Central Frontenac: Fire hall and Raymo Road Culvert Contracts Awarded

Julie Druker | Aug 12, 2015

August 11, 2015

District 4 fire hall contract awarded

Fire Chief Bill Young recommended that council accept the bid by Guy Saumure and Sons Construction Ltd. at a total cost of $694,800 to build a new fire hall on the site of the existing District 4 Fire Hall, which is located on Wagarville Road next to the Parham fair grounds. The bid was the lowest of four received, with the next lowest bid offered by Tarasick Carpentry at just over $800,000. The highest bid was offered by Wemp and Smith Construction Ltd. at just under $970,000. Council accepted Young's recommendation to accept the bid. Although it is $95,000 over the initial budget, the bid provides for an expanded space designed to include a possible library/community space, which was not envisioned at budget time.

Council gives go ahead for Raymo Road fix

With the replacement culverts ready for Raymo Road, Public Works Coordinator Kyle Labbett brought a last minute report to council recommending that council approve his recommendations to award the contract to Crains Construction at a total cost of $346,760. That bid was $30,000 less than the one other bid that was received by the township from Arnott Brothers Construction. Council passed the motion unanimously, leading Labbett to say, “I am very glad to see this day.”

Labbett said that work will begin immediately and that barring any unforeseen circumstances, Raymo Road should be open to limited traffic by Labour Day, with a few touch ups expected after that.

Paving approved for Medical Centre Road and parking lot

Council approved Kyle Labbett's recommendations to have new pavement installed at Medical Centre Road at a cost of $31,000. Labbett said that “this has been something council has been putting off for a while and now is the perfect time to do it” because Thomas Cavanagh will be paving the new bridge section of Road 38. Council approved his recommendations.

Two of three boat ramp replacements approved

Council approved the recommendations by chief building officer Jeremy Neven to award the contract of replacing both the Long Lake and Eagle Lake boat ramps to Crains' Construction at a cost of approximately $23,000 each. Council had approved a capital expenditure during a 2015 budget review for three boat ramp replacements, the third being the Big Gull Lake boat ramp at an estimated $15,000 each. Council will be requesting financial assistance from North Frontenac Township to assist with the cost of replacing the ramp at Big Gull Lake in 2016.

¾ ton truck comes in under cost

Fire Chief Bill Young's recommendation to council to approve the $39,000 bid put in by Braden Ford for the purchase of a ¾ ton truck to replace truck #12 (a 1979 GMC tanker) that is “ past its useful life” was approved by council. The new truck, which will have to be outfitted with lights and sirens, comes in well below the estimated $75,000 cost.

Smiths Falls to deliver fire dispatch communications services in CF

Council approved Bill Young's recommendations that council enter into an agreement with the Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls to provide fire dispatch communications services at a cost of approximately &13,500 per year. The service has been provided by Kingston Dispatch, who will be increasing their current costs of just under $10,000 per year to over $24,000. In his report Young stated that “fire services have suffered over the years with issues such as poor communication due to dead areas” and incorrect information coming through to township personnel. Young said he anticipates that the new service will rectify those issues and at a cheaper cost.

Council updates by-law allowing greater on road access for ATVs, ORVs and UTVs

Council approved a motion updating their current by-law in accordance with new changes by the province which increases road access for off road vehicles (ORVs), all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs). The new bylaw allows two seat ATVs and side by side ORVs on the shoulders of public roads. The law includes requirements that all drivers and passengers wear approved helmets and use seatbelts and foot rests where applicable; that children under the age of 8 not be permitted as passengers on ATVs and ORVs operating on the roads; and that the number of passengers be limited to available seating.

Fate of Parham library remains in limbo

In a letter and report sent by Patrica Enright, chief librarian and CEO of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library to Mayor Frances Smith, a number of issues were raised regarding the proposed options for a future library facility in Parham. The report outlines a number of guidelines designed to “provide an appropriate level of service” for Parham. Due to limited hours of operation and limited circulation at the former Parham branch, and due to the fact that the existing furniture and fixtures at the former branch do not meet current requirements and regulations, the report cited other self-serve options that might better serve the Parham community. These could include lockers or vending machines that would provide 24/7 service to customers, at a cost of $35,000-$40,000. Mayor Frances Smith pointed out that if the community wanted this sort of service, it could be located in the proposed community library space in the new fire hall.

When the matter was discussed by members of council, Councilor Brent Cameron said he was disappointed by the stance that the library board has taken. “I still maintain that one of the reasons that the board is not willing to service this area is because they are putting all of their resources into the larger Kingston area branches”.

Councilor Bill MacDonald, who has sat on the library board for 15 years said that the decisions the board makes, “rely heavily on circulation numbers and that when circulation is low, the board cannot justify certain services”.

Council decided to hold a public meeting regrading the future of the Parham library in the early fall.

Other items

Mayor Frances Smith announced a successful $247,000 grant received by the County of Frontenac Trails Committee as part of the Canada 150 grants to expand the K&P trail from Tichborne to Sharbot Lake.

OPP costs

At a meeting that Mayor Frances Smith attended with staff at the OPP to get clarification regarding the 40% higher costs per household to Central Frontenac residents compared to those in North Frontenac, Mayor Smith reported that part of the costs are a result of higher OPP occurrences in Central Frontenac. She was also advised by OPP staff that residents who have made “mistake or pocket dial 911 calls” need to report them and meet with OPP staff immediately. The mayor also recommended that council set up a police service committee to meet with OPP staff periodically to discuss any issues of concern.