Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

Code Road Landfill Annual Report
Council received the annual report for the Code Road Landfill. The consultant reported that combined remaining life for Phase 1 and Phase 2 is estimated to be 37-39 years

Contracts Awarded
• The gravel contract was awarded to two bidders: Area 1 was awarded to Cavanagh Construction Ltd. in the amount of $14.82/tonne plus taxes, and Area 2 was awarded to Campbell’s Trucking Ltd. in the amount of $15.25/tonne plus taxes.
• The calcium contract was awarded to Da-Lee Dust Control Ltd. in the amount of $102,240.
• The Public Works Departmental Review RFP was awarded to MNP LLB in the amount of $65,000, excluding HST. The review will be 100% funded from a grant the Township received from the Province under the Modernization Intake 3 funding program.

Fergusons Falls Community Hall
Ron and Marg Dickinson were appointed to the Ferguson’s Falls Community Hall Redevelopment Committee. Council approved an expedited procurement process for the renovation of Ferguson’s Fall Hall in order to meet grant timelines.

New Bylaws
Council approved an amendment to the Procedural By-law that will change the date of the inaugural meeting of each new term of Council. The Township’s Bylaw states that “the inaugural meeting of Council after a regular election shall be held on the first business day in December. However, Lanark County has recently advised its lower-tier municipalities that the proposed date for its inaugural meeting of County Council is November 30, 2022. The Township’s By-law was changed to the following: “The inaugural meeting shall be held at the earliest opportunity at the beginning of the term of Council, on a date and time to be scheduled by the Clerk in consultation with the incoming Reeve.” Council passed a bylaw to prohibit the use of corporate resources by any member of council, other candidates and staff for election purposes. This policy also ensures that the Township’s operations, events, and facilities are used for non-partisan purposes and are not used for election campaign related purposes.

Septic Inspections
Last year, the Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit notified the Township that it would no longer be doing septic inspections as of October 1, 2022. Council approved the creation of a new position in the Building Department to undertake septic responsibilities and inspections. It is expected that the position will be funded from the septic permit fees.

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: May 10, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: May 10, 2022 following the Council meeting

Pets are members of the family. Make sure to include your pets when developing your family emergency plan. Making arrangements before an emergency will increase your pet’s chances for survival and ability to cope. assemble a pet emergency survival kit and be ready to take your pet and their kit with you in the event you have to evacuate.

Pet emergency kits

When preparing an emergency kit for your pet, be sure you have:

• food, potable water, bowls, paper towel and a can opener
• blanket and a small toy
• sturdy leash/harness
• cat litter/pan (if required) and plastic bags
• carrier for transporting your pet
• medications and medical records (including vaccinations)
• current photo of your pet in case your pet gets lost
• information on feeding schedules, medical or behavioral problems in case you must board your pet
• up-to-date ID tag with your phone number and the name/phone number of your veterinarian
• copy of licence (if required)
• muzzle (if required)

Keep this kit in the same spot as your family emergency survival kit for easy retrieval.

Animals get anxious during emergencies. If possible, keep your pet in a carrying cage with a familiar blanket, so your pet(s) feels as secure as possible. Do not leave your pet alone, with strangers or without a leash at any time. During an emergency, your pet may:

• panic
• behave in a distressed manner
• run away and end up lost
• bite someone because of the distressed state

pets and evacuations

If it’s too dangerous for you to stay, it’s too dangerous for your pet to stay. If safety permits, pets should not be left behind during an evacuation as they may be lost, injured or even killed as a result of the emergency. Plan ahead to ensure that you have a safe place to take your pet.

• Find out about your municipality’s evacuation centre locations and related pet policies.
• Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area and check their policy on accepting pets during an emergency.
•  ask friends and relatives outside your immediate area if they could shelter your pet(s) during an emergency.
• Include your pet in any local or family emergency drills and exercises
• If an emergency occurs when you arenot at home, you can still be prepared. Set up a buddy system with your neighbour. Make arrangements that in the event of an emergency and you are not home they will take care of your pet.

For more information visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/ensure-everyones-safety-during-emergency

Be Prepared for Anything

Emergencies can happen at any time and without warning. Be ready. With a little preparation, you can respond quickly to help yourself and others. Understand the risks in your area, create a household emergency plan and build an emergency kit.

In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

You may have some of the items already, such as food, water and a battery operated or wind-up flashlight. The key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find. Would you be able to find your flashlight in the dark? Make sure your kit is easy to carry and everyone in the household knows where it is. Keep it in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible place, such as your front-hall closet. If you have many people in your household, your emergency kit could get heavy.

It's a good idea to separate some of these supplies in backpacks. That way, your kit will be more portable and each person can personalize his or her own grab-and-go emergency kit.

For more information on how you can be ready for anything, visit Get Prepared at www.getprepared.gc.ca

The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley is giving away FREE TREE saplings to Township residents. Plant a tree on your property to improve air quality, fight climate change and increase property value. 

WHEN:             Saturday May 7, 20212- 9 am to 12pm

LOCATION:     Municipal Office 310 Port Elmsley

1st Drummond Scouts will be on site helping to distribute the trees.

Giveaway Details

·   Maximum 50 per household

·   While quantities last!

