HomeMy Public PortalAbout24-008 - Amendments to Cemetery Grant PolicyTHE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LEEDS AND THE
THOUSAND ISLANDS
BY-LAW NO. 24-008
BEING A BY-LAW TO AMEND BY-LAW #23-023 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contravention of any terms of this by-law are hereby rescinded.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 12TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2024.
READ A THIRD TIME AND FINALLY PASSED THIS 12TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2024.
The Corporation of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands^
Corinna Smith--Gatcke^ Mayor
/^ A'h: i\i\' f:
Megan Shannon, Clerk
Policy Type: Administration Policy Number:
Policy Title: Cemetery Grant Policy Approval Date:
Review Date: Page 1 of 3
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is 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.
SCOPE
This policy applies to non-municipally owned cemeteries within the Township of Leeds and the
Thousand Islands.
RESPONSIBILITY
The Clerk, Director of Corporate Services/Treasurer, 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
1.0 Guidelines
Cemetery grant applications will be received once per year with a deadline of March 31st.
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
Policy Type: Administration Policy Number:
Policy Title: Cemetery Grant Policy Approval Date:
Review Date: Page 2 of 3
Grants Reserve Fund.
Availability of grants are dependent upon their inclusion in and Council approval of the annual
municipal budget.
2.0 Eligibility
The application must be completed by the cemetery group, association or volunteer(s)
representing the collective interests of the cemetery.
The cemetery must be registered with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) and provide
the licence number on the application.
Active and inactive cemeteries located within the Township that function on a non-profit or
volunteer basis are eligible to apply.
3.0 Application Process
Applications will be received for maintenance, improvements and/or repairs to a cemetery,
including but not limited to:
a. Headstone refurbishment;
b. Landscaping repair;
c. Fence repair; and
d. Maintenance costs, including grass cutting.
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.
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.
Grant applications must be complete and include all information requested as well as contain
adequate explanation regarding the use of funds being requested.
Policy Type: Administration Policy Number:
Policy Title: Cemetery Grant Policy Approval Date:
Review Date: Page 3 of 3
Grant applications will be evaluated by the Clerk, Director of Corporate Services/Treasurer,
and Director of Operations & Infrastructure to ensure eligibility. Eligible applications and a
recommendation will be forwarded to Council for approval after the application deadline.
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 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.
3.0 Reporting
Grant recipients shall submit a follow-up report that details the accomplishments and includes
an accounting of revenues and expenditures by March 31st of the following year.