| Jan 11, 2017


Central and North Frontenac Chief Building Official Jeremy Neven tendered his resignation (effective May 26) at Central Frontenac Council’s regular meeting this week in Sharbot Lake.

Neven told Council he was taking a similar position with Auckland, in New Zealand, for two years. Neven said he wanted to give the Township time to find a new CBO as well as finish up some bylaw changes he’s been working on.

“I have nothing bad to say about anybody and I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” he said. “It’s important to me that things go smoothly and I want to leave the department in good shape.”

He said his family is really looking forward to the opportunity to live in a foreign country for awhile but “the first place I’ll be looking for work upon my return will be Central Frontenac.”

The first time Mayor Frances Smith called the vote to accept Neven’s resignation, no hands went up. “We really don’t want to accept this resignation,” Smith said. “But we’ll have to accept it with regret.”

Record building year - Still with Neven, the CBO reported that 2016 was one of the best years the Township has ever had in terms of building. Central Frontenac finished the year with $,658,259 in construction value (up from $7,055,805 in 2015) and $125,131 in permit fees on 121 permits ($100,127 on 116 permits in 2015)

“I haven’t really gone back to check all the files but if 2016 wasn’t the best year, it’s pretty close to it,” he said.

The numbers were even more impressive when compared with 2014, when total construction values were just over $5 million, and permit fees totaled less than $70,000

New name for school committee
After considerable discussion about the name, Central Frontenac Council decided to call the committee looking into what to do with the former Hinchinbrooke Public School the “Hinchinbrooke District Community Centre Committee”. Councilors Brent Cameron and Phillip Smith will join the committee as it applies for an Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grant to help with the preparation of a business plan.

New Deputy Mayor
Councilor Brent Cameron of District 4 (Hinchinbrooke) was acclaimed as Deputy Mayor of Central Frontenac Township.

His appointment almost didn’t happen though as current Dep. Mayor Bill MacDonald jokingly announced: “I’m not stepping down.”

New equipment for fire department
Council approved $258,336 plus HST for the replacement of 32 self contained breathing apparatus’s plus a spare bottle for each pack. Fire Chief Bill Young said the equipment the department has been using is 20 years old, and at the end of its dependable life span.

Another expensive culvert - Council approved $182,000 to replace the culvert/ bridge on 4th Depot Lake Road. Interim Public Works Manager Mike Richardson said the road would likely be closed for 4-7 days but it could be up to two weeks depending on how the replacement is handled.

He said residents on the road affected would get written notification as well as the school board because busing will be affected.

“You might get a bill from the school board,” he said.

OP amendment
Council approved an amendment to its Official Plan that removes a restriction on building within 300 metres of waterfront in lands zoned rural. Rules affecting setbacks, minimum lot size and lot creation are unaffected by the change.

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