When Council reconvened from a closed session for their regular meeting, CAO Orr announced that they had just accepted Fire Chief Rick Chesebrough’s resignation; after more than 14 years of service for the township, Chesebrough will be leaving at the end of this week.

Later, Orr said this did not come as a surprise; “It’s been in the works for some time now: he did the math, and realized he was eligible.”

On behalf of Council, Mayor Vandewal congratulated Chesebrough, wishing him “many years of health and happiness.”

Council then passed a motion to appoint Terry Gervais as acting fire chief.

Support for Seniors Active Living Centre
Following last week’s presentation by David Townsend of SFCSC, Council moved to allocate 20% of the net annual operating costs to support SFCSC’s proposed Seniors Active Living Centre funding application, to a maximum of $12,000 annually over the next three years in a combination of cash and in-kind services to be negotiated annually with the Township.”

It has been suggested that with the ongoing support of the township, the SFCSC Board may wish to consider inviting a member of Council to sit on their Board.

Tax Sale Policy
Council approved a revised tax sale policy which incorporates the legislative changes from Bill 68. Two related by-laws authorized the treasurer to enter into extension agreements and provided for an administration fee to be charged once the tax sale process is undertaken.

Details about the sale of properties in tax arrears and a flow chart describing the process are available on the Township website, or at the Township office.

Township Granted $80,882 for Commuter Cycling Program
The township’s application through the Public Works department for funding from the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program has been successful: it will be applied to one of two projects planned for this coming year: fully paved bike lanes between Harrowsmith and Sydenham, or a bike lane adjoining a pedestrian sidewalk along the south side Bedford Road between the end of George Street and Alton Road in Sydenham. Public Works Manager Segsworth also plans to fit in a bike lane on the north side of Bedford; Mayor Vandewal questioned whether this might narrow a busy stretch of road too much. Segsworth replied that because of the busyness of the road, it was also a very dangerous stretch for bicycles.

Storrington Centre Upgrades
Council directed staff to issue an RFP for improvements to the Storrington Centre, to include a new optic system, accessible washrooms and entrances, kitchen upgrades and a new folding wall. $333,000 has been approved in the 2018 capital budget, for this. Councillor Sleeth thanked the Township’s Public Works staff and the Storrington Recreation Committee for all their help in planning the project.

Back-up Generator for OPP Station
Council has approved purchase of a backup generator to provide overall backup power for the OPP building at Hartington. This had been held up when Councillor Revill questioned whether a second generator was needed. Further investigation showed that the existing generator on site at the OPP station only provides fire pump back-up power for the sprinkler system.

Briefly
On the recommendation of Corporate Services Committee, Council agreed to extend the contract with Frontenac Municipal Law Enforcement Inc. for a further two years from March 1, 2018 to Feb 28, 2020.

The 2018 members to serve on the Committee of Adjustment will be: Al Revill, Ross Sutherland, Brad Barbeau and Ron Sleeth.

There being no further questions for the planner, Council approved the zoning of a new waterfront lot on South Basin of Buck Lake, Loughborough district.

Council adopted the Corporate Services Committee’s recommendation to maintain the Township’s current investment strategy and to issue an RFP for investment advisory services.

A proposed by-law to amend speed limits on Rutledge Road was, on Councillor Revill’s recommendation, referred to the Public Works Committee for discussion.

District 2 (Olden) will be without its compliment of two councilors for the near future as Coun. Jamie Riddell resigned his seat at Tuesday evening’s regular Central Frontenac Council meeting in Sharbot Lake.

Riddell told Council he was resigning to become deputy fire chief of the Central Frontenac Fire Department.

He expressed some regrets on leaving Council.

“It’s been a great three years but fire is very near and dear to my heart,” he said, “and, I’m looking forward to replacing (Fire Chief) Greg (Robinson) when he retires.

Former fire chief Bill Young had been deputy chief after Robinson was hired as full-time chief but Young’s contract was up at the end of December and with the job description, hours and remuneration (reduced by an estimated $12,000) changing, Young opted not to apply for the reorganized position.

“Jamie was the preferred candidate,” Robinson said.

With Riddell stepping down, Council now has 60 days to find a replacement, said CAO Cathy MacMunn.

