The Friends of the Tay Watershed, in partnership with Little Stream Bakery, are looking for students who would like $1,000 to help with their college or university expenses. This year two bursaries will be awarded to students who have a special interest in the environment. The award of these bursaries is not based on marks but on a demonstrated interest in the environment and water sustainability.

These bursaries are open to Tay Watershed high school students graduating in 2022-23, as well as former Tay Watershed students who are continuing their post-secondary education.  Students who chose a gap year after graduating are also eligible.

Students can find a fillable application form and instructions re other required documents on the Friends website attaywatershed.ca/new.php#WG23

Entry criteria and forms are also available from the student’s Guidance Counsellor. Along with the application form, students are asked to write an essay of about 500 words telling the Friends why they are passionate about sustainability, the environment and water; as well as providing a letter of recommendation from a faculty teacher, and a person who is not a family member.

Application deadline is March 31^st.
For more information contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

March 23, 2022

At the Council meeting held on February 28, 2023, Council appointed Cathy Ryder as the Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk effective March 31, 2023 to replace Cindy Halcrow who after 12 years in the position is retiring on March 30, 2023.

Ms. Ryder joined in the Township in July 2009 and is the current Township Clerk. She has been working with the Township since 2009 and is the current Clerk. Her previous employment was with the Councillor’s Office at the City of Calgary and as a Software Licensing Coordinator with Golder Associates.

Ms. Ryder has diplomas from McMaster University in Human Resources Management, Municipal Administration Program from AMCTO, Certified Municipal Manager (CMO) from AMCTO and a Certificate in Leadership from the University of Guelph, Employment Law and Human Resources AMCTO and certification in IT.

Reeve Fournier stated “I am a firm believer of promoting within, saying that there is also a certain degree of integrity and past accomplishments of earning a position as well. Cathy has achieved this. Moving forward we welcome and trust Cathy to lead the municipality in a progressive manner for all future endeavours.”

Ms. Ryder added, “I am excited for the opportunity to serve as the Chief Administrative Officer and that Council supports my transition in this role. I’m look forward to working in partnership with council, staff and the community to meet the challenges ahead. I am grateful for the support and leadership of the current CAO, Cindy Halcrow, has provided me. I feel fortunate to be leading an amazing team - from Council members to our professional and dedicated staff.”

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023:

CAO/Clerk Appointment:
Council appointed Cathy Ryder as the Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk effective March 31, 2023 to replace Cindy Halcrow who is retiring on March 30, 2023. Cathy has been working with the Township since 2009 and is the current Clerk. She has diplomas from McMaster University in Human Resources Management, Municipal Administration Program from AMCTO, Certified Municipal Manager (CMO) from AMCTO and a Certificate in Leadership from the University of Guelph, Employment Law and Human Resources AMCTO and certification in IT

Council approved amendments to the CAO’s job description to include the Clerk responsibilities such as municipal elections, freedom of information requests, human resources and IT. Council also approved a new Deputy Clerk job description and salary gird of $61,674 to $72,347 to replace the Clerk position. The position is expected to be filled shortly.

Livestock Valuer Increase in Compensation
Council approved an increase in the compensation paid to Livestock Valuers from $65 per visit to $80 per visit and include mileage expenses. The increase is estimated to cost $600 per year.

Budget Restatement
Council approved the 2023 Budget Restatement. The Township is required underOntario Regulation 284/09 to report on amortization, post-employment benefits, solid waste landfill closure, and post-closure expenses that are excluded from the budget. In 2009, accounting standards and financial reporting requirements changed significantly, with the most notable change being the requirement to report on tangible capital assets. However, these accounting standards do not require budgets to be prepared on the same basis. Drummond/North Elmsley continues to prepare budgets on the traditional cash or a modified accrual basis. Cash basis budgets do not include the requirement of accrual accounting and accounting for non-financial assets such as Tangible Capital Assets. Allowable expenses as per Ontario Regulation 284-09 include: amortization expense; post-employment benefit expenses; and solid waste landfill closure and postclosure expenses. The municipality excludes amortization expenses from its cashbased budget. Landfill closure and post-closure expenses are included in the annual budget therefore no adjustment or restatement is required. The Township does not have post-employment expenses and as such, there is no reporting required. For the purposes of this accounting exercise which has no financial impact on the budget, the net result of all adjustments is a surplus of $297,944.

