Feature Article May 1, 2003
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3.7% tax increase in Central Frontenacby Jeff Green
After spending a month battling with the numbers, weary Central Frontenac councillors passed the 2003 township budget at their regular meeting in Sharbot Lake on April 29.
The greatest area of increased spending in the budget is in the 2003 Fire budget, which is now $434,256 - an increase of almost $150,000 from a $285,234 budget in 2002. The money for the increase was taken partly from last years surplus, and partly from a grant received by the fire department. It was put in the 2003 budget in order for Fire & Emergency Services Director Jay DeBernardi to pursue the purchase of a new fire truck and other equipment this year.
We have no choice but to begin a program of upgrading our aging fire equipment, because if we dont we may be facing a lowering of the insurance rating of the township as a whole, which would effect the insurance rates of all home owners within Central Frontenac, Mayor Bill MacDonald told the News.
The other large increase in costs comes in the area of roads, where the budget is being increased to just over $2.5 million from just under $2.2 million in 2002. Roads and Fire and Emergency services are always the greatest burden for the municipality, but spending on administration and parks and recreation will also increase in 2003. Overall, council was able to use some surplus funds from last year to lower the tax increase.
Mayor MacDonald described the budget increase as a fair assessment, given the cost increases in our mandated responsibilities. We also had to put money towards a program of salt containment. By 2005 all salt must be in stored in enclosed buildings, according to provincial regulations, and that will be hugely expensive.
In 2002, taxes were raised by 6.7%, so taxpayers have seen a 10% increase in municipal taxes in the past 2 years.
CF Council April 29, 2003
In addition to passing the budget, council worked through a long agenda at their meeting.
Delegations: Ludwig Ratzinger appeared at councils request with information from the Crow Lake Dock group. The group has prepared a design for a fixed dock to replace the one destroyed last April. An informal quote from a local builder put the cost of fixing the dock at $11,600.
Ratzinger stressed the point, originally made by Brenda Piat at the previous council meeting, that the Dock group felt putting in a floating dock would be a mistake. The lake level varies by well over 4 feet on Crow Lake, and that leads to a 40 foot receding shoreline, so a floating dock would need to be moved about six times each summer. As well, the winds on that side of the lake can be quite strong, making floating docks unusable much of the time, Ratzinger told Council.
The Federal Department of Fisheries, which currently owns the now-ruined facility, would like to turn it over to the municipality, and is waiting for a proposal from Central Frontenac. After questioning Ratzinger on his groups proposal, council asked if he would contact the official at the Ministry of Fisheries to see what he could find out about their intentions. Subsequently council can make a formal request of the MFO for funding towards dock repairs.
The Crow Lake dock group has also approached the township of South Frontenac for support, since much of Crow Lake, and the whole of the connected Bobs Lake, are located in South Frontenac. Mayor Phil Leonard responded by suggesting there may be money available from the Bedford District budget, referring the Dock group to Bedford councilors Del Stowe and David Hahn. As well, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has been approached, and they did not rule out contributing money to the project.
Mayor MacDonald summed up councils response, saying Were certainly in favour of getting something done, but Id like to see some federal dollars on the table before we go ahead with this.
After the council meeting, Ratzinger contacted Mark Sandeman of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He then reported back to councilor Francis Smith, so council may be able to decide on a course of action at their next meeting.
A fixed dock would have to be built in the fall, and it is hoped that funding can be secured in time to build one this coming fall. In the meantime, council has directed the public works manager to determine what can be done to keep the area safe this summer.
Zealand Cemetery The Sharbot Lake United Church requested that Central Frontenac take ownership of the Zealand United Church Cemetery, which has been maintained over the years by Roscoe and Brenda Garrett. Council agreed to take over the cemetery, and received a thank you from the Garretts.
Buckleys Hill on Echo Lake Councilor Snider put forth a resolution that road widening be done in 2003 on Echo Lake Road at Buckleys Hill in Hinchinbrooke township. A perturbed councilor Snider told council of his attempts to have this work done for a few years, and it has not yet been done. I represent that area, and Ive had people complain to me about how unsafe that road is at that spot, because there is a 25 foot drop off. Ive been told that it was in the budget to fix the road, and then it didnt get done.
Councillor Elva Price from Olden District concurred, saying If a member of the public is told something was going to be done, then it should have been done.
Public Works Manager Bill Nicol responded, saying there was money left over from another project that year, and I thought we might be able to use if for Echo Lake Road, but I never did get a firm price on the job from the contractor, and it didnt get done.
It was then pointed out by other councilors that roadwork should not be done based on individual councilors concerns, but with a view towards the needs of the township as a whole. The motion was defeated.
VON Dr. Dempsey of Verona contacted township staff, asking if the mayor and council would send a letter of support and request the province provide assistance to the VON, pointing out the vital role the organization plays in the township. Council agreed unanimously and a letter will be sent to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
Fire Issues Director of Fire and Emergency Services Jay DeBernardi appeared before council. He requested a motion from council that he could use to solicit quotes for equipment purchases. As reported in the article on the budget increases, the township is entering on a program of improvement for its fire fighting equipment. A motion was prepared and passed and DeBernardi was also asked to provide a plan for rejuvenation of the fire trucks within Central Frontenac.
