Feature Article October 3, 2001
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North Frontenac Council September 24by Will Cybulski
Council has moved its meetings back to the municipal building on Road 506 for the winter. Regular meetings take place at 7 p.m. sharp every second and fourth Monday of the month. An exception is the first meeting in October, which will take place on Tuesday, October 9, due to Thanksgiving.Clar-Mil Fire Station issuesAs a delegation, Glen Manion raised a concern as to who was responsible for purchasing a chain saw for the fire station, and why there had been a time lapse of three months between budget approval and the actual purchase. He also wondered if local price quotes had been obtained. The response was that Council looked at the overall budget for approval, but decisions for such purchases remained internally with the Chief and Deputy Chief. Councillor Elaine Churchill will look into getting answers to Mr. Manions questions. 911 progress Council members on the 911 Committee reported that the deadline for installation and corrections of 911 signs had been set for October 5, but realistically, it would appear that the end of October was a more likely date. Roads Department staff have already changed the setback on 15 signs, with more to be done. Parks committee Councillor Ed Buck reported that 85% of the Parks Department revenue target had been met. He indicated that MNR funding was forthcoming for work on some access points, and hoped that the updates would be completed before hunting season. Municipal officials on Wolfe Island, which is home to large tracts of public land, want to meet with Councillor Buck. That government wants to develop a Crown access and use plan, and wishes to utilize Eds experience and expertise in setting up just such a plan.MVCA appeal abandoned Council agreed to abandon the municipalitys appeal of its assessment by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. Mayor Stan Johnston felt that the municipality had met its objective, and while the levy would be the same this year as last ($12,612), it would fall to $8,979 in 2002, and be further cut to $5,346 in 2003. North Frontenac and Addington Highlands had previously been hold-outs; Addington Highlands Councillor Ibra Cuddy has also reported a decline in that municipalitys rates for 2002-2003. Mayor Johnston indicated that the Authority was concerned that, if it cut the levy for the three municipalities that voted in the negative, it would set a precedent whereby it would have to lower the levy for all.Fire ban follow-up Earlier this summer, Council had received a letter from Steve Smart regarding possible contravention of a fire ban by Bon Echo Provincial Park. At that time, Council had been led to believe that, if certain conditions were met regarding equipment and communication, both provincial and private parks could be exempted from such bans. Council now believes that certain pumping equipment within the park was removed for fire fighting elsewhere, leaving this area at risk. Letters addressing that concern will be forwarded from the municipality to the Ontario Parks Branch in Peterborough and the Regional Fire Centre in Haliburton.
