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See the below list for the latest updates on Municipal facilities and services.
| Administration & Office Buildings |
| Lambton Shores municipal offices are closed the public. Staff will be reporting for work at this time. Residents are encouraged to utilize various telephone and online options for reporting issues, making payments and the provision of services. Visit our Contact Us page for more information on how to reach staff. |
| By-Law Services |
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At the present, Lambton Shores continues to offer By-Law Enforcement services. To limit public interaction, residents are now required to file their complaints via phone or e-mail.
To report an issue call 519-243-1400, Ext. 8412 or email: Roberta Brandon
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| Building Services |
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The following changes have been made to the building permit process during this unprecedented time:
- Building permit applications will only be available for drop-off at the Northville Office.
- Once a permit is ready for pick-up, the applicant will be contacted to schedule a specific time and location to sign the appropriate paper work and pay for the permits.
- Inspections should be booked as normal by phone or email, however in order to ensure social distancing, inspection sites must be vacated while our inspector is conducting the inspection. This can be accomplished by either leaving the site or by simply waiting in a vehicle while the inspection is completed. The results of the inspection will be communicated to you through email or phone.
If you have any questions regarding these new practices, please contact the Building Department as follows:
Phone: 519-243-1400, Ext. 8510
Email: Jackie Mason
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| Cemeteries |
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Burial services will continue as normal with attendence restrictions in place, as per the Ontario Governments Declaration of Emergency. Please call the municipal office as usual for information or to make arrangements.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Phone: 519-243-1400 Ext. 8611
Email: Karen Cameron
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| Council & Committees Meetings |
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Meeting information and schedules will be updated on the Council Meeting Calendar.
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| Fire Services |
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Lambton Shores Fire Stations remain fully functional. We are taking precautionary measures to ensure that volunteer firefighters can attend emergencies. Updates to our services include:
- Volunteer firefighters will still respond to incidents, however, you may see members wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks, and protective eyewear. This is for their protection. To decrease the risk of exposure to our firefighters, we are asking all residents to ensure their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning properly to reduce the number of false alarm calls.
- Fire inspections will continue as normal.
- Public Education and Prevention activities have been temporarily suspended.
At this time we would ask that all correspondence be done by phone or e-mail.
Yard Waste Fires
Due to the pleasant spring weather we are noticing an increase in yard waste fires. Open air burning can be a fire hazard, as well as infringing on the enjoyment of your neighbours. Check online and review our Open Air Burning By-Law before starting your burn.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lambton Shores Fire Chief as follows:
Phone: 519-243-1400 Ext. 8801
Email: Lawrence Swift
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| Garbage & Recycling |
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At this time, garbage and recycling collection is not impacted. For regular updates visit the Bluewater Recycling Association webpage.
Compost Site
The Lambton Shores Compost site is now open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:00am - 2:00pm weather permitting. In order to practice physical distancing and ensure the safety of our staff and residents, only one vehicle at a time will be permitted to enter the site.
The compost site is located at 7550 Brush Road, Forest.
For more information on acceptable items, visit our Compost Page.
Leaf Pick-Up
The annual spring leaf pick-up service is currently running.
Pick-up requirements:
- All leaves must be in brown, paper bags. We do not accept plastic bags.
- Only leaves will be picked up, no garbage, brush or other yard waste.
- All bags must be placed at the curb for pick-up.
Please do not rake leaves onto the streets or in ditches. This poses a danger to pedestrians, bicycles and motorists and can cause drainage problems.
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| Libraries & Cultural Services |
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All Lambton County Library locations (including the Sarnia Library Theatre), Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery, Lambton County Archives, Lambton Heritage Museum and Oil Museum of Canada will remain closed indefinitely. For more information visit the Lambton County website.
Coming Soon - Curbside pickup at some libraries
Over the last several weeks, Lambton County Library has been actively working to prepare a plan that adjusts its operations to align with the province's gradual, phased approach to re-open services. Procedures are being finalized this week that provide guidelines for the new curbside pickup service and incorporate public health measures to protect the health and safety of patrons and employees.
