Feature Article September 18, 2002
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Departments report to councilby Jeff Green Central Frontenac Council had a lot of business to attend to at their September 9 meeting in Mountain Grove, partly because they met only once in August.
There were no delegations. James Yateman was scheduled to address council on his concerns about the Elm Tree/Garrison road intersection where he lives, but for the second time he failed to arrive at the meeting. The meeting therefore opened with a rather long debate about a tentative bylaw on Community Halls [see Community Hall debate Splits Council].
Electoral changes: Council received a letter from Leona Dombrowsky regarding proposed electoral boundary changes. The effects of the new boundaries on the municipal structure as it has developed under amalgamation was of concern to council. Council decided to accept Leona Dombrowskys letter and send an appropriate letter to the electoral commission in Ottawa. Councillor Frances Smith suggested, One of us should go to the public meeting in Kingston, even if its only to read out our letter.
Groundwater study: The Quinte Region Conservation Authority wanted to know if Central Frontenac was still interested in participating in a groundwater study, to which council said yes. There is some confusion, however, since council had previously made a similar commitment to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA). While both watersheds exist in Central Frontenac, it is unclear if the commitment already made to the MVCA is for a study of its own watershed or the entire township.
Fire and Emergency Services report: CF Director of Fire & Emergency Services Jay DeBernardi reported to council. He discussed a proposal to purchase a used ambulance van, currently located at the land ambulance station south of Parham, for use as an extra vehicle at the Oso Fire Hall. As well, he presented a series of applications he proposed to make for funding from the Ministry of Public Safety and Security for equipment under their JEPP program. The proposals are in effect a wish list, which includes an emergency generator that would cost over $10,000, rescue equipment for over $60,000, and a rescue boat for $13, 700. He pointed out that the ministry will make their own determinations about these grant applications, so there is no disadvantage to sending several in.
Public Works report: Public Works manager Bill Nicol reported on gravel purchases for next year, and council debated what to do about a Ti-Axle truck that broke earlier this summer. It was decided to ask the insurance company if they would extend full warranty coverage to the vehicle if repairs were undertaken. Otherwise, council was leaning towards taking the cash
offer the insurance company had made for the claim, hanging on to the vehicle for parts (the township owns another identical truck) and buying a used truck to replace the damaged one.
Building report: The building report for the first seven months of the year shows that the number of new residential units under construction is 25 for 2002, as opposed to 18 at this point last year. The number of permits sold is almost the same, but construction value and permit fees collected are significantly higher than in previous years.
