LAURIE WEIR

From renaming rural roads to repairing spring washouts, Rideau Lakes councillors reviewed several operational updates during the April 14 meeting of the Municipal Services Committee.

Three private roads renamed

Three private roads in the township are getting new names as part of Rideau Lakes’ ongoing civic addressing improvements.

Committee members recommended the following changes:

• R36 will become Greenwood Lane, reflecting a name previously used informally by residents.
• A new laneway off Eleonora Lane will be named Fern Private, a name supported by local property owners.
• R12C will become Lumsden Lane, in recognition of one of the area’s original landowners.

The changes followed the township’s Private Road Naming Policy, including a five-week public input period. The renaming is expected to cost under $9,000, covered by the 2025 civic addressing budget. Final approval will go to council.

Permit activity off to a slow start in 2025

Development activity has slowed across Rideau Lakes so far this year. Only 26 building permits were issued by the end of March — down from 53 during the same period in 2024.

Just three single-family homes were approved, and septic permits dropped to eight from 14. Total construction value came in at $1.28 million, compared to nearly $7 million last year. Fee revenues fell to $32,347 from $84,402.

Planning applications were also limited across all categories. Westport saw modest growth with two new homes and three solar installations worth more than $750,000. Athens reported three permits.

Coun. Jeff Banks asked Development Services Manager Tom Fehr whether anything was in the works to “pull those numbers up.”

Fehr said the March report reflects permits issued that month, and intake levels are still comparable to last year.

The report also noted one building order issued and one fine collected for construction without a permit. Development charges collected so far include $16,832 from the township and $333 for education levies.

Roads take a beating after spring thaw

Road crews spent much of March repairing major washouts, replacing culverts, and patching frost-damaged surfaces, according to a report from Manager of Roads and Drainage Dan Chant.

Spring grading and maintenance continue when weather allows, though fluctuating temperatures and melting frost have made conditions difficult.

Winter road work was significantly more demanding this season. Township trucks logged 66,713 kilometres from fall to March — more than double last year’s total.

No new capital projects have begun in 2025, but a guiderail was installed on Lock Road in Newboro as part of a 2024 project with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.

Coun. Linda Carr asked for confirmation that the work was done.

Chant said the guiderail was repurposed from an old cable barrier at the public boat launch. While he used county contractors to secure pricing, the cost will be covered by the township.

A used grader purchased last year is now in regular use and “working great,” Chant added.

Banks questioned whether the increase in hours logged by roads staff would affect the budget. Chant clarified that last year’s winter was easier and that any overage this year would be drawn from the roads reserve fund set up by the former treasurer.

Spring cleanup events return

Pitch-In Week and Trash 2 Treasure Day are back this month as Rideau Lakes kicks off its annual spring cleaning campaign.

Residents have already started picking up yellow Pitch-In bags for the volunteer roadside cleanup effort, which runs April 13 to 26. Bags are available at the municipal office and local libraries.

The first Trash 2 Treasure Day of the year takes place Saturday, April 26. Households are encouraged to place unwanted, gently used items at the end of their driveways with a “FREE” sign. An interactive map of participating properties will be posted on the township’s website.

Waste and recycling collection will shift during the Easter holiday. Good Friday recycling will be picked up Saturday, April 19, and collections for the following week will run Tuesday through Saturday.

Coun. Marcia Maxwell asked about garbage pickup for island residents. Chant, presenting on behalf of Works and Facilities Coordinator Ben Rothwell, said township crews will handle it.

“We’re already there with the trucks, so we’ll be doing the pickup for island residents,” he said.

Chant added that the new recycling hauler will place transfer bins at the Delta landfill, which township staff will fill. The hauler will then pick them up.

CAO Shellee Fournier confirmed the hauler will pay the township for this service. “We’re negotiating those details to bring to council,” she said.

Pontoon business returning to Big Rideau dock

Bob Bolton’s pontoon boat will once again be docked at the municipal site on Big Rideau Lake this summer.

Council is expected to approve a lease agreement that would allow Bolton to moor his 24-foot pontoon boat on the inside of the municipal dock at 3800 Big Rideau Lake Road for the 2025 boating season.

Bolton, who operated a business from the dock last year, will pay the standard harbour fee of $1,572.96, including HST.

The boat will be docked on the left side of the wharf, opposite the launch area. Staff said the lease supports the township’s goals for open and transparent operations.