F.A.Q.

Waste Management

1. When is waste/recyclables collected?
Refer to the 2011 Waste & Recycling Collection Calendar

2. What is collected?
What Goes Where? - A Household Guide to Municipal Collection Programs.

3. Where can I dispose of waste that is not collected?
Waste that is not collected with regular garbage can be disposed of at one of the York Region Transfer Stations, refer to Other Waste for further details on these facilities.

4. What happens to collection on statutory holidays?
Most statutory holidays fall on a Monday and since the Town does not collect on Mondays, collection is not affected. For statutory holidays that occur on days other than Monday, collection is pushed forward one day. For specific days Refer to the 2011 Waste & Recycling Collection Calendar

5. Can containers other than blue boxes be used for recyclables?
No, as the Ministry of Labour and contractor's unions require certain container characteristics for safety reasons. Newspapers and cardboard (size limitations) can be tied in small bundles.

6. What do I do if my waste and recyclables were not collected on my collection day?
For missed collection or collection inquiries, please call the Town's contractor, Turtle Island at 1-866-421-5625.

7. Previous owners have moved and left their garbage. Who is responsible for this?
There are bag limits for residential and commercial units respectively. Regardless, the new owner is still responsible to dispose of left-behind waste from previous owners.

8. Is there a pick-up for large items?
In addition to the bag limits, some large items will be accepted with garbage. For a list of these items, Click Here. Other large items not listed can be brought to one of the York Region Transfer Stations, refer to Other Waste for further details on these facilities.

9. Who is responsible to remove waste deposited on an individual's property that was left by an unknown party?
The property owner is still responsible.

10. Who is responsible for animal control?
a. The Department will only pick up dead wildlife on Town roads only.  Any dead wildlife on the Region of York roads may be reported to the Region at 905-895-1200 ext. 5200.
b. Any problems with dogs (barking, running loose, etc.) in all areas of the Town, falls under the jurisdiction of the Building and By-laws Department and may be reported to the Animal Control Officer at 1-800-898-8606.
c. The Town does not pick up any animal, alive, dead, domestic or wild on private property.

Dead animals on private property - call a local animal control contractor from the yellow pages

Live animals, injured or otherwise, on private property -  call Humane Society (905-898-7122)

Rabid animals anywhere; roads, private property, etc., call the Region of York Health Department - 905-895-4511.

11. How many Blue Boxes / Green Bins can I use?
As many as you wish to purchase through the Town.  They may be obtained at the Community Programs & Infrastructure Department for a cost of $8.00for a 16 Gallon Blue box, $10.00 for a 22 gallon Blue Box $4.96 for a kitchen catcher and $19.81 for a green bin (green bin and kitchen pail sold seperately).  *prices include applicable taxes and are subject to change without notice

12. If I want to dispose of more garbage than the bag limit allows, are bag tags available?
Since the Town presently does not utilize a user pay waste collection system, additional bag tags are not available. Therefore, the bag limits must be complied with and are:
        Residential Premises : Effective September 17, 2007 the number of Garbage Containers put out for collection shall not exceed three (3) for each collection day. Effective April 1, 2008 the number of Garbage Containers put out for collection shall not exceed two (2) for each collection day. 
        Commercial or Industrial Premises : Effective September 17, 2007 the number of Garbage Containers put out for collection shall not exceed eight (8) for each collection day. Effective April 1, 2008 the number of Garbage Containers put out for collection shall not exceed four (4) for each collection day.

13. Why aren't grass clippings allowed in the Yard Waste Stream?
Grass clippings were removed from curbside collection due to the weight of this item. The Town also recognized that these items frequently began to decompose at the curb creating odour issues. The Town promotes grass cycling and backyard composting to divert this waste stream.

Extra waste can be disposed of at one of the York Region Transfer Stations, refer to Other Waste for further details on these facilities.

Roads

Q: Which roads in the Town are under the jurisdiction of the Town and which are under the jurisdiction of other road authorities?
A: There are roads under Town jurisdiction, Region jurisdiction and Provincial jurisdiction in East Gwillimbury.

Please see the attached map of roads under the jurisdiction of
· The Town of East Gwillimbury in Red
· York Region in Green and
· Ministry of Transport in Yellow

Town of East Gwillimbury Road Inventory

Further information can be found on York Region’s website at: http://maps.york.ca/yorkexplorer/pdf/2009_RoadInventoryOwnershipID_XLrg.pdf

Problems in Town rights-of-way can be reported by calling the to the Town’s Engineering and Environmental Services Department at 905-478-4282, or by email at:
customercare@eastgwillimbury.ca or
town@eastgwillimbury.ca

Requests will be referred to the appropriate person(s) for follow-up.

