Save money on bag tags and compost your kitchen and yard waste. Composters can be purchased at the Township Office and the Landfill for $45.

These resources are available to get you started and keep you going. Composting is an excellent eco-friendly family project!

• The Four Seasons of Composting Poster
• The Home Composting Handbook 

Many residents of Drummond/North Elmsley have been affected by power outages. Generators are an excellent piece of equipment to have to stay prepared in emergencies. Below are some tips from the Red Cross on how to safely use generators.

Choose a Generator that is the correct size for your household needs. 

What size generator will I need?

1. Add up the power requirements of the appliances and devices you will want to use. (Check the back and sides for a label with this info.)

2. Add up the wattage of all the light bulbs you will want to use.

3. Find the total amps you need by dividing watts by volts.

4. Choose a generator that produces more amps than you need – because some machines draw up to 3 times as much power when starting up, and others lose efficiency over time. The best option is a permanently-installed stationary generator.

Most household devices run on 120 volts, while larger appliance such as fridges and freezers run on 240 volts.

Ask a Professional

If your power needs are complicated or difficult to determine, consider asking an electrician to assist you.

If you want to permanently connect your generator to your home’s house wiring, have an electrician install a power transfer switch.

Using a Generator at Home

The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. Follow the directions supplied with the generator. 

• To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles. Do not touch the generator with wet hands.

• Be sure to turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.

• Store fuel for the generator in an approved safety can. Use the type of fuel recommended in the instructions or on the label on the generator.

Store the fuel outside of living areas in a locked shed or other protected area. To guard against accidental fire, do not store it near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage.

• Plug appliances directly into the generator, or use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads.

Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.

• Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. Known as “backfeeding,” this practice puts utility workers, your neighbors and your household at risk of electrocution.

• Remember, even a properly connected portable generator can become overloaded, resulting in overheating or generator failure. Be sure to read the instructions.

• If necessary, stagger the operating times for various equipment to prevent overloads.

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning When Using a Generator

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area.

• Keep these devices outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

• Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home. Although CO can't be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY - DO NOT DELAY.

• Install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.

Test the batteries frequently and replace when needed.

• If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.

Call 911 from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.

MEDIA RELEASE:
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
May 8, 2023

Emergency Preparedness Week takes place May 7-13 across the country. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit works with our local municipalities, counties and government agencies to help reduce the impact of emergencies and disasters on people living in our communities.

We encourage everyone to be aware of their surroundings and the possible risks. Consider what you can do to prepare yourself and your family (including pets) before an emergency occurs. It is more common every year to see seasonal extreme weather events such as winter storms that we likely can forecast, and severe summer weather that can develop quickly. These weather events can cause power outages, delays in delivery of supplies (including food and medication) and dangerous travel conditions. It is important to have an emergency kit that can sustain your family for a minimum of 72 hours to help you through times when services may not be readily available.

When creating your kit, consider sufficient amounts of non-perishable food that can be prepared without cooking, a supply of bottled water, medication, first aid kit, clothing and blankets. Flashlights and extra batteries, and a portable radio will help keep you in touch with your community. Be aware of where important papers are stored and ensure you can access them quickly if needed. Consider the needs of those who rely on you including children, those with special needs and elderly parents. Have a plan of where you can meet should you get separated and have a common contact person designated outside of your area so you can let each other know how you are doing.

Check out the Emergency Preparedness section where you will find emergency specific information, fact sheets and links to emergency preparedness sites to help you be prepared and stay safe. You can also connect with us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @LGLHealthUnit for important public health updates or call 1-800-660-5853 with any questions.

With the help of the Scouts, the Township gave out 6,000 saplings on Saturday! In addition, the Scouts planted 1,500 saplings near the Code Road Landfill. If you could not make the Saturday sapling giveaway or wanted to plant additional saplings, we have 1,000 white pine saplings left. These saplings will be available at the front of the Municipal Office on a first-come, first-served basis to Drummond/North Elmsley Residents. There will be no limit on how many saplings you can take, but please only take as many as you can plant in the next 48 hours. 

The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley is giving away FREE TREE saplings to Township residents. 1st Drummond Scouts will be on site helping to distribute the trees.

