Green Space Maintenance

Sod repairs

Following the winter season, Public Works asks your co-operation in notifying us of any sod damage caused by a wing or plow digging into lawns or boulevards. Minimal damage should be repaired by the homeowner; however, Town staff will topsoil and seed those areas where the winter control equipment has caused considerable damage. Again it is the homeowner's responsibility to care for the newly planted seed by ensuring that it is adequately watered. Markers indicating where extended curbs, sidewalks and driveways are located would be helpful for staff in winter and could prevent unnecessary repairs. The Town of Halton Hills is not responsible for any items that encroach onto Town property. Homeowners should be aware that boulevards are designed for the storage of snow during the winter season.

Tree maintenance

Public Works has a regularly scheduled program for the replacement of trees on municipal boulevards.

Maintenance

• Involves the removal of dead trees and stumps, and planting of new trees.

• Occurs in spring or fall.

• Varieties of hardwood trees are planted.

• New trees are the homeowners responsibility after the area is soiled and seeded

• Set up one year in advance.

We thank those who are contributing to enrich our local natural community. Maintenance of tree branches around hydro wires is completed by Halton Hills Hydro.

Damaged trees

High priority given to trees that are a potential hazard to:

• The public in high use areas

• Hydro or other utility overhead lines

• Public buildings or structures

If you see trees that pose a high risk to public safety or public buildings/structures, please call Public Works.

Tree planting and removals

Public Works has a regularly scheduled program for the replacement of dead trees on Town of Halton Hills boulevards, which consist of an annual Spring or Fall planting. If a resident feels, they have a tree, which is on Town property, which is dead or dying or requires pruning or dead limb removal please call Public Works to arrange for staff to view the tree in question. Varieties of hardwood trees of a consistent caliper between 50-75 mm are planted to replace existing trees. As part of the program, we will remove dead trees, including the stumps, providing they are on Town property. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain the area after it is top soiled and seeded. Areas which have been reconstructed are also included in this program and will be considered for replacement trees.

Budgetary constraints affect all programs and requests for replacement trees. The tree-planting program is set up one year in advance and requests must be made early in order for Supervisory Staff to develop the program ahead of schedule.

It is important for residents to note that Town staff cannot offer advice on trees located on private property and healthy trees will not be cut down unless certain criteria are met, i.e. sightline restrictions are compromised. Further, Halton Hills Hydro, not the Town of Halton Hills, completes tree limbing around Hydro wires. If a homeowner has a concern about their boulevard tree, they are invited to leave a request for service by calling the Public Works department. In addition, staff will investigate their concern.

Grass cutting

Rural roadside mowing

• The Town of Halton Hills Public Works Staff maintains rural roadsides.

• We are a pesticide free municipality, following the Ontario Cosmetic Pesticides Ban.

• The standard is a 6ft swath cut along the rural road edge.

Residents

• Please help maintain Town boulevards by cutting your boulevard; the small area of grass between the roadway and the front and side of your home.

Sports field maintenance

The Public Work’s Division is committed to maintaining safe and clean recreational facilities at all parks and sports fields. This includes the maintenance of:

• Fields and lawns (including cutting, aerating, and sprinkler repairs)

• Playground, Splash Pad, and sports field structure repairs

• Playground inspections

• Playground and court surface repairs

• Fieldhouse and washroom repairs

• Vandalized equipment repairs

• Garbage and litter cleanup

• Trail maintenance

Illegal dumping

When someone puts waste materials on Town or private property without the permission of the property owner, it is considered illegal dumping.

Litter and debris is not only an eyesore for the community but it is also an expensive program to maintain. Illegal dumping is a major concern for Public Works. We are asking for the public's assistance in helping us clean up the Town. 

If you notice items in the ditches or illegally dumped elsewhere, we ask that you phone in this concern and staff will attempt to pick it up at their earliest convenience. If you notice waste on municipal property please note:

• The address

• The specific location (on a road, curb, park bench, etc.)

• The type of waste (containers, bags, large objects, etc.)

Anyone witnessing illegal dumping activities should note the license plate number, and please call Halton Regional Police (911) immediately. This is considered a criminal offence, and the perpetrator will be fined. Citizens should not attempt to stop this dumping themselves.

Examples of illegal dumping include:

• Dumping bulk items like couches, bags of household waste and construction materials along the roadside, sidewalks, or parks.

• Placing household waste in park or street waste containers.

• Placing waste and/or materials in a construction site.

Scheduled garbage, recycling, and green cart removal is maintained by the Region of Halton. For more information please call 311 or 905-825-6000.

• Fouling and Encumbering of Public Roads By-law

• Community Standards By-law

Graffiti

What is it?

• Etching, painting or placing of any marks on public or private property.

