South Frontenac Volunteer Firemen recognized

by Wilma Kenny

---

In A ceremony just before this week’s Council meeting, Fire Chief Chesborough spoke of the extraordinary contributions made by volunteer firefighters, who are on call day and night in service to their fellow citizens.

“They are often called upon to work under extreme conditions that are dangerous and both physically and mentally stressful,” he said.

Chesborough also thanked the firefighters’ families for their support and encouragement. Deputy Chief Bill Babcock has served for 35 years, and Mayor Gary Davison joined the fire department 40 years ago. Three men received a township certificate and a Federal medal for 25 years of service: Rick Nelson, Brian McCarthy and Larry Thomas. Twenty-year recognition went to: Wayne Young, Ben Lappen, Ray Leonard, Dale Reynolds, Farley Stevens, William Jones, Charlie Hocklington, District Chief Mike McMillen, and Steve Spencer.

Turtle-srossing signs are here

Deputy Mayor Stowe brought samples of the new turtle-crossing signs which will be going up just in time for the main migration in June. The plan is to post areas of greatest turtle activity: anyone who has a suggestion about good locations should notify Stowe (613 374-2742, or ).

Trees available Saturday

South Frontenac’s Environmental Committee is pleased with the excellent quality of trees they will have for sale to township residents this Saturday. Good-sized specimens of bare-root native trees will be available between 8am & 4pm while supplies last at the Frontenac Farmers’ Market in Verona, Trousdale’s IGA in Sydenham, and Naish’s General Store in Sunbury.

The Zoning By-Law: always Good for an Argument

"So you can burn it down, but you can’t tear it down?" shouted one participant during a public meeting, in reference to the replacement of non-complying structures. What had been intended to be a simple "housekeeping by-law" to clarify the existing zoning by-law and correct some of its minor errors and omissions soon led to a yelling match between residents and council. The end result was that, although the majority of the 58 amendments to the zoning bylaw passed, several were referred back to Committee of the Whole for still further discussion. The contentious items included zoning of the K&P Trail, maximum coverage of waterfront lots, replacement of existing non-compliant structures, and the regulation of outdoor furnaces.

Councillor Fillion also disagreed with the requirement that all newly created (non-waterfront) lots should be proven to have adequate water capacity for development. "We shouldn’t be in the water business: buyer beware." said Fillion.

Property Assessments to resume

A letter from MPAC indicated that province-wide assessment updates will take place every four years following the next update in 2008, and beginning with the 2008 assessment update, increases for residential, farm and managed forest properties will be phased in over four years.

Summer Road Work

Construction on the five-mile (corduroy) stretch of Sydenham Road north of Elginburg will begin in June, and the Rutledge Road bridge at the west side of Sydenham will be repaired some time this summer. All other bridges in the township will be inspected this year: this is done every two years.