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: March 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: March 14, 2023 following the Council meeting

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark
District Health Unit
MEDIA RELEASE
February 2, 2023

The Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) would like to advise everyone to take appropriate precautions over the next few days as temperatures are expected to be extremely cold. Environment Canada is anticipating that a strong cold front will produce wind chills value of minus 40C to minus 45C.

Cold weather can cause very serious health conditions and even death. Unprotected skin can freeze in as little as 10–30 minutes, and the risk of developing hypothermia is high. During very cold weather, everyone is at risk; however people experiencing homelessness, the elderly, infants and children, people taking certain prescription medications, people with certain pre-existing health conditions, outdoor workers, winter activity enthusiasts, and people living in homes that are poorly insulated (without heat or power) are in greater danger. During these cold temperatures, the Health Unit strongly encourages the public to check on family members, neighbours, or friends who may be isolated, disabled, living alone, or without sufficient shelter. During cold weather everyone should take the following precautions:

• Wear layers of warm dry clothing including a hat and mitts, to block the wind.
• Drink warm, non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages.
• Cover exposed skin surfaces when outdoors.
• Maintain a heated environment of around 20°C/68°F.
• Check for local warming centres or shelters in your community.
• Be aware of how your medications or health conditions may increase your risk.
• Be aware of the early signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Be aware of the dangers of using an oven or space heater as a heating device.
• Keep a winter driving survival kit in your vehicle and be sure to check the weather and road conditions before you travel.

For more information on how to protect yourself during extreme cold please see the Health Canada Wind Chill Index webpage, our Exposure to Hot/Cold Temperatures webpage and our Cold Weather Injuries factsheet.

Connect with us on Facebook and follow @LGLHealthUnit on Twitter for important public health updates. You can also call 1-800-660-5853 with any questions.

For media interviews, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Katie Lamb

Multimedia Specialist – Social Media

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

613-345-5685 x 2285 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Find us on social @LGLHealthunit

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023:

Second-Hand Truck Purchase
Council approved the purchase of a 2002 Ford F-150 XLD 4x4 from the  Drummond/North Elmsley Tay Valley Fire Department for $2,500 and approved the expense of $3,500 to pass the required safety inspection. The vehicle will be used as a spare vehicle for road patrolling and building inspections.

In-Kind Contribution
Council agreed to compensate Councillor Paul Kehoe $60 per hour for the use of his tractor as an in-kind contribution for his work in bush hogging the proposed Drummond/North Elmsley Trail.

Committee of the Whole Meeting January 24, 2023

Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital CEO Michael Cohen attended the meeting to give Council an overview of the hospitals’ activities. Staffing shortages and supply chain difficulties are continuing to be significant challenges though overall operations are
stable. The catchment area for the hospitals contain the highest concentration of older adults which will require an increase in the number of beds to 215 by 2050, up from the current 88.4 beds (2019/2020).

Mr. Cohen highlighted the four priorities of the hospitals’ strategic plan:
1. Provide an excellent experience for the people we serve, every time,
2. Meet the changing needs of our community
3. Support and empower our people
4. Ensure our future sustainability

The hospital started a $6M fundraising campaign for a new MRI machine. The MRI machine requires $2M in hospital renovations that will protect people’s safety.

The PSFDH initiated a core capital program 4 years ago to help address capital funding gap and partnered with many area municipalities. Annually, their assets depreciate by $4.6M against an investment of $2.4M in asset renewal. They are not keeping up with their assets. He mentioned that the funds from the program are directed to the clinical transformation project that was designed to improve patient safety, quality of care and leverage information to better manage the hospital and create innovations of care.

