Update: February 14/2025

Due to another major winter storm forecasted for the Family Day long weekend, the Significant Weather Event declared on February 12, 2025 will remain in effect until further notice.

Residents can anticipate 20-30+ cm of snow starting Saturday afternoon into Sunday night, with heavy hourly snowfall rates, and poor visibility. 

Stay safe!

In accordance with Ontario Regulation 239/02, Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways,

The Township of Lanark Highlands is declaring a Significant Weather Event effective from Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at approximately 10:00pm.

This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for Lanark Highlands to meet their winter maintenance objectives until the significant weather event has ended.

The Lanark Highlands Public Works Department will continue to focus on resident safety, but please note that it may take longer than usual to clear Township roadways.

Residents are encouraged to avoid any unnecessary travel for the duration of the significant weather event. The Township will update residents once the declaration has ended.

For up to date weather information, visit the Environment and Natural Resources Weather page

The Township of Lanark Highlands recently held an Open House for the Sheridan Rapids Bridge Replacement - Please visit the link below for more information.

COUNTY OF LANARK

TAKE NOTICE that the County of Lanark and the following municipalities within the County of Lanark intend to pass a by-law under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and Ontario Regulation 586/06: Local Improvement Charges – Priority Lien Status, to implement the Better Homes Lanark (BHL) program.

• Town of Perth
• Municipality of Mississippi Mills
• Township of Beckwith
• Township of Drummond North Elmsley
• Township of Lanark Highlands
• Township of Montague
• Township of Tay Valley

Purpose of the By-law

The proposed by-law will enable the residents of the County of Lanark within the participating local municipalities to participate in the Better Homes Lanark program, which assists homeowners in financing energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades, such as:

• Insulation improvements,
• Installation of high-efficiency heating or cooling systems,
• Solar panel installations, and
• Other eligible home retrofits.

Financing for these upgrades will be provided through Local Improvement Charges (LICs) applied to property tax bills, ensuring repayment over time.

Eligibility

The program is voluntary and available to all residential property owners in the participating local municipalities who meet the eligibility criteria. Participation requires an agreement between the property owner and the local municipality, who agree to the LICs being charged against their property.

Details of the Local Improvement Charges

1. Financing will be repaid through an additional charge on participating properties' tax bills.
2. The charge will include the principal amount and applicable interest.
3. Repayment terms will be determined by the agreement between the property owner and the program administrator.

Adoption Dates:

The Better Homes Lanark Bylaw will be duly adopted at their respective municipalities on the following dates:

Additional Information

For more information about the proposed By-law or the Better Homes Lanark program, please contact:

County of Lanark, 613-267-4200

Elizabeth Boldt, Climate Environmental Coordinator - x 3105

Jasmin Ralph, Clerk - x1502

Joan Pratt, Business Manager - x 3110

PLEASE NOTE that the Township of Lanark Highlands will no longer be offering the purchase of Burn Permits at remote locations. Burn Permits will only be available to purchase online via our website or in person from the Township office.

The Township of Lanark Highlands is taking several steps to address issues related to municipal audits, a 2024 budget insurance error and upcoming financial challenges for 2025.

The township’s new treasurer, Rhonda Whitmarsh, started in the position on Nov. 4 and will be the lead in completing the 2023 audit and addressing any outstanding recommendations from management letters for 2022 and 2021. “Rhonda brings more than two decades of experiences as a municipal treasurer and is also a Chartered Professional Accountant,” explained CAO Suzanne Charbonneau-Dent. “The content of previous management letters was not publicly released as it included sensitive issues that could pose security issues for the township.”

In addition, in the 2024 budget, an error was made that inadvertently doubled the actual required amount for the township’s insurance. The township electronically paid the $146,774.40 amount shown on the physical invoice, but due to a change in the broker’s banking information, it was not received, resulting in a second payment being issued correctly. The entry for the return of the initial undeliverable funds was not recorded in the township’s financial software, however; and Whitmarsh discovered the error in early November.

“It appears that when subsequently preparing the 2024 budget earlier this year, staff used the amount shown in the financial software, which reflected the two payments made, but not that one payment did not go through,” Charbonneau-Dent said. The township has the ability to set aside the remaining unspent amount of $146,774.40 in reserves to offset future expenditures.