Q: How can I report a problem on a Region Road or make a request for information relating to a Region Road.
A: Problems on Region roads can be reported by calling the Region at 905-895-1200 and asking for Roads Dispatch. General information requests can also be made by calling the same number and asking for the appropriate department.

Q: Why is the speed limit so high/low?
A: The Highway Traffic Act defines statutory speed limits in developed and rural areas as 50 kph and 80 kph respectively. The Town uses the statutory limit on most subdivision roads but reduces speed limits in school zones, park areas and sensitive areas to 40 kph.

Q What can be done to reduce speeding on my street?
A: York Regional Police can be called directly to request speed enforcement in areas where speeding vehicles are commonplace. The phone number (for non-emergencies) is 1-866-876-5423. the YRP may also be contacted through the Road Watch program at YRP.ca. A written notification is received directly by the YRP when a form is submitted.

Q: How can I have the speed limit reduced on my street?
A: The speed limits on most roads under Town jurisdiction, is under the statutory speed limits defined in the Highway Traffic Act. Residents can make a written request to the Engineering and Environmental Services Department to have the speed limit reviewed on roads under Town jurisdiction.

A “Successful Petition” from a resident on the specific section of road is required. The Petition requires that:
· At least 65% of the residents in the affected area respond to the petition and
· At least 65% of the residents who responded to the petition must be in support of the proposed speed limit revision

After a successful petition has been submitted to the Town, an investigation by staff will determine if it is technically warranted.

Q: How can I make a request to have a stop sign installed on my street?
A: The Town can only install stop signs on roads under Town jurisdiction. If a request for a stop sign in a particular location is submitted in writing, Town staff survey the intersection and analyze pedestrian and vehicular traffic and history of accidents and determine through policy if a stop sign is warranted.

Q: How can I make a request to have a Cross Walk or School Crossing installed?
A: The Town can only implement Cross Walks or School Crossings on roads under Town jurisdiction. If a written request is submitted to the Town, staff will conduct field and warrant studies based on policy to determine if it is recommended.

Q: Who do I contact to have road surface irregularities repaired?A: York Region can be called at 905-895-1200 to report problems on Region Roads and the Town can be called at 905-478-4282 to report problems on roads under Town jurisdiction. Please refer to the road ownership map for a graphic display of road ownership.

Q: How can I have drainage problems in my roadside ditch repaired?
A: Roadside ditches on Region roads are maintained by the Region can be reported by calling the Region Roads Dispatch at 905-895-1200. Issues on Town roadside ditches can be reported by calling the to the Town’s Engineering and Environmental Services Department at 905-478-4282, or by email at: customercare@eastgwillimbury.ca or town@eastgwillimbury.ca

Please refer to the road ownership map on the Region’s website for a graphic display of Town and Region roads.

Q: Who do I call for Tree Trimming and Removal?
A: The Town only trims trees and removes and replaces trees within Town road allowances and parks. If you notice a tree on a Town road allowance, please contact Town’s Engineering and Environmental Services Department at 905-478-4282, or by email at: customercare@eastgwillimbury.ca or town@eastgwillimbury.ca

Q: Who should I contact to report snow removal problems?
A: York Region Roads Dispatch should be contacted for snow removal issues on Region Roads at 905-895-1200. The scheduling of snow removal on Town roads is carried out based as the road class as defined in the Province of Ontario Minimum Maintenance Standards. Plowing and sanding/salting depends on depth of snowfall, location, temperatures, time of day and many other factors. Routes are pre-determined with higher volume roads receiving priority.
Please refer to the road ownership map on the Region’s website for a graphic display of Town and Region roads. Please note that the disposition of snow from driveways onto the road is not permitted.

Other Snow Facts:

• Street parking should be avoided during winter months. Vehicles may be tagged and/or towed if winter road maintenance is impeded.
• The disposition of snow from driveways onto the road is a by-law offence
• During the winter months, a winter roads patrol person begins work at 3:30 a.m. Monday to Friday
  

Q: Who is responsible for clearing the snow piled up at the end of my driveway after the plow goes by?
A: The Town does not remove the “windrows” that are caused by the plows during regular snow plowing operations. The Town does not have the resources or equipment for that operation. 

There may be more snow deposited at the end of your driveway than your neighbours. This may be unavoidable depending on weather conditions and road characteristics. Regardless, staff are conscious of this concern and try their best to minimize this.

