Town hall closed to curb COVID-19 spread
The Town of Yarmouth adjusted the hours of its town hall last week, and as of Monday closed the building to the public until further notice.
This is being done to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
“If you visit town hall to pay your water or tax bill, or parking tickets, please remember that water and tax payments can be completed through your bank/ online banking,” the town said in a media release. “In support of social distancing protocols, whether healthy or ill we urge you wherever possible to use online forms, traditional mail, or the telephone to conduct your business with the town.”
Town hall staff will be working remotely, but public inquiries can still come through the usual phone numbers and email addresses.
TOWN COUNCIL
Yarmouth town council is also be promoting social distancing. Town council meetings will not be held in council chambers at town hall. Meetings will be conducted by webinar (Goto Meeting) and recorded. Recorded meetings will be posted on the town's social media sites (Facebook/YouTube). Meetings of Town of Yarmouth committees will be suspended until further notice.
Presentations to town council are suspended until further notice. Town staff will be reaching out to those who were scheduled to present. Written requests to council to make presentations will still be received, but no presentations will be scheduled until after council resumes public sessions.
PARKING
As of March 23, parking tickets are being suspended. The timelines on all outstanding parking tickets will not resume until town hall reopens and payment can be accepted.
As the town is unable to sell passes and accommodate payment of tickets, time violation parking enforcement activities are also being suspended until further notice.
“During this period of social distancing/isolation, the downtown will be less busy and a temporary lift on parking times will not create issues for those looking for spaces,” the town says.
TOWN COUNCIL
Effective immediately, presentations to town council are suspended until further notice. Town staff will be reaching out to those who were scheduled to present to town council. Written requests to town council to make presentations will still be received, but no presentations will be scheduled until after council resumes public sessions.
TRANSIT SERVICE
Due to the growing safety concerns for both transit customers and drivers, the town stopped all service on March 18.
“The decision to shut down the service was not made lightly as we know it is used and valued by many residents,” the town said. “We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging time.”
Monthly pass holders will be credited for days when the service is unavailable, once service resumes. More details will be made available at a later time.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
While staff will be working as usual, the public works building at 227 Pleasant St., is closed to the public. If you have a public works-related question or issue, call 902-742-9423. After hours: 1-833-460-8709. If you have an emergency call 911. Report your non-emergency concerns using the SeeClickFix submission tool: www.townofyarmouth.ca/ report-a-problem.html.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Yarmouth Fire Department will operate as usual but the fire hall has been closed to the public and is only allowing essential visits. Staff and volunteers are only using the hall when an active call is in progress. In the event of an emergency call 911.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Finance staff will be working from home. Bill payments, such as water and tax bills, that are normally payable at town hall can be made at your local bank or via online banking, or by traditional mail. If you require more information or assistance, call us 902-742-2521 or email: account ing@townofyarmouth.ca.
TAX BILLS: EARLY MAILING
Where finance staff will be working from home, they will not have access to the tools needed to send mail through Canada Post. Given the possibility of a prolonged period of isolation, residents will be receiving this year’s tax property bill a bit early. The due date will be
May 31 as usual, and people will not accrue interest on their current bill for the extra month. If this period of isolation is prolonged, the town will extend the date for payment and interest.
Bills can be paid at town hall once it reopens, and can be paid by cheque or at local banks. To pay tax bills through your online banking people need to select “Town of Yarmouth Taxes” and the account number used will be their eight-digit Assessment Account Number which is provided with their bill.
PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS
Development, building and economic development services for permitting, site inspections, bylaw enforcement, economic incentives and request for information will have no interruption of service to the public. To access our Development and Building Guideline Handbook visit townofyarmouth.ca/ building-permits.html.
People can still apply for a development and building permit online. Development and building permits will be emailed or faxed back to the applicant/owners with the original to follow by regular mail later on.
For building site inspections and occupancy permits contact the town to schedule the necessary site inspections as outlined in the issued permit. A site inspection can be scheduled by contacting the building inspector: Glenn Muise; email: buildinginspector@townofyar mouth.ca. Cell: 902-749-8808.
If you have a dangerous or unsightly property complaint that apply to private property or public property, please report using the See Click Fix app or the link from our Report a Problem on the Town’s website.
If you have a Minimum Housing Standard Complaint, refer to the town website for applicability and contact the By-Law Enforcement Officer by email: enforcement@town ofyarmouth.ca.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
The engineering department will be working from home. You can reach them as needed using the contact information below.
Marc Brophy, town engineer; Tel: 902-742-2521; email: marc. brophy@townofyarmouth.ca
DeMario Dunkley, project engineer; Tel: 902-742-2521; email: demario.dunkley@town ofyarmouth.ca
YARMOUTH COUNTY SOLID WASTE PARK
The Yarmouth County Solid Waste Park at 1936 Hardscratch Rd. was closed to the public effective Friday, March 20. The Waste Park will be closed on Saturdays until further notice.
This Waste Park closure will not affect roadside pickup of solid waste, recyclables or organics. For more information contact the Waste Park at 902742-5852.
TAXI LICENSING
Effective immediately, taxi licences will be extended for a period of 30 days. For those expiring at the end of March, the expiration date will now be effective April 30.
SPCA
The enforcement department is still working and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Staff are still responding to complaints; however, the officers have been advised not to enter homes and to use social distancing.
Shelters are open to house any stray animals or those impounded for other reasons. Adoption “appointments” are being offered to limit any public coming in to view animals. Cleaning and disinfecting routines have been ramped up and staff are comfortable offering the SPCA usual services of helping pets in need. Complaints can continue to be sent to the SPCA as per usual protocol and they will assess how each call will be handled.
OTHER CLOSURES
The Yarmouth Airport is closed to public entry. Waste check offices are also closed.
FOR MORE COPID-19 INFORMATION
For the latest info on COVID19 from the Province of Nova Scotia, visit www.novascotia.ca/ coronavirus.