Local Government News

To keep our members up-to-date about municipal events and issues that could be of interest, we will post links here. Please let us know at communications@bigrideaulakeassociation, if you have any news or information that you think is important to share.

Township of Rideau Lakes News

February 17, 2017 - Summer Student Employment Opportunity

Do you have a son or daughter, niece or nephew or grandchild that is looking for summer employment this year?

The Township is seeking to hire 8 college/university students to fill summer positions. Applicants must be returning to school in the fall.

For full details please visit our website at http://www.twprideaulakes.on.ca/employment.html. Deadline for resumes is March 10th at 4:00pm.

We thank all who apply, however only those applicants invited to attend an interview will be contacted. 

November 21, 2016 - Budget Meetings Scheduled

Open house meetings are scheduled in Portland and Newboro on Tuesday December 6th, as part of the Budget 2017 process. Click here for more information.

November 3 - Public Meetings re: Ward and Council Review

Two public meetings have been scheduled as part of the Township's review:

MONDAY NOVEMBER 14, 5:30pm at Portland Community Hall. Consulting firm presenting report.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 4:00 pm at Rideau Centennial Elementary School. Council hearing delegations from the public.

See Township website for more details.

October 19, 2016 - Changes to Sunday Depot Service

In response to proposed reductions in waste collection days and hours, the Chair of the BRLA Government Relations Committee Doug Kirkland submitted a letter to Town Council in opposition. His main objections were:

1. Water access residents pay the same tax rate as non water access but receive fewer services
2. With 60% of total tax revenue coming from seasonal properties, their services merit minimum standards
3. Effect of not having authorized disposal services - the garbage has to go somewhere!

We are pleased that Council took BRLA's point of view into consideration when making its decision on this issue. The following update was recently received from Michelle Jones, Manager of Facilities and Environmental Services:

"The option chosen was to continue Sunday Depot Service on Sunday afternoons from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving, 4pm-6pm AND ONLY for water access property owners.  This will no longer include all residents in the Township.

You will read more about this in the 2017 calendar.  Also within the calendar you will see an invitation for all islanders and water access property owners to send us an email so that we can compile an email list for updates on Sunday services, as well as others, when required.  Please share this with your island neighbours and BRLA Members.

We already have a resident’s email list for updates throughout the year, so this “new” list for islanders/water access only owners will be an additional list for these updates, as well as Sunday updates.  Once I create my list, addresses will be bcc so they are not shared with everyone.

Household bagged waste (with bag tags) and recycling materials only are permitted within this service.  Construction material and all other larger items must be taken to the Portland Waste Site during regular hours of operation.  We will be monitoring this service very closely next year, as there was too much illegal dumping this past season.

Changes to this service:

-Locations will remain the same for 2017, with the elimination of one location at North Crosby Garage (near Westport) 

-Not all residents will be eligible to use this service – it is for water access only property owners

-Documentation of property ownership may be required. This will enable us to continue this service, however for water access property owners only.  

-Time – 4pm-6pm all season

-Will run from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving Sunday"

Click here to read the full text of Mr. Kirkland's letter.

August 18, 2016 - Council and Ward Structure

Rideau Lakes is undertaking a Council and Ward Structure Review, considering:  the method by which members of council are elected (i.e., in wards or at large);  the size of council; and the size, shape and number of wards. Details are posted on the TRL website, including the rationale for the restructuring and information about the public hearing schedule.

July 27, 2016 - Notice of Smith Falls Road Work

Smiths Falls will be performing road rehabilitation work on Lombard St following the long weekend. The project will involve the installation of electrical crossings, select curb replacements, accessibility upgrades as well as a "shave and pave" renewal of surface asphalts.  Lane reductions are expected and with that some amount of traffic delays.  The overall project is expected to take 7 weeks and the work zone will be staged with initial activities starting in the urban (curbed) section (closer to Walmart). Click here for notice.

July 27, 2016 - Township of Rideau Lakes Restructuring

Last week Council passed a resolution to proceed with  hiring a Consultant to undertake a study on the options for the formation of the Council and Wards of Rideau Lakes Township.  Click here to read Councillor Doug Good's notice about this process.

