Lanark County Council Highlights – May 7, 2025

Press Release – Lanark County 

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held May 7, 2025.

Automated Speed Enforcement Implementation to Proceed

Lanark County Council has directed staff to move forward with implementation steps for an Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program – or speed cameras – for county roads. This will be proceeded by a public awareness and consultation campaign. 

Public Works Director Sean Derouin explained roadside safety was identified as a key priority for the 2022-2026 council term, and in the new speed management policy adopted in June ASE was identified as a method to consider to address increasing issues around speeding on county roads. 

Derouin said the county’s Traffic Advisory Working Group (TAWG), which consists of local council representatives, OPP and municipal staff, has reviewed ASE programs in detail and recommended its implementation on county roads. ASE uses technology to detect and capture images of vehicle license plates exceeding the speed limit and issues fines without a police officer present. They can be used in designated community safety zones and in designated school zones. Lanark County Public Works has highlighted seven community safety zones on county roads as possible sites. 

Program implementation considerations include purchasing cameras, ticket processing and adjudication methods. Following an investigation of options, staff and the TAWG recommended a partnership with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, which is developing an ASE program catered to eastern Ontario municipalities. Potential revenues from the program would go into a speed management reserve fund to be used for roadside safety-related initiatives, traffic management improvements and ASE program operating costs.

Derouin said public awareness and consultation campaign will take place prior to the launch of the program, adding clear signage must be installed at all camera locations to meet provincial requirements. A centralized webpage will host maps, frequently asked questions, contact details, schedules and more.

“Road safety and traffic calming improvements would be implemented in areas of greatest concern to improve road safety for all users throughout the county,” Derouin said.

For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Director of Public Works, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Tourism and Communications Update Received:

Lanark County Council has accepted the 2024 update report on tourism and communication activities provided by Tourism and Corporate Communications Coordinator Vanessa Dow. She indicated 2024 goals included effective promotion of Lanark County as a destination of choice, tourism product ad experience development, and developing and growing partnerships and collaboration.

Promotion activities showed growth in reach and followers in social media, as well as activities in publications and shows. A culinary tourism campaign focused on destinations around the county and was supported by Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO), with photography shared with participating businesses and municipalities.

A comprehensive visitor map was published, including driving tours, maple attracts, trails and information. Trail development included the Eastern Ontario Rail Trails Loop project, and improvements to the Tay-Havelock Trail through a Rural Economic Development grant and to the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail through a Trans-Canada Trail grant. A new gravel motorcycle route (Ride the Highlands) was developed through key Lanark County communities, and an Art & Heritage Tour was developed in partnership with Mississippi Mills.

Dow outlined communication activities with partners through quarterly tourism working group meetings with municipal partners and business groups, industry webpage and newsletter creation, and a Tourism Summit. At the corporate level, new Lanark County branding was developed, the Land in Lanark Campaign resulted in more than 100 inquiries from potential residents, a social media campaign celebrated Lanark County’s 200th anniversary and new billboards are being developed.

Dow said in 2025 two new projects are planned: developing new sources of data through a

partnership with OHTO and developing multi-year goals and action plans. Tourism promotion will include a range of themes and work continues to develop Trail Loop partnerships, itineraries, ATV resources and canoe/kayak routes and itineraries. The county website is being redeveloped and will include a number of corporate communication initiatives.

For more information, contact Vanessa Dow, Tourism and Corporate Communications Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1701.

Council Receives Septage Report:

Lanark County Council received a context report on septage disposal (usually liquid and solid waste from septic tanks, but can also include holding tanks and portable toilets) and directed staff to monitor disposal capacity by contact with haulers through an annual touchpoint.

Planning Manager Mike Dwyer provided the report to the economic development committee last month to provide information on septage disposal and its relationship with land use planning. He explained septage is removed by haulers licensed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) using a specialized truck, usually on a three- to five-year cycle for septic systems. It is a regulated waste and must be disposed of in accordance with regulations. 

Dwyer said locally there are generally two regulated options for disposal: municipal wastewater treatment plants or land application. Within Lanark County, only Perth and Almonte are licensed to accept septage, but Perth stopped accepting it in 2024 and Almonte’s plant is subject to capacity and operational constraints. Of seven plants outside of the county, some are not accepting septage and many outlined constraints to doing so. Three businesses have approved sites for disposal by land application within Lanark County, and five firms outside Lanark also provide service within Lanark. 

Dwyer outlined land use planning implications, including approvals for land application/disposal sites, which is governed by official plan policy, zoning by-laws and ministry licensing processes.

“As communities grow and new homes, businesses and industries develop and expand, more waste is created, which requires an adequate disposal option,” he said.

The Provincial Planning Statement 2024 (PPS) encourages decision makers to consider impacts related to growth, including septage capacity, when setting policy or granting development approvals. 

While a detailed capacity figure cannot be determined based on available information, Dwyer said consultations with haulers indicated some limited capacity issues may exist seasonally, and long-term sustainability of septage disposal capacity is subject to a range of risks.

“The greatest risk is likely an unexpected short-term disruption to local disposal capacity, wherein haulers and public authorities do not have adequate lead time to adjust their operations to compensate for the change.” 

He suggested council may wish to assess or monitor risks in the sector given its

importance to current residents, businesses and future community growth. Council directed staff to report back in future years related to the septage disposal industry in Lanark.

For more information, contact Mike Dwyer, Planning Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1520.

Upcoming Meetings:

County Council, Wednesday, May 21, 5 p.m.; Public Works, May 21 (following County Council); Economic Development, May 21 (following Public Works). County

Council, Wednesday, May 7, 5 p.m.; Community Services, May 7 (following County Council); Corporate Services, May 7 (following Community Services). County Council, Wednesday, May 21, 5 p.m.; Public Works, May 21 (following County Council); Economic Development, May 21 (following Public Works). Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications.

For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on Instagram.