A Special Council Meeting has been called for May 20, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss the following items:
Special Meeting:
Connecting Link Construction: Traffic Management Plans
In-Camera Meeting to follow:
The security of the property of the Municipality or Local Board.
For more information, contact the Clerks Department:
220 Algonquin Blvd. East
Timmins, Ontario
P4N 1B3
[email protected]
Amanda Dyer
Detour plans are now in place for the next phase of Connecting Link construction. This year, motorists will have two options to divert safely around the work area.
Segment 6 of construction will see improvements along Algonquin Blvd. West from Theriault Blvd. to Mountjoy St. This is the second downtown segment and once again includes full-depth reconstruction of the roadway, replacement of underground services like water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer, and pole relocation.
At the start of construction, access to the Mountjoy St. intersection will be maintained. Two detour routes will be available extending north and south from Algonquin Blvd. W. Vehicles and cyclists can bypass construction heading north along Theriault Blvd. to Vimy Ave. proceeding to Mountjoy St. N. The southern detour route runs from Cameron St. S. to Commercial Ave. proceeding to Mountjoy St. S.
“In this segment of the Connecting Link construction, we are not hampered by the Mattagami River,” says Project Coordinator Eryk Rice. “With two detour options, the result will be less traffic congestion.”
To help maintain traffic flow, a temporary 4-way stop will be added at the intersection of Theriault Blvd. and Vimy Ave. and a temporary 3-way stop will be added at the intersection of Vimy Ave. and Mountjoy St. N. Temporary traffic lights will be installed along the southerly route on Cameron St. S. at Wilson Ave. and Commercial Ave. and on Commercial Ave. at Mountjoy S. Motorists should allow for some delay and be prepared to stop once signage is in place.
Commercial motor vehicles will be using the familiar truck detour along Shirley St. to Lafleur Dr. and onto Laforest Rd. before reaching Hwy. 655. Council has approved a temporary speed limit reduction along the truck detour on Airport Rd. The posted speed will be 50 km/h from Laforest Rd. through the area of the Kraft Creek Bridge.
We can also confirm that residents will have access to all businesses located in this section of Algonquin Blvd. W.,” adds Rice. “Most businesses have entry through a secondary road like Rea St. N. or Preston St. There are a handful of businesses that will be provided with temporary access from a neighboring property off of Rea St. N. This will be maintained by the contactor and signage will be in place directing traffic.”
Amanda Dyer
File No. Z-2022-09
5627 050 057 01600
TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Timmins will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City of Timmins, 220 Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins, Ontario, to gather public input regarding a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O 1990, c. P. 13, as amended.
Applicant: Calanit Inc. (Agent: Rivard Engineering, Kevin Russell)
Location: Concessions 1 and 2, Part of Lot 10, Registered Plan 6R1660, Parts 3 to 6, Parcel 13991WT, Tisdale Township, City of Timmins (northeast corner of Vipond Road and Gold Mine Road)
THE PURPOSE AND EFFECT of the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment is to rezone the subject lands currently zoned Rural (RD-RU) to Light Industrial (Class 1) (EA-I1). This will allow for a proposed tractor trailer fleet parking lot and a future maintenance shop for the applicant’s tractor trailer fleet.
ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment.
If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of Council of the City of Timmins to the Ontario Land Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Timmins before the by-law is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.
If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the City of Timmins before the by-law is passed, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to do so.
If you wish to be notified of the decision of the City of Timmins on the proposed zoning by-law amendment, you must make a written request to Steph Palmateer, City Clerk, City of Timmins, 220 Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins, Ontario, P4N 1B3.
For more information about this matter, including information about appeal rights, contact the Planning Division, City of Timmins, 220 Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins, Ontario, P4N 1B3, telephone number 705-360-2624 or via email at [email protected].
Dated at the City of Timmins this 17th day of May, 2022.
David St.Onge
The City of Timmins Environmental Services Department, Waste Management Division has been working fast to address on-going delays in waste and recycling collection. Trouble started the end of April when mechanical issues began to plague waste collection trucks. With three garbage trucks beyond end of life, keeping these vehicles on the road has become a challenge.
The issue lies in the delay of two collection trucks purchased by the City in 2020 that are currently on back order. The primary reason given for the delay is supply chain issues resulting from the pandemic, but that reason does little to mitigate current concerns.
“We are looking at rental options for collection trucks and relying heavily on contractors to complete waste and recycling schedules,” says Scott Tam Manager of Environmental Services. “It really has been a perfect storm with limited heavy-duty mechanics available to work on our trucks while we wait for our two new vehicles to arrive. As of right now, we do not have a date of delivery.”
The City has been quick to post a notice of disruption online when delays or postponement are unavoidable, but Service Timmins has seen an increase in resident calls.
“Our staff have been addressing concerns about garbage pick-up, primarily with how late collection is occurring,” says Jennifer Chilton Manager of Service Timmins. “It’s spring and we have seen an increase in bear activity. People want to secure their bins. We are in constant contact with Waste Management to stay up-to-date on collection times and areas experiencing delays.”
