Feature Article March 11
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North Frontenac Council March 8, 2004
A full slate of councillors, an audience of nine, and three delegations attended Monday nights council meeting.
It was announced that instead of being paid by the number of meetings they attend, remuneration for the mayor and councillors will now be at an annual rate, and mileage will only be paid for meetings outside the municipality. Councillors addressed the audience directly to explain why this decision has been made. Councillor Cybulski said it was to save the township money. On average councilors attend 12-14 meetings a week, and at the present rate of remuneration they would break the township. Also, there was much confusion and inconsistency with the old system: some people would charge mileage, others wouldnt; councillors would hesitate to attend meetings if they did not have prior approval; it was difficult to decide what constituted a meeting, etc. The change will save the treasurer much work, as it was a major headache to sort it all out. The annual remuneration works out to about $7 an hour, assuming a 30-hour week. Councillor Hunter pointed out that there would be a safeguard against abuse; if councillors miss too many meetings, penalties may be imposed. The system will be reviewed at years end.
DELEGATIONS: Bob Olmstead appeared before council to apologize for comments he made at the January 26 meeting, when he expressed anger over the proposed closing of three waste sites. He said it was never his intention to intimidate or threaten the mayor and councillors. Council thanked him for his apology. Clerk Penny Sharman noted that there was also an allegation that Mr. Olmstead had harassed public works staff over the ploughing of the Gulley Rd. Mr. Olmstead said he had merely asked them why they were only ploughing the road one way when there was a lot of traffic. Sharman said she would forward a letter to Mr. Olmstead with the details.
Insurance rates Paul Dorman of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance appeared before council to discuss the renewal of the townships insurance policy. The townships premium has increased by 26%. Dorman said that a 30% increase is average right now. Clerk Sharman said the township had not shopped around for different quotes because everybody was raising their insurance rates, and other companies would not even give a quote without 4 or 5 months of investigation.
Dorman was asked in particular about the townships liability if it passed a by-law allowing ATVs on township roads. He replied that right now, insurance companies are making no distinction between liability for ATVs and any other vehicle, and the township would be covered. However, if there were a lot of claims in the future, the situation would change. Dorman also informed council that as a service, insurance for hall renters is included in the townships package. Normally, those who rent halls would have to get their own insurance, which is expensive. It is cheaper if the township buys the insurance and passes the costs on to the renters.
Safe Drinking Water Act - Phillipa McPhee and John Desbiens of the consulting firm SGS Lakefield Research gave presentations to council on Waste Management and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
Speaking on waste management planning, McPhee said, We can sit here and plan as much as we want; but unless the public is involved and agree, no plan will work. She said that municipalities are expected to reach 60% waste diversion by 2008. The present rate is about 30%.
To start the process of bringing the township into compliance with the SDWA, Desbiens estimated the cost of the companys services would be about $10,000 to review the townships systems, which would include an engineering evaluation of water sources, and design proposals.
Mayor Maguire said that all municipalities must be in a panic mode because of the tight deadlines for SDWA compliance, adding that he thinks the townships should all get together. Penny Sharman said that Central Frontenac was willing to join North Frontenac to get out requests for proposals, but that South Frontenac had decided to go its own way.
ATV BY- LAW: There was much debate on a by-law permitting ATVs on township roads. Councillors Cybulski and Clayton expressed the opinion that the liability situation would be no worse than it is now if a by-law were passed, and the municipality would have better control. For example, certain roads could be declared off limits, and hours of operation could be restricted. Councillor Clayton said that many roads in the township are only accessible by ATV, and not to have a by-law in effect forces people to break the law. One question was whether the township would have to maintain the shoulders better and sign the roads, but some councillors felt the cost would not be that high. The economic benefit of ATVs was mentioned, but Councillor Hook questioned this and said it was not the townships responsibility to promote any one business. The matter was referred to the roads committee for further investigation.
OMITTED ASSESSMENTS: Councillor Clayton related the story of a trailer park owner who had been assessed. She wrote MPAC, asking specifically which trailers had been assessed, and how much. Their reply was that they couldnt find the information. Clayton said that while the municipality cannot tell people not to pay the omitted assessments, the whole affair is ripe for a challenge in the courts. He said, If we had done anything like this, the OMB would have kicked us right out of the province.
BAG TAG MEETING: At a public meeting at Clar-Mill Hall on March 3, a new bag tag system for North Frontenac ratepayers was discussed. Beginning May 2004, all waste destined for landfill will require a $2 tag fixed to the neck of the bag. As in neighbouring Addington Highlands, NF residents may exchange recyclables for free bag tags. The tags may be purchased at the township office and at local businesses, whose locations will be announced soon.
