Phone: (613) 283-7478 Email:
Super User

Super User

Tuesday, 23 July 2019 10:52

Rosedale Hall - Availability

Rosedale Hall

For general information and hall availability:

Phone:
613-283-7478

Email:

Tuesday, 23 July 2019 10:48

Township Council - Civic Award

Township Council
c/o Allison Vereyken, Clerk:

Email:

Address:
6547 Roger Stevens Drive, P.O. Box 755
Smiths Falls, ON K7A 4W6

Montague Township Volunteer Fire Department

Address:
6547 Roger Stevens Drive, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 4W6

Phone:
613-283-7478

Tuesday, 23 July 2019 10:41

Municipal Law Enforcement Officer

Municipal Law Enforcement Services
Municipal Law Enforcement Officer

Phone:
 613-809-7048

Email:

Friday, 19 July 2019 16:33

Finance

The Finance/Treasury Department is responsible for the handling of the financial affairs of the Township and ensuring the overall financial well-being of the Township of Montague. 

Budget

The Municipality passes an annual budget that consists of two parts, an operating budget, including all the expenditures required to deliver day-to-day Municipal services and the expected revenue (user fees, permits, etc.) and a capital budget which includes one-time expenditures for new or existing major projects or infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, bridges, etc.).

2025 BUDGETS

The Municipal budget can be found here: Operating and Capital Budget 2025

2024 BUDGETS

The Municipal budget can be found here:  Operating and Capital Budget 2024

2024 DRAFT WATER & SEWER BUDGET

The DRAFT Municipal budget for 2024 can be found here: DRAFT 2024 Water & Sewer Budget Document

2023 BUDGETS

The Municipal budget can be found here: Operating and Capital Budget 2023

The Municipal budget for Water and Wastewater can be found here: Water and Wastewater Budget 2023

ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Township of Montague's Asset Management Plan can be found here:

The Finance/Treasury Department provides the following services:

  • prepares and compiles annual departmental budgets in conjunction with department heads
  • budget monitoring
  • long-term financial planning
  • investment management
  • develops policies to improve overall operation of data management
  • regulatory financial reporting and report preparation for upper levels of government
  • internal financial reporting
  • coordination of all audit functions
  • corporate bank liaison
  • capital financing and debenturing
  • provides financial information, analysis and guidance to Council, public and departments regarding financial matters
  • property tax billing and collection including tax registrations
  • payroll/HR administration
  • insurance administration
  • utility billing and collection
  • general accounts receivable, billing and collection
  • general accounts payable
  • supervision of accounting and internal controls for all departments
  • front line reception/revenue collection

FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Finance Department is responsible to ensure compliance with a variety of legislated reporting requirements. Some of the required reports include the annual Financial Information Returns, annual Financial Statements, etc. 2023's Annual Financial Statements and FIRs can be found by clicking here: 2023 Township of Montague Financial Statements  Interested in previous years? Email  to receive a copy.

 

Friday, 19 July 2019 16:24

Roads

The Montague Township Public Works department is responsible for the maintenance of the 158.05 kilometers of road in the Township as well as drains, culverts, waste management, roadside mowing, and general maintenance.

Our after-hours emergency line for downed trees and roadway obstructions is: 613-284-1401

For information relating to County Roads, please call Lanark County Public Works at 613-267-1353

For information relating to Provincial Roads (Highway 15), please call the Ministry of Transportation at 1-888-362-1770

 

Surplus Equipment

The Township's Surplus equipment is posted on GovDeals when available. Please check back for future postings.

 

The Township of Montague’s Road Needs Study summarizes road system surveys conducted during the fall of 2019. All of the roads under the Township's jurisdiction were included in this survey. The road network in Montague Township includes loose top, surface treated and asphalt roads with varying traffic volumes throughout. Presented in this report is a recommended Ten Year Capital Program and a Loose Top Maintenance Program for the Township’s roads. These programs have been developed based on the historical capital spending and are intended to be a tool for Municipal Staff and Council during decision making processes.