“If it had happened within 90 days of the election, we could have gone without a replacement,” she said.

Council has several options including a by-election but seemed to rule that out because the expense wouldn’t be justified, said Mayor Frances Smith.

“I think Council should think about candidates to be named to replace Jamie and we’ll discuss it at our next meeting,” she said.

There is some precedent however.

When Coun. Bill Snyder died in office four years ago (also an election year) Council turned to Phillip Smith who had come third in the previous election after Snyder and Heather Fox.

In the last election, Cory Thompson was third after Riddell and Heese (John Purdon and Justin Gray were fourth and fifth respectively).

However, Council isn’t tied to that option, but the Mayor expressed a desire to appoint someone from District 2.

Elm Tree road work underway

Public Works Manager Brad Thake told Council that the oft-postponed work on Elm Tree Road began Monday.

“We’re actually a bit ahead of schedule,” he said.

Interim Tax levy approved, paving the way for tax bills

Council passed bylaws for an interim tax levy (one-half of last year’s levy), borrowing to finance 2018 expenditures and to make Committee of Adjustment appointments

Budget deliberations for Central Frontenac Township began in earnest Monday night at the Oso Fire Hall and although it was only the capital budget discussed (the operating budget, which tends to affect the tax levy more than the capital, is still to come), it could be an expensive year.

Granted, the pencils haven’t been sharpened yet to make cuts but out of the gate, capital budget is at $2,779,000 as opposed to last year’s $2,491,111, an increase of $287,889.

“You need to increase capital to provide services or change your service delivery level,” said Clerk Administrator Cathy MacMunn.

Some items aren’t likely to fly such as a $20,000 ask for a wireless microphone system for Council meetings.

Dep. Mayor Tom Dewey argued for the system citing it being easier to set up and take down as well as no cables to trip over or get in the way.

But Coun. Brent Cameron responded “is there $20,000 worth of frustration there?”

There was also a $20,000 request for a new hard-wired generator for the emergency operations centre (aka the Oso firehall).

But Mayor Frances Smith had to ask three times how many generators they already have and it turns out that each firehall already has a large generator and the Arden hall has a smaller one. They just don’t turn on automatically when the lights go out. There’s also a large portable generator which was used when power went out at a Council meeting not too long ago.

Fire and emergency services also has put in for $216,680 for more bunker gear. That spending has already been approved but the reserve fund has to be replenished.

Speaking of reserves, replenishing them is also a priority.

“Does $884,000 sound like a lot?” said Smith.

“It is but it is within ministry guidelines and it eventually gets us to a point where we can loan to ourselves and thus save interest fees,” said Treasurer Michael McGovern. “I’m not in favour of capital loans because of the interest factor.”

And then there was Fire Chief Greg Robinson’s plan to use the former Parham firehall for a storage facility.

But Smith wasn’t on board with that.

“There’s places in that building where you can look through the cracks and see outside,” she said. “I think we have to make a decision that when we shut down a building, we don’t heat it.”

It looked like Public Works Manager Brad Thake’s plan to buy a new grader for about $300,000 might have wings and he made a case for three new ½ ton pickups.

“Right now we’re using big trucks to do jobs ½ tons could do and this would save wear and tear on our larger, more expensive equipment,” he said.

He also said he’s looked at equipment for sidewalks in Sharbot Lake but because they tend to be narrower, it will take specialized snow removal equipment.

“I’d like to address the sidewalks next winter,” he said.

Coun. Jamie Riddell made a plea to finish up the Mountain Grove ballfield.

Smith responded: “That should be your job and Victor’s (Coun. Heese).”

“I’m just here to ask questions and point fingers,” said Riddell.

McGovern wound up the meeting by saying there is a 2.7 per cent increase in assessment this year, which will have a $220,000 impact and that a spending increase of $72,500 would increase taxes by 1 per cent. He also said he’s looking at the end of January to bring in an operating budget.

With tender prices of $74,427, $103,320 and $122,940, South Frontenac Council said no thanks to the contractors bidding on repairs to the steps into Glendower Hall at its regular meeting Tuesday night in Sydenham.

The rejection came on the advice of Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth, who said he believed they could get a much better price if the job were re-tendered in February.

