By Sandra Hanson
The District of Carleton North has inched ahead with their proposed Off-Road Vehicle bylaw, but the ruling must be evaluated by the province before the by-law is enacted and ATVs can legally drive on one street in Bath.
Coun. Laurel Bradstreet introduced the second reading of the proposed Off-Road Vehicle By-Law. If passed, the proposed by-law will allow off-road vehicles to use Hospital Street in Bath. Two other proposed routes, Burnham Road and Waugh Road, were removed from the by-law after residents objected to opening the roads to ATV traffic.
Letters from numerous residents including Megan McCann, Mary Andow, Michelle Corcoran, Laura Brennan, Jennifer Stead and Stephen Hutchings, Michael Brennan, Carol Brennan, Catherine & Paul Giberson, Colin Lockhart, and David Hunter objected to allowing ATVs on roads. Letters received from Carol Brennan and Colin Lockhart were read at the meeting; David Hunter, who was present at the meeting, expressed displeasure his letter was not also read, saying he was unaware he had to request it be read publicly.
The proposed bylaw states vehicles will need to comply with the Off-Road Vehicle Act and its regulations, as well as other legislation, including municipal legislation. All ATV drivers operating on streets must also have a driver’s license. The by-law uses the off-road vehicle designation outlined by provincial legislation, which states the vehicle must have three or more wheels. Staff at the district office could not confirm if dirt bikes will be excluded under the proposed bylaw.
Mayor Andrew Harvey said the by-law will be sent to the provincial government for evaluation and commentary before the third and final reading. The mayor acknowledged everyone has their own position on the trail issue and how to accommodate the different user groups, but that ultimately, “there is going to have to be compromise on both sides and some trying to meet in the middle.”
The proposed by-law may be reviewed at the District of Carleton North website. https://carletonnorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Draft-2-S-5-Off-Road-Vehicle-By-Law.pdf
Waste Collection and Disposal By-Law
Councillor Ryan Dickinson gave first reading of the proposed Waste Collection and Disposal By-Law. Once approved, the new by-law, which includes weekly garbage collection and bi-weekly recycling collection, will take effect on September 1, 2026. Information about the upcoming changes will be sent to residents later in August.
The proposed by-law may be reviewed at the District of Carleton North website. https://carletonnorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/DRAFT-Waste-Collection-and-Disposal-Bylaw.pdf
New council welcomed
Margaret Johnson, Carleton-Victoria MLA, presented the newly elected council with a certificate of appreciation for their dedication. The certificate congratulated the members and expressed “appreciation for your commitment to community and the citizens that you will serve.” Johnson said she looks forward to working with the council members to “further the goals of the District of Carleton North.”