“The 2024 tax rate was set using the higher insurance figure, and this will not be mirrored in the 2025 budget,” she added. The savings will be available to assist with addressing financial challenges in 2025, including a large forecasted OPP billing increase, aging infrastructure and asset management obligations.

Charbonneau-Dent said staff involved with the 2024 budget insurance mistake are no longer with the township, but they had worked diligently to catch up, particularly on the financial side, during a period of staff turnover and shortages in recent years, often taking on extra duties. “This has been part of the challenge, but we take ownership for the error and recognize the impact it had on the 2024 budget and tax rate.”

“I value the dedication and professionalism of our township staff,” said Reeve Peter McLaren. “Mistakes can happen to anyone. Our staff have been operating in a catch-up mode with each performing multiple jobs to get caught up. I am extremely proud of this over-the-top effort by all our staff.”

Additional steps being taken include:

• The new treasurer will be conducting internal audits and reviews of financial transactions and internal controls, and any findings of concern will be brought to the attention of council.
• Completing a detailed assessment of the financial impacts of asset retirement obligations that are required to complete the 2023 audit. The township anticipates awarding a contract to complete these assessments by Nov. 28, 2024.
• An RFP for audit services for 2023 and 2024 was issued on Nov. 19 and is expected to be awarded in January 2025. Timelines for completion will be confirmed with the selected auditor.
• Department managers have started preparation of the 2025 budget, and the process will begin in January.

“Lanark Highlands is turning a corner,” Reeve McLaren said. “We have good staffing in place with the key positions of CAO, Clerk and Treasurer filled, and they are working to get things back on track and get up to date on our finances. We understand the importance of transparency and will be working diligently to keep our ratepayers informed.”

For more information, contact:
Suzanne Charbonneau-Dent
CAO
Township of Lanark Highlands
613-259-2398 ext. 222

Staff presented two policies to Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on 8 October 2024 where they discussed updates to the Procurement Policy and the draft of the new Employee Code of Conduct.

We appreciate your feedback and encourage you to provide input on these policies by emailing

Feedback will be accepted until October 31, 2024.

PLEASE NOTE

Sheridan Rapids Bridges will be reduced to one lane with minimal disruption to traffic starting Wednesday, October 2/2024.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact

The Lanark Highlands Public Works Department
613-259-2398 Extension # 242 or # 239

McDonalds Corners Agricultural Society (MDCAS ) wishes to thank the Township of Lanark Highlands & Councillor Jeannie Kelso for the grant they awarded us in the amount of $6,400.00. This money purchased a storage shed BBQ and outside seating for the fair and other future events.

MDCAS would not have been able to purchase these items without your generous grant.

Thank you from the director’s & community of McDonalds Corners!

The Township of Lanark Highlands is pleased to announce the hiring of Nicole Guthrie as the new Clerk. She officially begins her role on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a commitment to serving our community.

Nicole joins the Township with nearly 20 years of experience in managing municipal and government records, supporting committees, councils and boards, and enhancing public services. This includes previous roles with the Town of Carleton Place, Municipality of Mississippi Mills, and the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority.  Since 2016, she has been supporting the provincial education system at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). For the past four years she has performed as the General Manager, Board Services, for the OCDSB, which has prepared her for the complimentary role of municipal clerk.

Ms. Guthrie holds a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University and has completed additional certifications and training including courses on municipal emergency preparedness, health and safety and public relations.

As the Municipal Clerk, Ms. Guthrie will be responsible for coordinating the administrative and legislative requirements necessary for the Township and Council to function, in addition to managing municipal elections, the issuance of various licenses and maintenance of the corporate records. Nicole will also play a key role in facilitating communication between the Township office and the residents of Lanark Highlands.

"I am pleased to welcome Nicole to the team. It is always a benefit to add new perspective from one's body of work in former jobs to improve customer service,” said Reeve McLaren.

For more information, please contact Suzanne Charbonneau-Dent, CAO at 613-259-2398 ext. 222 or email: .