·   Saplings  will be White Pine

·   Homeowner is responsible to plant, water and maintain private tree.

Ontario is gearing up for the 2022 Provincial Day of Action on Litter, taking place on Tuesday, May 10.

Let’s work together to keep our roadsides, fields, trails, rivers, lakes and forests clear of litter and naturally beautiful!

Stop by the Township office at 310 Port Elmsley Rd to pick up Pitch in Bags for your litter cleanup! The Pitch in Bags can be put out at your regular curbisde collection day and will be picked up with NO bag tags. 

We want to see the hard work of our residents working to keep our beautiful outdoors clean of litter. Send us the photos of your hard work picking up litter and we will share them to show off your hard work and hopefully encourage others to participate in the 2022 Act on Litter Campaign. If you are also posting your cleanup use #actONLitter

Want some helpful tips for organizing a litter cleanup? See Ontario’s Litter Cleanup Guide.

Also consider taking the time to fill out The Our Litter Cleanup Reporting Form. This  is where participants can submit information about their cleanups to the Ontario government. This information will help them better understand litter in our environment and may help inform future government decision making. 

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

2021 Surplus

Township Treasurer Linda Van Alstine reported a surplus of $304,945 for 2021. The surplus will be allocated to reserves as follows:

New Public Works Administrative Assistant

Laura Code was hired as the new Public Works Administrative Assistant to replace Cathie Green who will be retiring on May 6, 2022.

 Closure of Ferguson’s Falls Community Hall

Council formally closed the Ferguson’s Falls Community Hall for public rentals because of the poor condition of the facility. A new building will be constructed and opened in the Spring of 2023.

Repeal of Vaccine Policy

Council repealed the Vaccine Policy which mandated staff and contractors to either have two vaccinations or undergo regular testing for COVID-19. Other health and safety measures are in place at the workplace such as mask wearing when within 2m of another person, passive screening for COVID symptoms and frequent sanitizing.

Upcoming Meetings

• Council Meeting: April 26, 2022 at 5:00 m.
• Committee of the Whole: April 26, 2022 following the Council meeting
• Official Plan Review Public Comments due April 29, 2022

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting
held Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

Change in Job Titles
Council approved two title changes. The Clerk Administrator’s title was changed to Chief Administrative Officer and the Deputy Clerk title was changed to Clerk. These changes reflect mirror organization in some of the neighbouring municipalities. There will be no change to duties or compensation for both these positions.

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: April 12, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: April 12, 2022 following the Council meeting
• Official Plan Review Public Meeting April 12, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

April 13, 2022

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit joined with the Champlain and South East Regions’ hospital Chiefs of Staff and Medical Officers of Health to release a statement about the status of COVID-19 in the area. The key messages are:

1. Get all COVID-19 vaccines you are eligible for, including booster doses.
2. Stay home if you are sick – even if your symptoms are mild.
3. If you have symptoms take a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) if possible, or a PCR test if eligible.
4. Practise respiratory etiquette (like coughing into your elbow) and wash your hands frequently.
5. Wear a well-fitted, three-layer mask in all public indoor settings.
6. If you are hosting or attending a social gathering please allow for physical distancing, outdoor gatherings are best.
7. If you test positive or have symptoms, even if they are mild, you should stay home for at least five days or as otherwise advised by current isolation guidance. Individuals can be infectious for up to 10 days, so it is important that for an additional five days you wear a mask when outside your home and avoid those who are most vulnerable and high-risk settings like hospitals and long-term care.

All the measures combined will help to reduce other respiratory infections, including influenza that is circulating in our community.

Read the full statement here:

• South East
• Champlain

1^st prize $100
2^nd prize $50
3^rd prize $25

We'd like your help for the perfect spring picture in Drummond/North Elmsley.

The winning picture(s) will be featured on Drummond/North Elmsley Township’s website and Facebook and other advertising content. 

Take a picture of your favourite Township spring scenery. The photo should be a local, digital shot that you took yourself. High Resolution photos are required. Up to two photo submission per person are allowed. Please name the Township location in your message (e.g., road name, hamlet or lake.)

Please do not feature people in the photo (animals are acceptable).

Please email your photo to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by June 20, 2022, at 1pm. We will reveal the winning photo by June 24th, 2022.

The successful winners must sign a Photo release Form giving the Township the right to use their photo(s).

Only photos taken in Drummond/North Elmsley Township will be accepted.

MEDIA RELEASE:
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
April 8, 2022

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit joined with the Champlain region’s hospital Chiefs of Staff and Medical Officers of Health in the Champlain Region to release a statement about the status of COVID-19 in the area. The key messages are:

• Get vaccinated with all the doses you are eligible for.
• Limit your close contacts.
• Wear a mask in indoor public spaces.
• Stay home if you are sick.

We also remind you of the importance of respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes) and regular hand washing/use of hand sanitizer when out in public or at gatherings.

All the measures combined will help to reduce other respiratory infections, including influenza that is circulating in our community. 

Read the full statement here:

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/novel-coronavirus.aspx?_mid_=32064#April-7-2022--Special-statement-from-Champlain-regions-hospital-Chiefs-of-Staff-and-Medical-Officers-of-Health