TOWN OF PETROLIA MUNICIPAL OFFICE STAFF AVAILABLE BY PHONE & E-MAIL ONLY ON JANUARY 18 & 19, 2022

The Town of Petrolia Municipal Office staff will only be available by telephone or e-mail on January 18 and 19, 2022 as a duct cleaning of the administration office portion of the facility will be completed.  This is part of the scheduled and approved facility deep-cleaning plans for the site.

Residents are reminded that staff are available between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by calling (519)882-2350 or by sending an e-mail to the general inbox at petrolia@petrolia.ca or by sending an e-mail to the specific staff member that you would like to contact.  The mailbox will be available at the entrance to the Municipal Office for printed correspondence.

This two-day closure comes at a time when the Municipal Office is open by appointment only, so there will be a minimal impact to service.  Staff thank Petrolia residents and visitors for their patience as we complete this project.

THE 2021 PETROLIA HERITAGE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT IS AVAILABLE NOW – A LITTLE LATE, BUT WORTH THE WAIT!

Beginning with National Heritage Site, Victoria Hall, in 2020, the Petrolia Heritage Committee launched a series of commemorative ornaments featuring heritage buildings in Petrolia.

Each ornament is $20 (including HST) and over a ten-year period, collectors will see a different heritage building with a paragraph of history about the building available for purchase.

The delivery of the 2021 installment was delayed due to multiple shipping factors. The good news is that they are now available for purchase by calling the Town of Petrolia Municipal Office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and paying by Credit Card, or by making an appointment to visit the Office in person to pay by cash or debit.  Please call (519)882-2350.

The 2021 commemorative ornament features the East End Fire Hall, drawn by artist Susan Perry.  “Susan Perry has been a resident of Petrolia for 3 decades. Her subject matter is primarily local landscapes and landmarks, but she also enjoys figure drawing and portraiture. Susan sketches on site, transforming these preliminary images into finished lino prints and watercolours.” https://susanperryart.wordpress.com/about/

Some extra ornaments are available for those that missed the 2020 ornament featuring Victoria Hall. They are available for $20 (including HST) and can be requested at the same time as the 2021 ornament.

Proceeds from the sales of the commemorative ornaments support restoration work at Hillsdale Cemetery and other Petrolia Heritage Projects throughout Petrolia.

We continue to closely monitor developments around coronavirus (COVID-19), and we continue to look to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Public Health Ontario, and our various municipal health experts for recommendations, guidance, and direction.

As noted in the Ontario News Release, the following measures will be effective Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. for at least 21 days (until January 26, 2022), subject to trends in public health and health system indicators.

Regular hours at the Municipal Office will continue from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Petrolia Municipal Office will be open to residents by appointment only.  Staff will be available to respond to resident needs and requests in person (by appointment only), by telephone to (519) 882-2350 or by e-mail to the specific staff member you require or to our general inbox at petrolia@petrolia.ca.   Please also follow the Town of Petrolia on Facebook, Twitter and check our website (www.town.petrolia.on.ca) for regular updates.  We have a mail slot available for anyone that wishes to drop any correspondence or payments off at the Municipal Office to be processed by staff.  Dog Tag renewals can be done online.

All essential services will be maintained including water, wastewater, snow removal, and cemetery services.  The staff of the Town of Petrolia are dedicated to maintaining the level of service that is expected from residents. 

“I am pleased about the way that staff are always able to make a quick change to procedures to adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 changes. This has been a challenge to say the least, for many people, and I would like to thank our residents for your patience and understanding as we adjust services and do what is required to protect our resident’s health and maintain hospital capacities.  I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude for our health care workers, and all of those on the front lines in every organization.  We appreciate your efforts, personal sacrifices, and your selfless contributions to our community and to our collective well-being.” Said Mayor R. Brad Loosley. 

The Petrolia Town Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, January 10, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. will proceed via Zoom.  All Council and Committee Meetings will continue electronically until March 31, 2022, or when The County of Lambton resumes in person meetings. 

The Victoria Playhouse Petrolia Box Office will respond to patron requests and inquiries during regular hours 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday.  Patrons are asked to e-mail boxoffice@petrolia.ca or to call (519)882-1221 or 1-800-717-7694 and leave a message.  Messages will be returned promptly during business hours.  The Box Office will be closed to in-person sales until further notice.

Donation requests, and ticket sales for the MUDMEN, will be available by telephone only due to current restrictions.  The announcement of the 2022 Season dates will be forthcoming as soon as possible, and all existing ticket holders will be contacted at that time.   Dates for new purchases for the 2022 Summer Season will be provided with that announcement. Gift certificates will continue to be available online at www.thevpp.ca, by e-mail to boxoffice@petrolia.ca, and by telephone at (519) 882-1221 or 1-800-717-7694. 

The upcoming rental of Victoria Hall, affected by the Provincial announcement, MUDMEN, that was scheduled for January 22, 2022, has been re-scheduled to Friday, March 4, 2022.  Ticket holders will be contacted this week.  Tickets for the re-scheduled date remain available by calling the Box Office.  

The planned production by the Petrolia Community Theatre of “Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses” (April 7-10, 2022) has been cancelled, and ticket holders will be contacted this week for refunds, and cheques will be mailed.  Ticket holders for both shows are asked to wait for a phone call, and not to call in to the Box Office.

