Lanark County Media Release
June 3, 2022

Lanark County is looking to beat its third-place finish in eastern Ontario in the annual Silver Chain Challenge – and you can help!

The Silver Chain Challenge began as a friendly competition between the local municipalities in Lanark County about 10 years ago and is intended to inspire and promote more active, safer and healthier communities. Participants (all of us!) are invited to walk, run, bike and wheel on trails and roads in an effort to improve physical and mental health.

Each year from June 1 to 30 participants log kilometres in their community by registering at https://silverchainchallenge.ca/. Real time stats are posted on the website so everyone can see which communities are most engaged. Kilometres have to be logged by 5 p.m. on July 1, 2022.

The invitation is extended to all members of the community, including schools, seniors’ clubs, workplaces, families, municipal councils, emergency services and anyone interested in improving physical and mental health.

For several years the event grew to be a competition between Lanark and Renfrew counties, with each winning twice. In 2021 it was opened to all 13 counties in eastern Ontario. Prince Edward County claimed the top spot with 44,345 kilometres logged, followed by Renfrew County in second with 22,331 and defending champions Lanark County placing third with 5,065.

“Now is the time for Lanark County residents to grab their gear and show eastern Ontario how active we can be,” said Lanark County Warden John Fenik (Perth Mayor). “This is also a great way to get into the practice of being active year round while exploring your community. It’s fun and, of course, Lanark County is in it to win it!”

The Silver Chain Challenge promotes healthy and safe active transportation, and participants are encouraged to make sure they are visible when biking, walking or running on trails and roads. Be aware of the rules of the road and make sure to wear an appropriate helmet when cycling.

“The Silver Chain Challenge, held every June, gives us a great reason to improve our physical health, support local communities and, best of all, get outside and to enjoy all the beauty Lanark County has to offer,” added Lanark County CAO Kurt Greaves.

For more information, to register and to track the competition, visit https://silverchainchallenge.ca/

For more information, please contact:
Kurt Greaves, CAO
Lanark County
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101

Off-road and offline: Avenza trail maps offer visitors a new way to explore

RIDEAU VALLEY, June 1, 2022 – No cell service? No problem! Visitors to RVCA’s conservation areas can now navigate even our most remote trails with confidence thanks to a new partnership with Avenza Maps. 

The Toronto-based mobile app offers GPS-enabled maps that can be used offline and without cell service to keep your bearings even in the deepest woods. 

“Safety is number one, and this is an innovative tool to help our visitors stay on track while exploring our beautiful properties,” said Conservation Lands Manager Chelsey Ellis. “We’re pleased to partner with such an ambitious and community-oriented organization.”

Tristan Lyttle, senior product manager with Avenza Systems Inc., agreed.

“We’re thrilled to see our local conservation authorities become early adopters of this technology,” Lyttle said. “Getting outside and exploring our surroundings has never been more important, and Avenza makes it even easier.” 

The app is supported by Android and iOS. Instructions on how to get started and use the mobile app can be found at https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/how-it-works.html. QR codes for the RVCA’s new Avenza maps have been installed at the trailheads of eight conservation areas, and can also be found on their property-specific webpages at www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas. Scanning these QR codes will download RVCA’s maps to your phone to take out onto the trail. Ifyou don't have Avenza Maps app, you will be guided through the installation process

To avoid installation issues, the RVCA encourages visitors to download the free app before leaving home. Traditional trailhead maps and printed brochures will continue to be available, as well as downloadable PDF maps on the RVCA website. 

The RVCA offers a total of 42 km of trails through forests, wetlands, meadows and more. From the Chapman Mills boardwalk in Barrhaven to the Spy Rock lookout at Foley Mountain, our 11 conservation areas offer something for everyone, all year round.

For more information visit www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas or contact Conservation Lands Manager Chelsey Ellis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Christie Lake Road is closed until further notice from Glen Tay Side Road to Cameron Side Road due to a motor vehicle collision. 

Please take an alternate route as detours will be in place.

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
MEDIA RELEASE:
May 30, 2022

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit can help you ensure that the well water you and your family drink is safe. 

Spring is a good time to have your well water tested for bacteria. Run off from heavy rain may affect the safety of your drinking water. Bacteria in your well water may not affect the taste or smell of your water. Testing your well water is the only way to know for sure if your drinking water is safe to consume or if it is contaminated with bacteria and requires some actions to protect the health of your family. The Health Unit recommends that you test your well water at least three times a year.

