Information on COVID-19

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Last Updated: 4:10 pm on April 7, 2020.

For the Municipality of Middlesex Centre, the health and well being of our community is our primary concern.

To limit the spread of COVID-19, the municipality is cancelling or closing municipal offices, facilities and programs.

On March 17 at 12:30 pm, Mayor DeViet declared a State of Emergency for Middlesex Centre. This step formally activates our emergency control group and will allow us to access additional supports from the provincial and federal governments should they be required for our community. 

We expect this list to continue to change given the evolving nature of this threat. Senior leadership at the municipality continues to monitor and adjust to new information.

Sign-up for Municipal Emails  about COVID-19

 

Municipal Services Update

For more information on each service, please click on the title.

Municipal Office: Closed

The municipal office is closed until further notice.

Many services offered by Middlesex Centre are continuing as usual, and staff will be working during this period. Note that to respect the need for physical distancing, staff are working from home, staggered shifts, etc. where possible. Staff will also be wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment when required.

During this period, residents and businesses are encouraged to take advantage of our online services where possible (billing, building permits), or to contact staff via phone or email.

We ask for your patience during this time, as we may require longer to respond to your emails and phone calls. If you have an emergency situation, please use the emergency numbers listed at the top of our staff list.

Building Permits: Reviews & Inspections Available

Building Services will continue to review permit applications and conduct inspections as permitted under Provincial "essential services" rules.

Please use the online "evolve" building permit system and/or contact the building services department by email as our office is closed to the public at this time.

Further information for home builders and developers can be found on our building services page.

Waste & Recycling: Collection as Normal

Update from Bluewater Recycling Association: Waste and recycling will continue to be collected on your usual collection day.

Bluewater Recycling Association is asking for your help to keep their employee's safe at this time.  Please follow their guidelines for safe waste disposal during global COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Place used tissues and napkins in the garbage. Wash your hands afterwards.
  • Bag all waste. Do not place waste loosely in garbage containers
  • If you’re sick: place ANY item that has come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage – even items that you normally place into your recycling bin (eg. water/beverage bottles, pop cans, etc.).

Also, please note that the public drop off at Bluewater Recycling Association's Material Recovery Facility is closed.  Until further notice, they will not allow residents to drop off e-waste or recyclables at our processing facility.  

Outdoor Fires: Allowed, Rules Apply

Currently, outdoor fires are still allowed in Middlesex Centre.

However, you MUST follow the Open Air Burning rules. Please see the Open Air Burn Quick Guide.

To reduce the risk to our fire fighters, there will be zero tolerance for those not following the rules.

Parks: Closed

In support of calls from public health officials to avoid gatherings and practice physical distancing, all Middlesex Centre parks are closed until further notice.

All playgrounds, skate parks, ball diamonds, soccer fields, outdoor hockey rinks, and tennis / pickleball / basketball courts remain closed at this time.

Staff will be posting signs at the parks, and where possible, parking areas be closed.

Closing the parks was a difficult decision. The municipality received a number of complaints from residents about park visitors not respecting the closure of park amenities (like tennis courts and playgrounds), letting their dogs run off leash, and ignoring the provincial directive to avoid gathering in large groups. As such, the municipality’s emergency control group felt it to be necessary to close the parks at this time.

If you are concerned about people not respecting the closure of the parks or other rules, do not call 911. The number to contact the OPP for non-urgent incidents is 1-888-310-1122.
 

Other parks and natural areas in our community:

Playgrounds & Sports Fields: Closed

Based on the recommendation of public health officials, Middlesex Centre playgrounds are closed. This includes skateparks, ball diamonds, soccer fields, outdoor hockey rinks, and hard surface courts like tennis, pickleball and basketball courts.

If you are concerned about people not respecting the closure of the parks or other rules, do not call 911. The number to contact the OPP for non-urgent incidents is 1-888-310-1122.

Recreation Programs & Facilities: Cancelled / Closed

Recreation programming and facility rentals are cancelled or closed until further notice.

  • Community centres are closed until further notice. All bookings will be cancelled, and no new bookings will be accepted at this time. Staff will reach out to those with bookings with regards to rescheduling/refunds.
  • The Komoka Wellness Centre and Ilderton Arena are closed until further notice. All bookings will be cancelled, and no new bookings will be accepted at this time. Staff will reach out to those with bookings with regards to rescheduling/refunds.
  • All drop-in Recreational Skating Programs are cancelled until further notice.
  • The Middlesex Centre YMCA is closed. Please visit the YMCA website for updates.
  • All branches of the Middlesex County Library are closed. Please see the Middlesex County Library for information on due dates for any materials you may have our on loan. 
  • The Middlesex Centre Archives, located at the Delaware Community Centre, is closed.
  • The Ilderton Curling Club, located at the Ilderton Arena, is closed for the season.
Clerk Services (Licencing): Unavailable

The services of the Municipal Clerk, including marriage licencing, commissioning of oaths and lottery licencing, are not available at this time.

