The Township of Lanark Highlands extends a sincere thank you to all residents who participated in our recent Strategic Plan community sessions. Your input is helping to shape the future direction of our Township.

Over August and September, six focus groups were held in Tatlock, Lanark Village, Middleville, McDonald’s Corners, White Lake, and Robertson Lake. In total, 105 people took part. The sessions followed a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) format, and participants were asked:

• What is your vision for the Township?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Township?
• If you could tell Council to focus on three priorities, what would they be?

We’ve prepared a summary of what we heard at each session. Key themes are underlined, along with highlights from the discussions.

Download the “What We Heard” document here

Next Steps

Council and staff, with the support of our facilitator, will use this input to draft the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan over the coming months. A draft version will be brought forward for Council’s consideration later this fall, with final adoption anticipated in early 2026. We will continue to keep the community informed as the process moves forward.

Thank you again to everyone who contributed their time, ideas, and perspectives. Together, we are building a strong and sustainable path forward for Lanark Highlands.

The Township has been notified that residents currently receiving internet services from Community Fibre Company (CFC) may experience service interruptions in the coming weeks. To support those impacted, please use the following list of internet service providers (ISPs) and tools to help find new connectivity options.

Please note that, while Lanark County is committed to assisting residents affected by the outage by providing available information, we are not involved in any decision related to the service outage. If you are an affected customer, we encourage you to contact your provider directly for further information.

How to Find a New Internet Provider
Residents are encouraged to use the following tools:

National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map
Search by address to view available providers, service types, and coverage.

AHSIP Interactive Map
Part of Ontario’s Accelerated High Speed Internet Program. Residents must click on the coloured roadway lines to view service details.

(Note: This map shows fibre builds underway by Bell, Rogers, and Xplore, expected to be completed by 2025, though timelines may shift.)

ISPs Offering Immediate Solutions
Rogers Communications Inc.
Wireless broadband is available in Montague, Beckwith, Carleton Place, and Lanark Highlands. Visit www.rogers.com or a physical location:

Carleton Place (515 McNeely Ave Unit 1B)
Smiths Falls (60 Lombard St Unit 4)
Residents can leave with the equipment and set up service immediately.

Bell Canada Ltd.
Service in Carleton Place, Perth, Smiths Falls, parts of Mississippi Mills and Lanark Highlands. Visit www.bell.ca or their physical location:

Smiths Falls (123 Lombard St Unit #7)
Storm Internet
Coverage in all of Lanark County. Visit https://www.storm.ca or their physical location:

Perth (2896 Rideau Ferry Road, Unit 106)
Phone: 1-866-257-8676
Technician visit is required for signal check and installation.

Xplore
Offers 5G Ultra in many Ontario locations. Visit https://www.xplore.ca or contact local distributor:

Stittsville (DKS Xplore, 27 Kearnsley Way)
Phone: 613-218-8671
A technician visit is required for setup.

Starlink
Satellite-based service available across Lanark County. Visit https://www.starlink.com

Equipment shipped directly to residents; self-installation required.

Local Starlink installer:

Baker’s Towertech Ltd.

Phone: 1-833-STR-LINK

This information was compiled by Lanark County as a resource for the public. The information provided is not an endorsement or confirmation of available service.

The Township of Lanark Highlands will hold a Council Education and Training Session on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

This session is being provided with the support of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to further build Council and staff capacity in key areas of municipal governance. Topics to be covered include:

• Role of Council, Councillor, and Staff
• Accountability and Transparency
• Meetings
• Fiscal Context

The session is open to the public.

The full agenda is available here: https://pub-lanarkhighlands.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=3a0e3dbe-6f70-4de0-a699-14b76fea340b&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

The Township of Lanark Highlands announces the upcoming retirement of Treasurer Rhonda Whitmarsh, effective December 31, 2025. Rhonda has provided invaluable leadership and expertise during her time with the Township, leaving behind strengthened financial systems and practices.

During her tenure, Ms. Whitmarsh successfully brought the Township up to date on the 2023 and 2024 municipal audits, introduced a comprehensive annual budget process, implemented enhanced financial processes and controls, updated the Township’s procurement policy and numerous financial by-laws and policies, and positioned the Township to meet provincial Asset Management Planning requirements.

“Rhonda’s contributions have been instrumental in improving and advancing the Township’s financial operations and ensuring we are well-prepared for the future,” said Reeve Peter McLaren. “On behalf of Council, staff, and our whole community, I want to thank her sincerely for her hard work, her professionalism, and the guidance provided to Lanark Highlands.”