• Graffiti is considered an act of vandalism which is against the law.

• It is NOT a sign or mural that has been authorized by the Town and approved by the owner.

• By-law 2008-0137 Property Standards

All property including Buildings, Fences and other objects shall be kept clean of Graffiti at all times and shall be restored, resurfaced and coordinated to the exterior finish of the object. 

Reporting graffiti

If you see graffiti:

• Call the Halton Regional Police Services non-emergency number 905-825-4777 to report the act of vandalism.

• Call Public Works to request to graffiti removal on municipal property.

Identify:

• Street address

• Intersections

• Nearby markers

• Object(s) and/ or locations that have been vandalized

• What the graffiti says or looks like

What we do

• Inspect the location

• Remove graffiti found on municipal property based on a prioritized list.

• In some instances, staff reports graffiti to the appropriate organization if it’s not on Town property i.e. Canada post boxes.

• If graffiti on municipal property is obscene in nature, or refers to a particular individual, the Town will remove it immediately.

• Community Standards By-law 2008-0138

Graffiti on private property

• Is the responsibility of the owner.

• Bylaw officers will give the property owner a fixed time in order to comply (remove) the graffiti.

• If the property owner does not comply within the allotted time, the Town will remove the graffiti and the cost will be added to the tax roll.

• Without knowing the type of surface, its characteristics, the type of paint or other materials used to deface the surface, it is not possible to recommend an effective cleaning material or process.

• Consult a graffiti removal specialist by searching the internet or using your local business directory. 

Frequently asked questions

1. When can our street be swept to remove winter sand and debris?

   All streets within Halton Hills are swept at least once in an intensive Spring Street Sweeping Program in April. Every street with a curb and gutter is put on a predetermined route assigned by Public Works.

2. Can we get a replacement tree that is dead on my boulevard?

   If the resident believes that the tree on Town property is dying or is dead, residents may notify the Town and arrangements will be made with Town staff to view the tree in question. Prior to Assumption: Development Engineering 905-873-2600 ext. 2200. Subdivision Assumed: Public Works General Inquiry Line 905-873-2600 ext. 2603.

3. When will my road be graded?

   After the winter season, when roads are deemed dry enough, gravel roads will be graded. Please contact Public Works for more information.

4. When will the dust control be applied to my gravel road?

   The Town of Halton Hills applies liquid calcium chloride twice a year on all gravel roads in Halton Hills. This program usually begins in late May or early June. A second application begins in late August, early September.

5. Can you spray dandelions covering the boulevard or fields?

   The Town of Halton Hills has adopted a pesticide reduction program and will not spray dandelions or weeds on boulevards or Town-owned open space. Sports fields, parks and cemeteries will be sprayed if the weed threshold has been exceeded.

6. Where can I pick up composters?

   Composters are available at the Region of Halton. Check your waste calendar for further information.

7. Where can I get free compost and wood chips?

   Halton Region provides Public Works with free compost on Earth Day ONLY. It can be picked up on Earth Day at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre. Please bring your own shovel and container. Donations to the food bank are appreciated. Please contact Public Works for more information.

8. Can potholes in the road be fixed?

   Potholes result from water getting in the granular base below the surface asphalt. This weakens the pavement and allows the traffic to create cracks and then breaks the road surface. The winter freeze and thaw cycle accelerates this process. Contact Public Works to advise us of the location and staff will schedule a repair. Please contact Public Works for more information.

9. Can you repair the sod damaged by the sidewalk snow plow?

   Yes, notify Public Works. In the spring, Town staff will topsoil and seed areas where the plow has caused damage. However, it is the homeowner's responsibility to care for the area, once it has been seeded.

10. Where can I pick up a Blue Box?

    New residents of Halton Hills can pick up 2 Blue Boxes at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre at 11620 Trafalgar Road. Current residents may have 1 blue box per year, free of charge and can purchase additional blue boxes from Halton Region. For more information visit Halton Region.

11. Who shall I contact if my streetlight is not working?

    If you notice that any streetlight in the Town is out or turning off and on intermittently, please contact Halton Hills Hydro at 519-853-3700 ext. 226.

12. Where can I get information on School Crossing Guard?

    The Town of Halton Hills administers 23 School Crossing Guard locations within Acton, Georgetown and Glen Williams. For specific locations/times and/or employment opportunities, visit Crossing Guards or contact Public Works.

13. What services does Public Works provide?

    Broken or missing street signs, Cemetery and park maintenance, Culvert repairs, animal on the side of the road, Garbage and debris on the side of the road, Graffiti, Potholes, Sidewalk Program, Sign and streetlight maintenance, Sod repair, Sweeping and dust control, Tree planting and removal, and Winter maintenance.