Feature Article October 3, 2001
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Central Frontenac Council September 25by David BrisonA regular council meeting was held in Sharbot Lake in the morning, and in the afternoon council met to consider revisions to the draft official plan. Fire regulations at the Arden Legion. Judy Paddick appeared on behalf of the Arden Legion. She said that as a result of a recent inspection by Bill Ireland, Director of fire and emergency services for the township, the Legion will have to do repairs totalling $25,000 to their building. She stated that the Legion does not have the money to do the repairs. The background was summarized in a memo from Bill Ireland. Ireland is required by law to conduct an inspection if he is notified of possible violations to the Ontario Fire Code. He was notified by the Health Department of possible deficiencies in the Legion kitchen where 300 people could eat and be served alcohol. Ireland found that the fire alarm system does not meet fire code standards, and that commercial cooking facilities are not properly protected.Ireland was not present at council, but Mayor MacDonald explained that once the inspection had been made, and facilities were found to be deficient, the township had no alternative but to require the building owners to make the required repairs. He said, however, that there could be some flexibility on the timelines, as long as the owners started to make the necessary changes. He also said that Ireland would be available to consult with the Legion. Tay river watershed plan. Lyn Preston, from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), reported to council that the broadly-based group that has been working on a plan for the watershed since 1995 is going to issue a draft report in October. There will be recommendations dealing with water quality, water quantity, and fish and wildlife in the report. The Tay River watershed is important to both South and Central Frontenac because a number of lakes in the townships are affected (Bobs, Crow, Eagle, Duncan, Elbow, and Leggat). The problem of water levels in the watershed has been highlighted by OMYAs proposal to draw water from the Tay River. The OMYA hearings are scheduled to resume in October, although there is a rumoured possibility that the parties to the dispute will settle before the hearings resume. A final plan, incorporating comments derived from the draft review, will be completed by the end of this year. Rideau Valley Clean Water Project. Ms. Preston also spoke on behalf of a project being submitted by RVCA to the Healthy Futures For Ontario agriculture program. The purpose of the program is to identify farming practices that contribute to poor water quality and to provide assistance, through direct grants and expert consultation, to assist farmers to remedy some of the problems. RVCA will take the lead in submitting the project and will direct it, but would like municipalities to be partners. Update on the Elm Tree fire department situation. Bill Ireland reported to council that he has not met councils September 13 deadline for final decisions on the eligibility of seven applicants to the Kennebec Fire Department. In a memo, Ireland stated that only four of the seven were able to attend one of two available sessions. One applicant has withdrawn, and three are not physically fit to perform fire-fighting duties. One of the members who has not yet been interviewed is a former member who has had personality conflicts in the past with current members. According to Ireland, it is unlikely that this applicant would be approved as required by departmental standard operating deadlines. Council extended the deadline to mid-October. Five applicants would have to be accepted in order for the Elm Tree fire sub-station to be restored. A tendering issue for snow removal on Road # 38. The lowest bid for snow removal was $10 per hour less than the nearest bidder. Council had concerns that the bidder would not be able to adequately complete the work reportedly he has only one truck and it is older. Council is not bound to accept the lowest tender, and it was the feeling of many councillors that they should take this option and award the contract to the next lowest bidder - whom they think can do the job. The decision was deferred to the next council meeting. Changes to the draft official plan. The previous draft plan had set a minimal lot size of one acre. In a public meeting, lake residents had said that they thought this was too low if the lake environment was to be adequately maintained. Council recommended that the waterfront lot size be set at one hectare (2.47 acres), with a 300 feet shoreline. The lot size for all other lots is raised to one half a hectare. A nine meter opening to the lake, through the undeveloped ribbon of life shoreline will still be allowed. At the last open meeting it was suggested that it should be made smaller. No other changes were made to the plan, although recommendations on the Henderson road cranberry bog, wet boathouses, and development on highly sensitive lakes were considered. The changes will be presented to council at their meeting at Mountain Grove at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday October 9. The plan can then be adopted.