The City is currently subsidizing operations with contracted support and there will continue to be minor delays while new contractors are added to rotation. As per City By-Law 2017-7977, if garbage and recycling has not been collected by 8:00 p.m. on collection day, the schedule will be postponed until the next day and bins should be removed from the roadway to a secure location.
The City will post notice of delays or postponement with affected areas online under our News and Alerts section on Timmins.ca. Residents can sign up to receive notice of disruptions via email or download the Timmins Recyclepedia app from the Google Play or App store for collection reminders.
Amanda Dyer
A by-law is a rule or law that is put in place by the City of Timmins to ensure that our community remains safe and orderly. The City of Timmins Enforcement Services Division is responsible for enforcing our by-laws. Staff enforce by-laws by investigating complaints and responding to the concerns of citizens.
Each month, we'll explore a different by-law and what it means for you. This month, we're looking at the City's Fence Regulation By-law 2011-7128.
My Side of the Fence
The expense of a fence can be worth it if you’re looking to add to your home’s security, add more privacy from prying eyes, or protect kids and pets at play. The City of Timmins by-law 2011-7128 regulates the construction and maintenance of fences to ensure they don’t obstruct sight lines or visibility for motorists and pedestrians when they’re built in the front yard. There’s also consideration given to zoning by-laws, encroaching onto City-owned lands, and the types of materials used when building a fence. The good news is, you don’t need a permit to construct a fence on your property.
Generally, your fence cannot encroach or intrude on City-owned lands. It can’t block visibility along a roadway or sidewalk. Fences cannot be electrified, unless you’ve installed invisible pet fencing. Residential fences installed in the front yard from your front property line to your front building line cannot be more than 3 feet high unless it’s made out of a material like chain link, in which case it can’t be more than 5 feet.
Jump In!
Pools have their own fence requirements for safety. If you have a pool, you are required to build a fence around the pool at least 4 feet high and be located at a distance not less than 5 feet from the swimming pool. The fence around your pool must have a gate that can be locked and be built out of materials that prevent climbing. The by-law also covers hot tubs and, while you don’t need a fence around a hot tub, you will need to made sure that it’s covered and locked in place when it’s not in use.
There are exceptions to the pool fence rule. If you have an above-ground swimming pool where the sides of the pool and deck are the same or greater than 4 feet, you don’t need a fence. The sides and any deck assembly should be constructed to prevent climbing and any ladder or stairs used to access the pool or deck should be able to be locked or latched in a position that prevents entry to the pool.
Construction Materials
The by-law states that your fence should be maintained without visible deterioration. The surface should be painted, stained, varnished or protected with a finish that offers protection against deterioration, or made with a material like cedar that offers protection against deterioration.
Acceptable materials include wood, wire, brick, or similar materials. Fences cannot be made out of sheet metal or corrugated metal.
Whose Side is it Anyway?
Fences can be built on or within your property line. You have the legal right to construct a fence right on the property line, but you run the risk of sharing ownership with your neighbour. You neighbour has the same legal right. The best location for your new fence is on your side of the property just inside the boundary line.
If a fence is built along a boundary between properties, it’s called a line fence. If you anticipate a problem with your neighbor, it is strongly recommended that the fence is built inside the property line to avoid any disputes. Ontario’s Line Fences Act provides a dispute resolution procedure to mediate between two neighbours when there is no current fence between properties and one owner wants to construct a new fence. Or, when a line fence already exists and one owner believes it needs to be repaired or rebuilt.
If Enforcement Services gets a complaint about your fence, you may be served with a notice to make modifications to the fence to bring it into compliance with the City’s Fence By-Law. The City doesn’t get involved with issues between private property owners beyond enforcing standards set out in our Fence By-Law. Disputes like a fence being across a property line need to be remedied through civil action.
Our By-Law Enforcement FAQ section provides more information on building and maintaining your fence.
Amanda Dyer
Work continues on Airport Rd. between Lamminen Ave. and Lonergan Blvd. to complete work on watermain infrastructure. Temporary lane closures and traffic restrictions start Monday, May 16 as excavation begins.
Motorists should be prepared to slow down, stop, and merge to one lane. Eastbound traffic traveling along Airport Rd. will have left turn disruption onto River Park Rd. and Lamminen Ave. as work progresses.
Be alert and reduce speed while proceeding through the construction zone.
If you have any questions, reach out to Service Timmins at 705-264-1331 or online at service.timmins.ca.
Amanda Dyer
Road construction season has begun in the City of Timmins and if the sound of birdsong doesn’t signal warmer weather, the sound of trucks and paving machinery will. The City’s road maintenance plans are extensive and motorists should be prepared for detours and delays, both unavoidable for the sake of smoother roads. The City will work to keep traffic moving and appreciates your patience when navigating construction zones.
Connecting Link construction is set to begin late May and work will proceed just east of Theriault Blvd. up to and including the Mountjoy St. intersection. The work is extensive and includes full-depth reconstruction of the roadway, replacement of underground services like water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer and pole relocation. The province’s recent investment of $74 million for the Connecting Link means the City can make improvements to the Connecting Link corridor at a quicker pace and divert funds to other pressing infrastructure projects. The City is currently finalizing traffic management plans and will have an update shortly.
