Program & Service Updates

Hours of Operation: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (please note that municipal offices are closed to the public, and that staff are working remotely from home and/or the field)

Department Phone: (905) 372-1005 (please note that staff voicemail will only be checked periodically – it is recommended that communication occur via e-mail wherever possible)

Website: View Building and Planning Department webpage

The Ontario government has updated the list of businesses classified as essential and has ordered more workplaces to close, including construction activities, as of 11:59 pm on April 4, 2020. This measure is necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of the people of Ontario while ensuring that necessary goods and services remain available.  The following construction activities have been classified as essential services by the Province:

1. Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space.
2. Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of, or to provide new capacity in, critical provincial infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance.
3. Critical industrial construction activities required for,

• • the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries,
  • significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work has already commenced,
  • industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance, and/or enhancement of Personal Protective Equipment, medical devices (such as ventilators), and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

 4. Residential construction projects where,

• • a footing permit has been granted for single family, semi-detached and townhomes
  • an above grade structural permit has been granted for condominiums, mixed use and other buildings, or
  • the project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work was started before April 4, 2020.

 5. Construction and maintenance activities necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused or are not active  and to ensure ongoing public safety.

In accordance with the direction from the Provincial government, the following is a summary of the services currently being performed in the Building & Planning Department:

Building Department

Current services include:

• Building & Plumbing Permit administration, including application receipt, processing, payment, plans review, inspections, enforcement
• Emergency building inspections, property standards services and other critical life safety related matters
• Permit database management and reporting (CityWorks Permits, Land and Licensing – PLL)

Suspended services include:

• Building Permit issuance for non-essential services, including any new construction not prescribed as an essential service by the Province, as well as deck permits, pool permits, accessory structure permits, etc.

We are actively evaluating our resource needs and capability to allow for the following non-essential services on a limited basis only:

• Sign Permits, Liquor License Approvals
• Building/Work Order legal property enquiries
• General building information requests or complaints, other than emergency and life safety related matters
• Municipal addressing

Contacts

David Hancock, Chief Building Official, dhancock@cobourg.ca    

Jered Marshall, Building Inspector/Plans Examiner, jmarshall@cobourg.ca  

Pharen Wilson, Plans Examiner/Inspector, pwilson@cobourg.ca  

Kirk Johnstone, County Plumbing Inspector, johnstonek@cobourg.ca  

Planning Department

Current services include:

• Review of Planning Act applications on a priority basis, with the higher priority being the review of applications that are proceeding through final technical clearances (e.g. site plan approval, clearance of subdivision conditions, Committee of Adjustment conditions, agreements, registrations)
• Review of Heritage Act and Heritage Permit applications on a priority basis, with the higher priority being the review of applications which involve minor alterations and can be approved by heritage planning staff
• Information requests or complaints that involve emergency and/or life safety related matters
• Planning Act application database management and reporting (CityWorks Permits, Land and Licensing – PLL)

Suspended services include:

• Receipt and review of new Committee of Adjustment (Consent, Minor Variance) applications
• Scheduling or convening Statutory Public Meetings/Hearings of Council/Committee of Adjustment
• Municipal Council or Committee decisions involving a formal Notice of Passing/Decision with appeal timelines pursuant to the Planning Act

We are actively evaluating our resource needs and capability to allow for the following non-essential services on a limited basis only:

• Official Plan/Zoning By-law legal property enquiries
• General zoning or similar planning information requests or complaints, other than emergency and/or life safety related matters

Contacts

Glenn McGlashon, Director – Planning & Development Division, gmcglashon@cobourg.ca  

Rob Franklin, Manager, Planning, rfranklin@cobourg.ca  

Dave Johnson, Planner I, Heritage, djohnson@cobourg.ca  

The Town of Cobourg's Bylaw Enforcement Officers and the Cobourg Police are committed to protecting the health and safety of our community. Our officers are out in the community and responding to calls about violations. We will be enforcing penalties for anyone failing to comply with emergency orders under the Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, along with the Canada Quarantine Act, 

Failure to comply with an emergency order could carry punishments of;
• $750 for failure to comply with an order made under the EMCPA
• $1,000 for obstructing any person exercising a power in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency
• $1,000 for obstructing any person performing a duty in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency
• up to one-year imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000 for an individual
• $500,000 for a director of a corporation
• $10,000,000 for a corporation itself if a provincial offences officer charges the individual by issuing a summons

Frequently Asked Questions

Staff are actively evaluating municipal event permits based on the recommendation and direction from the provincial and federal government. Staff continue to work with community groups and individuals regarding event cancellations or postponements.

Contact Information:

Phone: 905-372-7371 (monitored from 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday)
Email: Jackie Chapman Davis, Community Events Coordinator, jchapmandavis@cobourg.ca or Kara Euale, Manager, Marketing and Events, keuale@cobourg.ca

Learn more:

Press Release: Cobourg’s Waterfront Festival and Rotary Ribfest Cancelled due to COVID-19

Press Release: All Municipal Events, Programs and Classes Postponed Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Cancelled 2020 Events

Cobourg Highland Games (August 28-29)

Cobourg Waterfront Festival (July 1-4)

Great Ontario Salmon Derby (July 4 - August 22)

Northumberland Ribfest & Music Festival (August 14-16)

Status of Community Events in Cobourg

All Town Council, committee, board and tribunal meetings are cancelled. The Mayor can call a special meeting of Town Council to discuss urgent business if required.

Meeting information and schedules will be updated at cobourg.civicweb.net/portal/

Northumberland County is advising the public that the Ministry of the Attorney General has further postponed all provincial offences-related court appearances until after July 6, 2020.

The Court is working closely with its justice partners, including the Ministry of the Attorney General and representatives of Provincial Offences courts, to determine if technology can be used to increase participants’ ability to access courthouse services using remote means, such as by the electronic filing of court material, remote scheduling processes, and remote hearings. The Court is also working with justice partners to plan for the eventual resumption of in-person attendances in a way that protects the health and safety of all participants.

To review the full updated order from the Ministry of the Attorney General regarding Provincial Offences Act Matters, please visit www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/notice-to-public-regarding-provincial-offences-act-matters/.

While Provincial Offences Act (POA) offices in Northumberland remain closed to the public, the building at 860 William Street, Cobourg does remain accessible for other Ministry of the Attorney General/Ontario Court of Justice processes. Please note, all visitors are screened at the front entrance prior to being admitted access to the facility.

POA staff continue to provide administrative services such as processing of tickets, fines, and applications to the court. Residents can connect with staff about these matters in the following ways:

• Phone: 905-372-3329 ext. 5300
• Email: poainfo@northumberlandcounty.ca
• Fax: 905-372-6529

Residents are encouraged to pay tickets online, and to access online forms, by visiting Northumberland.ca/POA.

Lakefront Utilities

All Lakefront Utilities office locations (207 Division St. Cobourg, 25 Ewart St. Cobourg and 6 Darcy St. Cobourg) will be closed effective immediately to all outside visitors including customer walk-ins until further notice. 

Should you need to contact us, please email lusi@lusi.on.ca and one of our representatives will be in touch with you as soon as possible or use Live Chat on our website at www.lakefrontutilities.com  For outage reporting, please contact 905-372-2193.

Payment Relief

We recognize that this is a difficult time for everyone, and we want our customers to know that we are here to support them. As part of Lakefront’s commitment to customers, we have offered:

1. Increased payment flexibility to customers experiencing hardship. If you are concerned about paying your bill, or have been impacted by the pandemic, Lakefront wants to help. Please call us to discuss payment arrangements in order to provide more time to pay outstanding balances.
2. We understand the unique challenges for everyone, and some customers may have difficulty making their monthly payments. Effective March 16, 2020, Lakefront will be removing all interest charges on outstanding balances until May 31, 2020.
3. The Province’s winter hydro disconnection moratorium is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2020. Lakefront has extended the disconnection moratorium until May 31, 2020. 

Time-of-Use Rates

The time-of-use (TOU) rates are set by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and cannot be amended by Lakefront Utilities Inc. without consent from the OEB. Over the past few days, we have been working with the sector and government to champion the needs of electricity customers in Ontario. Lakefront has reached out to the Ontario Energy Board and has requested that they update the off-peak pricing to 24 hours while many families are practicing responsible social distancing.  

To make a bill payment: 

• Sign up for Pre-authorized payment by due date
• Visit the customer portal https://myaccount.lakefrontutilities.com/app/
• Telephone and online (internet) banking through your bank/financial institution
• Bank branch or financial institution instant teller
• Cheque via mail
• Credit Card payment service available through Paymentus - 1-888-896-0976 or this link: https://ipn.paymentus.com/otp/stde/lfu
• You may continue to use our drop box at all our office locations

Emergency response by Cobourg Police Services, Cobourg Fire Services and Northumberland County Paramedic Services will not be impacted.

Emergency Operations Centre

The Town of Cobourg's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is engaged and operating daily in response to COVID-19.

The EOC is charged with planning and executing a Town-wide operational response that ensures continuity of critical services as the public health situation in the Town of Cobourg evolves. The response is led by Fire Chief and Community Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Vilneff in close collaboration with Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lynn Noseworthy for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.

The EOC is staffed by key managers and staff from all Town of Cobourg divisions and agencies.

Municipal offices are currently closed to the public, however, staff continue to work with community groups and individuals regarding program and event cancelations, refunds and re-bookings. Staff are also actively preparing for the transition back to normal operations based on the recommendations and direction from the provincial and federal governments.

Contact

Cobourg Community Centre, Baseball Diamonds, Rugby Pitches, Soccer Fields, Victoria Beach, Victoria Park Pavilion

Phone: 905-372-7371 (monitored from 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday)

Email: Krista Williams, Recreation Coordinator, kwilliams@cobourg.ca or Allison Greer, Recreation Coordinator, agreer@cobourg.ca

• Business Licensing: No new applications will be accepted until further notice. Renewals can be sent in by email, mail or placed in the designated Drop Box located in at the West side of Victoria Hall.
• Lottery/Bingo Licensing: No new licences will be issued until further notice. Any reporting on previous or current licences can be sent in by email or placed in the designated Drop Box located on the West Side of Victoria Hall.
• Burial Permits and Death Registration will proceed as normal by appointment only with the Municipal Clerk.
• Commissioner of Oaths/ Affidavits service is not available until further notice.
• Marriage Licences will not be issued until further notice.The issuance of marriage licences may resume on an emergency basis as approved by the Municipal Clerk. 

Keeping in line with provincial restrictions for recreation and outdoor amenities, the Town of Cobourg has announced that the opening of the Cobourg Marina will be delayed until May 29, 2020 and that the public boat launch will now be closed until further notice. Staff are working with the Cobourg Yacht Club to re-schedule the boat lift-in date for early June and would like to advise storage contract holders that access to boat storage is restricted until further notice. The fuel station and docks will not be available until June. New reservations are not being accepted until April 15. All dates will continue to be re-assessed each week.

The Waterfront Administration Building, including the public washrooms, remain closed to the public. However, staff continue to work on critical services, customer relations, cancelations, refunds and re-bookings.  Staff are also actively preparing for the transition back to normal operations based on the recommendations and direction from the provincial and federal governments.

Current services include:

• Parking lots are free to use at this time
• Boardwalks and walking trails are open while practicing safe distancing
• Staff will complete the scheduled dredging of the harbour for the continued operation of the Canadian Coast Guard

Contact Information 

Phone: 905-372-2397 (monitored from 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday).

Email: jbehanjones@cobourg.ca

Website: www.cobourg.ca/en/Marina.aspx#  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/cobourgmarina/

Learn More

Press Release: Cobourg Marina and Victoria Park Camoground Remain Closed Due to COVID-19

Art Gallery of Northumberland

The Art Gallery of Northumberland have suspended all programming and events until further notice. 

Farmer's Market

More details to come.

On May 19, 2020 the Government of Ontario announced that it amended Ontario Regulation 104/20 made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act – Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities.

These amendments will allow the reopening of the following amenities:

• Outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields (including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and Frisbee golf locations, tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, BMX parks and skate parks)
• Off-leash dog areas
• Outdoor picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks and recreational areas

What Outdoor Recreational Amenities will Cobourg be Reopening?
As part of the first stage of the provincial Framework for Reopening the Province, the Town of Cobourg will be gradually reopening some outdoor recreational amenities, including:

• Boat Launch - The Cobourg Marina public boat launch ramp has reopened as of May 22, 2020. There will be no charge for the boat launch at this time until the Marina office reopens.
• Community Garden - The community garden has reopened for garden members only.
• Leash-Free Dog Park - The Cobourg leash-free dog park will reopen on May 23, 2020.
• Outdoor Recreational Amenities – Baseball diamonds, basketball courts and soccer fields will reopen on May 23, 2020.
• Parks and Beach - All Town parks, beach, outdoor picnic sites, benches and shelters are open for non-contact, unorganized sport or activity use* only, while also maintaining a physical distance of at least two metres from any other person using the space. Organized public events and social gatherings of more than five people is strictly prohibited (unless part of the same household).
• Skateboard Park - The skateboard park will reopen early next week.
• Tennis and Pickleball Courts – Will reopen early next week.

What Does ‘Unorganized Sport or Activity’ Use Mean?
‘Unorganized Sport or Activity’ use shall mean a sport, game or activity that is not pre-planned by an individual, group or organization and is considered to be spontaneous.

What’s Closed
With these changes, the existing emergency order will maintain the closure of all outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment and portions of park and recreational areas containing outdoor fitness equipment. It will also include the continued closure of outdoor splash pads and swimming pools and all communal facilities intended to be used by persons using outdoor sports amenities.

Adhere to Physical Distancing and Public Health Advice
As the Town of Cobourg prepares to reopen some outdoor recreational amenities citizens are being asked to respect the following public health advice and guidelines:

• Maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from any other person using the amenity (unless part of the same household).
• Do not participate or hold gatherings or events with more than five people (unless part of the same household)
• No organized* team sports are permitted on reopened courts and fields unless they involve only members of the same household
• Practice hand hygiene, wear a non-medical mask or face covering wherever possible and limit contact with surfaces.

Playgrounds

All play equipment and play structures are closed to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and appropriate signage has been posted at each structure. The sanitization of equipment cannot be guaranteed, presenting a risk to those using the equipment to contact or spread the virus.

Forestry

The Parks Department staff continue to carry out emergency hazard inspections and maintenance. 

Learn more:

Press Release: Town Prepares to Reopen Some Outdoor Recreational Amenities

Press Release: Town Closes Play Equipment/Play Structures to Stop the Spread of COVID-19

Press Release: Town Closes All Outdoor Recreational Spaces During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Cobourg Police Service continues to receive updates from agencies regarding the  COVID-19 global pandemic. The Cobourg Police Service will monitor the health of all our employees so that we can continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our community. There has been no disruption in service, but we are planning for contingencies that may include impacts on staffing levels.

The Cobourg Police Service will be making the following changes to protect staff and members of the public to minimize transmission of the virus;

• Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 the Cobourg Police Station will be closed to the public.
• If you need to attend the Cobourg Police Station you may be subject to a non-intrusive screening process.
• When you call Police Dispatch, you will also go through a screening process regarding COVID-19 health risks. We understand that this may cause concerns, but this is for the safety of our members and the public.
• Effective immediately we will process some non-emergency calls over the phone instead of having an officer attend. This will be managed on a case by case basis by continued use of our tiered policing model.
• You may see some members of the Cobourg Police Service wearing protective equipment like masks or gloves. This will be for their own protection only. 

The Cobourg Police Service would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding. We would like to stress that there is no disruption in day to day activities and the Cobourg Police Service will continue to provide service to the Town of Cobourg.

• A waiver of penalties and interest charges on unpaid property taxes which would normally have been applied on April 1stand May 1st.
• The due date for the second instalment of Commercial, Industrial and Multi-Residential property taxes due May 29, 2020 be deferred until June 25, 2020.
• The due dates for the Residential final tax bills which have not yet been issued will be set as June 25, 2020 and October 29, 2020.

Any taxpayers on the pre-authorized payment plan with concerns about paying their next payment due April 10, 2020 may contact the Finance Department at 905-372-8944 to discuss payment arrangements.

Public transit will remain operational as an essential in the Town of Cobourg with the following reduced schedule:

Conventional Transit 

• Route One will operate Monday to Friday from 7:15 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Saturday from 8:45 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. and no service on Sunday.
• Route Two will operate Monday to Friday only during the peak times of 7:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. and 3:30 to 5:45 p.m., Saturday from 8:45 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. and no service on Sunday.

WHEELS Transit

• WHEELS Transit will operate Monday to Friday from 6:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and no service on Sunday.

Transit will be available at no charge until May 31, 2020 in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by reducing interaction with drivers, other transit commuters and the passing of change and tickets. 

Conventional Transit:

• Apart from those requiring the accessible ramp at the front door, all passengers are asked to use only the rear doors to board and disembark the buses
• Limit of eight (8) people maximum per bus to allow for sufficient social distancing.
• Passengers must sit at least two (2) meters away from others, including the driver.
• Riders must have a destination drop-off within one (1) hour that is not the location they got on the bus.
• The windows on the bus will be kept open to promote air circulation.

WHEELS Transit:

• Limit of transporting one (1) person per trip or multiple people from same household.
• Reoccurring (prescription) bookings will temporarily be canceled.
• Bookings can only be made up to two (2) days in advance.
• Members will be asked the following pre-screening questions upon booking:
  • Have you received public health or medical advice to self-monitor or self-isolate?
  • Are you presenting with fever, or new onset of cough or difficulty breathing?
  • Have you travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days?
  • Did you have close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19?
  • Did you have close contact with anyone who has travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days?

Citizens who need to book an appointment with WHEELS Transit are asked to only call during the hours of Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (905) 373-0582. Bookings for Saturday, Sunday or Monday must be made by Friday at 5 p.m. until further notice. Please avoid leaving a message as staffing may be reduced and response times delayed.

VIA Rail

VIA Rail continues to closely monitor the development of COVID-19 and we remain in close contact with public health agencies and the federal and provincial governments.

Effective Monday, March 23rd, VIA Rail has made service changes. View the updated services here.

Please also note that:

• Baggage service will no longer be available.

• VIA Rail’s Business lounges will be closed.
• Restaurants in VIA Rail owned stations will be closed and customers will only have access to vending machines where available. 

Cobourg Community Centre

The Cobourg Community Centre has cancelled all programs, camps and recreational activities including public skating, gymnasium use and meeting room bookings. 

The Cobourg Community Centre is closed to the public until further notice, however, staff continue to work on critical services, customer relations, and program and event cancelations, refunds and re-bookings. Staff are also actively preparing for the transition back to normal operations based on the recommendations and direction from the provincial and federal governments.

Contact Information:

Phone:          905-372-7371 (monitored from 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday)
Email:            cccinfo@cobourg.ca

Learn more:

• Press Release: Town of Cobourg Closes Municipal Buildings Due to COVID-19 Outbreak
  
• Press Release: All Municipal Events, Programs and Classes Postponed Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Northumberland YMCA

The Cobourg YMCA will be closed until further notice.

In partnership with YMCAs across Canada, we have launched YMCA at Home. This free virtual YMCA, features:

Y Thrive - Workouts for all ages and stages
Y Play - Fun and healthy activities for the whole family
Y Well - Resources to keep your mind healthy and strong

Learn more at www.ymcahome.ca

Emergency Homelessness Shelter

Due to COVID-19, shelters are unable to operate at full capacity while meeting public health guidelines. An agreement between Kawartha Pine Ride District School Boar (KPRDSB), Northumberland County and Transition House will enable the County’s only emergency homelessness shelter to continue to support and house the homeless during this unprecedented time.

A temporary shelter, the first of its kind in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be located at Cobourg Collegiate Institute, 335 King Street East. Read the press release here.

Warming & Cooling Centres

Effective Tuesday, March 17th, the Cobourg Police Station is closed to the public. This means that the Comfort Centre, the emergency cooling and warming room, will be closed as well.

Cobourg Box Office and Concert Hall at Victoria Hall

At this time, as a precautionary step to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the well-being of our patrons, all upcoming shows and productions have been cancelled or postponed. Staff are contacting each individual ticket holder directly regarding refunds.

Staff are also actively preparing for the transition back to normal operations based on the recommendations and direction from the provincial and federal governments. Staff continue to work with customers, community groups and other partners to facilitate the re-booking of our 2020 lineup when it is safe to do so.

The Cobourg Box Office is currently closed to the public, however, staff continue to work remotely.

Contact Information

Email: concerthall@cobourg.ca

Phone: 905-372-2210 (monitored from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday)

Firehall Theatre

The Firehall Theatre located at 213 Second Street has cancelled all shows, rehearsals, events and programs. 

The Box Office remains open but citizens are encouraged to please call (905) 372-0577 instead of coming in.

The Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre has cancelled all seminars, programs and events including the booking of meeting rooms and the Lecture Hall.

The Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre is closed to the public.

Victoria Hall (Town Hall)

Victoria Hall has cancelled all meetings, bookings and events. As of Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Victoria Hall is closed to the public. Citizens are encouraged to call Town Hall at 905-372-4301 for assistance.

Keeping in line with provincial restrictions for recreation and outdoor amenities, the Town of Cobourg has announced that the opening of the Victoria Park Campground will be delayed until May 29, 2020. Reservations are not being accepted until April 15.  All dates will continue to be re-assessed each week.

The Waterfront Administration Building and Campground Office remain closed to the public. However, staff continue to work on critical services, customer relations and cancelations. Staff are also actively preparing for the transition back to normal operations based on the recommendations and direction from the provincial and federal governments. 

Contact Information 

Phone: 905-372-2397 (monitored from 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday)

Email: jbehanjones@cobourg.ca

Website: www.cobourg.ca/en/town-hall/Victoria-Park-Campground.aspx?_mid_=126181

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/victoriaparkcampground/

Learn More:

Press Release: Cobourg Marina and Victoria Park Campground Remain Closed Due to COVID-19

Weekly curbside collection continues as scheduled. Northumberland County encourages residents to make use of curbside services to dispose of their day-to-day waste, recyclables and green bin materials.

Reduced Bag Tag Requirements

Until May 29, households are permitted to put out one free bag of garbage per week on their regularly-scheduled collection day. A maximum two-bag limit per week per household remains in place. Port Hope rural residents will also be able to dispose of one free bag of garbage per week at the Hope Transfer station. Full bag tag requirements will once again be in effect as of June 1. Bag tags will be available to purchase online through www.northumberland.ca. More details to follow.

Landfill and Transfer Stations

As of Tuesday, May 19, all Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) have returned to their regular days of operation to further support residents with their urgent waste disposal needs. Restrictions remain in place to protect customer and staff health and safety, including cashless payment measures, limiting the number of vehicles allowed on-site at one time, the ongoing closure of the household hazardous waste and clothing diversion programs, and modified hours of operation at each site from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Days of operation include:

• Brighton CRC - Monday-Saturday
• Bewdley CRC - Monday-Saturday
• Seymour CRC - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

Driver Safety

Please practice social distancing around waste collection staff. While we know you may want to show your appreciation for the necessary and hard work they continue to do, please do so by giving the a wave or a smile, from at least six feet away.

Green Bins

Please use certified compostable bags for green bin collection during COVID-19 to reduce the risk to our collection staff.

Recycling Boxes & Lids

Blue and grey Recycle Right box and lid exchanges/purchases are temporarily unavailable.

Visit northumberland.ca/covid19 for complete details.

Weddings

Marriage Licensing

The Town of Cobourg’s Legislative Services Department has resumed issuing Marriage Licences and conducting Civil Marriage Ceremonies, while following public health guidelines and restrictions.

The following steps will be taken to safely process a Marriage Licence application:

1. Completing the Application: Applicants must complete documentation in advance and submit a scanned or photographed copy along with necessary documentation electronically. Staff will then review all documents and contact the applicants to arrange a private in-person “curb-side” processing appointment.

2. Curbside Processing Appointment: In order to minimize exposure to our staff, Victoria Hall will remain closed to the public and applicants will not be permitted to enter. Instead, the Legislative Services Department is offering a “curbside appointment” as follows:

• Applicants must bring all original documents, the original application and the $125 licensing fee in individually sealed bags.
• Staff will meet applicants at the rear east delivery door of Victoria Hall to confirm identification and accept the documentation in sealed bags.
• Staff will process the Marriage Licence and issue to the applicants. The appointment usually lasts 20-40 minutes.

To learn more and download the Marriage Licence application, please visit www.cobourg.ca/marriage.

Marriage Ceremonies

The Town of Cobourg also conducts Civil Marriage Ceremonies for $300 which will now take place in the Market Building at 201 Second Street until further notice. Ceremonies can be scheduled Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (except on holidays), and typically range from 20-30 minutes in length. As per the Province of Ontario restrictions, ceremonies will be limited to five (5) people, inclusive of the married couple, two witnesses and our Town Officiant while adhering to public health guidelines and increased safety protocols during the ceremony.