It’s springtime and that means cleaning out the basement or garage. Residents of La Nation will have that opportunity from Monday, April 25 , until April 29, when the municipality will have a free, large item collection week.

Waste compactor trucks will collect items in the western part of the municipality, while public works crews will cover the remaining territory. Residents who want to dispose of large items must place them at the roadside by 7 a.m. on Sunday, April 24. Most furniture items are accepted. Hazardous and biological materials are not accepted.  

Full information on large item collection is available at: https://nationmun.ca/en/living-here/garbage-and-recycling#spring-clean-up . 

No place for farm plastic 

Also, on the topic of waste disposal, it has become more difficult for farmers across Prescott and Russell counties to dispose of agricultural plastic waste, such as the wrapping for hay and straw bales. 

According to a letter sent to municipal clients by Recycle Action Director of Operations Robert Lessard, the agency ceased collecting agricultural plastic as of March 31. However, Lessard emphasized negotiations are taking place with the United Counties of Prescott and Russell and other municipal partners to find an alternative plan. 

“There’s no more market for it,” La Nation Planner Guylain Laflèche told council on March 14. “We’re working with the United Counties and other municipalities like Alfred and Plantagenet and Clarence-Rockland toward a solution.”

“We hope for a solution,” commented Mayor François St-Amour. “It’s not very good news for farm plastic.” 

More money for roads 

La Nation has received more than double what it expected from the Ontario government for infrastructure funding in 2022. The initial grant of $417,421 from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) was included in the 2021 budget, but the municipality was subsequently informed it was receiving an additional $492,439, bringing the total OCIF funding for 2022 to $909,860. 

The extra OCIF funding will be allocated for additional granular material expenses, improvement projects on Concession 10, des Pins, and Lavergne roads, and for a shared culvert replacement expense on the boundary with the City of Ottawa. 

St-Amour commented how the present economy could affect future road project expenses. 

“The inflation this year will affect future years,” the mayor said. 

Concrete details 

La Nation Municipality received five submissions during the tender process for concrete sidewalk and curb construction throughout the municipality in 2022. On March 14, council approved the lowest bid from A.M.S. Enterprises of Ottawa at a cost of $155,594.22. 

No flying lanterns 

A ban on flying lanterns is part of a new by-law approved by La Nation council on March 14 regulating fireworks in the municipality. The ban is the result of concerns that the lanterns pose a fire hazard. 

Not only is igniting and launching the lanterns prohibited in La Nation, but the sale of them is also forbidden. 

Firecrackers and illegal fireworks are prohibited in La Nation, but approved consumer fireworks are allowed. However, they are only permitted on Victoria Day and the day before and after it, St-Jean-Baptiste Day and the days preceding and following it, and on Canada Day and the day before and after it.

Discharging fireworks is forbidden in residential areas and anyone who discharges fireworks must be aged 18 or older. The new by-law also establishes rules for organizations presenting fireworks displays at community events.