MEDIA RELEASE:
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
January 10, 2024

The new strategic plan for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has been approved.

Beginning in June of 2023, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit undertook a strategic planning process to help prioritize our focus into 2026 with support by consulting firm People Minded Business. This process took into account context factors such as broader trends in public health, as well as input from staff, partner organizations, and the public. Priorities were identified collaboratively with people in roles all across the Health Unit.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank everyone who took part in the creation of this plan”, says Peter McKenna, Chair for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Board of Health. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners and members of the public in delivering on this strategic plan in the coming years.”

The Mission remains the same; to work with our communities to protect and promote the health of people and the environment through public health leadership and partnership. This new plan includes the three main priorities below on which the Health Unit will focus their 2024-2026 efforts:

Priority 1: Embracing Ontario’s Public Health System Change
As the Ministry of Health looks to strengthen Ontario’s Public Health system, LGLDHU will prepare for, manage, and communicate changes to ensure the continued health protection and promotion in Lanark and Leeds & Grenville Counties.

Priority 2: Investing in Our People
Our employees, volunteers, and students are the backbone of the work we do. By focusing on recruitment, retention, and a supportive environment for our people to reach their full potential, we position ourselves to provide the best services and supports to our communities.

Priority 3: Strengthening Services for Our Communities’ Future
As our rural and urban communities’ public health challenges evolve, we will strengthen and make our services more adaptable to maximize their impact now and into the future.

Leeds & Grenville and Lanark Counties are increasingly diverse, and so too are the employees, volunteers, and students. To ensure the ongoing health promotion and protection for all community members, as well as the respect and wellbeing of staff, the Health Unit is committed to having Equity, Diversity and Inclusion serve as a lens to guide activities, both internal and external.

A detailed version of the plan as well as a summary are available on the Health Unit’s website: Strategic Plan - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

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

Perth & District Union Public Library
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2024

January is a tough month for many and with 1 in 7 households in our area living with food insecurity, The Table Community Food Centre and the Perth & District Library have partnered to give everyone who can the opportunity to nourish our community.

Community members are invited to bring a food donation from The Table's core item list or a monetary donation for The Table to the Library in January. With each food item or $2 donation, participants will be entered into a draw to win a $50 Foodsmiths Gift Card. The winner will be announced on February 1st.

“We’re very excited to help contribute to our community’s well-being, especially during a tough time of year”, said Erika Heesen, CEO/Chief Librarian.

“Food insecurity is a reality faced by too many in our community throughout the year and things are definitely getting harder for them. For these reasons we really appreciate the Library extending the traditional season of giving into the new year”, added Ramsey Hart, Executive Director of The Table.

To learn more about the services offered by The Table, and to see the core item list for donations, please visit The Table’s website at www.thetablecfc.org.

To learn more about the services offered by the Library, please visit the library’s website www.perthunionlibrary.ca.

Contacts:
Perth & District Union Public Library
Contact: Erika Heesen, (613) 267-1224 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Table CFC
Contact: Ramsey Hart, 613-267-6428 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley is pleased to announce the opening of the first trail in our non-vehicle nature recreation area. The first trail was opened on Wednesday, December 20th, 2023 for public use.

This initial trail is 1.5 km long and winds through a mainly pine woodlot that was planted by our local Scout groups many years ago. Access to the trail is off the Code Road across from the Township’s Waste Disposal site. There is a small parking lot so vehicles can park on site and the first trail is clearly marked

The 100-acre property is part of the Township's Waste Disposal buffer zone that was purchased in the early 90’s. This is an ideal use for this property as the land cannot be developed and has been fully reclaimed through forest planting by the Scouts, with well over 15,000 trees being planted on site over the past 30 years.

This new asset to the Township would not have been possible without the dedicated hours of volunteer work from the Trail Committee members. It is the passion and vision of the members of our community that allow residents and visitors to use this trail and to enjoy nature and be active outdoors, said Reeve Fournier. 

The property is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, rabbits, squirrels, owls, foxes and the occasional coyote. The trail is a great place to bring your canine walking buddy, please keep pets on a leash at all times.

Expansion of the trail network will be proceeding in the next year with a goal of establishing 8+ kilometers of trail that will pass through a variety of wooded and open areas for hiking, skiing, bird watching and educational activities.

Watch for updates on the Township website for new hiking opportunities as new trails come into existence.

(L to R): Councillor Paul Kehoe, Reeve Steve Fournier, Deputy Reeve John Matheson, Brady McGlade, Planner &  Alex Clark, Committee Member

Absent from photo:  Committee Members Nox McKimm and Carson Thompson

For further information contact:

Cathy Ryder, CAO
Township of Drummond/North Elmsley
310 Port Elmsley Road, Perth, ON, K7H 3C5 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
613-267-6500 x 220

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
MEDIA RELEASE:
December 19, 2023

It’s that time of year again when families and friends get together to celebrate and that usually means food is involved.  Safe food preparation matters because slip ups in food safety can result in your guests getting sick.

There are rules we can all follow to help us enjoy our food this season:

Separate to Prevent Cross contamination:

• Ensure raw foods are stored below ready to eat food to prevent accidental drips full of bacteria.
• Cover meat and place in a pan or tray while thawing in the refrigerator. 
• Use separate utensils for raw and ready to eat food.
• Cover all foods prepared ahead.

Keep things Clean

• Wash your hands before your begin preparing food, after handling raw meat/foods or dirty items, and before you eat.
• Wash and sanitize utensils and surfaces.
• Wash fruits and veggies before you cut and serve them, even those you intend to peel.
• Sanitize your probe thermometer between uses when doing temperature checks.