The libraries are now asking library patrons to return their borrowed materials to their local library's drop box so they can take steps to prepare those materials for their return into regular circulation.
Supplies including personal protective equipment and signage will be delivered over the next two weeks. Lambton County Library expects to announce more details about its new contactless curbside pickup service by the end of May. For up-to-date information, please visit the LC Library website.
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| Marinas |
Lambton Shores Municipal Marinas remain closed at this time.
Note:
Due to record high water levels in Lake Huron, the Port Franks Marina is not open to seasonal boaters for the 2020 season. At this time, the boat launch and parking area remain available for day use and access to Armstrong East and West seasonal properties across the river. Armstrong East and West Property owners currently using the marina for access to their seasonal properties are encouraged to contact the Port Franks Harbour Master at 519-238-2000 to discuss any concerns.
The Grand Bend Marina will open on Saturday May 23rd. Boaters that have received slip assignments are welcome to install slip steps/fenders any time after May 16th. Boaters must contact the Grand Bend Harbour Master at 519-238-2000 to confirm slip readiness and make arrangements for your boat launch. Boaters need to be aware that restrictions due to COVID-19 will impact the availability of washrooms and dockside utility services, as well as fuel and pump-out services for an undetermined period of time.
Also:
Be aware that the Grand Bend Yacht Club “Crane Day” is scheduled for Saturday May 30th. River Road access to the launch ramp, trailer parking and marina will be closed from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
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Planning and Development
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The Lambton Shores Planning Department continues to review all development proposals and planning applications.
Although public meetings cannot be held at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Municipality asks that you continue to plan your projects in discussion with staff and submit applications when they are ready. By doing so, staff can start the application process and help reduce future backlogs. Until then however, the Municipality will not be able to hold public meetings or make decisions on Minor Variances, Consents (severances), Official Plan and Zoning Amendments, Draft Subdivision and Condominium Approvals, and any other approval under the Planning Act requiring a public meeting or subject to an appeal period.
All applications, approvals, and processes not requiring a formal public meeting or subject to an appeal period remain unaffected. This includes general advisory services, site plan approvals, completion of development agreements, final subdivision and condominium approvals, and stamping of deeds for conditionally approved consents.
Our planning and engineering staff remains available through email or phone to answer any inquires you may have; however no in-person meetings are currently being scheduled.
If you have any planning related inquiries, please contact Will Nywening as follows:
Phone 519-243-1400, Ext. 8512
Email: Will Nywening
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| Recreation & Community Centres |
All Lambton Shores facilities are closed. This includes:
- Shores Recreation Centre
- Legacy Recreation Centre
- Port Franks Community Centre
- Thedford Village Complex
- Arkona Community Centre
- Arkona Seniors Centre
- Grand Bend Recreation Centre
Refunds will be processed for any rentals that have been cancelled as a result of the closures.
Park Closures
All Lambton Shores parks will remain closed at this time. This includes, but is not limited to: playgrounds, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, beaches, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, park shelters, outdoor exercise equipment, condo parks and gardens, and other outdoor recreational amenities.
Municipal parks, green space, trails and pathways remain open for travelling through only. They are not for gathering or recreational activity, and if you are in an open green space, maintaining physical distance of no less than 6 feet is required at all times.
Rental Requests
We are accepting requests for future rentals but they will not be approved until our facilities have re-opened. You may request a booking through
Staff will be in touch with your to discuss your request.
Event Permits
Event permits will still be received by the Municipality. Visit our Plan an Event page for more information and event applications. Permits will not be approved until facilities have re-opened.
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| Social Services |
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Lambton County has provided a Social Services Poster to answer your immediate questions.
Please visit the Lambton County Social Services page for more information.
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| Taxes |
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Tax bills are issued in late January. The first installment was due on February 28. The next installment will be due on May 29.
Payments
Payments can be made by various methods. Information is available on Bill Payments webpage.