To view this study, please click here

Municipal Consents / Work in Right-of-Way

Please follow this link for a municipal consent: https://twpofmontague.permits.transnomis.com/MCEO/TWPM

Once the consent has been approved, please complete the work in ROW permit: https://twpofmontague.permits.transnomis.com/WREO/TWPM

Winter Maintenance

The Public Works department Township has a Winter Maintenance Policy that sets out the standards and expectations for road conditions during the winter season.  To view this policy, please click here

Noxious Weeds

The Public Works department documents all noxious weeds on road allowances throughout the Township. If you have a concern that noxious weeds, located on the Township's road allowance, are negatively impacting agriculture or horticulture, please contact the Public Works Department to assess. The County of Lanark has further information on their website regarding noxious weeds, please click here. 

For 2025, the roadside noxious weeds program will be spraying the following areas: Wild Parsnip Spraying Locations 2025  

Grading and Shouldering

Grading of roads is dependent upon the impact the weather and traffic has upon the condition of the roadway. You cannot grade when the road is wet or about to receive heavy rain.

The first grading is usually light, which removes pot holes. The late spring grading shapes the road and prepares it for calcium chloride applications. Calcium Chloride is applied to freshly graveled roads and newly graded roads from May to June. This activity reduces the dust generated from traffic and helps maintain the graded shape of the road in the summer months.

Shouldering is conducted as required to ensure good drainage of water from the roadway.

Patching

Hot or cold mix materials are used in filling potholes, depressions, and restoring edges.

Sweeping

Selective subdivision roads are swept in late spring / early summer, preferably when wet to keep dust to a minimum.

Brushing and Ditching

These activities take place on selected lengths of roadway when growth of roadside brush begins to interfere with sight lines and road drainage.

Street Lighting

If a street light is out of order, please call the Township Office at 613-283-7478. We will need the pole number or the road name and the closest civic address number, in order to arrange repair of the street light.

Friday, 19 July 2019 16:16

By-Law Enforcement & Animal Control

Montague's By-Law Enforcement/Animal Control Office is run on a contractual basis by Municipal Law Enforcement Services (MLES). If you would like to report any infractions, property standards issues, or loose dogs, please contact MLES directly at 613-809-7048 or email

By-Laws

The Township of Montague wishes to make the community safe, healthy and enjoyable place for all residents and those who visit the community. The Township has put in place various by-laws and regulations to encourage residents and businesses to be responsible and respectful of their neighbours and to contribute to the health and safety of our community.

The by-laws published on the Montague website are updated from time to time and are intended for information and general research purposes only. We cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness as it is updated on an ongoing basis. A copy of the latest or final signed version of the by-law with the text and maps are available from the local Municipality by contacting the Township Clerk.

Commonly Requested By-Laws

A By-Law to regulate the keeping and control of animals, or any class thereof, the animal identification system, licencing and the restraint of dogs and certain other aspects of animal control within the Corporation of the Township of Montague.

 Animal Control By-Law Number 4004-2023

A by-law to provide for the collection of household garbage and recycling materials in the Township of Montague

 Waste Collection and Disposal By-Law Number 4046-2024

A by-law to regulate the setting and maintaining of Open Air Burning for the Corporation of the Township of Montague.

 Open Air Burning By-Law Number 4118-2025

Property Standards By-Law No. 2801-2004 / Amended Property Standard By-Law 3995-2023 

A by-law to provide standards for the maintenance and occupancy of Urban and Rural property within the Township of Montague

A by-law to regulate the height, description and location of fences in the Township of Montague

 Fence By-Law Number 1197-80

A by-law to regulate pool enclosures within the Township of Montague

 Pool By-Law Number 3010-2008

Policies

The Township has put in place various policies and regulations to be able to serve the community as best it can, and make the community as safe and inclusive as possible.

The policies published on the Montague website are updated from time to time and are intended for information and general research purposes only. We cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness as it is updated on an ongoing basis.

Commonly Requested Policies

This policy is intended to enable the Township to promptly and effectively address program and service delivery concerns raised by members of the public. The policy will assist the Township in providing excellent service to the public, and contribute to continuous improvement of operations.