Be aware of cooking temperatures

• Cook recipes to the required internal temperature - remember cooking kills bacteria and viruses. (we have a resource on our website; lots of people print it and keep it on their fridge)
• Be sure of the internal temperature - Use a probe thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has been reached as oven temperatures can vary as well as length of cooking time required.
• Avoid cooking turkey at low temperatures over extended time periods as this can leave food in the temperature danger zone. Remember to check out this resource on the Health Unit website Lets_Talk_Turkey.pdf (healthunit.org)

Keeping things chilled 

• Thaw in the refrigerator not at room temperature.  Ensure raw meat is covered and stored on a tray in the refrigerator to thaw. Allow sufficient time for safe thawing
• Ensure all potentially hazardous foods are refrigerated at 4^oC or lower until ready to serve
• Cool left overs quickly by reducing container/portion size.  Shallow pans work well.

Reducing the spread of illness when gathering around food

• Sharing utensils is a main culprit for spreading viruses – norovirus, RSV, flu and covid can be found on surfaces so cleaning utensils and making sure you wash your hands after touching serving utensils are good practices.

For more information, visit the Health Unit website’s Food Safety at Home page at healthunit.org  or call 1-800-660-5853.
Important public health updates are also available by connecting with @LGLHealthunit on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and @lglhealthunit.z on Instagram.

Municipal Office
The Municipal Office will be closed on Friday December 22^nd at 12:00 p.m. and will not reopen until Tuesday January 2^nd at 8:30 a.m. Inspections will not be available until the Municipal Office reopens on Tuesday January 2^nd.

To report a Roads Emergency call 613 267 6500 ext  255
To report a Livestock Kill in the North Elmsley Ward call 613-812-3216 
To report a Livestock Kill in the Drummond Ward call  613-851-4571

Landfill

Curbside Collection Changes

There is NO Curbside Collection on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Everyone's curbside collection will move one day later in the week following Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

At its meeting on December 12th, 2023, Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council gave final approval to its 2024 budget. The 2024 budget will see a 6.15% levy increase which after assessment growth is factored in translates to a 4.00% residential tax increase.

The 4.00% increase is made up of operational increases, allocations to reserves for future needs and capital replacements. These increases were offset by the increase in assessment due to growth. The total 2024 tax requirements of $5,188,440 is $300,476 or 6.15% more than was required in 2023.

A 4.00% residential tax rate increase equates to an approximate increase of $48.88 on a residential property that is assessed at $300,000.

Operational increases include the increased cost of vehicle maintenance, insurance, increased computer maintenance costs, and payroll increases.

Capital projects for 2024 include:

• Road Design & Engineering - $170,000
• Minor Capital - $105,000
• 2 Tandem Snowplow Trucks - $770,000
• Streetlights & Facilities - $46,000
• Projects Carried Forward - $195,000

Council is investing more into its reserves to plan for its future capital needs. The increase will help fund future road projects, fleet & equipment, facilities, technology and other mandated projects.

For further information contact:
Angela Millar,
Treasurer Township of Drummond/North Elmsley
310 Port Elmsley Road,
Perth, ON, K7H 3C5
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
613-267-6500 x 215

Winter Parking Restrictions are in effect. Parking on Township Roads and Streets during the winter months is prohibited as per Winter Plowing Restriction By-law #2001-49. 

 The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley will not be responsible for damages to mailboxes, newspaper boxes, or parked vehicles where these objects interfere with snowplowing operations. 

It is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act to push snow on or across a public road. Cost for removal of these snow piles by the Township will be charged to the offending property owner.  

As we begin the ‘recruitment’ process for the group, we would greatly appreciate your support in sharing information about this group with any newcomers who you think would be a great fit. Please note that group members must reside in Lanark & Renfrew counties and must be an immigrant.

Our hope is to obtain a group with a wonderful mix of ages, ethnicities, genders and residencies across Lanark and Renfrew Counties. The information and feedback gathered from this working group will hopefully contribute towards:

• Creating welcoming communities
• Gaining a better understanding of the needs of newcomers
• Increasing attraction and retention
• Support in addressing labour shortages

Please visit the Newcomer working group page for further information. Attached are some posters to display on your community bulletin boards.

Working Group information and application page: https://liplanarkrenfrew.ca/working-group

The team at LIP – Lanark & Renfrew thank you all for your continued contributions to our work.

LIP – Lanark & Renfrew Team

Local Immigration Partnership – Lanark & Renfrew

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

Algonquin College | Mailing address: 1 College Way | Pembroke | ON | K8A 0C8 | Canada 

Environmental Leadership Canada is looking for young environmental leaders (aged 18-30) interested in participating in a Municipal Climate Internship with Southeastern Ontario municipalities: Lanark, Frontenac, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry. This is a paid, full-time, six-month program beginning with orientation in January 2024. Interns will be provided a unique opportunity to get a day-to-day understanding of how municipalities operate, while working to tackle local climate change issues. They will become well-versed in municipal government and politics through research, communications, mentorship and project work. Outside of placement work, interns will have the chance to develop their leadership and professional skills, meet municipal climate experts, attend networking opportunities and share their experience with others.

Application Deadline: December 12th, 2023 

To learn more and apply head to our website: https://www.environmentalleadership.ca/mc

The Council of the Corporation of the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley is hereby giving notice that amendments to the Procedural By-Law will be considered at the December 19th, 2023, meeting of Council/Committee of the Whole starting at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 310 Port Elmsley Road, Perth.

The purpose being to change the start time of the Council/Committee of the Whole meetings and to update various sections of the by-law to reflect best practices.

Dated at Township of Drummond/North Elmsley this 23rd of November 2023.

For further information, please contact Janie Laidlaw, Deputy Clerk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 613-267-6500 x 251.