Public Notice - May 10, 2024

Public Notice - Pesticide Use

Roadside spraying

Commencing: May 21, 2024 to June 21, 2024 (weather permitting)

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville have hired a licensed contractor (Wagar and Corput Weed Control Inc.) for the purpose of spraying ditches along the roadside for weed control at the following locations:

• County Rd 15, 16, 17 and 41

The contractor will be using the following pesticide: Clearview Herbicide Reg. #29752, active ingredients Metasulfuron-Methyl and Aminopyralid, present as potassium salt, along with Gateway Adjuvent Reg. #31470, active ingredients Paraffinic oil and Alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactanct, under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada).

For further information contact:

Wagar & Corput Weed Control Inc. (613) 938-2117 (call collect) or The United Counties of Leeds & Grenville (613) 342-3840 Ext 2413

Information along with maps of the roads to be sprayed is available on the website at www.leedsgrenville.com under Government, Divisions, Public Works, Weed Control

MEDIA RELEASE:

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

May 13, 2024

Spring Clean Up Tips

Spring has sprung! This time of year is often the time for doing some clean up around your yard, at the cottage or any property you own. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit want to remind you that this activity can expose some hazards that may not be safe. Take precautions to help reduce your risk of infection.

Mosquitos and Ticks Insect Bites and Diseases - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

Cleaning up around the yard, including trimming brush, will also help reduce tick and mosquito breeding grounds. These pests live close to their breeding sites and can carry disease.

• Wear protective equipment that will protect you from insect bites and rashes from annoying weeds.
• Remove dead brush and cut down long grass.
• Empty and remove containers that hold stagnant water such as old tires, swimming pool covers, clogged gutters, unused toys or vehicles – mosquitos can breed in this water
• Creating a natural physical separation between your yard and wooded areas using a border of wood chips or gravel.
• Cleaning up areas under and around bird feeders to reduce the attraction of small critters such as mice that help transport ticks and are necessary hosts for ticks to complete their life cycle.
• Do a tick check when you return inside. If possible, have someone check you from behind. Check your pets for ticks as well. Promptly remove ticks and nymphs using tweezers or a tick twister. 

Droppings: Household Pests and Rodents - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

When it comes to cleaning up inside the cottage, garage or shed, be prepared. You may find small accumulations of mouse, bird, raccoon, or bat droppings. These droppings may have harmful micro-organisms that are released into the air in the dust as you clean up. To reduce harm from droppings, follow these tip prior to cleaning up a garage, shed or cottage:    

• Open windows and doors for ventilation for about 30 minutes before your begin cleaning.
• Wear disposable gloves and a face mask to protect from breathing in dust and droppings.
• Wet down areas where droppings have been left with a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
• Shovel the wet droppings into a garbage bag along with any cleaning cloths and then seal the bag well for disposal.
• Wash your hands well after you have finished.
• Assistance from a professional may be needed for heavy accumulations of droppings or where there is a significant infestation by rodents or other animals.

Wild parsnip Dangerous Weeds - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

Wild Parsnip, Poison Ivy, and Giant Hogweed are three common noxious weeds in our area. Coming into contact with these dangerous weeds can cause severe skin reactions. To prevent the growth of these dangerous weeds:

• Mow the grass and trim the ditches regularly. Mowing the ditch helps control the growth of wild parsnip. Keeping the plant mowed will prevent the plant from flowering and spreading its seeds.

Well Water Drinking Water - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

Spring is a great time to have your well water tested for bacteria. Run off from heavy rain may affect the safety of your drinking water. Bacteria in your well water may not affect the taste or smell. Testing your well water is the only way to know for sure if your drinking water is safe.

• The Health Unit recommends that you test your well water at least three times a year for bacteria. If the testing shows the well water is contaminated with bacteria, some actions may be required to protect your health.
• Check the Health Unit website for instructions on how to disinfect your well and information on different types of treatment units that can be installed.
• In addition to bacteria, some chemical elements that can affect health may also be found in your well water. The most common chemical elements that can affect your health and may be found in Canadian well water are: Nitrate and nitrite, sodium, naturally occurring Manganese, Arsenic, Uranium and Lead.

A thorough spring clean-up can help you enjoy outdoor activities all season long by removing conditions that are favourable for unwanted pests that may cause discomfort and disease.

For more information check our Home Health and Safety section of our website or call 1-800-660-5853 or 613-345-5685. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter @LGLHealthUnit for important public health updates.

MEDIA RELEASE

May 2, 2024

May is Speech and Hearing Month in Canada

Children start learning to talk long before they say their first words. Learning to talk is all about brain development and when parents play, talk, read, and sing they are helping their babies to develop the brain connections they need for language and literacy. If you have concerns, it is important to get help early so we do not miss this crucial developmental stage.

At the Language Express Preschool Speech and Language Program we encourage you to take the time this May to check that the babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in your life are on track for communication success.  Complete the online Language Express Communication Checkup on our website at www.language-express.ca.  The Communication Checkup screens for speech, language, and global development every 6 months from birth to 4 years of age.  Parents can make a referral to Language Express online after completing the Checkup, or can call our office to make a referral or ask questions at 1-888-503-8885.

Language Express provides speech and language assessment and therapy services for young children in Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville counties. Services are free and are available from birth until school entry.  The deadline for referrals is September 1st of year the child is eligible to start Junior Kindergarten.  This means that children born in 2020 must be referred by September 1st, 2024.

Families with concerns about hearing should talk to their family doctor or contact the Southeast Infant Hearing Program at 1-855 544-3400, ext. 3175 and press 5 for more information about hearing testing.

Earlier referrals lead to better outcomes. Children’s brains are developing incredibly rapidly in the infant, toddler and preschool years and studies have shown that early intervention has more impact on a child’s future well-being and success in school than the same amount of intervention provided when the child is older. 

Notice of Mooring Restrictions - Rideau Canal Historic Site - May 8, 2024

Please see the full notice here.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is excited to invite you to take part in Ontario’s fifth annual Provincial Day of Action on Litter, taking place on Tuesday, May 14, 2024!

Ontario’s annual Day of Action on Litter goes beyond picking up litter – it is an opportunity for us to empower citizens, municipalities, and businesses across the province to unite under the common cause of creating a greener, cleaner and more sustainable environment for ourselves and future generations.

You can participate in our Merrickville-Wolford community by organizing a litter cleanup event, engaging your community by educating others and promoting public participation, and spreading the word on social media accounts.

To see full details, please see the Information Sheet.

For more information on the Day of Action, please visit the provincial website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/act-on-litter 

As per section 7 (6) of the Building Code Act, the Building Department will be hosting a Public Meeting for the proposed changes of Building Department fees, as found in Schedule "H" of the Fees and Charges By-law 44-2022. 

The Public Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22 at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Municipal Office. It will also be an option to attend virtually via Zoom by registering in advance of the meeting. 

To view the full details of the notice of Public Meeting, please click here.