“Our budget for this was $40,000 (in the 2016 Capital budget) and we’re of the opinion that the much higher price reflects the fact that the concrete would most likely have to be heated if the repairs were done in the winter,” Segsworth said. “Prices should be lower in the spring.”

“I had that dream with a fire hall,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal.

However, Segsworth said he didn’t see them getting away with the original price.

“Engineering costs of $1,882.56 have since been spent, leaving a remaining budget of $38,117.44,” he said. “An estimated $20,000 extra will be required to complete this project in the spring of 2018.

“After consulting with the Treasurer, the Parkland Reserve Fund holds sufficient funds to complete this project.”

The project includes a new accessible entrance and upgrades to the steps at the hall.

Segsworth said he didn’t see the steps as a safety issue.

“It’s not much of a safety issue,” he said. “It’s more frustration from the users.

“But they definitely need some work.”

“I’d like to see it in writing that it will be re-tendered in February,” said Coun. Pat Barr. “Because we’ve been waiting for two years now. It could have been done earlier for cheaper.”

“Yes it could have,” said Segsworth. “And I apologize.”

60 km/hr zones in Harrowsmith, Sydenham.
Council voted to reduce speed limits to 60 kph on Township Road 5 (Peter Street) in Harrowsmith between 400 and 700 metre east of the limits of Road 38. A 60 km/hr zone will also be set up from 150 metres east of the Sydenham High School Property in Sydenham (Rutledge Road) to 300 metres east of Township road 9.

During discussion of the bylaw Coun. Mark Schjerning moved the bylaw for the Sydenham section be amended to go from Wheatley Street west to Boundary Road, arguing that the entrance to the medical centre should be included. The amendment was defeated on a tie (4-4) vote.

“It seems to me there was a councilor who didn’t want to see things come to Council until they’d gone through the Public Works Committee and Committee of the Whole,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal. “I think it’s a pretty ‘easy’ way to get things to Council by creating a Facebook page. Although it seemed there were just as many against extending the speed zone as for it.”

MNRF invited to Council
Council passed a motion to invite a representative from the MNRF to Council in order to explain the benefit permit process as it relates to the Johnston Point development.

Year in review
Once again CAO Wayne Orr presented his Year in Review to Council that recognizes the volume of issues that have come before Council in the year as well as celebrating the successes and looking forward to the upcoming year.

In 2017, there were 23 Council meetings, 17 Committee of the Whole meetings, totaling 67 hours.

There were 23 Notices of Motion, 38 public delegations, 23 public meetings, 82 planning reports, 30 procurement reports and Coun. Brad Barbeau was sworn in to replace the late Bill Robinson (for whom a road was named in Harrowsmith).

This was also the first year the Township experienced no property sales for back taxes.

Reconstruction of Elm Tree Road has been delayed until Jan. 8-12, Public Works Manager Brad Thake told Central Frontenac Council at its regular meeting Tuesday in Sharbot Lake.

The job was to have begun Monday, Dec. 11.

“It’s very disappointing,” Thake said. “The delay was due to a contractor not getting a permit.

“And a little bit of high water.”

Thake said he’s confident the work (along with the temporary road closure) will continue in January but cautioned that it is winter and if delayed again, it will likely have to wait until spring.

The funds slated for the project will be moved into next year’s budget.

Still with roads, Thake said with “the little burst of winter,” they had a couple of breakdowns and have some maintenance to do but road crews are “pretty much back on schedule.”

Council agreed to make up the $403 difference or at least put it into next Monday’s budget discussion meeting for a business plan for the former Hinchinbrooke Public School to be turned into a recreation/community centre.

Janet Anderson, representing the committee looking into the project told Council that they had been the recipients of a $2,597 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Kingston and Area.

Along with the $2,000 Council had already earmarked for the project, that still left a $403 shortfall from the winning bid to create the business plan of $5,000 from Social Focus Consulting.

Anderson said they’re hoping to have the business plan done in time to apply for a Trillium Foundation grant to begin renovations. The Trillium deadline is in February.

Starting in February, building materials and shingles will no longer be accepted at the Oso Landfill Site, rather they will be directed to the Olden site. This is in order to maximize the life of the Oso site and the fact that grinding/shredding will take place at the Olden site.

