When it snows, the City’s Public Works Dept. is responsible for a variety of winter services including salting/sanding, plowing and snow removal on both our roads and maintained sidewalks. It’s a massive job and requires a specific strategy to ensure that our crews and fleet are ready keep the city moving.
Public Works has a winter readiness plan that includes testing all snow clearing equipment, placing sand supplies at designated yards across the city, and training any new staff on how to respond to the effects of cold winter weather.
As we gear up for winter, residents can help with preparations by removing any temporary basketball nets or recreation equipment from the end of driveways and curbs. Keep curbs and driveways clear to help with snow removal and plowing.
Two winter by-laws will shortly go into effect that help ensure Public Works can complete snow removal operations. The winter overnight parking ban takes effect on Wednesday, November 1 until April 30, 2024. Any vehicle parked on the street between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. will be subject to a $50 fine and the vehicle may be towed at the expense of the owner (unless you are in an area exempt from the winter parking ban).
The City of Timmins will inform residents of winter road maintenance with temporary “no parking” snow removal signs (yellow and red in colour), posted before snow removal begins. A weekly snow removal schedule will also be posted online at Timmins.ca. Remember to look for signs posted on your street to ensure parking has not been restricted in your area.
The City of Timmins Snow By-law 1993-4162 provides guidelines for clearing snow from your property. Snow must never be placed onto the street or sidewalk. Moving snow from your driveway onto the sidewalk or street can create various safety hazards, obstruct pedestrian traffic, or obstruct the view of drivers. Even a small amount of snow left on a sidewalk can cause accessibility issues for some our residents.
If you plan on installing a temporary winter car shelter, you will require a permit from the City of Timmins. A seasonal structure permit is just $15. Approved temporary tent shelters can be erected between October 1 and April 30. You will need to submit an application (available online at Timmins.ca), your site plan, and payment to Service Timmins.
For additional information, contact Service Timmins at service.timmins.ca or by phone at 705-264-1331.
Amanda Dyer
Last chance to provide your input on the 2024 Municipal Budget!
Survey closes today, October 31, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
Property taxes are an important revenue for the City. When combined with program fees, user fees, facility rentals, and additional funding sources, they make up the available money (revenue) coming into the City that is then spent on the services, infrastructure, programs, and projects that you rely on daily.
The City also looks at long-term planning and investment to meet the needs of the community and encourage future growth. All of this is summarized in the annual municipal budget, an itemized plan for the revenue coming in and the expenditures going out.
Complete our brief survey to provide feedback on the 2024 budgets and future budget engagement. All responses are anonymous.
Complete The Survey
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins Environmental Services department wishes to advise the public that the Preventative Boil Water Advisory for the Pine Ridge Motel & Trailer Park has been lifted.
Area: Pine Ridge Motel & Trailer Court
Date Advisory Lifted: October 26th, 2023
Critical maintenance on the system was completed followed by satisfactory bacteriological sample results. City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this work.
Amanda Dyer
City Council has approved updates to the Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Safety Improvement Grant. Business owners across Timmins, in all city wards, will be able to apply for a safety improvement grant of up to $7,500 to add safety features, like security cameras and fencing, to their business property.
Last night’s Council approval saw amendments to the current Community Improvement Plan Project Area, designating the entire City of Timmins as an improvement project area. This allows for changes under the Downtown Community Improvement Plan, specific to the Safety Improvement Grant, to expand the eligible business area and increase the maximum grant allowance.
"The recommendations approved for the City’s Downtown Community Improvement Plan – Safety Improvement Grant, are designed to give more business owners the opportunity to add security features like cameras, lighting, and fencing to their business properties," said Mayor Michelle Boileau. "Council understands that immediate social concerns have required that businesses increase security measures. There is a tangible cost to business owners arising from issues around homelessness and mental health and addictions. If we can provide assistance, through a simplified safety improvement grant process, and increase the amount of funding available, we can help mitigate some of this cost."
Once the mandatory appeal period is complete, businesses in commercial, industrial, institutional, or rural zones, and legally non-conforming commercial, industrial, or institutional businesses (excluding home-based businesses) on residentially zoned properties, can apply for a Safety Improvement Grant. Approved amendments also streamline the application process, eliminating the need for a second quote for proposed work and the “one time only” requirement. Businesses can continue to apply for a safety improvement grant, for multiple projects, up to a maximum grant amount of $7,500.
In addition, tenants leasing business space on a multi-tenant property will be able to apply for the Safety Improvement Grant, removing the limit of one application per property.
All other available grants under the Downtown Community Improvement Plan are subject to the Downtown Community Project Areas for Timmins, Schumacher, and South Porcupine.
Amanda Dyer
City Council has approved changes to the Elderly Property Tax Assistance Credit, making the eligibility criteria consistent with the existing Low-Income Utility Rebate and raising the rebate amount available for qualified homeowners. The changes will simplify the application process and help more seniors and low-income earners stay in their homes.