WHEN: Saturday May 6, 2023- 9 am to 12pm
LOCATION: Municipal Office 310 Port Elmsley Road

Giveaway Details

• Maximum 50 per household
• While quantities last
• Bring your own container to put your saplings in
• Must be a resident of Drummond/North Elmsley Twp
• Homeowner is responsible to plant, water and maintain private tree

Saplings available are dependent on what we receive. We are expecting a mix of silver maple, red oak, bitternut hickory, black walnut, white pine, spruce, and cedar.

Every year Drummond/North Elmsley participates in PITCH IN where our amazing volunteers and residents work hard to clean up litter and waste along the roadsides!

PITCH-IN bags are free to volunteers and can be obtained at the Township Office at 310 Port Elmsley Road. Please stop in and let us know which stretch of road you will be picking up on. Bags are also available when the office is closed.

Pick up roadside litter, place it in a PITCH-IN bag and set it out for free collection on your regular day (no bag tag required). Only pitch-in litter will be picked up, do not put your household waste in the yellow bag.

DON’T FORGET to send pictures to the DNE Twp Facebook page so we can share your hard work and encourage others to join together, expand our areas and set an example to others that we truly care about the beauty and safety of our environment. 

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK HARD TO KEEP DRUMMOND/NORTH ELMSLEY CLEAN & BEAUTIFUL.

Lanark County Media Release - April 25, 2023

Lanark County’s 2023 construction season is underway! In 2023, the public works department plans to complete pavement preservation on 27 kilometres of roads, with rehabilitation and paved shoulders scheduled for 21 km.

The total capital budget for this year is $11.9 million, with the federal Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), formerly known as the federal gas tax, covering almost $2 million, and $1 million covered by the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF). The county oversees the construction, operation, repair and maintenance of more than 560 km of roads and 82 bridge and culvert structures.

“The county’s construction projects are planned over a 10-year window that is reviewed by council,” explained Terry McCann, public works director. “We assess the entire road system yearly and set priorities. Paving shoulders on all county roads continues to be a priority and we are making good progress.”

The cost of projects continues to be affected by rising inflation. Almost 17,000 tonnes of asphalt will be used this year, and asphalt prices have increased by 49% since 2021.

“Rising costs are a big consideration for our council when it comes to balancing the importance of safe and reliable municipal infrastructure and fiscal responsibility,” said Warden Peter McLaren (Lanark Highlands Reeve). “Having a strong plan to maintain and improve our roads and bridges is critical for our residents and visitors and for quality of life in Lanark County. It is one of our largest assets.”

Projects for 2023 include:

County Road 10 (Scotch Line): G. Tackaberry and Sons Construction Company Ltd. will be working on County Road 10 beginning Monday, April 24. Work includes pulverizing, adding granular material, completing drainage work and paving with warm mix asphalt for 4.5 km from west of Sumac Hill Road to the east of Stanleyville Road. Work is to be completed by June 23 at a cost of $1.3 million.

County Road 43 (Hwy. 43): Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. will be working on County Road 43 beginning on Aug. 7. Work includes pulverizing, adding granular material, drainage work, new curb gutter, asphalt boulevard and paving with two lifts of warm-mix asphalt from Port Elmsley Road to Station Road for 0.4 km. Work is to be completed by Sept. 8 at a cost of $310,108.

County Road 9 (Tatlock Road): Crain’s Construction Ltd. will be working on County Road 9 beginning on April 24. Work includes pulverizing, adding granular and completing drainage work from Galbraith Road to Halls Mill Bridge. Double surface treatment with hardened shoulders will be placed throughout. Work is slated to be completed by June 9 at a cost of $704,915.

County Road 36 (Bolingbroke Road): Crain’s Construction Ltd. will be working on County Road 36 beginning July 4 to Aug. 25. Work includes pulverizing, adding granular and completing drainage work from Hanna Road northerly for 2.5 km. Double surface treatment and warm-mix asphalt will be placed at a cost of $954,138.

County Road 20 (Waba Road): Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. will be working on County Road 20 beginning Aug. 7. Work includes pulverizing, adding granular, complete drainage and paving (including shoulders) with warm mix asphalt from PIN 2454 to Robertson Line, for a total length of 3 km. Work is scheduled to finish by Sept. 29 at a cost of $1.1 million.

