Central Frontenac Council - April 12/16

Apr 14, 2016

North Frontenac Telephone Company sets sights on improving service in Mountain Grove

In a delegation to council, Dave Smith and Grant Roughley of the North Frontenac Telephone Company approached council for approval to install an underground high-speed fiber optic cable network in Mountain Grove.

The company plans to install the cable underground within the township's road allowance where the topography allows. Where the topography does not allow, i.e. where there are culverts, bridges and other obstacles, the company plans to install poles to link to the proposed underground network. The goal, Smith said is to provide up to 150 subscribers in and around Mountain Grove with reliable high-speed internet service, cable TV and residential home phone services.

Following an aerial study done of the area, many of the existing hydro poles were deemed not able to hold the cable due both to cost and/or Hydro One regulations.

Roughley said that though this project is not a highly profitable one for the company, it will bring services to areas of the township where currently they do not exist. The plan is to bury the cable in a pipe at least 24 inches, preferably 30 inches, below ground.

Councilor Jamie Riddell asked about the legal implications to the township if repairs need to be done to the roads. Cathy MacMunn said that staff had yet to hear back from their legal advisers.

Dave Smith responded that the NFTC, being governed by CRTC standards, would be responsible for maintaining the network.

Council Victor Heese asked about the option of going wireless and installing a tower instead of buried cable. Smith responded that he and his team have costed out those options as well. Heese also wondered about extending the cable down smaller roads. Roughley said that those residents could possibly pay for the construction costs and that that is something that might be looked into in the future. Smith stated that due to the rocky topography in the village of Mountain Grove, poles might have to be installed there.

Council accepted the request for information.

Frontenac County update

In a delegation to council, Frontenac County CAO Kelly Pender was joined by the County's deputy warden, Ron Vandewal. Pender updated council about a number of issues that involve the township. County projects include creating a health hub, which aims to give rural communities more say in how health services are delivered, and achieving more rural community involvement by establishing a rural liaison committee with the Limestone District School Board.

Pender said that the Township of Central Frontenac meets the county’s focus for developing trails, accommodation and food and recreation lifestyles and he noted that $500,000 has been set aside by the county for economic development activities in those areas over the next three years.

Public works and waste site report

Public works manager, John Badgley, reported that he has been inundated with calls about the poor quality of the roads as a result of the spring weather and that his crew have been working extra hours to get ahead. Crews have been busy sanding, patching, salting, repairing signs, brushing, replacing culverts as well as dealing with beaver issues.

Badgley said that the arrival of the township's new roll truck, which will be hauling the township's own waste bins, will result in a 50% savings over former costs.

Further, Badgley reported that all road repairs have been completed since the flooding on April 1.

Tax Sales Report

Staff treasurer Michael McGovern is hoping to see the sale of a number of properties on the Silver Lake Estates that have been moved up to May 12.

Infrastructure Funding made official

Council passed a motion to enter into a contribution agreement for funding under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program to expand the new Mountain Grove Community Centre to include a library facility, with the funding approved at $110,000.