Lanark Couny 
Media Release
November 16, 2022

A second closure date for Rideau Ferry Bridge has been scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as contractors prepare for the winter shutdown and the reopening of the north lane.

Dalcon Constructors Limited, which has been contracted by Lanark County and the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville, who jointly own the bridge, is replacing bearings at each end of the bridge and installing expansion joints before the bridge can be fully reopened for the winter. Girder ends are repaired while the bridge is in a raised position. Live loads cannot be supported by the temporary supports while that work is completed, requiring a full bridge closure.

“The first closure on Nov. 15 was a success, with the bridge opening ahead of schedule that day,” said Sean Derouin, public works manager. He explained material and labour shortages have meant the work to complete both sides of the bridge is postponed until next year to prevent concrete work from being conducted in unfavourable conditions.

Lanark County Public Works advises that during this closure detour signage will be in place via Hwy. 15 to Smiths Falls to Lanark County Road 43.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience,” Derouin said.

For further information, please contact:
Sean Derouin
Public Works Manager
Lanark County
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194

A Special Meeting of the Committe of the Whole will be held in the Council Chambers at 9:00 a.m. Friday, November 18, 2022 in regards to the 2023 budget. 
Copies of 2023 draft budget are attached to the meeting agenda.

For further information contact:
Angela Millar, Treasurer
613-267-6500
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lanark County
For immediate release
Nov. 8, 2022

A new and innovative community-developed and farmer-delivered program has formed in Lanark County and plans to share the results of its current agriculture stewardship projects in an official launch next year.

The Lanark chapter of ALUS — originally an acronym for Alternative Land Use Services — formed in January 2022. ALUS is a charitable organization with a program that produces, enhances and maintains ecosystem services on agricultural lands, such as wetland restoration and enhancement,riparian buffers, shelterbelts, afforestation (establishing a forest) and native prairie grass restoration. Ecosystem services provide cleaner water and air, habitat, carbon sequestration (capture and storage) and climate resiliency. The program is centred on farmer involvement and local decision making, ensuring local priorities and voices are a part of delivering environmental solutions for communities.

ALUS provides per-acre annual payments to farmers and ranchers dedicated to managing and maintaining approved projects on their land. Projects are targeted for areas that are marginally productive, inefficient to farm or are environmentally sensitive. Generally, a maximum of 20 per cent of workable land is eligible.

After its launch in January 2022, ALUS Lanark formed its local Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC), which oversees the program. The PAC is made up of local farmers (at least 50 per cent of the membership), community stakeholders and other members with relevant expertise (economic, environmental, scientific, etc.). The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) acts as the legal entity for the program, but delivery and management is shared with Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA).

“The partnership of these organizations and the stakeholders involved demonstrates the importance of the agricultural community to Lanark County,” says Alyssa Cousineau, ALUS Senior Hub Manager, Great Lakes. “Farmers play so many roles in our communities and generate economic, environmental and cultural outcomes. ALUS Lanark helps them to effectively steward the environment we all rely on.”

RVCA’s ALUS Lanark Coordinator Derek Matheson explains farming has increased in Lanark County in recent years while other sectors have decreased. "ALUS Lanark helps the county’s network of farmers who are keen to undertake environmental stewardship projects to adapt to the changing landscape and contribute to the health of the community.” 

“The projects aim to contribute to the health of private farmlands while helping the broaderenvironment,” MVCA’s ALUS Lanark Coordinator Marissa Okum adds. “They support biodiversity, reduce downstream flooding in neighbouring communities and ecosystems, and mitigate the effects of climate change through carbon sequestration – capturing and storing carbon dioxide.”

The ALUS Lanark program targets this year are to create two new acres of wetland and enhance five acres of wetland habitat. The first project is to create two new wetlands on a dairy sheep farm along the Rosedale Creek at low, wet spots in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada. The second project is to create a 0.5-acre wetland on a beef farm along the same creek, which will act as a pairing pond to complement another wetland previously established by Ducks Unlimited Canada. A third project is to enhance a large wetland on a farm with livestock along Black Creek and the Swale Wetland off the Rideau River within a source water protection intake protection zone for Smiths Falls.