Council Meetings: Dates Subject to Change

Municipal council meetings are subject to cancellation or change during this time. Please see the council meeting page for updates. 

Water, Tax & Other Bills: Payments & Financial Relief Considerations

COVID-19: Financial Relief Measures for Residents and Local Businesses

Middlesex Centre Council and staff understand that some residents and local businesses may be experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To help those most in need of support, at their March 30, 2020, emergency meeting Middlesex Centre Council agreed to:

  • Waive late payment charges on unpaid water/wastewater/stormwater bills due March 31, 2020 and April 30, 2020. Bills will still be issued and any outstanding balances will remain.
  • Waive non-sufficient funds charges through to June 30, 2020.
  • Not issue overdue account statements or transfer unpaid accounts to property taxes through to June 30, 2020.
  • Waive the $10 mail charge for dog tags through to May 31, 2020, as there is no in-office pick-up option at this time.
  • Authorize staff to enter into special payment arrangements for residents and businesses in need of financial support due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These are anticipated to be short-term measures for a six-month period.

Council noted that these initial measures will be reviewed as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Changes to taxes, life cycle costs on water and so forth will be considered in future, if required.

Staff will continue to monitor the different support programs coming from all levels of government, and will recommend adjustments and/or additional financial relief measures as the situation warrants.

Actions for Residents & Businesses in Need of Financial Relief

  • If COVID-19 has impacted the earnings in your household or your business, you will not be penalized for late payment your water/wastewater/stormwater bills for March and April. There is no action required to access this relief measure.
  • For those residents and businesses on pre-authorized payment plans, it is important to note that you can cancel your automatic withdrawals. Please complete the form found under the billing & payment page on the municipal website. Note however that you may have interest and penalties applied on unpaid balances if you cancel your pre-authorized payments for taxes. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
  • If you require a special payment arrangement due to financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, contact the municipal office. 

Middlesex Centre staff are here to help you through this challenging time. Please be in touch if you have any questions or concerns.

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Paying your Bills

As the office is closed, we cannot accept in-person payments. However, there are a number of options for paying your bills, including dropping off a cheque in the deposit box at the municipal office, and paying online through your financial institutions. 

For future bills, consider signing-up for pre-authorized payments.

If you have any questions about your bills, contact our water billing or property tax emails.

Accounts Payable: Online Requests Only

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all municipal office staff are working remotely, including our finance department. We are using technology to continue to provide services at this time.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR FUTURE INVOICING

Effective immediately, we are only accepting invoices through e-mail and paying vendors via direct deposit (EFT). Please send all future invoices to apinvoice@middlesexcentre.on.ca and complete and submit the EFT sign-up form.

If you are already signed-up for EFT, no further action is required.

COVID-19 Updates (Newsletters)

As the situation changes updates will be provided here and on social media.

 

Social Services Update

The following services are provided by community and government agencies. We will do our best to keep the information up-to-date, but recommend you contact any agencies for their availability.

For more information on each service, please click on the title.

Food Banks
  • Salvation Army Strathroy – OPEN: Monday Wednesday and Thursday
    As a precautionary measure only 3 people at a time can access the food bank. The Thrift Store is closed until further notice. (71 Maitland Terrace, 519-245-5398)
  • Ailsa Craig Food Bank – OPEN:  All clients are asked as usual to call ahead before coming to the food bank, and access will be by appointment.  The Thrift Store is closed until further notice. (161 Ailsa Craig Main St., 519-293-3637 )
  • Dorchester Food Bank – OPEN: By appointment only on a monthly basis. (122 Queens St., Dorchester, 519 268 7872)
  • WRRC Food Pantry – CLOSED until further notice
  • St Judes Anglican Caring Cupboard – CLOSED until further notice
Links to Social Services

Ontario 211

For information on social services (mental health support, housing, senior care, etc.), please call or visit Ontario 211. 

Call: 2-1-1
Toll-free: 1-877-330-3213
TTY: 1-888-340-1001
 

United Way Elgin Middlesex

List of Mental Health Services

Government & Other Financial Supports

Government of Canada Supports

Government of Ontario Supports

County of Middlesex Social Services

  • Social Services (provides a range of services to County residents to assist with financial, employment, housing, and child-care needs)
     

Hydro One Supports

Jobs in Middlesex County

 

Support for Local Farms & Businesses

Link: Resources for Farms & Business

One of the biggest supports we can offer our local businesses is our business.

Order take-out, buy a gift card for future use, or shop/use their services (if open). Be sure to call or visit their Facebook page or website before you head out to see if they are accepting in-person shoppers at this time.

You can also see:

 

County of Middlesex

Information from the County of Middlesex regarding COVID-19.

 

Health Links

The following agencies are providing regular updates related to COVID-19: