KENILWORTH – “As our nation responds to the developing situation COVID 19 pandemic, our first priority is to take actions that, to the best of our knowledge will help keep members our community safe while ensuring that essential services are protected,” says Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox.
In a prepared statement on March 16 Lennox added, “We rely heavily on the advice and information provided by our federal, provincial and local public health professionals. As a result, effective March 16 at noon, all municipal facilities will be closed to the public, including Mount Forest and District Sports Complex, Arthur and Area Community Centre, Arthur and Mount Forest fire halls, Damascus Hall, the Arthur Seniors Hall and the Kenilworth municipal office.”
Lennox stated the township is working with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, the County of Wellington and Guelph Wellington Emergency Medical Service and monitoring the situation closely.
On March 13, township clerk Karren Wallace noted Wellington North took part in an 11am conference call with county staff and the other lower-tier municipalities.
That call was immediately followed with a meeting of Wellington North’s senior management.
“Staff are ensuring the continuity of service for essential services such as fire service, water/wastewater and road maintenance,” Lennox states in the press release.
The township is offering full refund for recreation cancellations. Further measures include asking all staff who have travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days to self-isolate.
Lennox said, “The situation is being continually assessed by staff and updates will be provided as needed through traditional and social medias.”
Meeting status unclear
The status of future council meetings remains unclear.
Wallace stated, “We haven’t cancelled any meetings. If we do hold one, we will probably close it to the public under the security of property section.”
If that happened, she noted the township would continue to publish the agenda and items in their entirety, just close the meeting to the public. Public meetings under the Planning Act will be challenging, but none are scheduled for the next month or so.
“If things escalate we may have to cancel meetings,” Wallace said.
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