Volunteer groups have been set up to help certain individuals requiring assistance for this removal. For more information or to volunteer please visit neighbourhoodnetwork.org or call 905-726-3737

Q: Who do I contact for concerns related to the usage of Town roads by Heavy Trucks?
A: On roads under jurisdiction of the Town, No Heavy Trucks signs can be installed if those trucks are deemed to be a safety hazard, if they are deleterious to the condition of the road or if they create undesirable conditions for local residents. Please contact the Engineering and Environmental Services Department if you have a request.

For unsafe driving or speeding trucks, York Regional Police can be called directly to request speed enforcement. The phone number (for non-emergencies) is 1-866-876-5423

Q: Who do I speak to about parking concerns on Town roads?
A: The Town has a bylaw to identify locations and times during which there are parking prohibitions. Questions about the bylaw can be directed to the Bylaws Department at the Civic Centre at 905-478-4282.

Q: How do I make a request to have traffic calming measures installed on a Town road?
A: The Town can only install traffic calming measures on roads under Town jurisdiction.

A “Successful Petition” from a resident on the specific section of road is required. The Petition requires that:
· At least 65% of the residents in the affected area respond to the petition and support the proposed traffic calming revision
After a successful petition has been submitted to the Town, an investigation by staff will determine if it is  warranted. Residents can make a written request to the Engineering and Environmental Services Department.

Q: Who do I call to request additional traffic signage?
A: Contact York Region if you have a request for the installation of additional traffic safety signage on a Region Road. The Town’s Engineering and Environmental Services Department can be contacted for the installation of additional signage on Town roads. Please note that both municipalities try and minimize the amount of signage on roads to reduce “sign pollution” and driver distraction. If a written request is submitted, staff will conduct a field investigation to determine if the sign is warranted.

Please refer to the road ownership map on the Region’s website for a graphic display of Town and Region roads.

Q: What should I do with sand that has been swept off my driveway onto the road for spring cleanup by the streetsweeper?
A: Commencement varies depending on weather conditions. All ice across town must be melted and roads must not be too wet since it is very difficult if not impossible to sweep saturated and frozen material.Sand can be swept onto the roadway in early spring to be picked up by the streetsweeper. Sand on the road SHOULD NOT be swept into piles but should be left on the road close to the curb in a layer of uniform depth. Large piles are very difficult for the sweeper to pick up, cause premature wear to equipment and slow down sweeping operations significantly.

Q: Why is a vacuum truck used to clean out catchbasins in the spring?
A: During the winter, some of the sand used to improve safety on Town roads makes its way into catchbasins. This sand can plug up stormsewers and some of it will eventually make its way into the local watercourse. Every spring, a contractor cleans out the sumps of all catchbasins with a vacuum truck to minimize these issues. The removed sand is disposed of in an appropriate licensed location.

Spring street sweeping and catch basin maintenance occurs in the spring once ice has melted from the catch basins.

Q: Why do the roads have so much sand on them?
A: To reduce the affect on the environment, the Town uses 90% sand and 10% salt mixture. Because of this, more material is required to minimize ice and snow dangers. Despite this, the Town has implemented new initiatives over the past couple of years to actually reduce the amount of material spread on the roads.

Q: Why are the roads in such bad condition in the spring and why are there weight restrictions?
A: In the spring, ice created by water drawn up into the road by capillary action melts. Before the subgrade thaws and the water can drain, the trapped water causes the road base to become saturated and the road loses some of its structural integrity. Heavy vehicles can severely damage the road; therefore load restrictions must be imposed until the water has a chance to drain returning the road to a stable condition.

Sidewalks

1. What sidewalks receive snow removal services?
Refer to the Sidewalks section.

2. How and when are sidewalk repairs carried out?
Refer to the Sidewalks section.

3. How are sidewalk locations determined?
Refer to the Sidewalks section.

Streetlights

1. How and when does a defective streetlight get repaired?
Refer to the Streetlight section.

2. Are new Streetlights ever added?
Refer to the Streetlight section.

Water and Sewer

1. How can I test the water from my tap?
For those connected to municipal water, the Town is required by Provincial legislation to ensure that the water quality within the water main meets the Provincial drinking water quality standards. The testing of water within a residential or commercial unit or private wells is the responsibility of the owner. Contact the Region's Department of Health at 905-895-4511 for private testing guidelines.  See the Water and Sewer section for further information.

2. Can the Town locate my water service line and sewer line?
Refer to the Locates section.