County Road 17 (Derry Side Road): Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. will be working on County Road 17 beginning June 26. Work includes pulverizing, adding granular, completing drainage work and paving with warm-mix asphalt from Richmond Road northerly for 3.85 km. Work is scheduled to be completed Aug. 11 at a cost of $1.2 million.

County Road 16 (South Lavant Road): Crain’s Construction Ltd. will be working on County Road 16 beginning May 15. Work includes pulverizing, adding granular and completing drainage work from Morrison Lane to Reid Road for 1.4 km and from the intersection of County Road 16 and Lavant Mill Road easterly for 2.35 km. Double surface treatment with hardened shoulders will be placed throughout. Work is scheduled to be finished by June 30 at a cost of $622,171. 

Rideau Ferry Bridge: Dalcon Constructors Ltd. has been contracted by Lanark County and the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville to rehabilitate the jointly owned Rideau Ferry Bridge, located on County Road 1, 6 km north of Hwy. 15 at a cost of $2.28 million. Work includes the replacement of the concrete curbs and steel railings, as well as the installation of a new concrete-wearing surface. To facilitate the bridge improvement work, traffic will be reduced to one 3.6-metre lane, using temporary traffic signals and temporary concrete barriers to protect the workers. Work is underway and is scheduled to be completed in July.

Culvert Replacement: Two culverts will be replaced and one removed on County Roads 43, 511 and 15 from July to August by Arnott Brothers Construction Ltd. at a cost of $118,680.

Microsurfacing: This pavement preservation work is scheduled to take place from June 5 to Aug. 4 on County Roads 511, 17, 14 and 29 by Miller Paving at a cost of $2 million.

Shouldering: A total of 11.6 km of shoulder gravel improvement will be taking place on Highway 511
by Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. at a cost of $145,600.

McCann notes traffic may be reduced to one lane periodically during these projects and asks motorists to obey all signs and traffic control personnel during construction to ensure the safety of workers and the public. “We regret any inconvenience or disruption to traffic that may be caused.”

Also watch for the county’s public works crews cleaning bridges and conducting roadside mowing, pothole patching and sign repairs throughout the summer. Regular road maintenance activities through other contracts throughout the season include ditching, brushing, crack sealing, line painting and safety barrier repairs.

A Special Committee of the Whole meeting will be held in Council Chambers at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 8,  2023.

Links

CoW Agenda

For further information contact:

Janie Laidlaw, Deputy Clerk

613-267-6500 ext 251

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For immediate release: April 3, 2023
Rural Frontenac Community Services

FRONTENAC COUNTY: www.rfcs.ca is launching the www.Communitycarpool.ca with funding from the www.cfka.org in partnership with www.frontenaccounty.ca , www.lanarkcounty.ca and www.lennox-addington.on.ca.

Residents now have a new way to arrange for personal transportation across the counties. Rural Frontenac Community Services has launched their community carpool website. See www.communitycarpool.ca. Rural transportation is a challenge when you don’t drive or have a car and when there is no option of public transportation. This new initiative will provide another transportation option for rural residents.

Inspired by a ride share program in Halliburton, Rural Frontenac Community Services applied for funding from the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area to develop a local ride share program. The program will match drivers with passengers who need a ride to the same place.

How does it work? Anyone interested in providing a ride to a certain destination can log onto the web site, input their information about where and when they are going and see if anyone needs a ride. Anyone looking for a ride can access the same website to see if there is a ride available, if not they can input what they need and see if someone can fill that need.

This service has the potential to help so many. It is good for the environment, less cars on the road. It can help a driver by sharing the cost of gas. There is no need for long lonely drives, people can feel good about helping a neighbour and getting to know more people in their community.

“We are excited to be launching the new website and offering a new transportation service. Its neighbours helping neighbours.” Louise Moody, Executive Director of Rural Frontenac Community Services noted. “Sharing a ride has worked in small rural communities for many years, using this website will connect people who need a ride with people who want to share the ride.”

Rural Frontenac Community Services has partnered with the Counties of Frontenac, Lanark and Lennox and Addington on this initiative.

Sign up for free and connect with others willing to share a ride.

Contact person:
Nicki Gowdy, Frontenac Transportation Services Supervisor
Rural Frontenac Community Services, Sharbot lake 613-279-3151 ext, 303 nickig@rfcs.c