Mayor’s Mailbag – July 2024 Roundup – Fraud Protection; Signs on Street Poles; Deterring Wildlife & Flood Resources
Welcome to the Mayor’s Mailbag – July 2024 roundup.The Mayor’s Monday Mailbag is a weekly initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office has launched to share answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.
At the end of the month, we publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.
Mayor’s Mailbag – July 2024 Roundup
Protecting Against Scams and Fraud
Q: How can I protect myself against scams and fraud?
As online and telephone scams and fraudulent activity become more common, we often get questions about how to best protect oneself from falling victim to these sorts of attacks.Earlier this month, at my ‘State of the City’ presentation at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre, we invited a member of Halton Regional Police Service to share fraud prevention tips with seniors. It was very eye opening to learn about common tactics scammers will use to gain access to personal information.
Here are some of the key takeaways Halton Regional Police Service shared to avoid falling victim to fraud:
Beware of unsolicited calls and emails: Never share personal information or financial details over the phone or online unless you initiated the contact.
Verify before you trust: Always verify the identity of anyone asking for your information or money. Contact organizations directly using official contact details. Ensure you obtain contact details from legitimate websites.
Resist pressure tactics: Scammers often create a sense of urgency. Take your time to make decisions and consult with a trusted friend or family member.
Secure your personal information: Shred documents containing personal information before disposing of them, and use strong, unique passwords for online accounts.
Stay informed: Keep up with the latest scams targeting seniors by following news updates and resources from trusted organizations like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
If you have received a fraudulent phone call/email/communication and have not provided any personal information or lost any money, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 to file a report for statistical purposes.
Halton Regional Police Service has lots of online resources available to help you protect your privacy, and learn more about common scams, thefts and more. They also have answers to common questions, including what to do if you’re a victim of fraud, or want further information on protecting yourself from future fraud. Visit their dedicated Frauds and Scams for more.
Although Halton is the safest regional municipality in Canada in which to live and work, it’s important to protect ourselves and others from these sorts of incidents by learning and sharing information on the topic. We’ll continue to look for ways to inform the public on these sorts of issues so we can avoid becoming victims of these crimes.
Q: Can signs posted to street light poles be removed?
Yes, signs plastered or posted on street light poles are removed as part of the City of Burlington’s traffic signals routine maintenance — they are not removed by bylaw officers.
The City recommends the public reach out to City Hall at city@burlington.ca or 905-335-7777 if they see any signs on poles, so that they can be added to staff’s checklist. We appreciate the community helping the City keep track of this issue so that it can be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Detering Foxes and Coyotes From Neighbourhoods
Q: How can I deter foxes and coyotes from my neighbourhood?
Coyote, fox, and other wildlife sightings are common in the City of Burlington, as our green spaces and forested areas provide an excellent habitat for them. While most residents in Burlington coexist with coyotes daily with little or no discomfort, it is normal to feel concerns about how wildlife could pose a danger to personal safety and the safety of pets.
While naturally wary of humans, coyotes and other animals will seek food and shelter in residential neighbourhoods when they are being fed on purpose or by accident. The top things residents can do to help to successfully coexist with wildlife in our neighbourhoods include:
Never feed wildlife
Feeding wildlife, on purpose or by accident, teaches animals to depend on human handouts and can cause them to become too familiar with humans. This familiarization can lead to aggressive behaviour around people and dogs.
Hand feeding and ground feeding wildlife on private or public property is prohibited by the City’s Lot Maintenance Bylaw (49-2022) and is subject to a $250 fine.
Never leave pets unattended
Coyotes in particular may see pets as a threat to their territory, especially when there is a den site nearby. Always keep dogs on a short leash (less than six feet long) when walking outdoors. Make sure your cats and dogs are not left alone outside, even in your fenced backyard.
Secure Garbage Bins
Wildlife is often attracted to residential areas by easily accessible food sources. Use wildlife-proof garbage bins to prevent animals from rummaging through garbage to reduce the likelihood of encounters. Alternatively, consider placing garbage out the morning-of pickup day rather than the night before.
Keep a tidy property
Residential neighbourhoods are ideal habitats for wildlife with access to water, shelter and food sources like garbage, pet food, fruit trees and birdfeeders. Make sure your property is tidy and clear of garbage, food, brush, long grass and wood piles which are ideal den sites for coyotes or other wild animals that attract coyotes.
Inspect your property
Make sure spaces around and under decks, sheds and similar structures are closed off with wire screening that extends at least 20 centimetres under the ground. Seal off potential entry points to your home, such as gaps in the foundation or attic spaces.
Consistently haze coyotes
Discouraging coyotes takes vigilance. Ongoing efforts by the entire community to haze coyotes can help to re-instill their fear of humans and stop unwelcome behaviour.
Use one or more of these hazing techniques every time you see a coyote to help move it out of a residential area:
Don’t run.
Pick up small children and pets.
Yell loudly;
Wave your arms and make yourself look as big as possible;
Use air horns, whistles, bang pots;
Throw small rocks, large sticks, cans and/or rubber balls near the coyote;
Spray the coyote with water from a garden hose or a water gun filled with vinegar.
Back away slowly.
Report coyote sightings online at www.burlington.ca/coyote.