Customers that are set up with monthly budget billing and installment pre-authorized payments, these will continue as scheduled. If there are any questions, please contact the Finance Department at 519-243-1400 option 1.
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| Transportation |
| Transportation operations including road and streetlight maintenance continues as normal. All maintenance requests or notifications must now be done via e-mail or by phone. |
| Utilities Billing |
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At this time there will be no interruption to the water and wastewater billings. As a reminder, the following locations will be billed in the next few months as planned:
March – former Bosanquet area
April – Grand Bend and Arkona
May – Forest, Thedford and rural expansion area
Payments
Payments can be made by various methods. Information is available here on our Bill Payments webpage.
Customers that are set up with pre-authorized payments, they will continue as scheduled; however, if you have a concern and need to discontinue this process, please contact the Finance Department at 519-243-1400 option 1.
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| Water & Wastewater |
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Water and Wastewater services will generally be provided in the normal fashion. Urgent matters including watermain breaks, sewage back-ups, etc. will continue to be handled on an as needed basis and should be reported by phone or through our website.
Water Turn-On Services
For those returning from out of the country that are requesting the water to be turned on, we would ask that if at all possible an alternative person be available for our operators to meet with in order to limit exposure of our staff. Typically a neighbour or family member has been asked to “look after” your property while you are away and would be a good contact for our staff if possible. By doing this, you will also have water ready to use upon your arrival.
Regardless of whom our staff meets, when we are required to attend your property we would ask that you practice social distancing and maintain at least 2m (6ft) distance between the operator and member of the household. If our operator needs to enter your residence to address a leak, we would ask that you remove yourself from the area (go to an upper level or leave the premises) to allow our staff to address the concern.
If you have any questions regarding your utilities, please contact Nick Verhoeven at 519-243-1400, ext. 8213
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Can I use the park?
Municipal parks, green space, trails and pathways remain open for travelling through only. They are not for gathering or recreational activity, and if you are in an open green space, maintaining physical distance of no less than 6 feet is required at all times.
Can I meet up with my friends?
Organized social gatherings and public events of more than five people are not permitted across the Province. This includes social gatherings held in private homes with people who don’t reside there. Households where more than five people live are exempt. Unless it’s essential, health officials and the Province are strongly urging you to stay home.
Can my business stay open?
The Province has updated their essential businesses and services list.
Business owners with questions on whether they fall within the list of essential businesses and services can call Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.
Can I enjoy a backyard fire?
You can enjoy your backyard fire as long as your fire abides by Lambton Shores Open Air Burn By-Law. Please be conscious of the safety of Lambton Shores Fire Fighters and ensure your fire remains safe and is not a nuisance to your neighbours.
Do I have to self isolate?
Under the Federal Quarantine Act you must isolate yourself for 14 days if you have:
- returned from travel outside Canada
- been diagnosed with COVID-19, or are waiting to hear the results of a lab test for COVID-19
- symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild
- been in contact with a suspected, probable or confirmed case of COVID-19
You can report someone who is failing to self-isolate by contacting the Public Health Agency of Canada at phac.covid19.aspc@canada.ca or by phone at 1-833-784-4397.
Will I get a ticket?
You could. All of these measures are in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Now isn’t the time to take these orders lightly.
We encourage all people and businesses to voluntarily comply with all Provincial Emergency Orders which are short-term restrictions. Education, awareness and compliance are preferred options. OPP or in some cases Municipal Law Enforcement officers will apply discretion on whether to launch any enforcement actions such as:
- Offences relating to non-essential businesses that remain open in contravention of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. (EMCPA).
- Offences relating to gatherings of more than five people in contravention of the EMCPA.
- Offences relating to the illegal use of closed facilities, parks or beaches
Complaints for less serious incidents can be reported online at opp.ca/reporting or by calling the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122. Why are these restrictions in place?
The province has enacted a declaration of emergency to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public. These measures are for your health, the health of your loved ones and the community. For more information from the Ontario Government on measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19, please visit ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
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