While Central, North and South Frontenac townships have now all received some funding support from the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), a bitterly disappointed Addington Highlands has come up empty-handed after spending around $10,000 on three applications to the fund.

The applications were all to repair the Skootamatta Lake Road. The first and third submissions were prepared by engineering firms, while the second submission was prepared by township staff.

“For $10,000 we could have done some work on the road,” said Reeve Henry Hogg. “Yes,” said Roads Superintendent Royce Rosenblath, “but if we didn’t apply we’re left thinking - there was money available and we didn’t apply.”

Recently, the Government of Ontario announced a one-time $70 million Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative. Unlike COMRIF, the Rural Infrastructure Initiative does not require matching funding from municipalities, or that business plans or invoices be submitted.

Addington Highlands had intended to apply to the new program for funding to repair a bridge on the Hartsmere Road. At Monday night’s council meeting, however, Township Clerk/Treasurer Jack Pauhl pointed out that the application form asks specifically if the municipality has applied to Intake 3 of COMRIF and if it wishes to re-submit the same application.

This caused council to have to make a difficult decision as to which project to apply for. On the one hand the application for the Skootamatta Lake Road is ready to go, and no more money would have to be spent; on the other hand there is the possibility that an application for the bridge would be more likely to receive funding. As Rosenblath pointed out, “Roads don’t fail in the same way that bridges do.” Also, there is no guarantee that enough money might be granted to complete any projects.

When asked which he felt was the priority, Rosenblath replied, “The Hartsmere Road bridge is the highest priority in our bridge system and the Skootamatta Lake Road is the highest priority in our road system, so it’s hard to choose one over the other.”

Councilors Eythel Grant and Janice Kerr both voiced the opinion that the bridge should be applied for. Councilor Louise Scott was absent due to illness but Reeve Hogg and the other councilors were sure that she would vote for the Skootamatta Lake Road. Reeve Hogg also pointed out that a lot of money has recently been spent on the Hartsmere Road.

In the end, Councilor Helen Yanch made a motion to re-submit the Skootamatta Lake Road application and the motion was passed.

·                     Quinte Eco has provided two examples of a possible expansion of the Denbigh Waste Site. Reeve Hogg asked if MoE approval is guaranteed if AH buys the land surrounding the site. Jack Pauhl replied that the MoE hasn’t categorically said yes, but they have been involved in the plan and seem to be favourably disposed to it. Council voted to hire a land surveyor to prepare a draft plan for the waste site.

·                     The Denbigh Recreation Committee is having an Open House at the Denbigh Hall on Friday Jan 19 to meet residents and hear their ideas (see Denbigh news on page 4 for more details). Councilor Janice Kerr, representing the committee, asked if hall rental fees would be waived for future events, and if council could budget some money to get a canteen started at the Denbigh Hall. Council agreed to waive the fees and voted to allocate $200, to be repaid before May 1, to the committee. A Family Fun Day is also being planned for February.  

·                     The Ministry of Natural Resources will be adding Addington Highlands to the list of municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is allowed in time for turkey hunting in the spring.

·                     In 2006, residential construction valued at $4,792,601, and commercial construction valued at $977,118 was undertaken. Building permit fees for the residential construction totaled $51,148. Commercial construction fees would have totaled $8009, but have been waived to encourage economic development.

·                     As is customary, Council voted to borrow $2 million to tide the township over until taxes are collected.