PERTH — From drinking water and bridge repairs to pollinator meadows, pool accessibility upgrades and emergency preparedness, Perth committee tackled a wide range of infrastructure and community planning issues during its latest committee of the whole meeting on May 12.
Councillors also reviewed more than $5 million in project carry forwards, backed a major infrastructure master plan study, and renewed calls for provincial action at the Highway 7 and Drummond Street intersection.
Emergency preparedness
The Town of Perth has met all 13 provincial emergency management requirements for 2025 under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
Committee received correspondence from the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response confirming the town remains compliant with provincial standards.
The ministry also advised that Bill 25, the Emergency Management Modernization Act, 2025, came into effect Dec. 3, 2025, introducing changes intended to improve coordination and flexibility in emergency management across Ontario.
Current municipal requirements will remain unchanged for 2026, while future amendments are expected to allow joint emergency management programs between municipalities and clarify procedures surrounding municipal emergency declarations.
Committee received the correspondence for information without discussion.
Pollinator funding
Perth could soon see butterflies and bees buzzing through a new pollinator meadow at Darou Farm.
Committee is backing a plan to pursue outside funding for a 0.75-acre pilot meadow beside the existing dog park through the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s pollinator habitat restoration program.
The proposed project would transform part of Darou Farm into a patchwork of native plants designed to support Monarch butterflies and other pollinators while boosting biodiversity and climate resilience.
Staff said the meadow aligns with the town’s vision for Darou Farm as a passive natural park focused on environmental stewardship, education and low-impact recreation. Interpretive signage could also be added to help visitors learn about local pollinators and native habitat restoration.
The recommendation only authorizes staff to apply for grant funding and does not commit the town to construction. If funding is approved, council will receive a future report outlining project costs, maintenance and implementation details.
The grant would cover expenses including native seed, site preparation and signage, with no immediate cost to taxpayers.
EASE grant application
Perth could see safer and more accessible change rooms at the Perth and District Indoor Pool if a new grant application is approved.
Committee is supporting a request for up to $60,000 through the Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone Communities Grants Program to replace flooring in the women’s change room.
Director of Community Services Cathy McNally said the project would replace deteriorating flooring in the women’s change room and washroom areas and remove a step that currently limits accessible access to the shower area.
Staff said the existing flooring has become slippery and no longer provides adequate grip, creating a safety concern, particularly for seniors who regularly use the pool. Rubber mats are currently being used as a temporary fix.
The upgrades are intended to improve accessibility, reduce physical barriers and lower the risk of falls and injuries for older adults and people with disabilities.
If approved, the fully-funded grant would cover the project with no direct cost to the town.
“I would like to commend the Director of Community Services. I think she is chasing down every grant that ever existed. Thank you very much,” said Mayor Judy Brown.
Perth’s drinking water earns perfect inspection score
Perth’s drinking water system has once again earned top marks from provincial inspectors.
Council received the town’s 2025-2026 Drinking Water System Inspection Report after the municipality scored a perfect 100 per cent during a detailed Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks inspection completed in February 2026.
“I always know we’re in fantastic hands with Grant (Machan, director of Environmental Services) in charge, and Grant, 100 per cent doesn’t surprise me at all with you and your team, so congratulations,” said Deputy Mayor Ed McPherson.
The three-day provincial review examined operational records, water testing, staff training, compliance logs, facility inspections and adherence to provincial regulations.
Inspectors found no areas of non-compliance and confirmed all corrective actions from previous inspections had been completed.
“It’s a very extensive inspection, covering hundreds of components. It’s a three-day inspection. This score just reaffirms to the residents of the Town of Perth how safe this drinking water system is,” said Machan.
Staff noted council receives the report annually because elected officials are legally considered owners of the drinking water system under Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act.
“I’ve been with the municipality well over 30 years, and we’ve never scored below 94 per cent, which is also a component the town can be proud of,” added Machan.
Perth committee advances infrastructure study
Perth is moving ahead with a major infrastructure roadmap designed to shape future growth and utility needs.
Committee is supporting the award of a nearly $196,000 contract to J.L. Richards & Associates Limited to prepare the Town’s 2026-2027 Infrastructure Master Plan.
The study will examine Perth’s water, sanitary sewer and stormwater systems to help guide future development, infrastructure upgrades and long-term servicing demands.
Town staff selected J.L. Richards after a competitive proposal process launched in March, with the firm receiving the highest overall evaluation score.
While some councillors questioned the timing of the study amid financial pressures, Director Machan said the work is essential.
“This study is very essential to going to the next step. It creates that roadmap, and with that roadmap come things like sizing, positioning, other improvements in the distribution system, and therefore then can be folded into the development charges bylaw,” said Machan.
He added that without the study, the town could miss opportunities to capture development charges needed to pay for future infrastructure expansion.
Funding for the project would come from development charges, capital reserves and water and sewer reserves.
Perth council requests MTO review
Perth council is once again asking the Ministry of Transportation to review safety concerns at the Highway 7 and Drummond Street intersection.
A motion brought forward by Coun. Isabel McRae requests a safety review and asks the province to consider interim measures before planned Highway 7 construction begins.
