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7 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,A pril 23,2020 theifp.ca • Truck Accessories • Upholstery • Heavy Equipment Glass •Window Tinting 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1655 Wehandleall insurance work. We handle all insurance work. THE TOWN OF HALTON HILLS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGEN- CY -- SO, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AND WHO'S IN CHARGE? Effectively, Mayor Rick Bonnette and chief admin- istrative officer Brent Mar- shall can make decisions without the approval of council. This allows the town to quickly react to rapidly evolving directions from the provincial and federal governments. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR COUNCILLORS? Though the mayor and CAO don't require approv- al, they provide daily brief- ings to councillors, who in turn are able to update the town on new developments from their ward. DO I STILL NEED TO PAY MY PROPERTY TAXES? Yes, you will still need to pay your property taxes. However, residents who need to are able to defer their municipal tax pay- ments between April 1 and June 30, without incurring penalties or late fees. WHAT TOWN OF HALTON HILLS RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ARE STILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? In short, none. Recre- ational facilities have been closed until at least June 22. The extended facility closure includes the Acton Arena and Community Centre, Mold-Masters SportsPlex, Gellert Com- munity Centre, Cedarvale Community Centre, Acton Lion's and Georgetown In- door Pools, Cultural Cen- tre and John Elliott Thea- tre, Hillsview Active Living Centres (Georgetown and Acton) and Halton Hills Youth Centres (George- town and Acton). IF I CAN'T USE THE RECRE- ATIONAL FACILITIES, CAN I GO OUTSIDE? Yes, though certain ac- tivities are being discour- aged. "Please know that we still want to encourage use of the open spaces, but only to area residents," said Hal- ton Hills CAO Brent Mar- shall. "Parks are no longer places of destination. Stay home as much as possible and enjoy the use of local parks for taking walks." Snow fencing has been places around some out- door amenities, and barri- cades have also been placed at park entrances to discourage people from congregating in parks. These outdoor closures include skateboard parks and playgrounds. Gazebos and basketball courts could also be closed off if improper use contin- ues. I DON'T CARE, I'M STILL GO- ING TO THE PARK. Residents who fail to ad- here to the province's emergency orders sur- rounding coronavirus could be fined or served a summons. Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) and Halton Hills bylaw officers are able to enforce the orders. However, only HRPS can enforce the federal quarantine orders under the Quarantine Act when directed by a quarantine officer or a health officer. The HRPS and bylaw of- ficers have no legislative authority to enforce non- compliance of physical dis- tancing recommendations. I SEE PEOPLE BREAKING THE RULES. WHAT CAN I DO? Residents can report in- cidents of non-compliance with the Quarantine Act to the HRPS COVID-19 hot- line at 905-825-4722. Officers will collect rele- vant information and dis- patch bylaw enforcement officers to followup. En- forceable orders include: -- Closure of non-es- sential businesses -- Prohibiting gather- ings of five or more people -- Closure of public places and establishments -- Closure of all recre- ational amenities and parks MY NEIGHBOUR IS HAVING A FIRE IN THEIR BACKYARD, WHO SHOULD I CALL ABOUT THAT? Residents can call the fire department to report concerns about backyard fires. The Halton Hills Fire Department can be reached at 905-873-2600. IF BYLAW OFFICERS ARE STILL OUT, COULD I STILL GET A TICKET FOR PARKING ON THE STREET? Bylaw officers will still address issues that may impact the safety of resi- dents, but street parking rules have been relaxed during this period. As well, fees for parking in munici- pal lots are also being waived. WHAT IS THE TOWN DOING TO AFFORD THIS PANDEMIC? On April 5, the Town of Halton Hills declared a number of the municipali- ty's part-time staff would be placed on emergency leave. Staff will be brought back once the state of emer- gency ends. In addition, the town has deferred two construc- tion projects scheduled for 2020, including the Acton Youth Centre and 22 Side- road from Elizabeth Street to Highway 7. Construction is now planned for the spring of 2021. The construction defer- rals and emergency leave have a combined savings impact of $4 million. WILL MY CHILD'S SUMMER CAMP STILL BE OPERATING? No decision has been made on summer camps yet. The spring session, April 4 to June 22, has been cancelled. COUNCIL HERE'S HOW TOWN IS COPING WITH COVID-19 #ESSENTIALSERVICES ARE STILL OPEN IN HALTON HILLS BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com Here's what you need to know in Halton Hills during the coronavirus pandemic. Torstar file photo VISIT THEIFP.CA TO READ CURRENT AND PAST INVESTIGATIONS