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Feature Article December 2, 2004

Feature article December 2, 2004

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Septic reinspection in North Frontenac Council meeting Nov 25, 2004

by Jeff Green

North Frontenac is looking once again at a septic reinspection program, three years after plans to set one up fizzled out.

A reinspection group/study committee that was appointed by the township earlier this fall reported back to Council last week. Ken Grant, of the Big Gull Lake East End Cottage Association presented the report. He noted that there has been a growing concern on the part of lake front property owners about the care and maintenance of water quality, and published reports suggest that over 25% of cottages require septic system upgrades.

Among neighbouring townships, both Tay Valley and South Frontenac have initiated septic reinspection programs in the last couple of years, and the committee looked at the procedures used in those cases before coming up with their recommendations.

The committee envisions that the initial focus of the program will be to inspect properties that do not have a recorded/inspected septic system. The second will be to identify and inspect older systems (20 years or older); and the third focus is to inspect all systems within the township.

The goal is to bring all unsafe systems into compliance with the Ontario building code, Ken Grant told Council, and then to ensure wastewater systems are maintained in an acceptable manner.

These are long term goals for the program, and the report laid out a start plan for the program covering the first five years. In the first year it is proposed that data be gathered to identify properties that do not have registered septic systems. Based on the data gathered, 30 inspections would be targeted for the summer of 2005, the report says, starting with Kashwakamak Lake, which has been identified as a highly developed lake. The program as envisioned would cost $7,500 in the first year; $11,913 in the second year, when 100 inspections would be carried out; and a total of $37,808 over the following three years, with 100 inspections being carried out each year. Inspections are expected to cost the township $65 each.

Ken Grant made it clear that public awareness is a key component of the plan. Owner permission is the first thing that must be obtained before properties can be inspected, he told Council, and people need to be made aware of the threat leaky septic systems pose to their own enjoyment of their property.

The inspections will include opening up septic tanks to determine if they need pumping; determining if the tank is the right size for the dwelling size and use; a visual inspection of the septic bed and the privies; and looking at the location of waste water in relation to wells, open water, and other natural drainage. Property owners will be notified of the findings.

Lakefront properties will be targeted by the program, which is being looked into in response to requests by lake associations at this summers township council/lake association meeting. But eventually all 2600 properties will be subject to the program if it goes ahead as envisioned by the task force.

Council received the task force report and will consider the proposal in budget discussions, which will take place this month.

Other notes from NF Council:

A rock by any other name

The Ministry of Natural Resources MNR is continuing its naming project, and has contacted NF Council with the proposal to rename two well-known rocks in Bon Echo Park, one called Mazinaw Rock and the other called Old Walt Rock. The proposed names are the ones that most people use: Bon Echo Rock and Walt Whitman Memorial. Council thought the name changes made sense and will not oppose them.

Cost of Living Increase

Council, Committee of Adjustment and staff remuneration will increase by 2.8% in 2005 to reflect increases in the Consumer Price index. The increase has been 2% for the past 2 years, and 2.8% in 2001. After voting for the raise, Councillor Clayton said I would like to suggest that next year Council increases and staff increases be voted on separately. I might have voted against a raise for councillors if given the chance.

Staff Appointments

As of December 6, the townships administrative structure will change. Appointments were made at the meeting to fill three of four administrative positions. Cheryl Robson, currently the Treasurer, will become the Chief Administrative Officer CAO/Treasurer. Brenda Defosse, currently the deputy clerk, will become Clerk/Planning Coordinator, and Christina Lott will become the Deputy Treasurer/Tax Collector. A fourth position, Deputy Clerk/Administrative Assistant to the

Planning Coordinator has been advertised externally and will be filled shortly. These changes will not increase the number of administrative staff employed by the township.

With the participation of the Government of Canada