The Town of St. Marys has taken a number of steps prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community, including declaring a State of Emergency on March 19, 2020.
We continue to work with Huron Perth Public Health to assess the situation and adapt our response accordingly. Any new information regarding impacts to municipal services will be shared on this page.
We also have specific pages dedicated to our Community Wellness Program and resources for local businesses, as well as and an up-to-date directory of shops, restaurants and services.
Municipal recovery framework
Our Municipal Operations and Services Recovery Framework lays out our approach to re-opening facilities and services as the Province of Ontario eases public health restrictions.
The goal of the framework is to help residents understand the requirements to deliver operations and services safely, the time it takes to meet these requirements, and the overall cost and staffing numbers needed to open facilities and offer services.
Updates and announcements
We will be providing regular updates about closures, cancellations and other changes to Town operations through this page and our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts as this situation progresses.
Status of municipal facilities and services
We are committed to providing essential municipal services to residents throughout this pandemic. Although some Town facilities remain closed, all municipal departments are available by phone or email for inquiries. A list of list municipal contacts is available on our Contact Us page.
An update on the status of municipal facilities and services is provided below. If you have a question about the status of a service not listed below, please call us at 519-284-2340 or send an email to communications@town.stmarys.on.ca.
If you're planning to visit a Town facility, you must complete our online screening form before you enter to ensure the safety of staff and other patrons.
| Administration and licensing |
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Burn permits
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Status
- Available online and in-person at the Municipal Operations Centre (open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm).
- Appointments are encouraged; call 519-284-2340 to book in advance.
Contact
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Council and committees
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Status
Contact
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Commissioning services
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Status
- Available in person at the Municipal Operations Centre (located at 408 James Street South, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm).
- Appointments are encouraged; call 519-284-2340 to book in advance.
Contact
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Lottery licences
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Status
- Available by appointment only.
Contact
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Marriage licences and ceremonies
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Status
- Available in person at the Municipal Operations Centre (located at 408 James Street South, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm).
- Appointments are encouraged; call 519-284-2340 to book in advance.
Contact
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| Parking tickets |
Status
- Payments can be made in person, online or by cheque; visit our Parking page for details.
Contact
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| Pet licences |
Status
- Payments can be made online or by cheque; visit our Pet Licenses page for details.
Contact
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| Building and Planning |
| Building Department |
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Status
- In-person service available at the Municipal Operations Centre (located at 408 James Street South, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm). Patrons are encouraged to book an appointment in advance by calling 519-284-2340.
- Electronic submissions of complete building permit applications are encouraged.
Contact
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| Planning Services |
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Status
- In-person service available at the Municipal Operations Centre (located at 408 James Street South, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm). Patrons are encouraged to book an appointment in advance by calling 519-284-2340.
- All Planning Advisory Committee and Committee of Adjustment meetings are currently being held virtually and livestreamed through our YouTube channel. Visit the Current Planning/Development Applications page for details.
Contact
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| Curbside waste collection |
| Garbage and recycling |
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Status
- Garbage and recycling is being collected as scheduled.
Contact
- Bluewater Recycling Association: 519-228-6678
- info@bra.org
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| Leaf and yard waste |
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Status
- Leaf and yard waste is being collected as scheduled.
- Re-usable leaf and yard waste containers will not be permitted in 2020 due to concerns about COVID-19. Residents are asked to use biodegradable kraft-style paper bags for loose leaf and yard waste and to tie twigs and branches into small bundles.
- The Leaf and Yard Waste Depot is open daily from dawn till dusk at the Municipal Operations Centre (enter off South Service Road). Those dropping off leaf and yard waste should practice social distancing by staying 2 metres (6 feet) from other patrons.
Contact
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| Day camps |
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Status
- Camp PRC was cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19. Those previously registered in the program should already have received a full refund.
Contact
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| Emergency Services |
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Status
- All emergency services (fire, police and paramedics) are ready to respond to calls.
- In-person fire inspections are currently unavailable.
Contacts
- Emergencies: 9-1-1
- Fire Department (non-emergency): 519-284-1752
- Stratford Police Service (non-emergency): 519-271-4141
- Perth County Paramedic Services (non-emergency): 519-271-0531, ext. 500
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| Events |
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Status
- The Town has a number of safe celebrations planned for the holiday season. Visit the Festivals and Events section of our website for full details.