Customer Service Policy

The Township of Montague is committed to providing service in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are also committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our goods and services and allow them to benefit from the same services, in the same place and in a similar way as other customers.

Customer Service Standards- Accessibility

In order to ensure the consistent, fair and equitable treatment of all donation requests, this policy has been developed to establish eligibility criteria and guidelines to administer such solicitations. All requests for a donation must be made through the application process as outlined in this policy. Individual departments or employees have no authority to approve/grant donations requests.

  Donation/Grant Policy

Thursday, 18 July 2019 15:11

Construction & Renovation Projects

The building department is responsible for dealing with all applications and ensuring compliance under the Ontario Building Code. 

A full list of Building Fees can be viewed in the by-law here: Building Fees 2024.

Development Charges are in addition to these fees - Township DC can be viewed here: Development Charges 2022 and County DC can be viewed here: Development Charges 2021

A building permit is required for any structure measuring more than 108 square feet (10 m2), including farm structures. All fees must be paid prior to commencement of any construction.

Building Permits are required for:

  • any free standing structures over 100 sq. ft.
  • additions to existing structures over 100 sq. ft.
  • garages,
  • decks,
  • plumbing or alterations to plumbing
  • both residential and commercial renovations/alterations
  • accessory buildings,
  • swimming pools, and
  • the installation of a wood stove or outdoor furnace, and
  • demolitions.

If you are thinking about a construction project, we recommend contact the building department in your early planning stages so we can help identify the steps for your consideration and this will avoid any potential costly delays and disappointments.

We wish to emphasize that the Building Department enforces the Ontario Building Code. Questions concerning Zoning or land use By-Laws should be directed to the Planning Department and any questions concerning property drainage and grading should be directed to the Public Works Department.

New Home? An entrance permit must be in place either from the Province, the County of Lanark or the Township of Montague Public Works Department prior to the issuance of a building permit. Final inspection of the entrance must be completed before occupancy is permitted in new construction projects.

Entrance Permits

Mailboxes installed on Township roadsides are permitted as a courtesy and are the responsibility of the property owner. Posts for mail boxes should be forty-two inches above the ground, with the front of the mailbox eight inches from the edge of the road or shoulder. Posts should be 4x4 inch wood posts or a two-inch thin wall steel pipe.

During the winter the Township will not clear entrance culverts that have become blocked as a result of improper snow disposal by the resident. Culverts that collapse, deteriorate or become unsuitable for proper drainage at any time must be replaced by the property owner at their own expense.

Roadside ditches are not a public utility; property owners do not have the right to outlet to roadside ditches. The Township reserves the right to remove or restrict any outlets to ditches that cause operational issues or damage to the drainage system. If you need to direct water to the Township’s ditches, it is recommended that you contact the Township’s Public Works Department before proceeding.

Existing entrances that are affected by the reconstruction/rehabilitation of a Township Road will be reinstated by the Township of Montague. If you are having your driveway re-paved, consider having the Public Works department check the condition of the entrance beforehand. If you are building a new home, your building permit cannot be issued until the Building Department receives confirmation that you have applied for an entrance through Public Works.

The Line Fences Act provides a procedure for the resolution of line fence disputes between owners of adjoining properties. The act does not deal with disputes about fences that are not on a boundary line.

When is the Line Fences Act Used

The Line Fences Act is applicable in the following two situations:

  • No fence currently exists at the boundary between the two properties and one owner wants a new fence to be constructed to mark the boundary
  • Where a line fence already exists, and one owner believes that it needs to be reconstructed or repaired
Fence Viewers

To solve this, property owners can request that the Township assign “fence-viewers” to resolve the dispute and issue a decision.  A fence-viewer can only address two situations:

  • The appointment of responsibility for the fencing work between the two owners
  • The description of the fence that is to be constructed or reconstructed on the boundary line, including the materials to be used

The Township of Montague encourages property owners to attempt to reach a peaceful solution before contacting the Township to help resolve the issue. However, if you are experiencing a dispute, please contact the Clerk to discuss the problem or receive further information. If a viewing is conducted, ALL costs are to be paid by one or both of the property owners.

