COVID-19: Updates

Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre: CLOSED

Asphodel-Norwood Transfer Station: CLOSED

Municipal Office: CLOSED (staff are still available by phone 705-639-5343 or email info@antownship.ca)

Norwood Library: CLOSED

Westwood Library: CLOSED

Council Meeting - March 24, 2020: CANCELLED

Essential services will continue including Water, Wastewater, Public Works and Fire.

TheTownship of Asphodel-Norwood has made the difficult, but prudent decision to cancel the following public events in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19:

• Trails Day (scheduled for June 6, 2020)
• Showcase Asphodel-Norwood (scheduled for June 20, 2020)

Also, for the first time since the Second World War, the Norwood Fair will not be running in 2020. This decision was not made lightly by the Board of Directors for the Norwood Agricultural Society, but was done for the protection of our community.

Fire Ban in Effect for the Township of Asphodel- Norwood.

Effective immediately no open-air burning will be tolerated. Unnecessary fires have the potential to affect the health and safety of your Volunteer Fire Department due to possible COVID-19 exposure. Residents will be notified when the Fire Ban has been rescinded. This will not occur until the risks associated with COVID-19 are manageable.

Violations are subject to penalties outlined in the Township of Asphodel-Norwood By-law 2016-79.

Order of the Fire Chief

Last night the Province of Ontario released a new emergency order for municipalities to close, “all communal or shared, public or private, outdoor recreational amenities everywhere in Ontario, including but not limited to playgrounds, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, beaches, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, outdoor community gardens, park shelters, outdoor exercise equipment, condo parks and gardens, and other outdoor recreational amenities. Green spaces in parks, trails, ravines and conservation areas that aren't otherwise closed would remain open for walkthrough access, but individuals must maintain the safe physical distance of at least two metres apart from others. Ontario's provincial parks and conservation reserves remain closed.”

In response, the Township of Asphodel-Norwood will be taking additional measures to ensure the closure of the following locations:

1. Entire Community Centre Park – 88 Alma Street, Norwood
2. Norwood Park – 40 Millpond Lane, Norwood
3. Lions Park – 23 Alma Street, Norwood
4. Westwood Park & Ball Diamond – 313 Centre Line Road, Westwood
5. Asphodel Heights Park – 139 Indian Road, Hastings
6. Asphodel Park – 1446 Asphodel 3rd Line, Hastings
7. Birdsall Wharf – 2021 Birdsall Line, Hastings
8. Mill Pond Park – 4340 Hwy. #7, Norwood

View full press release. 

To support the Township of Asphodel-Norwood’s full commitment to our community during the increased daily threat of COVID-19 and to follow the recommendation of Peterborough Public Health, Asphodel-Norwood is closing all playgrounds effective immediately.

Please note that this closure does not include the Mill Pond Forest Trails, the Great Trail or park spaces.

The closure does include the playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment and skateboard park at the following locations:

1. Community Centre – 88 Alma Street, Norwood
2. Norwood Park – 40 Millpond Lane, Norwood
3. Lions Park – 23 Alma Street, Norwood
4. Westwood Park – 313 Centre Line Road, Westwood
5. Asphodel Heights Park – 139 Indian Road, Hastings
6. Asphodel Park – 1446 Asphodel 3rd Line, Hastings

Please remember to practice two (2) metre physical distancing if you are utilizing any other outdoor green space.

View full press release. 

Dear Residents & Stakeholders of Asphodel-Norwood,

I know this is a challenging time for each of us as we try to understand and cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our families, friends, colleagues and ourselves. Please be rest assured that the Township of Asphodel-Norwood is working closely with the Province, the Peterborough Public Health Unit and our municipal neighbours to stay informed and to provide the highest level of service possible during these uncertain times.

I cannot stress enough the importance of adhering to the following safety measures:

• Please STAY HOME as much as possible;
• If you are ill or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, STAY HOME;
• Frequently wash your hands with soap for 15 to 20 seconds;
• Ensure you practice physical distancing of 2 metres while on necessary outings or in the workplace;
• Please sneeze or cough into your arm;
• A self assessment tool is available on the Government of Ontario's COVID-19 self-assessment web page.

View full press release. 

Please be advised that playground equipment are not sanitized. 

Public health officials remind you to:

• Stay home if you are sick
• Practice social distancing
• Avoid touching surfaces
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently

If you choose to use parks and playgrounds, you do at your own risk. 

To further support the Township of Asphodel-Norwood’s full commitment to our community during the increased daily threat of COVID-19, the Asphodel-Norwood Transfer Station will be closed effective immediately. This closure will remain in effect until further notice, with the decision being reviewed on a consistent basis.

View full press release. 

During this time of social distancing, we would like to remind residents of what NOT to flush or pour down the drain. 

Many items we use on a daily basis cannot go down our toilets or drains. Several products, even those labelled “flushable,” do not dissolve. This can cause:

• Damage or blockages to your home plumbing, which could lead to basement flooding.
• Damage to the village sewer pipes located under the streets, which could lead to basement flooding.
• Damage to wastewater treatment plants.
• Harm to the environment and aquatic habitat in the local streams and rivers.

To help keep the entire sewage system working well, please do not flush or put the following products down the drain:

• Hygiene products (i.e. sanitary supplies, condoms, wipes).
• Fats, oils and cooking grease.
• Medication (i.e. pills or liquid).
• Household hazardous waste (i.e. paints, pesticides, cleaning products).

In order to remain vigilant and do all that we can to protect the community, our employees and their families the Township of Asphodel-Norwood is implementing the following:

1. Effective immediately the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre is closed for the season.
2. Effective immediately the Norwood Library branch is closed to the public until further notice.
3. As of 7:00 p.m. today, the Westwood Library branch is closed to the public until further notice.
4. As of 4:30 p.m. today the Municipal Office at 2357 County Road 45, Norwood will be closed to the public. Municipal business will continue with Municipal staff and Council being available to the public by phone at 705-639-5343 or email at info@antownship.ca, but no in person access. Certain circumstances may be considered by appointment on a case-by-case basis. Customers can make payments using various online methods or the office drop box.
5. Essential services will continue including Water, Wastewater, Public Works, Fire and the Transfer Station.
6. The regular meeting of Council scheduled for Tuesday March 24, 2020 is cancelled.

We encourage everyone to follow the guidelines as released by Peterborough Public Health and the Government of Canada to assist each other with slowing the spread of COVID-19.

View full press release.

As COVID-19 continues to evolve, the Township of Asphodel-Norwood wishes to advise you of the following:

1. All public skating scheduled at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre is cancelled until further notice.
2. The Asphodel-Norwood Public Library Board has cancelled all events scheduled over March Break including the Puppet Tamer on March 20th, the Movie Night on March 17th and the Fairy Garden Craft Event on March 19th. The branches will remain open.
3. An elevated cleaning regime has been implemented in all Township facilities.
4. All Township facility rentals will be assessed on a case by case basis.

The Township of Asphodel-Norwood will continue to monitor the need to implement other precautions and will advise of any updates. 

View full press release.