Contact
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| Finance |
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Status
- In-person payments can be made Municipal Operations Centre (located at 408 James Street South, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm) or Town Hall (located at 175 Queen Street East, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm).
- Also accepting payments through online banking or by sending a cheque through the mail: Town of St. Marys, 175 Queen Street East, PO Box 998, St. Marys, ON N4X 1B6
- Drop box available at lower level of Town Hall for cheques only.
Contact
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| Landfill |
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Status
- Open to residents for regular, non-hazardous waste disposal on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
- The Electronic Waste Depot is also open during the landfill's regular hours.
- There are some COVID-19 protocols in place at the landfill to protect residents and staff:
- Only contactless payments (debit or credit with tap or charge account) will be accepted; the use of cash is not permitted.
- A limited number of customers are permitted to enter the landfill at one time.
- The Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste Depot remains closed.
- Visit our Landfill page for further details.
Contact
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| Outdoor recreational amenities |
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Status
The following outdoor municipal recreation amenities are currently open:
- Baseball diamonds
- Boat ramp
- Dog park
- Fishing quarry
- Playgrounds
- Skate park
- Soccer fields
- Trails (for walkthrough access only)
Contact
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| Parks |
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Status
- Playgrounds and pavilions are open.
- Gatherings and events of up to 100 people are allowed, as long as physical distancing can be maintained.
- Organized sports are allowed on all sportsfields, as long as all teams and leagues follow the applicable Provincial orders.
Contact
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| Public washrooms |
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Status
Public washrooms are now open in the following locations:
COVID-19 protocols for public washrooms
- Washrooms will be cleaned/sanitized twice daily between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, with fogging taking place at the end of each day.
- COVID-19 signage will be posted.
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| Senior Services |
| Footcare clinics |
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Status
- Service has resumed at the St. Marys Friendship Centre, though the building remains closed for all other programs, events and activities.
- Clinics will be prioritized for those in need of urgent care. Existing clients will be contacted by staff to review new protocols and book an appointment time.
- The clinic will operate using guidelines from the Ministry of Health, the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario and the directives of Huron Perth Public Health. Only one person will be allowed in the footcare room at a time.
- All clients are required to wear a mask; masks will be available for purchase at the time of the appointment, if necessary.
Contact
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| Meals on Wheels |
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Status
- Meal pick-up at the St. Marys Friendship Centre currently unavailable.
- Offering socially distanced meal delivery service; visit our Community Wellness Program page for details.
Contact
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| St. Marys and Area Mobility Service |
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Status
- Rides still available, but volunteer transportation currently suspended
- New safety measures in place:
- Clients being screened prior to booking a ride
- Surfaces being cleaned frequently; hand sanitizer available for drivers and riders
- Riders being asked to leave the front passenger seat vacant to allow for social distancing
Contact
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| Sportsfields |
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Status
- Organized sports are allowed on all sportsfields, as long as all teams and leagues follow the applicable Provincial orders.
Contact
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| Town facilities |
| Adult Learning Programs of Perth |
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Status
- One-to-one, in-person instruction currently being offered by appointment only.
- Online learning available.
Contact
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| Municipal Operations Centre |
Status
- Service counter open with reduced hours (9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday).
- Available in-person services include:
- Building permits
- Planning services
- Engineering services
- Environmental services inquiries (water, wastewater, landfill)
- Property tax and other municipal payments (by debit, cash or cheque)
- Marriage licenses
- Commissioning services
- Burn permits
- Pet licences
- Tenders
- Insurance claims
- Patrons are encouraged to book an appointment in advance by calling 519-284-2340.
Contact
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| Pyramid Recreation Centre |
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Status
- The PRC's two ice pads are now open. Read our media release for visitor guidelines and information about ice allocations.
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Indoor recreation programs are being offered at the St. Marys Friendship Centre. Advance registration for all programs is required; the building will not be open for drop-in visitors.
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The Aquatics Centre will open is open with limited hours. Advance registration is required for all programs. Visit our Aquatics Centre page for full details.
- The PRC will not be accepting bookings from external renters in the near future, with the exception of blood donor and immunization clinics.
Contact
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| St. Marys Child Care Centre |
Status
- Open with COVID-19 protocols in place.