Greenwood Recreation Centre has closed following the Provincial announcement and will remain closed for a period of at least three weeks (or January 26, 2022) or following a change to the Provincial requirements.  Staff will be deep cleaning the facility, and working on maintenance projects, and removing the downtown Christmas decorations, during the temporary closure.

The Petrolia YMCA has closed following the Provincial announcement and will remain closed for a period of at least three weeks (or January 26, 2022) or following a change to the Provincial requirements. 

1. As of January 5, your membership fees will automatically be put on hold. Due to the holiday, payments up until January 7 were scheduled to be withdrawn prior to this announcement. If you notice a withdrawal during this time, please note that fees will be applied upon the re-opening of the facility.
2. Members will receive information by e-mail to log in to Y@HOME+ to access:
   • *New in January! * – EatPlantJoy…healthy, nutritious, and stress-free meal planning in 2022 with Dr. Sarah Lucas, MD.
   • Live fitness: 30 classes every week including Yoga, YMCA Arriba, YMCA Barre, TotalFit and Bootcamp.
   • Fitness videos for all fitness levels and ages to get active anytime, anywhere.
   • Workout plans and coaching programs including instructional videos and downloadable workout cards.
   • Kids and family activities including arts & crafts, sing-along songs and activities for the whole family.
   • Wellness programs include meditation and leadership development programs.
   • An inclusive and active community from the comfort of your home to motivate you!

“Like all of you, we have been looking forward with positivity to a more normal service model for our departments, however at this time, we have made some required, temporary, adjustments for the health of our residents and staff, and to comply with Provincial regulations.  I would like to remind our residents that, like you, our staff have been challenged in the past 21 months to adapt to Provincial changes with little to no notice, and I ask that you remember that we are all in this together when you call for assistance or interact with us online or by e-mail.  We are all working towards the same goal – an existence without COVID-19 influencing our operations. I would like to thank our staff for their resilience and their positive approach to managing these changes.” Said Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer, Rick Charlebois.

2022 Budget Approved in Petrolia – 0% Municipal Tax Rate Increase

Petrolia Town Council approved the 2022 municipal budget last night in regular Council. The approved budget will see a 0% increase to the Municipal tax rate.

Mayor R. Brad Loosley said, “I would like to thank Rick Charlebois and his team for an excellent budget and look forward to another great year of projects that benefit Petrolia, and to the improvements to our community.”

Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer Rick Charlebois said, “Due to a $534K increase to our annual 2022 Ontario Community Investment Fund capital grant, staff were able to amend the proposed 2% municipal tax rate increase recommendation to a 0% municipal tax rate change. We are very grateful for this unexpected news from the province late last week.”
Following the approval of the Town General 2022 Budget, staff will proceed with several capital projects including:
a) The reconstruction of Derby Street, Mutual Street, Third Street and Valentina Street.
b) The installation of a new Town entrance sign South of Petrolia on Oil Heritage Road
c) New solar lighting in Bridgeview Park
d) Road resurfacing, and partial resurfacing of Pearl Street, England Avenue and Glenview Avenue.
e) A splash pad, sponsored by The Kiwanis Club of Petrolia and Area that will be financed up front by the Town and repaid by the Club.
f) Parents-4-Parks would see the final funds needed to proceed with park equipment installation in Greenwood Park.

The Town’s Sewer and Water rates will both increase by 2.5% in 2022. Our Sewer major capital work for 2022 will include: the sewer portion of the road reconstruction projects; and some capital work at four pumping stations throughout Petrolia (Glenview, Progress, TG Waterville and Garden Crescent). Our major Water capital work next year will include: the water portion of the road reconstruction projects; and some pre-engineering work to prepare for the replacement of our Water Treatment Plant In-take (large pipe that brings in water from Lake Huron) which is estimated to cost $16.2M.

Greenwood Recreation Programming Update – Family Skating Opportunities

Petrolia – The Town of Petrolia is pleased to announce the return of Family Skating Opportunities at Greenwood Recreation Centre in Petrolia.

All Greenwood Recreation Centre Covid-19 safety measures will be enforced.

Key Points for participants:

• All patrons 12 years of age and older are required to be fully vaccinated
• All COVID-19 safety protocols are still in place and must be adhered to
• Masks are mandatory for all Town of Petrolia operated arena activities unless otherwise posted in the guidelines
• Children 11 years of age and under must always be under adult supervision
• Carrying an infant on the ice is not permitted
• Use of cell phones and or headphones while on the ice is not permitted
• Skaters are requested to not sit on the boards or in the players benches
• Figure skating is not permitted
• Those displaying unsafe or inappropriate behaviour on or off the ice will be asked to leave
• Skating aids are available for public use
• Sledge skating is permitted

The Greenwood Recreation Centre in Petrolia continues to employ deep cleaning practices and sanitation throughout the day.  These changes include more time between groups, a full sanitation and deep cleaning of benches, the lobby, washrooms, and public areas. 

The Town of Petrolia is committed to creating safe, healthy, vibrant spaces. In promoting shared positive experiences, we ask all participants to observe the principles of public safety, respect, and courtesy.

We thank you for your continued support as we navigate the changes to the COVID-19 guidelines and work to keep you safe and well.