Council Votes to Opt-In to Retail Cannabis

On Oct. 17, 2018, the federal government legalized recreational cannabis in Canada. The minimum age for use of cannabis is 19, the same as for alcohol.

Ontario laws are in place regarding how, where and who can buy and possess cannabis in the province. Visit ontario.ca/cannabis for information. The province has passed legislation that helps Ontario move forward with a regulated private retail model for cannabis that will launch by April 1, 2019. The provincial government has given municipalities in Ontario a one-time offer to opt out of the process and the deadline to make this decision is Jan. 22, 2019.

Since taking office, Council and Staff have been diligently reviewing information from multiple sources to aid in the decision making process regarding retail cannabis store fronts in Deseronto. 

These sources included but were not limited to correspondence from:

  1. The province of Ontario regarding the rules and legislation surrounding retail store fronts.

  2. Information from the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario about the restrictive regulatory requirements and the process involved for applicants to obtain licence consideration.

  3. Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Unit

  4. Municipal Administration

  5. Most Importantly- Feedback from the Community

As an additional tool to provide Council with as much information as possible, residents were asked to share their thoughts about whether they would be open to allowing stores that sell cannabis to operate within Town limits if in the event a successful application were granted by the Ontario Alcohol & Gaming Commission.

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey, open between December 19, 2018 and January 8, 2019.

Engagement Results:99 surveys were completed, 93 online and 6 paper.

AGE ONLINE PAPER OPT-IN OPT-OUT
18-24 3 3 0
25-34 19 11 8
35-44 21 1 16 6
45-54 22 1 14 9
55-64 17 1 11 7
65+ 11 3 6 8

38 said they would not be open to the idea of a retail outlet in Deseronto and 61 said they would be open to the idea.

After serious consideration and based on the source material provided and feedback received, at the January 9th Meeting, Town Council voted to not opt-out of this program.

Download Release

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

FOURTH STREET – NORTH OF MAIN STREET

From JANUARY 14th to JANUARY 17th, Fourth St. will be closed at the north side of the Main St. intersection. Residents having driveways on Fourth St. between Main and Thomas will only have access from Thomas Street.  

The temporary closure is necessary to accommodate construction activities and associated temporary bypass pumping from the First Street Lift Station to the intersection of Fourth and Main.

Please contact the Town of Deseronto Water & Sewer Department if you have any questions or concerns.  

(613-396-3436)

Deseronto Library Board Applications

The Town is currently accepting expressions of interest to become a member of the Deseronto Library Board

Are you?

  • Interested in making a difference in the future success of your community

  • Available to attend board meetings and come prepared to contribute to discussions and decisions

  • Prepared to represent the interests, concerns, and attitudes of your community

  •  Open to learning about library programs and services that give your community the level of access to information and enrichment that it needs 

  •  Committed to being an active participant in Board leadership activities in your community

To be eligible you must be:

  • At least 18 years old

  • A Canadian citizen

  • A resident of the Town of Deseronto

  • Not employed by the Deseronto Public Library or the Town of Deseronto

Apply by January 22 at 4:30 p.m. at the Town Hall by submitting a cover letter and resume to:

Christine Martin – CAO/Clerk-Treasurer
Town of Deseronto
331 Main Street
P.O. Box 310
Deseronto, Ontario K0K 1X0
cmartin@deseronto.ca

Notice of Temporary Lift Station ByPass Pumping

SOUTH SIDE OF MAIN STREET – FROM FIRST ST. TO FOURTH ST.

From JANUARY 14thto JANUARY 17th, bypass pumping equipment will be operated on Main Street, extending westward from the First Street Lift Station (located at the corner of First St. and Main St.) to the manhole located at the intersection of Main Street and Fourth Street.  

Flexible hose will be run along the ground from the lift station crossing First Street, (south of Main) and will extend up the south side of Main Street to Fourth Street.  The 4” diameter flexible hose will cross 9 driveways on the south side of Main Street.  The hose is constructed of durable material and is designed to withstand light vehicular traffic therefore affected residents can drive over the hose for driveway access.

Temporary bypass pumping is necessary to accommodate the completion of mechanical and electrical upgrading of the First Street Wastewater Lift Station.

Please contact the Town of Deseronto Water & Sewer Department if you have any questions or concerns 613-396-3436.

Retail Cannabis Survey

The Cannabis Act (Bill C45) came into effect on October 17, 2018. This is a law that legalizes recreational cannabis usage nationwide. 

The provincial government has committed to allowing private recreational cannabis retail stores throughout Ontario starting April 1, 2019. Cannabis stores will be considered like any other type of retail storefront and operate under Ontario Regulation 468.19. 

This survey is meant to collect feedback from the public regarding the potential for having cannabis retail stores in our community. 

Paper copies of this survey are available at the Town Hall.

This survey will be available until January 8, 2019 at 11:59 pm.

