Addington Highlands In Strong Cash Position

Craig Bakay | May 25, 2022

Addington Highlands is in a “strong cash position,” Katie Mahon of KPMG told Council during the audit results portion of its regular Council meeting May 17.

Other highlights included a decline in taxes received as collections have increased in fiscal 2021.

“That’s good to see,” she said. “And trade and other receivables remain constant, representing mainly government receivables.”

On the liabilities side, there was a decrease in accounts payable, mainly attributable to the timing of payments, obligatory reserves have increased as a result of gas tax funding in excess of spending and there has been a significant reduction in landfill obligation as a result of updated estimates. A commitment of $3.4 million has been reduced to $2.6 million.

In non-financial assets (tangible capital assets) there were $1.1 million in additions against $788,000 of amortization.

The top four significant additions were a $355,000 fire truck; a $278,000 roads tandem truck; $168,000 in improvements to Skootamatta Lake Road and $91,000 in improvements to Matawatchen Road.

Noise Exemption

Mazinaw Lakeside Resort was granted an exemption from the noise bylaw in order to have amplified music on July 23 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“At least it’s not on a long weekend,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

Donation to NAEC

Council approved a $1,000 donation as well as waiving the $125 fee for Flinton Hall for the North Addington Education Centre Parent Advisory Council’s fun fair fundraiser.

CAO/Clerk/Treasurer Christine Reed said the $1,000 grant had already been approved in the budget.

“It surprises me they’re having it at the Flinton Hall and not at the school,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch.

Newsletter

Reeve Henry Hogg joked that his name shouldn’t be so close to the top of the newly approved newsletter.

“It should be alphabetical,” he said.

“Actually, the font on your name should be five times bigger,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch.

Accessible Events

Responding to a letter from Lennox & Addington County’s Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee commending the Township for being ahead of the curve with its Trunk or Treat Halloween event, Dep. Clerk Patricia Gray suggested the Township could support the event further through signage and on the Township website.

“We could even list residents who are participating at the end of their driveway,” she said.

Short Term Rentals

A survey on Short Term Rentals should be available on the Township website in July, Dep. Clerk Patricia Gray told Council.

“All of the members of the AHEAD committee were involved along with staff,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch. “It’s a pretty simple survey.

“There’s not a panic to get this back so I suggest a deadline of Sept. 9.

Fritsch said the survey is primarily for AHEAD committee use rather than to establish patterns of abuse.

“If staff notice any abuse, I think it should be fairly obvious,” he said.

Road Report

Road sweeping has been taking a little longer than anticipated, Roads and Waste Supervisor Brett Reavie told Council.

“We had more snow and sand than normal,” he said.

Fuel costs have definitely gone up but Reavie said but it shouldn’t affect the budget because he allowed for it with an extra 10 per cent in the budget.

“I’ve talked with other road supervisor and everybody’s noticing it,” he said. “Fuel costs have risen 90 cents a litre since January.

“We’ve gone through half our fuel budget in a third of a year.”

Building Report

Last year’s frenzy of home building and renovations has slowed somewhat this year, CBO David Twiddy told Council

“The exaggerated pace we saw last year has abated somewhat,” he said. “New home construction is down a bit.”

Untidy Lawns

Garbage on homeowners’ properties has CBO David Twiddy somewhat aggravated.

During his report on bylaw enforcement, he had this to say: “I don’t want to say I’m losing my patience but I’m losing my patience.

“Household garbage needs to find its way to landfill sites.

“We’re a community that invites people here in the summer.”

Street Light Repair

A listing for “street light” in the monthly approval of accounts had Coun. Kirby Thompson a bit concerned.

“$1,428 for street light repair?” he asked.

“It’s actually for three, along with some after hours overtime,” said CAO Christine Reed.

“It’s listed as ‘street light’ and that seemed expensive for one,” said Thompson