“Lanark County is a proud supporter of the ALUS Lanark program and providing nature-based solutions,” says Michelle Vala, Lanark County’s Climate Environmental Coordinator and representative on the PAC. “The county’s Climate Action Plan includes strategies to enhance our natural landscape through programs such as ALUS. One of the guiding principles in the plan relates to sequestering carbon and protecting natural resources. We have goals to protect, restore and create wetlands, as well as to promote and establish pollinator habitat as part of our long-term vegetation goals – both of which are potentially achieved through ALUS Lanark. We hope to see the program grow in the years to come.”

An official launch event for ALUS Lanark will be planned after the successful completion of the first projects next year. Farmers interested in applying for project funding can submit an expression of interest with the assistance of a coordinator. The process includes site visits and an agreement.

Funding for ALUS projects comes from a wide spectrum of sources, including private foundations,government programs, municipal governments, individual philanthropists, corporate social responsibility programs and interested partner organizations and agricultural and environmental groups. To donate, contact a coordinator or learn more about the ALUS program, please visit
https://alus.ca/alus_community/alus-lanark/ 

For more information/media interviews, contact:

Derek Matheson 
Rural Clean Water Program Manager
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority 
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 613-692-3751 ext. 1134 

Michelle Vala
Climate Environmental Coordinator
Lanark County
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3114

Todd Westcott
Communications Specialist and Community Liaison
ALUS
226-500-2914

About ALUS
ALUS (originally an acronym for Alternative Land Use Services) is a national charitable organizationthat provides expertise, resources, and direct financial support to 35 communities across sixprovinces where more than 1,400 farmers and ranchers establish and steward nature-based solutionson their land. These solutions deliver ecosystem services to help sustain agriculture and fight climatechange and biodiversity loss for the benefit of communities and future generations. Projects such as enhanced wetlands, windbreaks, riparian buffer zones, wildlife habitats, adaptative agricultural practices and other impactful environmental solutions produce cleaner air, cleaner water, greater biodiversity, carbon sequestration, erosion control, flood and drought mitigation, pollinator and wildlife habitat, and other ecological services.

Lanark Highlands
For immediate release
Nov. 8, 2022

A new and innovative community-developed and farmer-delivered program has formed in Lanark County and plans to share the results of its current agriculture stewardship projects in an official launch next year.

The Lanark chapter of ALUS — originally an acronym for Alternative Land Use Services — formed in January 2022. ALUS is a charitable organization with a program that produces, enhances and maintains ecosystem services on agricultural lands, such as wetland restoration and enhancement,riparian buffers, shelterbelts, afforestation (establishing a forest) and native prairie grass restoration. Ecosystem services provide cleaner water and air, habitat, carbon sequestration (capture and storage) and climate resiliency. The program is centred on farmer involvement and local decision making, ensuring local priorities and voices are a part of delivering environmental solutions for communities.

ALUS provides per-acre annual payments to farmers and ranchers dedicated to managing and maintaining approved projects on their land. Projects are targeted for areas that are marginally productive, inefficient to farm or are environmentally sensitive. Generally, a maximum of 20 per cent of workable land is eligible.

After its launch in January 2022, ALUS Lanark formed its local Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC), which oversees the program. The PAC is made up of local farmers (at least 50 per cent of the membership), community stakeholders and other members with relevant expertise (economic, environmental, scientific, etc.). The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) acts as the legal entity for the program, but delivery and management is shared with Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA).

“The partnership of these organizations and the stakeholders involved demonstrates the importance of the agricultural community to Lanark County,” says Alyssa Cousineau, ALUS Senior Hub Manager, Great Lakes. “Farmers play so many roles in our communities and generate economic, environmental and cultural outcomes. ALUS Lanark helps them to effectively steward the environment we all rely on.”

RVCA’s ALUS Lanark Coordinator Derek Matheson explains farming has increased in Lanark County in recent years while other sectors have decreased. "ALUS Lanark helps the county’s network of farmers who are keen to undertake environmental stewardship projects to adapt to the changing landscape and contribute to the health of the community.” 

“The projects aim to contribute to the health of private farmlands while helping the broaderenvironment,” MVCA’s ALUS Lanark Coordinator Marissa Okum adds. “They support biodiversity, reduce downstream flooding in neighbouring communities and ecosystems, and mitigate the effects of climate change through carbon sequestration – capturing and storing carbon dioxide.”

The ALUS Lanark program targets this year are to create two new acres of wetland and enhance five acres of wetland habitat. The first project is to create two new wetlands on a dairy sheep farm along the Rosedale Creek at low, wet spots in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada. The second project is to create a 0.5-acre wetland on a beef farm along the same creek, which will act as a pairing pond to complement another wetland previously established by Ducks Unlimited Canada. A third project is to enhance a large wetland on a farm with livestock along Black Creek and the Swale Wetland off the Rideau River within a source water protection intake protection zone for Smiths Falls.