Thursday, 18 July 2019 12:56

Taxes & Utilities

Taxation

Property taxes are the major source of revenue for the Township. The base for property taxation is the assessment roll, which defines classes and the types of properties subject to taxation. The assessment roll comes from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Information included in the roll is then used to determine tax rates and to levy taxes. Your property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of your property and the combined municipal, County (Upper Tier) and education rates. Tax rates are determined and taxes levied after Council adopts an annual budget of estimated revenues and expenditures. The final budget document for 2024 can be found here.

Property tax billing occurs twice per year. Interim billing is sent out in March with instalment payments due at the end of March and June. Final billing is sent out in August with instalment payments due at the end of August and October.

Normally Interest, calculated at 1.25% each month, is added on the first day of each month on any tax arrears. Pay on time to avoid any late fees.

There is a $5 fee for a reprint of a tax bill, emails are free. Keep your final tax bill for income tax purposes.

Tax certificates and zoning certificates cost $50.

ATTENTION:  Sign up to receive your Tax Billings by email instead of by mail!  Simply fill out the Email Consent Form and return it to the township office.

How To Pay Your Tax Bill

Tax payments may be made in any of the following ways:

  • cash, cheque or debt (no credit cards) in person at the Township office;
  • drop box, located at the main door for those who cannot make it to the office during regular hours ‐ please do not leave cash
  • mail a cheque or money order;
  • at any Chartered bank, Internet or telephone banking – please allow 3 -5 days for the payment to reach us
  • post-dated cheques
  • pre-authorized payment plan consisting of 12 monthly payments being withdrawn on the last working day of each month.

Preauthorized Payment Plan for Property Tax and Utilities Payments

Application forms for automatic monthly withdrawals directly from your bank account are available for download or in person at the Township Office.

Internet & Telephone Banking Customers

When paying your tax bill by Internet or telephone banking, you must use an eight-digit portion of your 19-digit roll number located at the top left-hand corner of your tax bill.  Please use the following EXAMPLE to guide you:

09 01 000 (_ _ _  _ _ _ _ _) 0000

All eight digits located in the brackets must be used in order to ensure your account will be properly credited.

Unless paying in person, allow 3‐5 business days for your payment to reach us.

Note: There is a $5 fee for a reprint of a tax bill. Keep your final tax bill for income tax purposes.

Water and Sewer

Water and sewer services are provided to most of the township by private wells and septic systems. However, for those living in the Atironto subdivision on the border of Smiths Falls, water and sewer services are provided by the Town of Smiths Falls. Those residents are then billed by Montague Township for the services.  Bills are sent out every two months. The approved water and sewer budget for 2024 can be found here

Utility Fee Schedule (bi-monthly)
Atironto - Water & Sewer Rates Effective January 1, 2024
Base Water$98.96
Consumption - Water (per cubic metres)$2.176
Base Sewer$93.94
Consumption - Sewer (per cubic metres)$2.275
Rideau - Water & Sewer Rates Effective January 1, 2024
Base Water$146.31
Consumption - Water (per cubic metres)$ 1.978
Base Sewer$146.35

Weekly testing is done for residents who are on the Montague Township distribution system. The Township of Montague has contracted the services of Caduceon Environmental Laboratories in Kingston to perform the testing of Heterotrophic Plate Count, Total Coliform and E. coli.

Any Resident who would like their water tested can come out to the Township Office and pick up sample kit. All samples must be returned to the Health Unit located at 25 Johnston St, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 0A4 between Monday and Thursday.

Hydro

Hydro One provides all hydro facilities to the Township. For all inquiries visit their website at hydroone.com or 1-877-955-1155.

Natural Gas

The Township of Montague has service for natural gas through Enbridge. They can be contacted at 1-877-362-7434 or by visiting their website at enbridge.com.

