The Counties, Ontario – Staff at the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG) have had a busy month moving forward on a number of important initiatives for 2014. Among these include large projects in both public works and regional planning, and were a topic of discussion at County Council this past Monday, January 27.

Planning — County Council recently adopted two important Official Plan Amendments to realize settlement area boundaries for the Township of North Dundas (OPA No.17) and the Township of South Stormont (OPA No. 20) to implement the Comprehensive Settlement Boundary Study and the Population and Growth Projections Report. These changes will promote economic development and growth within the County. Official Plan Amendments for the additional four local municipalities are expected to be brought before Council in the coming year.

Michael Otis, County Planner stated, “these Amendments represent some of the now important planning documents to be adopted by SDG.”

Funding — Cornwall Gravel Company Ltd. Was awarded tender for the rehabilitation of County Road 19 (Johnson Road) at a cost of $1.9 million. This project will be partially funded by the provincial government to a maximum amount of $2 million. Based on tender estimated costs for construction administration, geotechnical testing, etc., the total project cost is estimated to come in much below the original estimate.

“This is a perfect example of early tendering and planning”, said Warden Eric Duncan. “By getting out of the gate early we were able to secure a price $1 million under our budget which is certainly a benefit to SDG rate payers”.