Road projects coming in under budget, a debate over compost subsidies and a new downtown parking arrangement with Canada Post were among the issues discussed during a shorter-than-usual Carleton Place committee of the whole meeting May 12.
Committee also received updates on protective services activity, approved a new arena canteen operator and reviewed a report showing more than $1.7 million in projected savings tied to projects approved through delegated authority.
Delegated authority report
Carleton Place council has received, for information, a new CAO delegated authority report showing more than $1.37 million in savings tied to major municipal projects approved by staff.
The report, presented by Chief Administrative Officer Diane Smithson, outlines routine operational decisions made under the town’s delegated authority bylaw, which allows staff to approve certain contracts and procurement matters without bringing every item to council. The projects had already been approved through the budget process.
Among the largest projects was the town’s 2026 road program, budgeted at $2.7 million and covering reconstruction and resurfacing work on Frank, Lake, Napoleon, Sarah, James, Joseph and Wellington streets. The contract was awarded to Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. for $1.63 million plus HST following a competitive tender process.
After contingency costs, inspections and net HST are factored in, the project is still expected to come in nearly $745,000 under budget.
“I’m just going to let you know that at the May 26 meeting, staff is proposing coming back to add a couple of roads to the 2026 program,” said Smithson. “So expect that at the next meeting.”
The Carambeck Community Centre roof replacement project was also awarded significantly below budget, with Simluc Contractors Ltd. securing the contract for $1.09 million plus HST. The project is projected to save the town another $632,000.
According to the report, year-to-date savings from projects approved through delegated authority now total more than $1.72 million.
Just Good Compost
Residents looking to reduce household waste will again be able to participate in the town’s compost partnership with Just Good Compost.
Town staff said the curbside compost initiative has become part of local waste diversion efforts alongside the FoodCycler and backyard composter rebate programs.
The service provides subscribers with a compost bucket for food scraps and organic waste, which is collected weekly and replaced with a clean container. The material is then processed into compost that subscribers can pick up in the spring.
“Unlike the countertop food composter and a backyard composter, this is a service as compared to a product that you would buy, and so far, the uptake hasn’t been a lot,” said Smithson.
Council had included $25,000 annually in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 budgets to support the program, lowering the annual subscription cost from $275 to $199. In 2025, 120 households signed up through the town-supported initiative, well short of the 333-household target.
Several councillors who use the service suggested increasing the subsidy to encourage more residents to try it.
“I love the program. I use it, and I’ll continue using, subsidized or not,” said Coun. Mark Hinton. “I think once they try the product, they’re gonna realize how quick it is, how easy it is, and there’s no smell.”
Council was reluctant to increase the subsidy mid-year after already approving the budget.
In the end, Hinton will work with staff on alternative ways to encourage participation without significantly increasing costs.
Canteen
The town’s arena canteen will soon be operated by a familiar local name.
Committee approved a recommendation to enter into a three-year lease agreement with Matt Waters to operate the municipal arena canteen beginning July 1, 2026.
“We only had one proposal that was received for the operation of the canteen,” said Joanne Henderson, manager of Recreation and Culture. “We reviewed his proposal, and he’s met all the requirements ….”
The move follows direction from council earlier this year to explore outsourcing the canteen operation. Waters, who currently operates the canteen at Beckwith Arena, was the only bidder.
According to Henderson, Waters also has 25 years of food service experience working with a McDonald’s franchisee.
The agreement runs through June 2029, with options for two additional one-year extensions based on performance. Lease payments will begin at $850 per month plus HST and increase by three per cent annually.
Town staff estimate the agreement will generate at least $11,700 annually through lease payments and equipment rental.
Parking restrictions and expansion on College Street
A parking dispute involving Canada Post and the town appears headed toward a compromise.
Committee supported a staff recommendation to restrict parking on the north side of College Street in exchange for continued public access to the Canada Post parking lot during evenings and weekends.
The issue began in late 2025 when Canada Post raised concerns that parked vehicles on College Street were making it difficult for large delivery trucks to access the property.
Town staff initially determined the issue could be resolved by reopening the Victoria Street entrance, which had been partially blocked by a jersey barrier. The large concrete traffic barrier had restricted vehicle access to the entrance.
Canada Post later removed the barrier and restored truck access, but also proposed gating the entrance to prevent after-hours public parking.
Canada Post has since agreed to allow evening and weekend parking access.
“I have been in conversations with the manager of the Canada Post here in Carleton Place,” said Hinton. “They are familiar with what we’re asking and willing to sign a memorandum of understanding.”
Committee approved the arrangement, which formalizes public use of the private parking lot through an agreement between the town and Canada Post.
“This means it’s a net plus 13 parking spots downtown,” said Mayor Toby Randell. “These are precious spaces downtown, especially on weekends and evenings when lots of folks are in our downtown core.”
Staff also recommended removing signage discouraging public parking so the town can install signs clearly indicating evening and weekend parking is permitted.
Protective Services Annual Report
Carleton Place’s protective services departments were busy during the first quarter of 2026, responding to emergencies, increasing training and marking several staffing milestones.
Council received quarterly activity reports from the fire department and municipal law enforcement as information.
The fire department responded to 68 emergency calls between January and March, including nine fire incidents, nine carbon monoxide alarms, five motor vehicle collisions and 32 false alarms. Firefighters also completed 153 inspections and issued 57 orders during the quarter.
“We have five new recruits to start their training January 1. It’s 250 plus hours of training,” said acting director of Protective Services Dave Joy.
Among the staffing updates, Justin Lesperance was promoted to lieutenant, firefighter Marty McKittrick marked 20 years of service, and Captain Jason Jackson retired in January after more than 22 years with the department.
Municipal law enforcement officers handled 104 calls and inquiries while issuing 347 charges, largely related to traffic and parking enforcement. More than 100 warnings were also issued during the quarter.
“On the emergency management front, we just found out yesterday that we’re in compliance with the province’s requirements on emergency management,” said Joy. “So that was great news to hear.”
The department also hired another spare crossing guard and will send two officers to this year’s Municipal Law Enforcement Officers Conference in Ottawa.
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