Originally, the change was to have taken place January 1 but at the request of Mayor Frances Smith, that was changed to Feb. 1 to allow for advertising the change.

In a separate report, Public Works Manager Brad Thake reported that the capacity of the the Oso site is somewhere around 4-6 years while the Olden site should be good for 30-35 years, factoring in the closure of Oso.

Council appointed Kennebec Coun. Tom Dewey as Deputy Mayor for the final year of this Council’s mandate.

Mayor Frances Smith reported that the Land O’Lakes Tourist Council has ceased operations. The kiosk on Hwy. 7 at Road 38 belongs to the Township and Smith suggested the Township might have to consider printing up a tourist brochure on its own.

Central Frontenac may have to go it alone with planning, following a suggestion that it move its committee of adjustment meetings to 4 p.m. from 6 p.m. because County planners were putting in too much overtime.

As it is, said CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn, the County is looking at hiring another planner and revising its billing to Central and North Frontenac with a model based on what it charges for IT services.

She said that Central’s cost of a shared planner with North Frontenac could be in the region of $60,000 per year.

“If we’re going to be paying the County $60,000 should we be looking at hiring a consultant to look after just us?” said Mayor Frances Smith.

Don’t everybody volunteer at once.
When Mayor Frances Smith asked for Council volunteers to be on the new (and yet to be formally named) septic inspection committee, a lot of councilors suddenly became very interested in looking at the floor.

Eventually, Coun. Phillip Smith and Tom Dewey reluctantly ‘volunteered.’

Central Frontenac Council came out of a closed session at its regular meeting Tuesday in Sharbot Lake and immediately introduced a motion to spend $207,509 “to mitigate legislative health and safety risks.”

It was an unusual outcome given the stated reason for the in camera meeting discuss two instances of “personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.”

In an interview, Fire Chief Greg Robinson said the $207,509 was mostly for personal protective gear — bunker suits, helmets, gloves and some training for supervisors. He said none of the funding was for breathing apparatus.

The resolution allows for the $207,509 to be taken from reserves suggesting that the equipment is needed immediately.

Mayor Frances Smith said after the meeting that the Township doesn’t have enough gear for its firefighters.

“The legislation says we have to have so many of this and so many of that and we don’t have it,” she said. “In some cases, there’s gear that needs to be replaced.”

She said that they expect there to be some funds left over in this year’s budget but whatever shortfall there is will be made up from reserves and discussed in the 2018 budget deliberations which are scheduled to begin Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. in the District 3 (Oso) Fire Hall.

$200 boot allowance for PW staff

Council agreed to raise the boot allowance for full-time Public Works staff to $200 per employee per year from the current $120 (which was approved in 2015).

“I work in much the same environment they do and $200 doesn’t meet the need for work boots today,” said Coun. Bill MacDonald.

Thake said the anticipated cost of the measure will be $4,400 (an increase of $1,760) and will be included in the 2018 budget.

Elm Tree road construction to begin

Thake also said he expects work on Elm Tree Road culvert to begin shortly. The holdup came when the conservation authority required a larger culvert than what was planned because “Arden is in a low-lying area.” However the larger culvert isn’t a stock size and has to be manufactured individually.

Thake said the asphalt on Elm Tree will be held off until next year to give the gravel bed time to settle.

He said there will likely be traffic disruptions once the actual work begins but school boards (for busing) and emergency services will be notified of such closures, which might be able to be scheduled over the Christmas break.

Accessibility report

Frontenac County Clerk Jannette Amini, who coordinates the County Accessibility Committee, gave Council a progress report.

Specifically in Central Frontenac, in 2017 a seniors housing task force was set up with the direction for allowing seniors who cannot function in their homes to have a place to move that would allow them to stay in Central Frontenac and a fully accessible library was built in Mountain Grove to replace the old inaccessible one.

In 2018, the committee is looking at a crossing on Road 38 at Elizabeth Street, a ramp for the barn at the Parham Fair Grounds, signage for crosswalks, work on the Eagle Lake Dock, designated parking areas at the Parham, Mountain Grove, Piccadilly and Sharbot Lake libraries and community centres and LED stree lights with wifi capability.

Lovers of ferocious budget debates are likely to be disappointed by South Frontenac’s 2018 budget process.

