Central Frontenac Council - Apr 23/13

Jeff Green | Apr 25, 2013

CF Fire Chief requests OPP training for dealing with meth labs

As a result of his team being called in by the OPP to dismantle a meth lab in Mountain Grove last week, Fire Chief Bill Young asked council to consider providing more OPP training for CF firefighters in how to effectively and safely deal with such situations. Meth labs can pose a serious danger to those called in to dismantle them since the chemicals involved can be highly combustible.

Chief Young reported that the month of March was a quiet one overall, with only 18 calls. The fire ban currently is moderate and he reported a few needless “nonsense” fires that were caused by carelessness.

Council pressures County to finalize their budget

Treasurer Michael McGovern recommended that council send a letter to the county urging them to finalize their budget so that county tax rates can be incorporated in the township's next tax billing, which must be printed no later than May 27. In his report to council McGovern stated that “delaying of the (township) tax bills any further than mid-May will result in a later due date...resulting in confusion for residents and increased complaints handled by staff, higher pre-authorized payment plan adjustments, less interest earned, delayed projects and a lack of revenue to offset school board and county payments.” Last year the township received the county rates on April 11. Council authorized staff to send a letter to the county regarding the matter.

Septic re-inspection placed back on business/ project list

CAO John Duchene wondered if council wanted septic re-inspection placed on a priority list while he is serving on staff since it is now “sitting in limbo”. Councilors agreed to put it back on the list and to further look into the issue in a timely manner so that returning cottagers can be made aware of any new updates. Council discussed the possibility of making septic inspections mandatory on lakefront and island properties since in the past the majority of waterfront property owners did not volunteer for inspections that the township has run in the past.

Councilor John Purdon suggested looking to the Tay Valley approach, which is to make septic inspection mandatory on certain lakes. Council agreed to ask staff to update them as to where the process currently stands.

Clock ticks down on Parham Library

After considerable discussion councilors passed two motions concerning the likelihood that the Parham Library will become homeless as of July 1 with the closure of Hinchinbrooke Public School. The library is currently located in a portable at he school. Council decided to place an ad looking for property owners in the Parham area who might be interested in offering a space to house the library while council tries to find a long term solution. The space would have to meet library board guidelines. Council also directed staff to make a request to the KFLA library board that if the Parham Library closes on July 1, its operating hours (six per week) be kept available should a suitable location be found in the future.

New QR Codes and WIFI in CF

Mayor Janet Gutowski briefed council on the idea of using QR (quick response) codes in the township saying that they are a “quick and progressive way of providing information to visitors to the area.” She said there is a plan to use the codes to promote points of interest on the Sharbot Lake Historical Walking Tour. The codes would be located on small signs and they can be scanned by cameras or cell phones and information can be gained by plugging the code into the township website. “It's environmental, high tech and a way of getting information out there inexpensively, and we thought it might attract attention from a different demographic,” she said.

On that same note, Gutowski reported that North Frontenac Telephone Company will be once again providing free WIFI at Oso beach this summer. Plans have gone ahead and apparently the entire beach and beyond will offer free WIFI to visitors this summer.

“This should help to support tourism in the area with no cost to the township, ” she said.

Renaming Road 38

Councilors weighed on the City of Kingston’s proposal to rename Road 38 in their jurisdiction. Regarding how council might address that issue, most were in favor of not changing the name of the road, giving reasons like address changes and driver confusion that would result from a name change.

Council votes Yes to 1-year terms for county warden

Council agreed to support the county in a motion to make the position of county warden a one-year term. “We have to think of the repercussions as a result of what has happened at county council and the difficulty they are having in getting things done there. Traditionally, for 150 years, wardens have served for a one-year term and I think we should support that. If a warden gets appointed for a second term by county council, fine, but I think we should support this motion.” said Councilor Frances Smith.

The majority of council agreed with Smith.