Feature Article December 18, 2003
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeSouth Frontenac Council approves water project
Sydenham Water: On behalf of the Sydenham Safe Water Association, Roxy Dennison-Stewart asked council to vote no to the proposed water treatment plant, on the grounds that there are effective and lower-cost alternatives to providing clean safe water to the residents of Sydenham. Later in the meeting, council voted unanimously to proceed with the water project, "subject to further review pending the outcome of negotiations for further funding under the OSTAR program, and the review of the revised tender document submission." Speaking before the vote, Councillor Davison said he had yet to hear a reasonable alternative which accommodated the fact that the contamination of wells could change, depending on seasonal variations. He pointed out that he lived in the village area, and in spite of having an excellent well, would have to pay his share of the new system. (According to the preliminary schedule, Davisons initial cost will be $5,826. before hook-up.) Councillor Vandewal said that Sydenham water impacts us all - our children go to the village schools - and there will be costs for all taxpayers. He added that sewage treatment needed to follow as soon as possible. Council appointed Mayor Lake, and Councillors Smith, Davison and Vandewal to the Sydenham Water Steering Committee. They will also be looking for two representatives from the public.
911 Street Name Request: Council denied Elizabeth and Malcolm Greys request to have their street name changed from Kingbird back to the original Kingfisher, in order to conform to their business brochures, etc. The mayor and Loughborough councillors then presented the Greys with a plaque in honour of their 40th wedding anniversary. Thanking them, the Greys noted they would really have preferred a new road sign.
Roads: Council accepted the Public Works Managers recommendation that the speed limit not be reduced on Hogan Road. The only reportable accident in the past 5 years had not been related to speed. It was noted that there are hundreds of kilometers of road in South Frontenac that are not posted and cannot be driven at the statutory speed due to the road alignment. Posting all these roads at a lower speed would be a waste of time and money that could be otherwise spent on road maintenance.
Likewise, the speed limit on Norway Road was not reduced. However, the limit on the southern portion of Stagecoach Road was reduced to 60km/hr. Cost estimates of over $400,000 to upgrade and surface treat Charlie Green and related roads were held over to budget discussions.
Committee of Adjustment/Land Division Committee: After a heated discussion about the size and structure of this committee (particularly the degree of public involvement that would be appropriate,) council finally agreed to one councillor from each district, and public appointees to make up the rest for a total of eight. This will have to be formalized by a by-law at the next meeting.
Well after 10:00 p.m., Council moved into camera.