Upcoming Meetings
• Special Committee of the Whole - Council Priorities 2022-2026: February 8, 2023
at 1:00 p.m.
• Council Meeting: February 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: February 14, 2023 following the Council meeting

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit MEDIA RELEASE 
Jan 13, 2023

Quitting smoking or vaping can be one of the most difficult things to do. It can take a few tries before you succeed. Each time you try to quit, you increase your chances of being smoke free for good. Making the decision to quit is a personal choice. Preparation and planning can increase the chances for a successful quit attempt.

Here are some tips to help you prepare to quit

• Think about how you want to quit, cold turkey, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, prescription medications.  Using quit aids like NRT/medication along with behavioural change can double your chances of a successful quit attempt.
• Make a list of all the reasons why you want to quit
• Monitor your smoking and find out what your triggers are
• Find healthier substitutes for smoking- once you identify your triggers, you can make other choices instead of having a cigarette
• Change your environment and routine – For example, start by making your home and car smoke free
• Talk with someone – tell others you are trying to quit; better yet, quit with a buddy
• Set a quit date.
• If your attempt wasn’t successful use the experience as an opportunity to reflect about what happened and why. Remember, when you start over, this time you are stronger and wiser!

Once you have made the decision to quit, you can explore some the various quit smoking strategies and tools available. The Health Unit can help you find the resources that are right for you:

• Consultation and support over the phone at 1-800-660-5853 or online at healthunit.org
• Stop smoking medications can help to control cravings and nicotine withdrawal. To find out how to get free nicotine replacement therapy, visit our website Ready to Quit Page
• There’s a free app also! Visit QUASH to make a quit plan that’s right for you.
• In-person help is now available from the Health Unit – contact us for an appointment with a quit coach who can walk you through the options for quitting and help you make a plan for success. Appointments can be made after regular office hours in Brockville or Smiths Falls offices; check the website for more details.

Many people find it difficult to quit because they feel that smoking/vaping helps them to relax. This is one of the biggest myths, in fact, it does the opposite to your body.  Smoking makes your heart beat faster, your breathing quickens and your blood pressure rises.  Stopping what you are doing to smoke/vape gives you a break from work or something causing you stress and takes your mind off your worries.  You can accomplish the same results without smoking or vaping.

Another quitting strategy is to try vaping instead of smoking. While quitting altogether is better, we recognize reducing your consumption may be an option for some people. Here are some tips if you think switching or reducing is your best option:

• Switch completely to vaping (use of both cigarettes and vaping increases risk),
• choose low nicotine content products,
• reduce use & manage cravings, and
• consider an approved quit product like nicotine patches or gum. 
• If you don’t smoke, don’t start vaping. 

Any attempt to quit smoking or vaping is a good decision for your health.  For more information, visit our Ready to Quit page on our website. You can also follow LGLHealthunit on Facebook and Twitter or @lglhealthunit.z on Instagram for important public health updates.

For media interviews, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023:

By-laws:
2023 Budget Estimates
Council passed the 2023 Budget Estimates Bylaw to raise a tax levy of $4,909,964 and a capital budget of $1,164,500.

Road Allowance Closure and Sale
Council stopped up, closed up and is selling a small portion of a unopened road allowance on Concession 11, between lots 15 and 16 to Temple’s Sugar Bush Ltd and Cummings.

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: January 24, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: January 24, 2023 following the Council meeting

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

2023 Salary Cost of Living Increase
Pre-budget approval was given for a 2% cost-of-living increase for salaries effective January 1st.

Purchase of a Plow Truck
Council gave approval for the purchase of an International Plow Truck in the amount of$357,000 plus HST.

Delegation of Authority for Liquor Sales
Council amended the Delegation of Authority to Staff By-law to approve the sale of liquor on New Year’s Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday statutory holidays at the local Township LCBO retail locations when requested.

Interim Tax Rate
Council passed the 2023 Interim Tax Rate Bylaw to collect municipal taxes. The Interim Tax Rate is based on 50% of the previous years tax levy. Interim tax payments are due on February 28 and April 28.

Council Remuneration
Council approved a 2% increase on their remuneration effective January 1, 2023.
Reeve                                                              $31,472.73 per year
Deputy-Reeve                                             $22,231.06 per year
Councillor                                                    $19,030.56 per year

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: January 10, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: January 10, 2023 following the Council meeting