“Lanark County is a proud supporter of the ALUS Lanark program and providing nature-based solutions,” says Michelle Vala, Lanark County’s Climate Environmental Coordinator and representative on the PAC. “The county’s Climate Action Plan includes strategies to enhance our natural landscape through programs such as ALUS. One of the guiding principles in the plan relates to sequestering carbon and protecting natural resources. We have goals to protect, restore and create wetlands, as well as to promote and establish pollinator habitat as part of our long-term vegetation goals – both of which are potentially achieved through ALUS Lanark. We hope to see the program grow in the years to come.”

An official launch event for ALUS Lanark will be planned after the successful completion of the first projects next year. Farmers interested in applying for project funding can submit an expression of interest with the assistance of a coordinator. The process includes site visits and an agreement.

Funding for ALUS projects comes from a wide spectrum of sources, including private foundations,government programs, municipal governments, individual philanthropists, corporate social responsibility programs and interested partner organizations and agricultural and environmental groups. To donate, contact a coordinator or learn more about the ALUS program, please visit
https://alus.ca/alus_community/alus-lanark/ 

For more information/media interviews, contact:

Derek Matheson 
Rural Clean Water Program Manager
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority 
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 613-692-3751 ext. 1134 

Michelle Vala
Climate Environmental Coordinator
Lanark County
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3114

Todd Westcott
Communications Specialist and Community Liaison
ALUS
226-500-2914

About ALUS
ALUS (originally an acronym for Alternative Land Use Services) is a national charitable organizationthat provides expertise, resources, and direct financial support to 35 communities across sixprovinces where more than 1,400 farmers and ranchers establish and steward nature-based solutionson their land. These solutions deliver ecosystem services to help sustain agriculture and fight climatechange and biodiversity loss for the benefit of communities and future generations. Projects such as enhanced wetlands, windbreaks, riparian buffer zones, wildlife habitats, adaptative agricultural practices and other impactful environmental solutions produce cleaner air, cleaner water, greater biodiversity, carbon sequestration, erosion control, flood and drought mitigation, pollinator and wildlife habitat, and other ecological services.

Lanark County
Media release: Novemeber 8th, 2022

Rideau Ferry Bridge will be closed to traffic on two occasions this month in order to complete work required before the construction site shuts down for the winter and the north lane reopens.

Dalcon Constructors Limited have been contracted by Lanark County and the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville to rehabilitate the jointly owned bridge. Construction work has been underway since April, with Dalcon currently finishing up the east side of the bridge.

Lanark County Public Works Manager Sean Derouin explains both sides of the bridge were originally scheduled to be completed this year, but due to material and labour shortages, the second stage of the work has been postponed until next year in an effort to prevent conducting concrete work in unfavourable conditions.

“Prior to the winter shutdown and opening of the north bound lane to traffic, Dalcon is required to replace the bearings at each end of the bridge and then install the expansion joints,” Derouin said. “As part of the jacking and bearing replacement, Dalcon will be completing repairs to the girder ends while the bridge is in a raised position. Live loads cannot be supported by the temporary supports during this time; therefore, a full road/bridge closure will be required to accommodate the work.”

Two separate closures are expected to complete the work. The first is scheduled for Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The second closure is scheduled to take place the following week. Updated information on the second closure will be provided later in the week.

Lanark County Public Works advises that during this closure detour signage will be in place via Hwy. 15 to Smiths Falls to Lanark County Road 43.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience,” Derouin said.

For further information, please contact:
Sean Derouin
Public Works Manager
Lanark County
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194

On Tuesday November 8^th at 3:30pm there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the Township’s newly built salt shed. The ceremony will take place at 1920 Drummond Concession 7. We invite you to take part of the ceremony with Drummond/North Elmsley Council and Staff. 

It’s year 37 and this program continues to be a success thanks to the generosity and Christmas Spirit in Lanark County and the surrounding area. This year Lanark County Family and Child Services/ OPP Angel Tree program is starting with 650 Angels! The “angels” assigned to trees are children directly affiliated with the Lanark County Family and Child Services and other affiliated programs. The goal is to provide a Christmas gift to each child.

