Committee of the Whole Minutes

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Immediately Following Council

Town Hall Council Chambers

COUNCIL PRESENT:

• Toby Randell, 
• Andrew Tennant, 
• Linda Seccaspina, 
• Dena Comley, 
• Sarah Cavanagh, 
• and Mark Hinton 

COUNCIL ABSENT:

• Jeff Atkinson, with regrets 

STAFF PRESENT:

• Diane Smithson, CAO, 
• Stacey Blair, Clerk, 
• Guy Bourgon, Director of Public Works, 
• Jessica Hansen, Community Development Coordinator, 
• Heather Bigras, Family and Programs Administrator, 
• Jennifer Barry, Strategic Operations Administrator, 
• and Trisa McConkey, Treasurer 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Deputy Mayor Tennant called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.

2.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

• Moved by: Mark Hinton
  Seconded by: Sarah Cavanagh

  THAT the agenda be accepted as amended:

  • removal of the community planning matter from the closed session.
  CARRIED

3.

DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY/CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF

None.

4.

MINUTES TO BE APPROVED AND RECEIVED

1.

Committee of the Whole Minutes

• Moved by: Dena Comley
  Seconded by: Sarah Cavanagh

  THAT the Committee of the Whole Minutes dated February 17, 2026 be accepted as presented.

  CARRIED

5.

REPORTS

1.

Community Enrichment Grant Program - First Intake (Communication 137018)

• Moved by: Sarah Cavanagh
  Seconded by: Linda Seccaspina

  THAT Council approve the allocation of Community Enrichment Grants to various organizations under Intake 1 in the amount of $28,225.00.

  CARRIED, CONSENT

2.

Carleton Place 2025 Stormwater Management Annual Report (Communication 137013)

• Moved by: Dena Comley
  Seconded by: Sarah Cavanagh

  THAT Council accept the Carleton Place 2025 Stormwater Management Annual Report as information; and

  THAT the report be made available to the Public via the Town’s Website.

  CARRIED, CONSENT

3.

Carleton Place Drinking Water System 2025 Annual Report (Communication 137014)

• Moved by: Mark Hinton
  Seconded by: Toby Randell

  THAT Council accept the Carleton Place Drinking Water System 2025 Annual Report as information; and 

  THAT the report be made available to the Public via the Town’s Website. 

  CARRIED, CONSENT

4.

2026 Childcare Fee Increase (Communication 137015)

Treasurer Trisa McConkey notified Council that going forward childcare fee increases will be included with the Town's budget deliberations.

• Moved by: Sarah Cavanagh
  Seconded by: Toby Randell

  THAT Council approve increasing the School-Age Childcare fees by 2.1% effective June 1, 2026 as outlined in the report by the Childcare Administrators dated March 10, 2026; and  

  THAT the necessary by-law to enact the fees be forwarded to Council for approval.

  CARRIED, BY LAW PREPARED

5.

Line Fences Act and Private Boundary Disputes (Communication 137016)

• Moved by: Mark Hinton
  Seconded by: Dena Comley

  THAT Council pass a by-law to opt out of the provisions of the Line Fences Act. 

  CARRIED, BY LAW PREPARED

6.

2025 Development Services Activity Report Card (Communication137017)

• Moved by: Mark Hinton
  Seconded by: Sarah Cavanagh

  THAT Council receive as information the 2025 Development Services Activity Report Card by the Director of Development Services dated March 10, 2026.

  CARRIED, CONSENT

6.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

None.

7.

COMMITTEE, BOARD AND EXTERNAL ORGANIZATION UPDATES

• Moved by: Dena Comley
  Seconded by: Linda Seccaspina

  THAT the following minutes be received:

  • Downtown Carleton Place BIA - November 17, December 16, 2025 and January 26, 2026
  • Lanark County OPP Detachment Board - January 21, 2026
  • Carleton Place Library Board - January 21, 2026
  • Urban Forest River Corridor Committee - January 28, 2026
  CARRIED

8.

INFORMATION LISTING

• Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority Board Summary Report - February 9, 2026

• Moved by: Dena Comley
  Seconded by: Sarah Cavanagh

  THAT the Information Listing dated March 10, 2026 be received.

  CARRIED

9.

CLOSED SESSION

1. Litigation Matter

• Moved by: Mark Hinton
  Seconded by: Sarah Cavanagh

  THAT the Committee move into closed session at 6:46 p.m. to discuss a matter subject to the Municipal Act Section 239 (2):

  (e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; 

  AND THAT the following persons be permitted to participate in the meeting:

  • Diane Smithson, CAO  
  • Stacey Blair, Clerk 
  CARRIED
• Moved by: Linda Seccaspina
  Seconded by: Sarah Cavanagh

  THAT the Committee return to regular session at 7:05 p.m.

  CARRIED

10.

RISE AND REPORT

CAO Diane Smithson stated that an information report was provided during the closed session.

11.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by: Dena Comley
  Seconded by: Sarah Cavanagh

  THAT the meeting be adjourned at 7:06 p.m.

  CARRIED