Although MPAC numbers came in lower than expected — to the tune of needing to cut $44,500 in order to maintain the tax increase Council had mandated, CAO Wayne Orr and Treasurer

Louise Fragnito came into the Saturday morning meeting with a solution already in hand.

A proposed mechanic position for public works and shared with the fire department was budgeted at $41,995.

“I think if we have one full-time competent mechanic, we’re well served,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal. “Plus a lot of the work a second mechanic would do goes to our local garages.

“Why would we take that work away from them?”

Council seemed to agree and Orr suggested they could easily find the other $2,500 to cut.

“So, we’re done,” joked Vandewal.

Not really.

There was a suggestion that the cuts could come from roads projects until they get a roads master plan completed but that didn’t sit well with Coun. John McDougall.

“We should take the Public Works Department’s suggestions on roads,” McDougall said. “I really have problems with people who know nothing about roads sitting around discussing what we should do about roads.

“That really annoys me.”

“There was discussion about a proposal for a skateboard park/splash pad but the splash pad part was nixed outright.

“There are thousands of lakes in our area, what do we need with a splash pad?” said Vandewal.

In all, South Frontenac plans to spend about $550,000 more than it did last year. Overall, the Township expects to raise $19.17 million through taxation, an increase of 3.16% over last year when they raised $18.59 million.

The budget target that Treasurer Fragnito has established over the last few years, with council support, is not actually based on raw budgetary numbers. It takes into account other factors, such as growth (0.74%), which mitigate the impact of the budget on ratepayer.

Fragnito bases her calculations on the average residence in the township, which was valued at $252,000 in 2017, and whose value has risen to $256,000 in 2018. The owner of that home would see a 2% increase in South Frontenac taxes as the result of the 2018 budget, to about $1531.

It is in the context of the impact of the budget that the township sets a 2% target, even though the budget increase, in terms of real numbers, remains at 3.16% year over year.

Local taxation makes up the largest share of tax bills in Frontenac. Frontenac County taxes then added, as are Education taxes, to make the overall levy to ratepayers, which is then divided out to ratepayers on the basis of the assessed value of their property.

This is the final budget for the current South Frontenac Council. The municipal election next October will result in a delayed budget process for 2019.

Central Frontenac Council voted 8-1 to have staff prepare a plan for septic re-inspection at its regular meeting Tuesday.

A plan for septic re-inspection presented at the Oct. 24 Council meeting had been defeated.

This time, Councillor Tom Dewey presented a plan using a two-part, 10-year phase-in.

Under Dewey’s plan, all RW (waterfront) properties must be inspected by an approved inspector, authorized by the municipality, within five years of implementation. Phase 2 will include all other properties, which must be inspected within 10 years of the implementation date. All properties will require a 10-year cyclical inspection after that.

Furthermore, staff is directed to develop a list of referred agencies that are available to help with funding for failed systems, which is to be regularly maintained and updated. There will also be a municipal funding program. Staff have been directed to investigate and bring forward rules and procedures for municipal funding assistance for lower income residents.

Councillor Victor Heese, who chaired the committee that brought forth the previous plan, said: “With all due respect, I cannot support this program.

“If I were a cynic, I would say it’s designed to fail because there’s really not enough detail in it.”

Heese said it will cost homeowners $130 for an inspection.

“I can’t say citizens are well served nor will they like this.”

Councillor Bill MacDonald, who also supported the Oct. 24 proposal, said he didn’t agree with waterfront being the biggest issue, citing the hamlets instead and he didn’t like waiting 10 years for every system to be inspected. But he was prepared to support this proposal in order to get a process started.

“Whether or not a person can afford it (a new septic system), we cannot afford to close our eyes to failed systems,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Brent Cameron and Councilor Jamie Riddell, who were the staunchest critics of the previous proposal, both said they supported this one because it had some proposal to assist low-income homeowners.

Oso Hall insulation
The installation of spray-foam insulation at Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake is going well, said Developmental Services Manager Shawn Merriman.

He said when they removed the inside walls, there was very little damage evident.

“There were a couple of little stains from leaks that were quickly repaired,” he said. “I suspect the leaks were from 40 years ago.”

Merriman said he expects to see substantial savings on heating and cooling bills with the addition of the insulation, “due to the fact that there was no insulation before.

