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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A pr il 2, 20 20 | 10 &H).';)7)D)=@*>-J=7,=*C";FC'J;)7-&>'C?=C=J>FC'((JC9 MCAJ&&;@*>(CC- ')A&C)'C?,JF),';)A),,J)=;)7-*J?= C:';FC?=*C==J,A<CF*J=&>D,J>F)&< C*>,*);)7')AC'C?C'JC9=;HDC&),F&>CF>AA)';) #!$I105GE20IN15!#PKEIQK!5/QLG!Q110! &;,>J+C """"%R64%O"3 &;,,JF $DC=A>,C'J&*)>=F>'=&C'C&C?=*C?9 =FC.)'(';)7='J=&)=7DJC'CH,,8C9 #!$I105GE20IN15!#PKEIQK!5/Q$BBB The Town of Halton Hills declared a state of emergency on March 25. What that means is that the town, particularly the mayor and chief adminis- trative officer, has the abil- ity to make decisions with- out the approval of com- mittees or council. "It allows the town to do its day-to-day business without council approval," Mayor Rick Bonnette said. The declaration allows for the town to react quick- ly to new information be- ing released from federal, provincial and regional governments. "This is a tough decision to declare a state of emer- gency," Bonnette said. "I've never done it before, and it's the first time it's been done in Halton Hills." However, the mayor and chief administrative offi- cer are providing council with daily briefings during the pandemic. At the last scheduled council meeting on March 9, the province reported six cases of coronavirus. By March 13, the town closed libraries and seniors cen- tres to control the spread. By March 18, the town closed its town hall build- ing to the public. Bonnette said more an- nouncements are expected in terms of property tax de- ferrals. "If the region passes their motion [regarding property tax deferrals], this will give the Town the ability to offer tax relief," Bonnette said. "We won't be holding any more council meetings until this declaration changes," chief adminis- trative officer Brent Mar- shall said. Marshall also outlined a number of relief efforts al- ready in place for residents and businesses, including changes to peak hour pric- ing for energy costs from the Ministry of Energy, as well as changes to water and wastewater pricing on the way from Halton Re- gion. "We're looking at all of our programs from an eco- nomic development stand- point," Marshall said. "If we can modify those plans and turn them into local enhancements, we're go- ing to do that." With health and safety at the forefront, Marshall said the town was still looking at ways to safely and effectively keep busi- nesses thriving in Halton Hills. "Building inspectors are still going out in the field, but in a safe way," he said. "We're making sure to approve as many permits as possible. Anything that will help keep the local economy going, we're do- ing that." As information about the pandemic changes fre- quently, the Town of Hal- ton Hills has established an information page that is updated regularly here: www.haltonhills.ca/co- vid19/. Residents are also en- couraged to connect with the town via the Let's Talk Halton Hills platform. "We're trying to do our best from a small-town perspective," Marshall said. COUNCIL HERE'S WHAT A STATE OF EMERGENCY MEANS FOR HALTON HILLS BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com The Town of Halton Hills has declared a state of emergency as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Graeme Frisque/Torstar