JASON SETNYK
Maureen Adams, Chief Administrative Officer of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, has announced her plans to retire at the end of May, capping off a distinguished career in municipal leadership that spans both SDG Counties and the City of Cornwall.
Adams began her role with SDG on January 3, 2023, following a successful tenure as CAO of Cornwall that began in 2016. With deep roots in both public and private sector finance, including eight years as Cornwall’s Chief Financial Officer, she has overseen major initiatives such as the Benson Centre and wastewater plant upgrades, always with a strategic focus on long-term planning.
In an interview with Seaway News, Adams said the timing of her departure is deliberate, allowing a new CAO to transition ahead of the 2026 municipal election. “It will be a great opportunity to get settled into the new role and be ready to hit the ground running with the next term of council,” she explained. The next municipal election will be held on October 26, 2026. “I selfishly picked the end of May because I would like to take the summer off and enjoy the opportunity to spend more time golfing and cottaging along the St. Lawrence River.”
Asked to reflect on her time with SDG Counties, Adams pointed not to a single initiative, but to the strength of the collaborative team environment. “This has been a fantastic group to work with,” she said. “Everyone pulls together and wants to work as a team.” She cited joint emergency training exercises that bring together townships and community partners as one example of that spirit.
Adams also highlighted long-term pressures facing SDG’s finances. “Maintaining and replacing infrastructure is always going to be a significant portion of our budgets,” she said, noting that SDG’s asset management plan is key to anticipating future investments. In addition to roads and bridges, she flagged increasing call volumes for police and paramedic services as another area where costs are rising.
Despite the scope of the work, Adams believes many residents don’t fully understand the role of SDG as an upper-tier government. “In addition to a vast transportation network and many community library branches, the Counties plays a significant role in planning and regional services,” she said. “County council is very active lobbying and advocating to provincial and federal levels of government… we need to continue to find ways to help the public understand who we are and what we do.”
Adams brings a unique perspective, having served as CAO in both a single-tier municipality and a regional government. “The most significant difference is the size and geographic area of SDG, 3,300 square kilometres, for the delivery of shared services,” she said. “Through partnerships with our townships, the City of Cornwall, and neighbouring counties, we can bring a stronger united voice to Queen’s Park.”
As she looks to the future, Adams had simple but thoughtful advice for whoever steps into her role. “Work collaboratively with the townships as well as with the United Counties of Prescott Russell and Leeds and Grenville,” she said. “Our team at SDG is very talented and capable… we need to support them when needed.”
With decades of public service behind her, Adams said her biggest takeaway is a deeper appreciation for what municipal employees do each day. “Until you work inside a municipality, you can’t grasp how many services and programs are delivered every day,” she said. “We had a councillor that said before he was elected, all he saw was the tip of the iceberg above the water. I will always appreciate the services delivered by municipal employees.”
Adams holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Queen’s University and brought private-sector experience to her municipal roles, helping to modernize financial planning and project delivery. As she prepares for her next chapter, she leaves behind a legacy of fiscal prudence, cross-jurisdictional collaboration, and public service leadership.
Her departure will mark a significant transition for SDG Counties, one that Adams hopes will be smooth, thoughtful, and rooted in the same teamwork that defined her time there.
L’article Maureen Adams reflects on a distinguished career est apparu en premier sur Cornwall Seaway News.