Transit Holiday Schedule

BELLEVILLE-PICTON ROUTE

Last run of the day on December 24th& 31st

ROUTE 1 RUNS ON REGULAR SCHEDULE 5:55AM TO 7:30AM
ROUTE 2 RUNS ON REGULAR SCHEDULE 8:45AM TO 10:15AM
ROUTE 3
LAST ROUTE OF DAY		 DEPARTS BBT
RETURNS TO BBT		 1:40PM
3:00PM route ends at BBT

December 24th– NO ROUTE AFTER 3:00pm
December 25th– CLOSED   
December 26TH– CLOSED
December 27TH& 28TH– REGULAR SCHEDULE
December 31st– NO ROUTE AFTER 3:00pm
January 1st– CLOSED
January 2nd– REGULAR SCHEDULE

NAPANEE-BELLEVILLE ROUTE

Last run of the day on December 24th& 31st

Napanee Departure Deseronto Departure Belleville Arrival
*4:45am* 5:00am 5:30am
6:30am 6:45am 7:20am
12:35pm 1:00pm 1:30pm
RETURN FROM BELLEVILLE
Belleville Departure Deseronto Arrival Napanee Arrival
8:00am 8:30am 8:45am
2:15pm 3:00pm 3:15pm-ROUTE ENDS

December 24th – NO ROUTE AFTER 3:00pm
December 25th – CLOSED   
December 26TH – CLOSED
December 27TH& 28TH – REGULAR SCHEDULE
December 31st– NO ROUTE AFTER 3:00pm
January 1st– CLOSED
January 2nd– REGULAR SCHEDULE

Please be Respectful and Safe

Winter Snow Removal Reminder

As a vehicle owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your parked vehicle is off the roadway to allow for snow clearing and winter road maintenance. Our priority is ensuring the safe and efficient treatment of roads and removal of snow. 

Our bylaw states that cars must be off the road between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. between December 1 and March 31. We thank you for your co-operation in keeping the roads free from parked vehicles during the prohibited times.

Fire Safety Reminder

Vehicles are prohibited to be parked within 3 metres on the point on the street where the hydrant is located. A fire or rescue vehicle must have unimpeded access directly in front of the hydrant regardless of how far back the hydrant is located from the curb.

Register for the Santa Clause Parade

Santa Clause is Coming to Deseronto November 24 at 3:30pm and now is the time to register your float!

Please ensure the contact person can be reached using the phone number provided Mon-Fri between 8:30 - 4:30pm in case parade organizers require additional details on your float/entry.

Entry Fee: Participants are asked to bring one non-perishable food item to help support the local food bank.

If due to time constraints; you have a preference as to where you would like to be in the parade line-up, please indicate below. Organizers will try to accommodate all location requests.

Parade participants should arrive by 3:00pm. All entries will line up on Water St. facing west. Please enter/ access Water St. via Fourth St., then turn west on Water St. Parade route maps are available here.

For any questions please contact Gail Maracle at:
P: 613.396.2440 Ext: 201
E-mail: gmaracle@deseronto.ca

Angel Tree Registration & Christmas Sharing Interviews

Angel Tree Registration

For Children 12 & Under

Required Information for Registration:

  • Parents/Child’s Names

  • Contact Number

  • Photo ID

  • Proof of Address

  • Proof of Income

Deseronto/Tyendinaga Township Christmas Sharing Interviews

Please bring the following documentation:

  • Identification

  • Proof of Address

  • Proof of Income

Both events are being held at the Deseronto Legion at the following times:

  • Thursday, November 8 - 10am - Noon

  • Wednesday, November 21 - 10am - Noon & 7-8pm

Ontario Medal of Good Citizenship Nominations

Established in 1973, the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship honours Ontarians who, through exceptional, long-term efforts, have made outstanding contributions to community life across the province.

Recipients will be invested by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario at a ceremony to be held at Queen’s Park, in winter 2019. 

To submit a nomination for this award:

  1. Visit ontario.ca/honoursandawards.

  2. Select the Community category.     

  3. Click on Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.

  4. Download the PDF form.

  5. Review the eligibility criteria and instructions carefully.

  6. Fill out the form and then submit it no later than November 15, 2018. Instructions for submitting your nomination package can be found on the website.

If you have any questions, please call the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat at 416-314-7526, toll free 1-877-832-8622, TTY 416-327-2391, or email ontariohonoursandawards@ontario.ca.

Need a family doctor or nurse practitioner?

Three doctors have committed to starting a local practice to service Deseronto Residents and our neighbouring communities as well.  The doctors will start taking patients as early as November.  In order to be offered a spot in these new practices you MUST be registered with Health Care Connect.

Health Care Connect makes it easy.

Register at 1-800-445-1822 or at www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect

Download the Health Care Connect Fact Sheet
Download Health Care Connect Pamphlet

Harmful Algal Bloom: Deseronto, Bay of Quinte

Staff from the Belleville Area Office of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, discovered a potential Harmful Algal Bloom on Friday, September 7th, 2018 in the Bay of Quinte in between Yacht Club Lane and Main Street in Deseronto. Samples were taken by Ministry staff from the dock at the Yacht Club in Deseronto and will be forwarded to the lab for analysis.

For general information on blue-green algae, refer to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change’s website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/blue-green-algae and the fact sheets attached.

For general questions please refer to the fact sheets with the updated link above.  For  heath related questions please speak to your physician or the local health unit.