“It is a serious problem there. I can tell you that for decades the intersection has had serious collisions in it, serious injury collisions,” said Coun. David Bird, a retired OPP officer.
The motion also directs staff to send the request to Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan.
“Last term in council we made a request for a review of that intersection that fell on deaf ears. We’re dealing with the Ministry of Transportation and I’m just trying to avoid disappointment,” said Bird.
Little Tay Bridge rehabilitation
Perth is preparing to rehabilitate one of its historic stone bridges.
Committee is supporting a $163,804 contract award to Atwill-Morin (Ontario) Inc. for rehabilitation work on the Little Tay Bridge, the double-arch stone structure spanning the smaller Tay River channel on Gore Street East.
“It was last repaired and updated in 1984 when the first street was handed over to the municipality by the MTO through that downloading,” said Director Machan.
The project was identified as a high priority through the town’s Asset Management Plan and provincial bridge inspections due to deteriorating stone masonry.
Three bids were received, with Atwill-Morin submitting the lowest qualified bid.
The project is expected to exceed the original capital budget by about $13,800, with committee supporting a plan to use surplus funds from the 2025 Craig Street Bridge project to cover the difference.
“It really is kind of a diamond in downtown to have something that old and functional as that bridge,” said Machan.
Carry forward projects top $5 million
More than $5 million in unspent 2025 project funding is being carried forward into 2026 in Perth.
Under the town’s budget policy, capital projects not completed by year-end may be carried into the next fiscal year with council approval.
Staff recommended approximately $5.08 million in carry forwards, including about $3.47 million related to water and sewer projects, $1.34 million tied to capital reserve-funded projects and $275,000 linked to debt financing secured in 2025.
Major projects include more than $1 million for the fifth cell SAGR lagoon project, $637,000 for lagoon sludge removal, $601,000 for upgrades to floc tanks and low lift pumps at the water treatment plant, and $343,000 for roads pre-engineering work.
Other carry forwards include facility studies, arena and pool upgrades, fencing, bridge work, storm sewer maintenance, traffic light backup systems and implementation costs for Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Deputy Mayor Ed McPherson questioned whether the town is overcommitting itself each year.
“What I’m saying is let’s not over-budget every year and have 14 projects that we’re not gonna get to,” said McPherson. “The work has to get done, but let’s be realistic.”
Director of Corporate Services and Treasurer Nev Jande said the reporting format was adjusted this year to improve transparency.
“It used to be that carry-forwards were all within the same capital reserve, and I just wanted to kind of be able to isolate that because sometimes we’ll talk about having $5 million in capital reserves, but $4 million of that is actually a carry-forward,” said Jande.
Development charge housekeeping
Development charges in Perth are increasing for 2026 as construction costs continue to rise.
Under the town’s development charges bylaw, rates are automatically adjusted each Jan. 1 using Statistics Canada’s Building Construction Price Index and do not require a separate bylaw amendment.
In a report to committee, Director Jande said residential construction costs in the Ottawa-Gatineau region increased 3.7 per cent between the third quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025, while non-residential costs rose 3.6 per cent.
As a result, development charges for a single detached home will increase to $15,563 town-wide in 2026, or $21,617 for properties north of Highway 7.
Committee received the report for information without discussion.
Better Homes Program
Perth residents could soon see more homes upgraded for energy efficiency through Lanark County’s Better Homes Lanark program.
Committee is recommending a special charge bylaw for a property at 2 D’Arcy St. that would allow a homeowner to repay a low-interest retrofit loan through their property tax bill under the Local Improvement Charge framework.
“I actually rented 2 D’Arcy Street for a year, and I can say that this house is very unique and it’s haunted,” joked Coun. Jim Boldt. “It was built in 1860 for the then mayor, William Peake, and it is a very beautiful home, but definitely needs some upgrades under this program.”
The $12.5-million program, funded through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, launched in 2025 and supports deep energy retrofits aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30 per cent per home.
Coun.McRae said 155 pre-applications had been received across Lanark County, with 138 deemed eligible.
Eligible homeowners can access financing at 2.75 per cent interest along with grants for upgrades such as insulation, energy conservation improvements and climate resiliency measures.
Funding of up to $40,000 is available through a combination of loans and grants.
Fire service review
Committee received the Perth Fire Services 2025 Service Review for information, highlighting increased call volumes, training and expanded public outreach efforts.
The report noted Perth Fire Services responded to 150 calls in 2025, an 11 per cent increase over 2023 and part of a continuing upward trend in demand for service.
The department continued recruitment efforts throughout the year while maintaining training programs that meet professional standards and certification requirements.
Fire prevention and public education remained a major focus, with inspections, school programs, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm campaigns and outreach to vulnerable residents highlighted in the review.
Investments in fleet and facility upgrades during 2025 were also noted as supporting firefighter safety, service reliability and long-term infrastructure planning.
“Looking ahead, we’re going to keep focusing on our prevention education methods, different ways of getting that out,” said Fire Chief Trevor Choffe. “One thing we have to do is be as creative as possible to keep providing a service that is as efficient as possible.”
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