Written By Olena Riznyk
LUCAN BIDDULPH – At its last meeting on August 11, council discussed an organizational review, building growth, a second ice pad study, municipal investments and new housing options. Council opened the meeting by recognizing CAO Ron Reymer for 35 years of service to the municipality.
Council approved hiring Town Hall Consulting to complete an organizational review for $35,900. The township had budgeted $25,000 for the work and received 16 proposals, ranging widely in price. Council discussed whether to proceed now or wait until 2027 before voting to move ahead. The review is expected to be completed in December.
Building activity continued to grow during the first half of 2026. New approved dwelling units increased from 22 last year to 46 this year, while building permits rose from 69 to 87. Construction value increased from $33 million to $44 million. Staff noted that the sewage plant upgrades account for a large part of that total. The township also saw 32 new townhouse units compared with 12 during the same period last year.
Middlesex County is also developing four or five standard designs for additional residential units that could be used across the county. Residents choosing one of the designs would not have to pay for their own drawings and could use the design when applying for a building permit. Staff hopes they will be available by the end of the year.
Council moved ahead with adopting the Prudent Investor Standard, which will allow the municipality to use a broader investment approach for money it does not expect to need within two years.
A bylaw enforcement update showed 18 new files had been opened so far this year, compared with 62 during all of 2025. Three provincial offence notices and one summons had also been issued.
About 835 responses were received for the second ice pad feasibility survey. Staff expects initial results within two to three weeks, followed by a public open house and committee review before the study returns to council, tentatively October 13.
Council also moved forward with the township’s first specific fireworks bylaw and approved participation by the fire department in Middlesex, Perth and Huron county mutual aid plans.
The first-half financial report showed 46% of the winter budget had been used. Final tax bills have been issued, with installments due August 31 and November 30.
Staff also reported that repairs to the Lake Huron water supply pipeline were proceeding as planned and the township’s water supply remained stable.
