HomeMy Public PortalAbout23-023 - Cemetery Grant PolicyTHE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LEEDS AND THE
THOUSAND ISLANDS
BY-LAW NO. 23-023
BEING A BY-LAW TO ESTABLISH A CEMETERY GRANT POLICY IN THE
TOWNSHIP OF LEEDS AND THE THOUSAND ISLANDS.
WHEREAS The Council of the Corporation of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand
Islands deems it expedient to establish policies;
AND WHEREAS Section 5(3) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended,
provides that a municipal power, including a municipality's capacity rights, powers and
privileges under Section 9, shall be exercised by By-law;
NOW THEREFORE The Council of the Corporation of the Township of Leeds and the
Thousand Islands hereby enacts as follows:
1. THAT the Cemetery Grant Policy identified as Schedule "A" attached hereto and
forming part of this By -Law be hereby approved and adopted;
2. AND THAT this By-law shall be known and may be cited as the "Cemetery Grant
Policy";
3. AND THAT this By-law shall come into force and take effect on the day of passing;
4. AND THAT any By-law or Resolution passed prior to this by-law which are in
contravention of any terms of this by-law are hereby rescinded.
READ A FIRST AND SECOND TIME THIS 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2023.
READ A THIRD TIME AND FINALLY PASSED THIS 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2023.
The Corporation of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Mayor
4 Megan Shannon, Clerk
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Cemetery Grant Policy
Policy Type Corporate Services
Policy Title Cemetery Grant Policy
Policy Approval Date
Review Date
Purpose
To establish a fair and consistent process for the awarding of Cemetery Grants which are to be used to
support capital improvements and maintenance of non-municipally owned cemeteries within the
Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. The intent of the policy is to assist those cemeteries that
may be financially challenged to adequately maintain their cemetery.
Policy Scope
This Policy applies to non-municipally owed cemeteries within the Township of Leeds and the Thousand
Islands.
Responsibility
The Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Operations and Infrastructure are responsible for
the administration of this Policy.
Definitions
“Active” means a cemetery accepting new interments and/or scatterings.
“Cemetery” means land that is used for the interment of human remains and/or a mausoleum or
columbarium intended for the interment of human remains.
“Inactive” means a cemetery that is not accepting new interments and/or scatterings.
“Township” means the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands.
Procedure
Cemetery grant applications will be received once per year with a deadline of March 31.
The amount of funding available through the Cemetery Grant Program will be approved by Council
through the annual operating budget process and will be funded from the Community Grants Reserve
Fund.
Availability of grants are dependent upon their inclusion in, and Council approval of the annual
municipal budget.
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Cemetery Grant Policy
Eligibility
1. The application must be completed by the cemetery group, association or volunteer(s)
representing the collective interests of the cemetery.
2. The cemetery must be registered with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) and provide
the licence number on the application.
3. Active and Inactive cemeteries located within the Township are eligible to apply.
4. Applications will be received for maintenance, improvements and/or repair to a cemetery
including but not limited to:
a. Headstone refurbishment
b. Landscaping repair
c. Fence repair
d. Maintenance costs including grass cutting
5. Applicants must demonstrate the need for financial assistance through the provision of bank
statements and/or financial records establishing the state of the current financial position of the
cemetery.
6. Where a cemetery is located on land partly in the Township, and partly in a neighbouring
Township, the funding applied for should be pro-rated based on the portion of land in the
Township.
7. Grant applications must be complete and include all information requested as well as contain
adequate explanation regarding the use of funds being requested.
The Township, at its sole discretion, may decline or reject any Cemetery Grant Application for any
reason, including but not limited to, improper use of funds, incomplete or late application, and/or an
application that contradicts the intent of the Cemetery Grant Policy.
Subject to Council’s final approval, the amount of Cemetery Grant approved through the annual
operating budget will be disbursed to the eligible applicants as follows:
1. Base allocation of $300 per eligible application, and
2. Approved annual budget amount less the base allocation amounts divided evenly and
distributed based on the number of acres of land in each cemetery as verified by Staff.
Under special circumstances, Council may accept the recommendation of the Chief Administrative
Officer that the methodology of the disbursement of the funds may be altered based on supporting
justification and rationale.