“When it’s all finished, the walls will be painted blue-gray and it should be all ready for your Christmas party (Nov. 25).

He said he expects the renovations should be within the budgeted amounts.

Playing well in the sand box

After considerable discussion, Council decided to put boxes of sand outside the gates its two public works yards for residents’ use.

“I haven’t spent this much time on sand since golf season,” said Dep. Mayor Brent Cameron.

Public Works Manager Brad Thake said not only would it be more accessible (“user-friendly”) for residents but would also be safer not having residents go into sand domes to get sand for their roads due to the proximity of heavy equipment, which could also potentially create a liability for the township.

RFCS youth funding approved
Following a presentation from Rural Frontenac Community Services Executive Director Louise Moody, Council approved $15,500 to be included in the 2018 budget for programs for rural youth (the same as last year) to be provided by RFCS.

“It’s good to see we’re doing things for our kids,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “We here around this table tend to think more about roads and waste so it’s good to see we’re looking after our politicians-to-be.”

Moody said her next stop was Plevna for a similar report. North Frontenac usually gives $5,400 to the program, she said.

Caution - trail crossing on Road 38
Some Central Frontenac Council members expressed concern at their meeting this week about the number of crossings over Road 38 for the completion of the K & P Trail.

“It started out with a couple of crossing and now it seems there are more,” said Coun. Phillip Smith. “I’m a little concerned about our liability.”

“They (the County) told us we shouldn’t have any liability and that their insurance would cover us,” said Public Works Manager Brad Thake. “I was quite happy to hear that.

“I’ll be a lot happier when I see it in writing.”

“It would have cost at least $200,000 to go across the swamp in the Eagle Lake area,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “We’ll have to look at reduced speed signs on Road 38.”

Grader Troubles
Public Works Manager Brad Thake brought some “bad news” to Council in that one of the Township’s four graders needs expensive repairs and recommended it be replaced to the tune of about $250,000 plus taxes.

The model in question is a 1998 and Thake said there is enough in reserves to pay for it while reserves are replaced over this year and next.

Currently, the five-year capital budget has $180,000 slated to replace the 1991 model grader in 2018.

Elm tree Culvert
Public Works Manager Brad Thake said that the cost of the Elm Tree Road box culvert replacement came in under budget and work will likely start the second week in August. He said there will likely be a one- to two-week shutdown of the road but an alternate route for area residents is part of the contract. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of September or early October.

With 25 years experience working on roads crews, new Central Frontenac Public Works Manager Brad Thake hopes to be a “voice of reason” and provide the same sort of stability in the position that his predecessor, Mike Richardson brought.

“Mike was a heavy roads guy and a big bridge guy,” Thake said after his first solo Council meeting and a couple of weeks on the job. “He left the Township in good shape infrastructure-wise.”

Thake is originally from Brockville but he’s no stranger to area as much of his family is from Westport. That village’s legendary Reeve Bill Thake was his great uncle.

“I’m glad I’m here,” he said. “It’s close to friends and family and there are real people here.”

Thake started his career with a private firm contracted to MTO that covered roads in the 401 corridor from Kingston to Brockville. From there he moved on to Port Dover and started to move into management as an area supervisor before settling into Chatsworth Township (south of Owen Sound) where he was roads supervisor.

“I was even part of a declared state of emergency when Williamsford flooded,” he said. “I’ve done lots of things regarding roads from accident investigation to rebuilding and contracts.

“This is a great opportunity to make an impact on taxpayers’ lives.”

By that, he means keeping a tight lid on budgets.

“My focus is certainly going to be on roads,” he said. “(But) people can’t afford tax increases.

“Luckily, we have a fantastic staff, a great mayor with a lot of integrity and I think (Clerk) Cathy MacMunn and I have the same vision moving forward.”

He said he’s looking at a new grading program and is on board with his counterparts in the other Frontenac County Townships on landfill and waste diversion programs aiming at zero waste one day.

Thake and his wife Dana (“I wouldn’t be where I am without her”) live in Salem with a great dane, a bull mastiff and a bulldog. He has two sons from a previous marriage.

He hasn’t decided how he’ll spend his free time in the north country but after seeing all the lakes around here he said: “I may have to take up fishing.”