A possible source of well water contamination is a malfunctioning sewage disposal system. Properly maintaining your sewage system can help prevent ground water contamination and keep your well water safe for drinking. With regular care and maintenance, a properly installed sewage system should provide many years of service. However, here are some tips and common household products that residents should avoid disposing into their septic to ensure a well-functioning system. They include:

• Fats, oils and grease;
• Household chemicals such as vehicle fluids, paints and solvents, caustic drain and harsh cleaners, bleach, pesticides;
• Cat box litter;
• Tampons, sanitary napkins, diapers, paper towels, condoms;
• Coffee grounds, egg shells and other kitchen waste;
• Excess water from roof drains, sump water, water from softeners and iron filters;
• Driving over the leaching bed with motorized vehicles should be avoided

Excessive water use in your home could impact your sewage disposal system by flushing solids from the septic tank into the leaching bed.  Conserve water by spreading your laundry out over the week rather than doing several loads in one day; fix running toilets and leaking faucets and minimize the length of time in the shower. 

The septic tank should be inspected at regular intervals and pumped out whenever sludge and scum occupy one-third of the working capacity of the tank. Septic tanks contain deadly gases and should only be inspected by firms specializing in this work.

The area over a leaching bed should have a good cover of grass allowing for adequate sunlight and ventilation to be maintained. Avoid planting shrubs and trees over this area.

isit the Well Water Sampling section of our website for drinking water information including: where you can pick up and drop off your free water bottle samples; how to take a sample; how to disinfect your well (if required). For more information, call us at 1-800-660-5853 or connect with us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @LGLHealthUnit.

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For media interviews, contact: Katie Lamb, Multi-Media Specialist, Social Media at 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 and Committee of the Whole meeting held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

2022 Tax Rates
Council passed the 2022 Tax Rate Bylaw. The levy is $4,661,006, which is a 3% increase over the 2021 levy. The operational budget is $7,350,000 and the capital budget is $2,939,769.

Building Inspector Position
Council approved the job description and salary for the new building inspector position that will perform the septic inspections starting on October 1. The Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit notified the Township that it would no longer be doing septic inspections as of that date. Council had previously approved the creation of this new position. It is expected that the position will be funded from the septic permit fees.

Energy Consumption & Green House Gas Reporting 2020
At the Committee of the Whole meeting, Council reviewed the 2020 Energy Consumption & Green House Gas Report which shows a 20% reduction in green house emissions over the 10-year average. Some of this reduction can be attributable to the facility and municipal office closures during the pandemic in 2020 however the Township’s green house gas emissions have been steadily declining since 2011.

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: June 14, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: June 14, 2022 following the Council meeting

The Code Road Landfill is open today Tuesday May 24 until 5 pm. Due to the large storm the landfill will also be open on Wednesday May 25 from 10am - 5pm. 

All brush and spoiled food can be brought to the landfill and there are no tipping fees on these items. 

The phone lines at the Landfill were damaged and as a reuslt there is currently no debit avaiable at the scale house, please bring cash if you are able. 

The Municipal Office has power and is opened for business. Residents who do not have power are welcome to charge their phones or fill large containers of water at the office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Municipa; Office is located at 310 Port Elmsley Rd. 

The Perth Pool is kindly waving fees for people who need showers during the following dates and times;

A water refill station is also available 24/7 at the Water Treatment Plant (15 Sunset Blvd.), located to the right of the entrance.

The Following Lanark Highlands ameneties are open to Drummond/North Elmsley Residnets.

CHARGING STATION, WATER FILL UP & SHOWERS:

Lanark & District Community Centre, 67 Princess Street
Tuesday May 24th, 2022 12:00pm - 8pm
Wednesday May 25th, 2022 8:30am - 8pm
Thursday May 26th, 2022 8:30am - 8pm

Charging station (small devices and phones- please bring chargers with you) and water bottle fill station. Please bring all your shower supplies including towels.

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
May 18, 2022

In 2022, the Lanark County Public Works department plans to complete pavement preservation on 23 kilometres of roads, with rehabilitation scheduled for 32 km and paved shoulders scheduled for 34km.

The total capital budget for this year is $11.265 million, with federal gas tax funding covering $1.9 million and $1.19 million covered by Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) funding. The province increased OCIF funding by $1 billion over the next five years, an additional $200 million per year, resulting in almost double the allocation to the county in 2022 compared to 2021. There is also a $1.675 million funding contribution surplus from last year’s one-time $1.827 million gas tax funding.

“The county has a five-year planning process approved by council that we use to assess the entire road system and set priorities,” explained Terry McCann, public works director. “We are making great strides with our program to pave shoulders on all county roads over time.”

With nearly 32,000 tonnes of asphalt to be placed this year, the county has felt the effects of inflation, resulting in a 27 per cent increase in asphalt prices.

The county oversees construction, operation, repair and maintenance on more than 560 km of roads and 82 bridge and culvert structures.

“Our county road and bridge system continues to be, collectively, one of largest assets,” said Warden John Fenik (Perth Mayor). “Managing these assets in a fiscally responsible way at a time when costs are increasing is a balancing act. Good maintenance and safety of our road and bridge system is critical for quality of life for the people who live and work here, as well as those who visit.”