As part of her commitment to a smooth transition, Ms. Whitmarsh will assist with the recruitment of the Township’s next Treasurer and support the onboarding of her successor. This will help ensure continuity in financial management and stability during the transition period.

Her contributions and dedication to excellence have left a lasting impact on the Township and will benefit the community for years to come. While we are happy for her as she begins this next chapter, she will be deeply missed by Council, staff, and colleagues.

Take Notice That the Committee of Adjustment of the Township of Lanark Highlands will hold an IN-PERSON MEETING as per the procedural By-law on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 6:15 pm. to hear an application for a minor variance in accordance with Section 45 of the Planning Act. Attend in person at the Municipal Complex, 75 George Street, Lanark ON, to participate in the public meeting in order to assist the Committee in its review of the proposal, you are requested to provide comments on or before September 18th, 2025.

Purpose and Effect: The proposed Minor Variance is being requested for 619 Fairs Lane in order to rebuild the existing cottage with a rear addition to 4 season standards, the removal of two outhouses, and a 2000 gallon holding tank with a new septic system approved by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. Minimum setback from the shoreline is 100 ft. variance would have the effect of reducing it to 9ft.

Other Related Applications: N/A

Public Hearing: You can attend the public hearing in person, or you may be represented by counsel or an agent to provide information, to comment, or to ask questions about this application. Signed written submissions that relate to the application shall be accepted by the Clerk before or during the hearing of the application at the address above and shall be available to any interested person for inspection at the hearing.

Failure to Attend the Hearing: - If you do not attend this public hearing, it may proceed in your absence and, except as otherwise provided in the Planning Act, you will not be entitled to any further notice in the proceedings.

Notice of Decision: A certified copy of the decision, together with a notice of the last day for appealing to the Ontario Land Tribunal shall be sent no later than 10 days from the notice of the decision to the applicant, and to each person who filed with the secretary-treasurer a written request for notice of decision.

Additional Information: Additional information regarding the proposed Minor Variance will be available for public inspection at the Township of Lanark Highlands Municipal Office by appointment during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Dated at the Township of Lanark Highlands this 4th day of September 2025.

Application for Minor Variance

The Township of Lanark Highlands advises that the Fire Ban has been lifted effective August 29, 2025.

Residents are reminded to continue exercising caution when burning and to follow all applicable burning by-laws and permit requirements. Please ensure fires are never left unattended and are fully extinguished before leaving the area.

Thank you for your cooperation during the fire ban period.

NOTICE is provided that the Council of the Township of Lanark Highlands proposes to enact a By-law to approve Zoning By-Law Amendment ZA-2025-04 (795198 Ontario Inc) at its Regular Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers located at 75 George Street, Lanark, commencing at 6:00 p.m. Members of the public may also listen to Council proceedings on the conference bridge.

The meeting agenda is available in the Council meeting portal: https://pub-lanarkhighlands.escribemeetings.com

Due to extremely dry conditions and no rain in the forecast, the Township of Lanark Highlands has moved from a partial burn ban to a total burn ban, effective Sunday, 10 August 2025.

Under a total burn ban NO OPEN AIR BURNING is permitted within the Municipality, including campfires and fireworks.

Anyone found burning during this ban may face a fine and will be held responsible for all costs related to investigating, controlling and extinguishing any fire set or left unattended.

This ban will remain in place until further notice.

Questions about the burn ban can by directed to the Lanark Highlands Fire Service – 613-259-2398 x 236.

Join Us for a Community Conversation

The Township of Lanark Highlands is developing a Corporate Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, and we would like to hear from you.

We’re hosting four public consultation sessions this August and September, and we’re inviting residents, business owners, and community members to share their ideas, concerns, and aspirations for the future of our municipality.

These sessions will provide an overview of our strategic planning process and offer you the opportunity to help shape the direction of our community over the next five years.

Upcoming Consultation Sessions:

August 20
Tatlock Hall – 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lanark Municipal Offices – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

September 17
McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Hall – 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Middleville Community Hall – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

September 18
Robertson Lake Hall – 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Darling White Lake Centre – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

What We’ll Be Talking About
We’ll be asking questions like:

● What does success look like for Lanark Highlands?
● What new opportunities should we be considering?
● Where could we improve the services and work we already do?
● If you could pick three priorities for Council to focus on—what would they be?

A strategic plan helps define our shared mission, vision, and values—and ensures the Township’s goals reflect the needs and aspirations of the people who live, work, and invest here.

Your voice matters. Your input will directly inform the plan that guides decisions, priorities, and investments from 2026 through 2030.

We look forward to seeing you there!