Connect with Animal Services
If you experience an issue with wildlife on your property, or notice a lost/unattended pet, it’s best to contact Burlington Animal Services instead of managing the animal yourself. You can contact Service Burlington through the City of Burlington’s customer contact centre via email (city@burlington.ca), by phone (905-335-7777) or in person at 426 Brant Street on the main floor of City Hall.
The City also holds educational meetings to help build the community’s awareness of coyotes and teach people how to avoid conflict with them. Details regarding upcoming educational pop-up sessions are available at www.burlington.ca/coyote
City and Council Supports Following July 15/16 Flood
Q: What is the City and Council doing to help the Burlington community bounce back from the July 15/16 flood?
Last week was incredibly challenging for the Burlington community. Residents from areas across Burlington invited me into their homes to see the damage to their properties firsthand. My heart continues to go out to everyone working through this. As of today, 809 homes in Burlington have reported flooding to Halton Region 311.
The impact of this devastation continues to be felt this week and will likely persist for weeks to come as we navigate the aftermath and work on getting residents back into their homes.
I’m getting questions about where we go from here. I want to emphasize that while the storm has passed, the conversation is not over. Discussions on initial recovery planning have begun with Halton Region, and Emergency Management Ontario. I’m continuing to work with Council, City staff, and even some residents directly on finding solutions to the aftermath of last week’s storm, and it remains my number one priority.
At the Special Council Meeting on Friday, July 19, Council confirmed the supports we can offer Burlington residents now. Please see important recovery and prevention support below:
Recovery Support
Halton Region has announced a $1,000 Ex Gratia Grant for Public Sewer Backup, which can help eligible residents to offset the cost of an insurance deductible or help with flooding-related costs that are not otherwise covered under their home insurance policy.
The City of Burlington has also announced an Ex Gratia Grant, which will provide $1,000 to residents with confirmed residential flooding that are not eligible for the Halton Region Ex Gratia Grant for Public Sewer Backup.
To be assessed for eligibility for the applicable grant, residents must report home flooding to Halton Region at 311. If this has not already been done, it must be done immediately.
Halton Region is contacting property owners impacted by flooding about enhanced waste pick-up arrangements.
The City is helping flooded homeowners by lifting the timed parking restrictions for parking on residential streets until Aug. 31, 2024.
Prevention Support
The City of Burlington offers the following programs:
Home Flood Protection Program helps homeowners reduce their risk of basement flooding and minimize damage if flooding occurs. Eligible homeowners receive up to 50% of the cost of an in-person or remote assessment, with up to 20 subsidized assessments available each year.
Plumbing Permit Fee Grant Program covers the cost of a building permit for specific improvements done in homes or businesses to reduce the risk of basement flooding, including installation of backwater valves, disconnection of foundation drains from the sewer system, and the installation of sump pumps.
Halton Region offers an Enhanced Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidy Program, with the following subsidies:
Downspout Disconnection: 100% of all eligible costs to disconnect downspouts from the weeping tile, up to a maximum of $500.
Weeping Tile Disconnection and Sump Pump Installation: 100% of the combined eligible costs to disconnect weeping tiles and install a sump pump, up to a maximum of $5,000.
Backwater Valve Installation: 50% of the eligible costs to install a backwater valve inside the home, up to a maximum of $675.
Sewer Lateral (pipe) Lining and Repair: 50% of the eligible costs to repair or line the sewer lateral (pipe), up to a maximum of $2,000
Residents can visit halton.ca/flood, call 311, or email accesshalton@halton.ca to find program details and instructions on how to apply for a subsidy.
Important Contact Information
Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
Call Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or email city@burlington.ca to report flooding or clean up needed on roads or public property. A crew will investigate and fix or clean the area if needed. In-person customer service at City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call Halton Region at 311 to report any flooding inside your home.
If you were unable to tune in, you can watch a recording of the meeting here: events.burlington.ca/meetings
Key Investments
One of the most frequently asked questions I’ve been receiving as well has to do with the City and Region’s responsibility in managing water and wastewater, as well as investments in stormwater infrastructure. The Region is responsible for managing wastewater sewer systems throughout the whole region. Halton Region has invested millions of dollars in optimizing the wastewater sewer system throughout the region. These improvements help ensure that the Region’s wastewater sewer system is more resilient to impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe localized wet weather. To learn about the Region and City programs for flood prevention, visit: burlington.ca/floodprevention
Additionally, the City, in coordination with the Region has invested $20 million in stormwater infrastructure alone. In creeks, we’ve dug deeper and wider to help stabilize the shores. Investments in stormwater infrastructure in our hot spot locations such as Tuck Creek have helped avoid severe damage to nearby properties following heavy rainfall. We also have a dedicated infrastructure levy, which we began allocating funds to in 2005. Dedicated infrastructure levies ensure we have a consistent and reliable source of funding specifically allocated for maintaining and upgrading critical infrastructure. This includes investments in effective stormwater management and flood prevention measures to reduce the risk of contaminating natural water bodies, and damaging properties.
The total amount of funding set aside by the infrastructure levy between 2005 and 2024 is $286.9 million. In 2024, our infrastructure levy generated $36.6 million to the capital program.
I want the Burlington community to know that the aftermath of this storm remains top of mind for myself, members of Council and City staff. As always, you can reach out to me directly with questions or concerns at mayor@burlington.ca
Related Links