The City is also completing grind and pave work on 5.8 kilometres of roadway across the city. During grind and pave, the top 40 to 50 mm of road surface is removed before applying a new, smooth surface. The process is faster than full reconstruction and saves money, time, and materials. Sections of Riverside Dr., Highway 101 E., Commercial Ave., and Mountjoy St. are on the schedule. You can see the full list of roads online at Timmins.ca. Another 5.6 kilometres of rural road will also receive surface treatment.
Denise St. will be resurfaced from Westmount Blvd. to Demine Ave. This work is also extensive and will widen the road, improve drainage, and add new curbs and asphalt. Watermain lining is already underway down Airport Rd. between Lonergan Blvd. and Lamminen Ave. The extension to St. Jean Ave. and the Langmuir Rd. culvert replacement will also be completed and the bridge on Bruce Ave. will be replaced.
It’s a long list of road maintenance work after what felt like an even longer winter. Here’s how to navigate it:
• Subscribe for Connecting Link alerts and Notice of Disruption alerts online at Timmins.ca to have updates sent directly to your email.
• Watch for detour and traffic control signs along main routes like Algonquin Blvd., Riverside Dr, and Airport Rd.
• Reduce your speed and drive with caution through any construction zone and watch for crew and equipment.
• Allow yourself more time to travel through busy areas under construction.
• Merge responsibly when roads are reduced to one lane by merging early and using the zipper method to take turns entering one lane.
Thank you for your continued patience as we set to work repairing and maintaining our roads. If you have any questions, Service Timmins is happy to help. You can reach Service Timmins online at service.timmins.ca, by email to [email protected], or by phone 705-264-1331.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins’ sewer lining and rehabilitation project starts Tuesday, May 10 until September 30, 2022. Crews will be out working on various sewer main systems around the city with camera trucks and vacuum trucks onsite.
Sewer lining is a trenchless process of inserting new pipe tubing inside the existing sewer lines and curing it in place. The new seal lining can extend the life of sewer lines for decades and is a cost-effective way to preserve our infrastructure. The work required to complete the project requires less digging, yard excavation, or sidewalk replacement.
You may hear gurgling sounds coming from your toilet or sinks and may notice an unfamiliar odor, similar to fiberglass, coming from the service connection that runs between your house and sewer main. In most cases this comes from a dried out drain trap and can be avoided by pouring water into the basement floor drains or any other location (laundry or tub) that may not be in regular use. Please note that the odor is not harmful and will dissipate quickly once work is complete.
The following areas will be affected:
• South Porcupine (William Ave., Cecil Ave., Powell Ave., Broadway Ave., Front St., Shamrock Easement, Warner St., Evans St., Allan St., Tisdale St., Dunn Ave., Smith Ave.)
• Timmins South (Elm St. S, Maple St. S, Birch St. S, Balsam St. S, Pine St. S, Spruce St. S, Kirby Ave., Dale Ave., Ogden Ave.)
• Timmins North (Balsam St. N)
Traffic controls will be in place and drivers are asked to slow down when proceeding through the work zone. If you have any questions, reach out to Service Timmins at 705-264-1331 or online at service.timmins.ca.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time.
Amanda Dyer
Mayor George Pirie will take an unpaid leave of absence from his role as Timmins’ Mayor beginning May 4, 2022 ahead of the June 2 provincial election.
Deputy Mayor Michelle Boileau will fill in as acting Mayor until May 31, 2022. Councillor Kristin Murray will step in as Deputy Mayor starting June 1, 2022.
Members of Council, the Clerk’s Office, and the office of the Chief Administration Officer (CAO) will continue to address the needs of residents during this nine-week period.
Following results of the June 2 provincial election, the position of Mayor will either resume or council will have 60 days to fill the resulting vacancy on council. The next municipal election is scheduled for October 24, 2022.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins acknowledges May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) in Canada. May 5 is also known as Red Dress Day, which began as “an aesthetic response” by artist Jamie Black to call attention to the staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women.
On this day, we are encouraged to honour the memories of those lost and raise awareness of on-going harm and gender-based violence by:
• Wearing red or hanging a red dress in our windows
• Hanging a red dress or tying red ribbon or cloth to a tree in our yards
• Creating Red Dress artwork
• Participating in community Red Dress events and ceremonies
“The City of Timmins is committed to supporting initiatives that foster a deeper understanding of the critical issues faced by our Indigenous peers,” says Mayor George Pirie. “Our response is unequivocal: we will stand united in ending violence against Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people living in and visiting the City of Timmins.”
Red Dress Day can be triggering for those affected by loss related to missing and murdered women, girls and two-spirited people. Emotional support and assistance are available by calling 1-844-413-6649. Health Support Services including cultural support and mental health counselling is also available in Ontario by calling 1-888-301-6426.
Amanda Dyer
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