‘Remarkable’ construction numbers for 2022 in Central Frontenac

Craig Bakay | Jan 05, 2022

The numbers don’t lie. Construction details in Central Frontenac have been rising steadily for the past three years.

Chief Building Official Andy Dillon’s report presented at Central’s regular (online) meeting Dec. 14 show that construction value, year to date, has risen to $17,133,265 in 2021 from $13,286,135 in 2020 and $10,965,340 in 2019. Building permits and fees have correspondingly risen as well, to 160 for $238,016 in 2021 from 151 and $186,430 in 2020 and $151,270 and 144 in 2019.

And there’s another interesting trend, as noted by Coun. Brent Cameron.

“The numbers are remarkable,” said Cameron. “And I noticed full-time residential gaining steadily over seasonal units.”

There have been 26 new residential units in 2021 compared to 18 seasonal units. In 2020, the numbers were 19 and 13 and in 2019, 16 and 10.

“A lot of people are finding they can live here all year and work from home,” said Dillon. “As long as they have good internet.”

“And for others, they may not be full-time right now, but they plan to be,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “So, they’re doing it right the first time along.”

What about Arden?

Never one to let an opportunity to let any potential tax dollars slip away from Arden, Coun. Tom Dewey took aim at the Downtown Revitalization Program for Sharbot Lake report.

“I think we should look at other communities in Central Frontenac,” Dewey said. “There’s a lot of potential there.”

“We did say it (the Sharbot Lake project) was only the beginning,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

Coun. Brent Cameron, who is also the chair of the economic development committee, said “we (his committee) have been discussing other potential projects.”

“I think that in January we should set aside a reasonable slot of time to discuss all the points in the report,” said Smith.

After an in-camera session to discuss named individuals, Smith reported that downtown revitalization co-ordinator position has been extended two months ’til the end of February, 2022

Deputy Mayor Whan

Coun. Sherry Whan will be known as Dep. Mayor Sherry Whan for the final year of this Council. Whan was nominated for the position by the previous Dep. Mayor Nicki Gowdy and was unopposed. The position generally rotates between the four districts. Whan (along with Coun. Bill MacDonald) was acclaimed for Oso District (3) in the last election.

Paramedic shortage?

After Coun. Bill MacDonald observed that medical calls for the fire department “seem to be growing at an exponential rate,” Coun. Phillip Smith reported that he’s been hearing feedback that there have been some staffing issues at the Parham paramedic base and lack of ambulances there.

Dep. Mayor Nicki Gowdy said she’s had similar feedback.

“I hadn’t heard that,” said CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn.

“We do have a mutual aid agreement that if one of our ambulances gets stuck in Kingston for a while, we’re covered by ambulances in L & A or Lanark Counties,” said MacDonald.

“Covering is the protocol,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “It might mean that you have to wait a little longer for an ambulance but we’ll bring it up at County Council (the governing body for ambulance service in Kingston and Frontenac County).”

Expenses following residents to the grave

“It’s getting more expensive to die,” said Mayor Frances Smith as Council discussed an increase in Cemetery fees.

The cost of a resident single grave (which includes seasonal residents) will rise to $835.89 (including a $350 charge for perpetual care) in 2022 from $766.97 in 2021. Non-resident costs rose to $1,185.86 for 2022 from $1,100.41 in 2021.

But Coun. Bill MacDonald didn’t think the price was high enough.

“I have no problem with a cottage owner taking up permanent residency here as I consider them residents like any other,” MacDonald said. “But I think we’re selling them way too cheap.

“What do plots cost in Toronto?”

“We’re two to three times cheaper,” said CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn. “But we’ll get some price comparisons for you.”

Free Wifi at township hall

Council passed a resolution to provide free wifi to renters of Oso Hall subject to a review of what security protocols might be needed after Dep. Clerk Cindy Deachman reported she’d had a request from the local Alcoholics Anonymous group.

“Sounds like a no-brainer to me,” said Coun. Victor Heese. “It was one of the recommendations for downtown revitalization.”

The subject came up during an agenda item report from the North Frontenac Little Theatre reporting how well their transition to Oso Hall from GREC has gone.

“The (NFLT) report was very nicely done,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “With all the little ticks and everything.”