Addington Highlands Council Report - August 12

Jeff Green | Aug 21, 2025

Memorial Banners in Denbigh

Council approved a request from the Denbigh Recreation Committee to install banners in the lead-in to Remembrance Day, recognising the contribution of local veterans. Staff will consult with Lennox and Addington County regarding county roads that may be involved.

Battery Energy Storage

The Township of Burk's Falls asked all Ontario  municipalities to support their call. for the Province to undertake a comprehensive study of Battery Energy Storage Systems. Addington Highlands Council decided to defer.

Councillor Hook said “the information is out there, and I think municipalities can do their own studies and make their own decisions. We have heard the Prime Minister saying we need to move forward with energy projects instead of continuing to do more and more studies.”

Public Works Update – Dust suppression, sweeping, and surface treatment has been completed throughout the township, and roadside mowing is well underway. Ditching is underway as well.

The closure process at the Denbigh Waste Site is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving.

Public Works Manager Brett Reavie also provided a brief update regarding plans for an upgrade and the installation of traffic lights at the junction of  highways 7 and 41. The current estimate is for work to begin in 2027, with the construction phase in 2028.

CBO Report

Building permits continue to lag, but new home construction “continues to impress,” said Chief Building Official (CBO) David Twiddy.

There were two bids for the installation of a new commercial floor at the Denbigh Hall. The two bids were $2,000 apart, with Nufloors of Belleville providing a bid of $22,000, including HST, and Northbrook Outfitters providing a bid of $24,000, HST included.

The bid being as close as they were, Twiddy said he decided to bring it to Council without a recommendation. Both companies are “more than capable of doing the work” as far as he is concerned.

“We are only dealing with a dollar difference between a local contractor and a non-local contractor, that's essentially the difference,” said Deputy Reeve Tony Fritsch.

“The dollar difference is pretty small, so I will move that we award the tender to Northbrook Outfitters,” said Councilor Ken Hook.

“It is within budget, is it not,” said Councillor Helen Yanch.

“Yes,” said Twiddy.

Council awarded the contract to Northbrook Outfitters. Councillor Kirby Thompson voted against the motion.

Dog Issues, but Chickens are not Squawking

Twiddy reported that he has received complaints about dogs running free, and impeding people walking on township roads, and he said it is important to make people aware that they are responsible for their dogs.

He also said that he has heard very little squawking since the chicken bylaw went into effect earlier this spring, “from the chickens, I mean”.

Request from Flinton Community Garden Group

Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer Christine Reed brought forward a proposal to hold free concerts at the new community garden site in August and September. The proposal was approved unanimously.

Cemetery Transfer – The owners of a private cemetery, the Glenfield Road Cemetery, want to transfer  the cemetery, the land, and maintenance funds that have been collected, to the township. The township will assume responsibility for care and maintenance. Bereavement Ontario was consulted, and recommended that the transaction proceed, and Council agreed to take the cemetery on.

Official Plan Update

Deputy Clerk/Planning Secretary Patrica Gray brought forward the first steps in an Official Plan update, and recommended that a hybrid public meeting be set for September 9th at 1pm, to start the process. Council agreed to set the meeting date.

Noise Bylaw Exemption

The North of 7 Challenge is set for August 30th and 31st at Jacques Bay Road. The race organisers have applied for a noise bylaw exemption for the noise coming from “loudspeakers, and also persistent yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, or singing,” said Patricia Gray, reading from an email from the race convenors.

Patricia Gray said the exemption has been granted previously and there have been no complaints from the public.

“They are pretty isolated so they can hoot and holler all they want and nobody is going to hear them,” said Councillor Hook, “it's a very positive event in our community.”

The exemption was granted.