We are certain this year’s goal will be met as it has been in past years. Angel Tree tags are available at Lanark County O.P.P Detachment, Carleton Place O.P.P. Detachment, Drummond/North Elmsley Municipal Office, Mississippi Mills Municipal Office, Tay Valley Municipal Office, Beckwith Township office, Lanark Highlands Municipal Office, Montague Township office, Pakenham Public Library, Perth Town Hall and Walmart Carleton Place.

Once you have an Angel Tree Tag, return an unwrapped or in a gift bag to the tree by December 1^st. Please ensure the Angel Tag is affixed to the gift AND the gift contents are printed on the back of the card.

P/C Greg Cox
Lanark County OPP

To sign up for an Angel you can pick up at tag at our office or visit https://www.dnetownship.ca/living-here/angel-tree

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.

Award of the Prestonvale Road Reconstruction
Council awarded Tender No. PW-2022-07 for the Prestonvale Road Reconstruction Contract to Thomas Cavanaugh Construction in the amount of $326,408 (plus GST). The project will see 1.4 km of Prestonvale upgraded from surface to asphalt and will be completed by the end of the year.

Award of the Winter Grit Tender
Council awarded the Winter Grit Contract PW-2022-06 to Cavanagh Construction Ltd. In the amount of $11.49/tonne for Drummond Sand Shed and $11.92/tonne for the Port Elmsley Sand Shed

Memorandum of Understanding for Use of Municipal Road Allowances
Council renewed an MOU with the Snow Road Snowmobile Club for the use of road allowances.

2021 Financial Statements
Council approved the 2021 Financial Statements presented by KPMG on October 11, 2021. The Township had a $304,000 surplus in 2021 which was transferred to Township reserves and some of it will be used in capital road projects.

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: November 8, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: November 8, 2022 following the Council meeting
• Inaugural Meeting of the 2022-2026 Council – November 15, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022:

Mississippi Valley Conservation Resolution of Support for Services & Programs
Council passed a resolution to indicate its support for the continued delivery of Category 2 and 3 programs by Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) subject to the City of Ottawa’s continued support.

Conservation Authorities have 3 categories of programs and services:

Category 1: Mandatory programs and services in accordance with Conservation Authorities Act. These programs and services are allocated through a levy or a benefit-based apportionment method to municipalities within the watershed.

Category 2: Municipal programs and services provided on behalf of municipalities under a memorandum of understanding or agreement such as septic approvals/ inspections or planning reviews. These services or programs are cost recovered through user fees, grants and a special levy allocated to the participating municipalities.

Category 3: Programs and services that are advisable to provide that further the purposes of the Act such as stewardship and education programs. These services or programs are cost recovered through user fees, grants and a special levy allocated to the participating municipalities.

Bylaws:
The following by-laws were passed by Council: Private Road Name Signs Policy By-law provides for cost of road name signs on private roads to be covered by the Township.

Zoning Amendment By-laws for
• 198 Kerr Road to recognize a reduced lot size
• 939 Drummond Concession 1 to permit a garden suite
• 3787 County Road 43 to recognize groundwater issues

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: October 18, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: October 18, 2022 following the Council meeting
• Municipal Elections for School Trustees for the English Public and English Separate school boards on October 24, 2022 – Don’t forget to vote. All other offices have been acclaimed.

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, September 27, 2022:

Annual Accessibility Update
The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) mandates that each municipality in the province prepare an annual accessibility plan to identify, remove and prevent barriers to provide full participation in all aspects of life for people with disabilities. The municipal accessibility plan is a tool through which the Township monitors its progress in removing or reducing barriers and outlines a strategy for the barrier mitigation for the next year. The annual accessibility update reports to Council on actions taken to remove barriers in 2022. It was noted that the reconstruction of a new hall in Ferguson’s Falls will address several accessibility issues that were identified for the old hall.

Amendments to Tariff of Fees
Council approved new fees for septic permits and inspections which the Township will be responsible for starting October 1, 2022. Other increases in fees are:

Marriage Licence -  current $100.00, new $130.00
Additional Recycling Box- current $8.00, new $10.00
Composter - current $40.00, new $45.00
Property Identification Signage -  current $70.00, new $100.00
Road Closure Deposit (survey included)- current $4,000, new $6,000

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: October 11, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: October 11, 2022 following the Council meeting
• Municipal Elections for School Trustees for the English Public and English Separate
school boards on October 24, 2022 – Don’t forget to vote. All other offices have
been acclaimed.