Projects for 2022 include:

County Road 18 (Port Elmsley Road): G. Tackaberry and Sons Construction Company Ltd. is scheduled to pulverize, add granular material, complete drainage work and pave (including shoulders) with warm mix asphalt for 1.9 km from County Road 43 (Highway 43) to Beveridge Locks Road. Work has begun and is scheduled to be completed by June 3 at a cost of $585,460.

County Road 14 (Narrows Lock Road): Crain’s Construction Ltd. is placing a double surface treatment overlay with hardened shoulders on County Road 14, from the Scotch Line to Long Lake
Road, for a total distance of 5.25 km, and on County Road 21, from Narrows Lock Road easterly for 1.8 kilometres. Work also includes culvert replacements and a curve realignment at the intersection of Narrows Lock and Powers roads. Work has started and is scheduled to be completed by June 10 at a cost of $793,000.

County Road 10 (Scotch Line): Crain’s Construction Ltd. will be working on County Road 10 concurrently with County Road 14 beginning on Monday, May 16. Work includes pulverizing, adding granular material, completing drainage work and paving with warm mix asphalt for 3 km from the county boundary with Leeds & Grenville, easterly. Work is slated to be completed by June 17 at a cost of $818,000.

County Road 43 (Hwy. 43): G. Tackaberry and Sons Construction Company Ltd. is scheduled to pave the second lift of asphalt on Hwy. 43 with fully paved shoulders from Perth to Port Elmsley at a cost of $1.84 million. Work is scheduled to begin on June 6, starting with shoulder preparation.

County Road 6 (Christie Lake Road): G. Tackaberry and Sons Construction Company Ltd. is scheduled to pulverize, add granular, complete drainage and pave (including shoulders) with warm mix asphalt from west of Glen Tay to Dewitts Corners, for a total length of 4.1 km. Work is scheduled from June 27 to Sept. 2 at a cost of $1.18 million.

County Road 20 (Waba Road): Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. is scheduled to pulverize, add granular, complete drainage and pave (including shoulders) with warm mix asphalt from Concession 9 to Concession 7, for a total length of 3 km. Work is scheduled from July 11 to Aug. 26 at a cost of $873,000.

County Road 9 (Tatlock Road): Crain’s Construction Ltd. will be working on County Road 9 beginning on Aug. 15 to Sept. 23. Work includes pulverizing, adding granular and completing drainage work from the 2nd Concession to Tempo Road for a total length of 3.1 km. Warm mix with new curbs will be placed from the 2nd Concession to Bay Road, and double surface treatment with hardened shoulders from Bay Road Tempo Road, at a cost of $785,000.

County Road 17 (Blakeney Road): Goldie Mohr Ltd. is scheduled to pulverize, add granular, complete drainage improvements and place double surface treatment with hardened shoulders from Panmure Road to Needham Side Road, for a distance of 3 km. Work is scheduled from Aug. 15 to Sept. 30 at a cost of $620,000.

Rideau Ferry Bridge: Dalcon Constructors Ltd. have 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 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 scheduled to take place from April to December.

Culvert Replacement: A total of 19 culverts will be replaced on County Roads 43 and 511 from May to the end of July by Goldie Mohr Ltd. at a cost of $419,000.

Microsurfacing: This pavement preservation work is scheduled to take place from June 6 to Sept. 2 on County Roads 7, 12, 19, 29 and 511 by Miller Paving at a cost of $978,000. 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.

For more information, contact:
Terry McCann
Director of Public Works
County of Lanark
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3190

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.

Election Compliance Audit Committee Appointments
Phil Hogan, Paul Howard and Richard Bennett were appointed to the Joint Lanark County Compliance Audit Committee for the term November 15, 2022 to November 14, 2026 to deal with campaign finance complaints from the 2022 Election and any by elections during the next Council term. The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 makes it mandatory for municipalities to establish a Compliance Audit Committee. This is a joint venture by all municipalities in Lanark County including Smiths Falls.

Fundraising Campaign for the Proposed Drummond/North Elmsley Trail
The Township approved a sponsorship campaign to raise funds for the proposed Drummond/North Elmsley Trail that will be constructed across from the landfill on Code Road. The different levels of sponsorship provide opportunities for people to sponsor the different trails or to name the trail complex. More information about the trail and sponsorship opportunities can be found on the Township’s website.

Rezoning to Permit a Garden Suite
Council passed a rezoning bylaw to approve the temporary use of a garden suite at Part Lot 17 Concession 8, North Elmsley Frizell Road.

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: May 24, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: May 24, 2022 following the Council meeting

Upcoming Community Events
May 21: All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast at Bethel United Church 1500 Rideau Ferry Road
May 21: Rideau Ferry Community Yard Sale