Beginning in 2024, the Elderly Tax Assistance Credit will be renamed the Low-Income Tax Rebate and will require that homeowners:
- Be receiving social assistance within the year of application from one of the following:
- Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
- Ontario Works Social Assistance
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
- Be a resident of the City of Timmins
- Occupy a single-family dwelling in the City of Timmins on which municipal property taxes or utilities have been levied
- Be assessed as the owner of the residential property for the entire current year of application
Council also voted to increase the rebate from $300 to $350 effective January 01, 2024. This is the first tax rebate increase since 2016. Eligible homeowners will be able to apply for both the Low-Income Tax Rebate and Low-Income Utility Rebate once per year.
“The cost of living was a common concern brought up at our recent public ward meetings across the city. Inflationary changes are making it difficult for Canadians to afford basic necessities. Council is committed to providing relief where and when we can. You have seen this strategy rolled out in recreation with free family and senior swims, and now, through a streamlined property tax and utility rebate program. As we head into the 2024 budget process, we are focused on bringing more value for the tax dollar. – Mayor Michelle Boileau
“The City’s rebate programs continue to be successful, but the Tax Department has found that the inconsistency in criteria between the existing Elderly Property Tax Assistance Credit and Low-Income Utility Rebate was causing some confusion for residents applying for credits. These changes will streamline the process and offer relief to more seniors and low-income earners. We want to make it simple and straightforward for homeowners to get the help they need.” – Natalie Moore, Director of Finance & Treasurer
In 2023, the City of Timmins has issued $66,330 in tax rebates and $28,700 in utility rebates. Homeowners can still apply for this calendar year before December 31, 2023. Information and applications can be found online at www.timmins.ca.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins Environmental Services department wishes to advise the public that the preventative Boil Water Advisory has been lifted for Porcupine as of October 24, 2023 at 8:00am.
Area: All residents and consumers in Porcupine east of the Bristol Rd.
Date Advisory Rescinded: October 24, 2023 at 8:00am.
A Boil Water Advisory was enacted as a preventative measure at 5:00pm on Monday, October 23, due to repairs on a watermain valve servicing users in Porcupine east of Bristol Road. The City of Timmins has conducted a thorough review and analysis of the watermain maintenance activities and the results are deemed satisfactory by the City of Timmins and the Porcupine Health Unit to rescind the advisory.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for your cooperation.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins Environmental Services Department wishes to advise the public of watermain maintenance activities, which will result in a preventative boil water advisory affecting all of Porcupine east Bristol Rd. beginning October 23, 2023 at 5:00pm.
Area: All residents and consumers in Porcupine east of the Bristol Road
Date of Advisory: October 23, 2023 at 5:00pm until further notice.
The City of Timmins is requiring you to take the following steps:
• Users of the water supply should bring their water to a rolling boil for one minute prior to consumption;
• Wash dishes with boiled water that has been cooled or use potable water from an alternative source; and
• All water taps must be posted, indicating that the water is not safe to drink.
The Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this necessary process, and advise that if there are any questions, concerns or requests for additional information, they may contact the Service Timmins at 705-264-1331 during business hours. After-hours emergencies should be directed to 705-264-1201.
For more information on Boil Water Advisories, please visit www.porcupinehu.on.ca/en/your-community/safe-water/boil-water-advisories/boil-water-advisory-page/.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins Environmental Services department wishes to advise the public of a Preventative Boil Water Advisory.
• Area: Pine Ridge Motel & Trailer Court
• Date of Advisory: October 22, 2023 until further notice.
The City of Timmins is requiring you to take the following steps:
• Users of the water supply should bring their water to a rolling boil for one minute prior to consumption;
• Any water used for cooking/food preparation must be boiled then cooled prior to use; and
• All water taps must be posted, indicating that the water is not safe to drink.
The Preventative Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until the sample results confirm the water is fit for human consumption. City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this necessary process, and advise that if there are any questions, concerns or requests for additional information, they may contact the Service Timmins at 705-264-1331 during business hours. After-hours emergencies should be directed to 705-264-1201.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins Environmental Services Department, Waste Management Division, wishes to inform the public that waste and recycling carts that are normally scheduled for pick up on Friday will be delayed or postponed until tomorrow, Saturday October 21, 2023.
There will be a crew working this evening until 8pm. If your carts are not collected today please have them curbside no later than 7:30 AM, Saturday October 21, 2023.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we appreciate your patience.
Sara Perron
The City of Timmins Environmental Services & Public Utilities Department wishes to advise the public of a watermain maintenance in the following areas:
Area:
• All of Porcupine, East of Bristol Rd
Date & Time of Disruption:
• October 23, 2023 - Temporary Water Disruption 8AM to Midnight
With the watermain maintenance you might experience reduced or fluctuating pressure and/or brown or rust-colored water during the disruption. It is recommended not to drink or wash laundry with discolored water. While it is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry. Should this occur, it is advised to turn on the COLD water tap closest to the source (usually your laundry tub tap) and let it run for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the water color has returned to normal.
Road closure within this area might last longer than the estimated date and time of disruption once the repair is made.
City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this work.
Sara Perron
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