Wednesday, 17 July 2019 15:56

Emergency Services

In an Emergency, always call 9-1-1

  • No Burn Ban in Effect 

    There is no burn ban in effect. It is legal to burn outdoors according to the by-law and the Ontario Fire Code. As always, be careful and take precautions to ensure both your safety and the safety of those around you when managing a fire.

    When you plan to have an Open-Air burn, you MUST activate your burn permit online or by calling 1-833-856-5777. These permits will be numbered #OAB-2025-XXX.

    Permits numbered RES-2025-XXX do NOT need to activate their permit prior to burning.

Fire protection in the Township is provided by the Montague Township Volunteer Fire Department headed up by Fire Chief Miles Greer. The Department is made up of 28 volunteer firefighters. In addition to providing fire services to Montague, the Department also participates in the Lanark County Mutual Aid program whereby municipalities can call on the services of neighboring fire departments to help them out in an emergency.

Become a Volunteer Firefighter!

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, please fill out an application and provide a resume. 

MFD Recruitment Package

The application and resume can be dropped off at the Township Office (6547 Roger Stevens Dr.) or e-mailed to the Fire Chief.

Burn permits are required for all open-air fires in the Township. Outdoor burning is not permitted in the subdivisions of Atironto and Woods.

  • Burn permits are required for all burning 
  • Burn permits are valid only for the year of issue
  • You must activate your permit for fires which are larger than 30" by 30". Recreational fires under this size DO NOT require activation, but a permit must be obtained.

Every home in Ontario must have working alarms on every story and outside all sleeping areas. IT’S THE LAW!

  • Homeowners - It is the responsibility of homeowners to install and maintain smoke alarms on every story of their home and outside sleeping areas.
  • Landlords - It is the responsibility of landlords to ensure their rental properties comply with the law.
  • Tenants - If you are a tenant of a rental property and do not have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord immediately. It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way.

When installing smoke alarms, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for information about correct placement.

  • Test your smoke alarms every month using the test button.
  • Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, and whenever the low-battery warning chirps.
  • Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Replace smoke alarms with new ones if they are more than ten years old.
  • Steam from the shower or cooking in the oven, stove or toaster can cause smoke alarms to activate. DO NOT REMOVE THE BATTERY. Instead, try moving the alarm to a different location, or purchase a smoke alarm with a hush feature that will temporarily silence the alarm.
  • Carbon monoxide alarms will now be required near all sleeping areas in residential homes and in the service rooms, and adjacent sleeping areas in multi-residential units. Carbon monoxide alarms can be hardwired, battery-operated or plugged into the wall. 

Failure to comply with the fire code smoke alarm requirements could result in a $360 ticket or a fine between $50,000 and $100,000.

Smoke/CO2 Alarm Inspections

Montague Township Fire Department would like to help your family stay safe. As part of a community‐wide fire‐prevention effort, firefighters from the Montague Fire Department will visit local residents to inspect smoke/CO2 alarms, replace batteries or help install alarms. Help with a fire‐safety plan for your home is also available.

Appointments to have two firefighters visit your home can be made by calling the Montague Fire Department at 283‐7478. There is no charge for this service.

Each year, on the second Saturday of September, the Montague Volunteer Fire Department holds a Pit Barbecue Fundraiser for at Rosedale Hall, 657 Rosedale Road South. This famous pit barbecue offers delicious beef and pork cooked overnight in a large pit, so be sure to watch our social media pages, website and August tax bill mailout for ticket information.

Please be advised that the Chief Fire Official has the authority to enforce the Fire Code within his or her jurisdiction and should be contacted prior to implementing any opinion expressed here.

 Emergency: 911

For non-emergencies: 1‑888‑310‑1122

O.P.P. East Region Headquarters, 525 Queen St, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 5K8

CSWB PlanClick to open the documentPolicing in Montague Township is provided by the O.P.P. on a contractual basis.

Page 3 of 4

Montague white logo

Township of Montague

6547 Roger Stevens Drive
P.O. Box 755
Smiths Falls, ON K7A 4W6

Phone: 613‑283‑7478
Email:

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.