30, 2016 - Summer Public Works Update

Click here for Township public works information.

Tay Valley Township News

February 13, 2017 - Lanark County is recognizing the cottage community with the Legacy Cottage Program this year.

“Canada’s 150th anniversary provides a great opportunity to honour those families who have been cottaging on Lanark County’s lakes and rivers for 50 years or more, some as long as 125 years,” said Warden Bill Dobson (Montague Reeve). “When the idea of a Legacy Cottage Program was presented to Lanark County Council, every municipality enthusiastically endorsed the idea.”

The program will recognize cottages that have been in families for 50, 75, 100, or 125 years with a Legacy Cottage designation. It is commemorative in nature, not an official designation.

“I’m thrilled that Tay Valley Township artist Franc van Oort graciously gave his permission to use one of his etchings for the Legacy Cottage plaque,” said Tay Valley Township Reeve Keith Kerr. “The moment you look at this etching, you’re taken to the cottage.”

Mr. van Oort is a cottager on Christie Lake. “I’m pleased to contribute my etching for this program,” he said.

The Legacy Cottage plaques will indicate whether the cottage has been in the same family for 50 years, 75 years, 100 years or 125 years and will be personalized with the cottage or family name recipients on their plaque. Recipients will be asked to pay $60 to cover the cost of their plaque.

More information about the Legacy Cottage Program, including the application form, can be found on the Lanark County and municipal websites or in municipal offices. The plaques will be presented to recipients in the summer of 2017.

For more information, call 613-267-5353 ext. 129 or e-mail planningassistant@tayvalleytwp.ca.

June 20, 2016 - Tax Notice - 2016 Final Tax Levy

The final tax bills will be mailed by the end of June and due dates for the two installments are: Friday, July 29th & Friday, September 30th. Click here for more information.

June 16, 2016 - Tree Removal in Tay Valley

If there is a tree on your property line that has died, or is in danger of falling, there are several things to check before calling the Township:

• Is there a main hydro line that is within a distance that it could be damaged when the tree falls or is felled?  If there is, you should call Hydro at 1-888-664-9376.  Hydro will only attend to this if it will interfere with the main line.  If it is the secondary line that leads to your house that will be affected, it is your responsibility.
• If there are no hydro lines in the vicinity, is the tree in the Township's right of way?  As a general rule of thumb, right of ways are 33 feet from the centre line.  If you are not certain, Public Works will take a look to help determine this. If the tree is within the Township’s right of way, please contact the Public Works Department at 613-267-5353 ext. 132.  Public Works can also provide contacts for licensed tree removal services if the tree is on private property.

It is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain trees on private property. However, if branches are overhanging onto municipal property (i.e sidewalks or roadway) the Township has the right to remove them in the interest of public safety.

June 2, 2016 - Wild Parsnip

Please be advised that Tay Valley Township will not be conducting a roadside spraying program to control the spread of Wild Parsnip in 2016 along Township roads and properties.

Lanark County as well as some local municipalities within Lanark County have decided to carry out a roadside spraying program beginning in late May through to the end of June, 2016.  Tay Valley will continue our roadside mowing program, as in past years, along Township roads.  Tay Valley will be monitoring the Wild Parsnip situation in 2016 and making note of areas of infestation so that we can make informed decisions on this issue in future years.

If you live, or own property, adjacent to a County Road then the road allowance will be sprayed under the County program unless you advise the County of Lanark you do not wish it to be sprayed.  Please contact the County of Lanark at 613-267-4200 or http://www.lanarkcounty.ca/Page1875.aspx for further information on this.

If you live, or own property, adjacent to a Township Road within Tay Valley the road allowance will not be sprayed but will be mowed as it has been in past years.

May 2, 2016 - 200th Anniversary Celebrations

April 27 - Township Re-Use Centre Open at Glen Tay Waste Site

The Re-Use Centre at the Glen Tay Waste Site is a volunteer-run initiative, in partnership with Tay Valley Township, to divert materials from the landfill and extend of the life of articles in good condition. The Centre accepts used items, in good condition, from Tay Valley residents, and makes them available for other residents to take what they can use.

Township of Drummond North Elmsley News