiries, questions about payments, or concerns, contact the treasury department 519-395-3735. Pre-authorized payments and previously submitted post-dated cheques will continue to be processed as usual.

Building and Planning: The building and planning department will continue to operate. Residents wishing to obtain building permits, can drop off documentation in the municipal office drop box or contact the municipal office to obtain the building department’s contact information to arrange details via telephone or E-mail.

Bylaw Enforcement: Bylaw enforcement will continue. To report bylaw complaints, call 519-395-3735 or for emergencies, call 519-395-3844; response time will vary based on the nature of complaint.

Recreation: All recreational facilities in the township remain closed until further notice including:
 

• Ripley-Huron Community Centre
• Point Clark Community Centre
• Lucknow Town Hall

Outdoor amenities: Outdoor recreation amenities, including public trails, playgrounds and the Point Clark Dog Park, remain open. For more information, contact the community services department by E-mail at myoung@huronkinloss.com or call 519-395-2909. For all inquiries related to the Ripley Cemetery, call 519-395-3735 or E-mail mfair@huronkinloss.com

The Lucknow and District Sports Complex will be closed until the province permits re-opening. If you have questions about the complex, contact 519-528-3002, Ext. 1 or lucrec@hurontel.on.ca

The Hub: The Hub, located at 46 Queen St., will be closed to the public until further notice. Staff will be available by appointment only. Contact Lauren at leby@huronkinloss.com or 519-395-4225.

Business: The township is communicating information and opportunities available for businesses through the Do Business Huron-Kinloss Facebook page. The municipality launched a COVID-19 Business Supports web page, and partners with Bruce County to keep the Open in Bruce Map updated for the Huron-Kinloss area. This map shows businesses that are open and/or providing curbside pick-up, delivery or virtual services. For more information about business supports, or to add your business to the Open in Bruce Map, contact the business and economic officer at tcronin@huronkinloss.com

Huron-Kinloss Connects: Stay connected and keep the township informed of roads, snow removal, bylaw or other issues in the community by using the report-a-problem mobile app or web portal. Download the mobile app in the Google Play or Apple App Stores, or access the web portal at www.huronkinloss.com/report-a-problem.

Pandemic-related information can be found at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca and the Ontario Ministry of Health website at www.ontario.ca/covid.

Township staff is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario. For up-to-date information, check the website regularly, as well as Facebook or Twitter, call 519-395-3735 or E-mail info@huronkinloss.com.