Contact
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| St. Marys Friendship Centre |
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Contact
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| St. Marys Museum and Archives |
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Contact
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| St. Marys Public Library |
Status
- Open with new hours and COVID-19 protocols in place; visit the Library's website for details.
Contact
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| St. Marys VIA Rail Station (includes St. Marys Station Gallery) |
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Status
- Customer service desk open with reduced hours (7:45 to 8:45 am and 8:00 to 9:00 pm daily).
- VIA Rail trains continue to operate; visit VIA Rail's website regularly for the latest travel advisories.
- The St. Marys Station Gallery is open with limited hours. Visit the Station Gallery website for details.
Contact
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| St. Marys Youth Centre |
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Status
- Closed; all programming and events cancelled
Contact
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Town Hall
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Status
- Open for in-person service from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Contact
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Support for residents
| Community Wellness Program |
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Our Community Wellness Program offers a range of services to help people cope with the challenges of living through this pandemic, including:
- Hot and frozen meal delivery
- Delivery of groceries, medication and other essentials
- Telephone reassurance and social connection calls
- Virtual recreation programming
The program is open to people of all ages and abilities who need assistance. To learn more about the program, visit our Community Wellness Program page.
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| Financial relief |
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We have taken a number of steps to reduce the financial burden facing members of our community due to COVID-19, including:
- Allowing those struggling financially to defer the May 29, 2020 property tax payment to June 30, 2020
- Waiving fees and penalties on municipal payments until July 31, 2020 (except for property taxes)
- Eliminating planned fee increases for child care, ice rentals and animal licenses
- Allocating $300,000 to a COVID-19 financial relief fund, with $100,000 dedicated to supporting local businesses
- Hosting three finance-focused webinars through Facebook Live and Zoom teleconferencing to provide community members with vital information about the financial relief programs available from all three levels of government (past webinar videos now available on Facebook)
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| Virtual recreation programming |
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Online programs
We are using Facebook to share live and pre-recorded videos of recreation and leisure programming. Supporting resources are available on the Community Wellness Program page, under Virtual Recreation Programming.
To participate, visit the Pyramid Recreation Centre’s Facebook page at the scheduled time – the video should be available in the main feed. You do not need a Facebook account or to be registered with the Community Wellness Program to participate!
Past videos are saved on the Facebook page.
Telephone programs
We also offer programs through Zoom teleconferencing for those who do not have access to the Internet. Telephone programs are listed on our weekly schedule, available on the Pyramid Recreation Centre’s Facebook page.
To participate, contact the Community Wellness Program at 519-284-3272 prior to the start of the program. Our team will walk you through the necessary steps to join the call.
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Support for businesses
| Business resources |
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Our Business Resources and Directory page includes links to the various assistance programs available to businesses that are suffering in the wake of COVID-19. It also features a list of mental health resources for business owners.
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| Business directory |
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Our Business Resources and Directory page features an up-to-date listing of how local shops, restaurants and service providers are operating during these challenging times.
To submit your business information, please email communications@town.stmarys.on.ca or call 519-284-2340, ext. 272 with the following information:
- Business name
- Street address
- Preferred social media account/website
- One of the following status options: closed completely; closed to public; delivery/pick-up available with advance notice; open to public, limited hours; open to public, regular hours
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| Business Economic Support and Recovery Task Force |
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We have established a Business Economic Support and Recovery Task Force to advise Council on matters related to local businesses and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its focus will be supporting the St. Marys business community now and after the outbreak has ended.
The task force will be made up of five local business owners and two members of Council, and will be supported by municipal staff from a range of departments.
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| FanSaves online gift certificate program |
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We have taken the lead on participating in an online gift certificate resource, www.fansaveshelps.ca. FanSaves aims to support communities by encouraging social distancing and allowing businesses to stay afloat during this unprecedented pandemic.
Gift certificates can be purchased from the comfort of home, with the amount (minus any credit card fees) transferred into the business’s bank account within two weeks. Purchasers will receive an email they can print off and use once businesses reopen. The site also includes an option to purchase certificates to donate to local hospitals, including St. Marys Memorial Hospital.
To find participating local businesses, click on “Find Your Community” at the top of the fansaveshelps.ca page and scroll down to St. Marys. Click on the logo to see two pages of businesses.
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Important resources
We encourage you to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by following credible sources. For the most up-to-date guidelines and reliable recommendations for prevention, visit the following websites:
