French eBooks and eAudiobooks now available at the Perth & District Library

The Perth & District Union Public Library now provides access to Cantook, a digital collection of French eBooks and eAudiobooks. The platform hosts 11,000+ ebooks and 1,300+ audio titles from Franco-Ontarian, Québécois and international publishers, and for adults, teens and children. It also hosts a wide selection of current and popular translations, by authors such as  Louise Penny, Kristin Hannah, Sarah J. Maas, and Michael Connelly.

“We're delighted to have access to this resource via the Ontario Library Service consortium, which will allow us to support our French readers with many more and regularly updated titles than we could on our own”, said Emily Fournier, Library Specialist - Adult & Senior Services.

The new French eBook and eAudiobook collection can be accessed with a Perth & District library card and at the following url: https://perthunionpubliclibrary.cantookstation.com/.

The Ottawa District Office of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) received a report regarding a possible harmful algal bloom.

That possible HAB was observed at 11:34 AM on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 155 McCreary’s Beach Road, (McCreary’s Beach Resort), Drummond-North Elmsley Township, at a pond, adjacent to Mississippi Lake. 

Based on conversations with the Leeds/Lanark/Grenville Health Unit, a site visit will not be conducted. There are no public beaches, recreational camps, or small drinking water systems that draw drinking water from the lake.

Another possible HAB was observed at 3:25 PM on Saturday, October 4, 2025, on Charlie Drive in Drummond-North Elmsley Township, at Ebbs Bay, Mississippi Lake.

Based on conversations with the Southeast Health Unit, a site visit will not be conducted.

For general information on blue-green algae, please refer to the MECP’s website at Blue-green algae | ontario.ca.

Lanark County Internet Service Options

Lanark County, ON — September 19, 2025

Lanark County has been made aware that residents who currently receive internet services from Community Fibre Company (CFC) may have their service interrupted in the coming weeks.

To support those impacted, the County is providing a list of internet service providers (ISPs) and tools to help residents find new connectivity options.

How to Find a New Internet Provider

Residents are encouraged to use the following tools:

- National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map
  Search by address to view available providers, service types, and coverage.
  https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/139.nsf/eng/home

- AHSIP Interactive Map
  Part of Ontario’s Accelerated High Speed Internet Program. Residents must click on the coloured roadway lines to view service details.
  www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-connects-making-high-speed-internet-accessible-every-community
  (Note: This map shows fibre builds underway by Bell, Rogers, and Xplore, expected to complete by 2025, though timelines may shift.)

ISPs Offering Immediate Solutions

Rogers Communications Inc.

Wireless broadband available in Montague, Beckwith, Carleton Place, and Lanark Highlands.
Visit www.rogers.com or a physical location:
- Carleton Place (515 McNeely Ave Unit 1B)
- Smiths Falls (60 Lombard St Unit 4)
Residents can leave with equipment and set up service immediately.

Bell Canada Ltd.

Visit www.bell.ca or their physical location in Smiths Falls (123 Lombard St Unit #7)

Storm Internet

Coverage in Montague, Beckwith, Carleton Place, and Lanark Highlands.
Visit https://www.storm.ca or their Perth location:
2896 Rideau Ferry Road, Unit 106, Perth
Phone: 613-267-3801
Technician visit required for signal check and installation.

Xplore

Offers 5G Ultra in many Ontario locations.
Visit https://www.xplore.ca or contact local distributor:
DKS Xplore, 27 Kearnsley Way, Stittsville
Phone: 613-218-8671
Technician visit required for setup.

Starlink

Satellite-based service available across Lanark County.
Visit https://www.starlink.com
Equipment shipped directly to residents; self-installation required.

Further resources will be added here as they become available.

Please note that, while Lanark County is committed to assisting residents affected by the outage by providing available information, we are not involved in any decision related to the service outage. If you are an effected customer, we encourage you to reach out directly to your provider for further information.

For immediate release

September 15th, 2025

Lanark County 2025 Construction Update

Lanark County Public Works is pleased to provide this update on construction projects taking place in 2025. In total, 24.8 kilometers of roadway have been upgraded with paved shoulders, and 16.2 kilometers have had micro-surfacing completed. These upgrades represent a significant investment in infrastructure, safety, and accessibility for all road users.

Highway 43 (CR43)

From Station Road to Mazie Street, this section now features paved shoulders, completing a continuous stretch from Perth to Smiths Falls. This enhancement greatly improves cyclist and pedestrian safety.

Scotch Line Road (CR10)

From Glen Tay Road to Otty Lake Side Road, upgrades include paved shoulders and drainage improvements. A left-turn slip lane at Glen Tay Road has been added to improve traffic flow and safety.

Roadways upgraded with paved shoulders and improved drainage:

• Waba Road (CR20) -From Shaw Road southerly for 4.6 km
• Ferguson Falls Road (CR15) - From Pine Grove Road to Highway 7
• Highway 511 (CR511) From 3 km north of Tatlock Road northerly for 3.4 km
• Derry Side Road (CR17) From Beckwith 9th Line southerly for 1.9 km

Innovative Construction Practices

This season saw the successful trial of night paving on Highway 511, Ferguson Falls Road, Waba Road, and Derry Side Road. Based on its effectiveness, the County will permit night paving as an option for future projects.

Micro-Surfacing Pavement Preservation

• Maberly-Elphin Road (CR36): Robertsville Road to Elphin
• McDonalds Corners Road (CR12): Mill Avenue to Elphin
• Townline Road (CR7B): Joseph Street to McNeely Avenue

Blakeney Bridge Replacement

Construction on the Blakeney Bridge has been completed. The single-lane bridge has now been replaced with a modern two-lane modular structure featuring a widened shoulder and a dedicated pedestrian walkway.

5-Arches Bridge

Work on the bridge began in mid-August and is focused on replacing the concrete jackets surrounding the original stone footings in the Mississippi River. This phase is scheduled to continue through October of 2025, with temporary closures to facilitate dewatering access. In 2026, additional restoration will include the replacement of the parapet stones and the asphalt deck, requiring the closure of the bridge during the work.

OVRT (Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail)

 Sections of the OVRT north of Almonte were resurfaced with new stone dust, improving trail conditions and user experience for cyclists, walkers, and other recreational users. Wayfinding signage is scheduled to be installed this fall.

Tay-Havelock Trail

 More than 12 kilometers of the Tay-Havelock Trail have been resurfaced with new gravel and stone dust, extending from the trailhead westward. The work includes brushing and tree removal, drainage enhancements, granular base installation, and stone dust surfacing, with wayfinding signage also planned.

The County extends its sincere thanks to all residents and visitors for their patience and cooperation throughout this important construction season. These improvements will serve our communities for years to come.

Sean Derouin, Lanark County’s Public Works Director, celebrated these achievements, “This year’s road and bridge improvements reflect our commitment to building safer, more accessible infrastructure for everyone in Lanark County. We’re grateful for the public’s patience and support throughout the construction season.”

 For immediate release

September 11th, 2025

Traffic By-Law Changes Approved: Lanark County Council has approved key amendments to its Consolidated Traffic By-Law, aimed at improving road safety and traffic management in several communities.

The updates include:

• Extension of the Community Safety Zone (CSZ) on CR#23 Rosedale Road South to include the newly opened 22-acre Montague Park property, increasing protection for pedestrians near Montague Public School.
• Speed zone adjustments on CR#12 McDonalds Corners Road in Elphin, extending the 60 km/h zone by 90 meters eastward and installing radar speed signs to help reduce speeding into the residential area.
• Realignment of speed zones on CR#10 North Street, shifting the 50 km/h and 60 km/h zones westward to eliminate a long stretch of 60 km/h through undevelopable land.

“These changes reflect our commitment to safer roads and responsive traffic management,” said Sean Derouin, Director of Public Works. “They were developed through data analysis, community input, and collaboration with the Traffic Advisory Working Group and local municipalities.”

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) supported the inclusion of transitional speed zones, noting they enhance enforceability and reduce legal challenges. The cost of signage and implementation will be covered within the existing Public Works budget.

Implementation will follow the County’s Speed Management Policy, with post-installation monitoring to assess effectiveness. For more information contact: Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194

Drummond-North Elmsley Official Plan Amendment Approved: Lanark County Council has approved Drummond-North Elmsley’s Official Plan Amendment No. 9 (OPA 9), following a comprehensive review to align with provincial planning policies.

OPA 9 introduces 109 updates to the municipality’s Official Plan, including revised schedules and a new Schedule C map. The changes enhance policy clarity, support implementation, and reflect public input gathered through extensive consultation. Lanark County is the Approval Authority for amendments to local municipal Official Plans.

“Drummond North Elmsley OPA 9 represents good land use planning, is consistent with matters of provincial interest and the County Plan and balances public interests,” said Mike Dwyer, Planning Manager for Lanark County.

Modifications to OPA 9 were implemented in granting the approval. These modifications were developed in consultation with Drummond North Elmsley and severe to ensure provincial interest conformity and ease of policy interpretation and application. For more information contact: Mike Dwyer, Planning Manager, 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1520

Addition to Carleton Junction Lease: Lanark County Council has approved an amendment to the lease agreement for Carleton Junction with the Town of Carleton Place. The amendment includes the addition of new parcels of land adjacent to the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT), which will be managed by the Town and developed for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) parking.

The OVRT corridor, owned by Lanark County, has long served as a vital recreational and economic asset for the region. Under the lease agreement, the Town of Carleton Place oversees the management of the property to ensure that all development aligns with its community goals and enhances public access and use.

“This amendment is a testament to the strong and successful partnership between Lanark County and the Town of Carleton Place,” said Kurt Greaves, Chief Administrative Officer of Lanark County. “By working together, we continue to support recreational development that benefits residents and visitors alike, while promoting economic vitality along the OVRT corridor.”

The newly added property will be used to create designated ATV parking areas, improving access and usability for trail users and supporting the Town’s broader vision for Carleton Junction as a hub for outdoor activity and tourism. For more information contact: Kurt Greaves, CAO, 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Launches at Perth & District Library

A new self-directed program, 1000 books before Kindergarten, has launched at the Perth & District Union Public Library. Designed to encourage a love of reading, the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is just that - a parent reading books with their child every day. 

“Reading and sharing a book with your child from the moment they are born helps them to develop pre-reader skills for kindergarten, such as understanding letter sounds and building a larger vocabulary”, said Heidi Taber, Children’s Librarian. “Reading a thousand books might sound daunting, but it’s very do-able. If you read one book a night with your child, you can complete the challenge in less than three years. If you read three books a night, you can read 1000 books in one year!”

Any child from birth to five years of age can participate. Families participating in this program receive a log sheet, stickers every 100 books read, and a free book when they reach 1000 books. Families can pick up tracking sheets from the Perth & District Union Public Library or download them from their website at www.perthunionlibrary.ca/1000books.

Please visit www.perthunionlibrary.ca/1000books or call the library 613-267-1224  for more information.

A Free program for seniors ( 55+) residing in Carleton Place and the surrounding Townships

No Curling Club membership needed.

Come join us for a light lunch and social time.  Followed by a variety of card and board games.

Mondays at 11:30 for lunch, followed by 1 pm - 3:30 pm for games

Starting September 15th, 2025,

Location:
Carleton Place Curling Club
120 Patterson Crescent, Carleton Place

It’s a perfect time to learn a new game or play an old favourite!

To sign up, call or email Laura Garrett - 705-653-6747  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If transportation is needed, Laura can help!

Employment Opportunity - Equipment Operator (6 Month Contract)

The Corporation of the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley is accepting applications for an Equipment Operator for a 6 month contract. Reporting to the Public Works Supervisor, the Equipment Operator performs tasks related to regular maintenance and repairs on road equipment, performs winter maintenance activities such as operating snowplow or sand/salt truck, performs roadside maintenance including tree trimming and removal, signage repair.

The ideal candidate will have a secondary school diploma, a Class DZ licence, chain saw certification, experience with heavy equipment such as back-hoe, loader and plow truck, good verbal communication, and ability to work with minimum supervision.

The 2025 hourly rate is $30.25, plus standby pay.  40 hours per week with overtime as required.  The 6 month contract will be from November 2025 to April 2026.

A detailed job description is available.

Please reply in confidence with a detailed cover letter and resume by noon on Friday, September 12^th, 2025.

Janie Laidlaw, Clerk
Township of Drummond North/Elmsley
310 Port Elmsley Rd. Perth ON   K7H 3C7
(613) 267-6500
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion within the workplace. We will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process, please contact Janie Laidlaw, Clerk.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for employment assessment purposes only.