North Frontenac says no to gypsy moth spraying proposal.

Craig Bakay | May 13, 2020

North Frontenac Township Council held its regular meeting Friday morning “electronically” on the Webex platform whereby residents and media were invited to listen in via telephone.

The result was rather confusing at times, both in terms of identifying speakers (although speakers did say their names before speaking for the most part) and actually hearing what they had to say.

A combination of dropped connections, background noise, breaking up, echoes and repeats made for an often frustrating experience for those tuning in.

“We’re having internet issues throughout the Township today,” said Mayor Ron Higgins, who muted his own connection several times to ask technical questions or to confer with the Clerk.

Coun. John Inglis was briefly connected near the beginning of the meeting but apparently lost his connection at some point. Coun. Wayne Good had a doctor’s appointment and did not participate.

All that said, there was business done.

First up on the agenda was a delegation from resident Rick Proctor, who would like to see some sort of spraying program instituted to deal with what he called an infestation of gypsy moths.

In his written submission to Council, Proctor said: “Late last fall, I was worried by the increasing number of gypsy moths seen laying eggs. The issue was reinforced this winter as I walked the bush, I was astonished by the actual number of eggs masses I found.”

Coun. Fred Perry, while acknowledging that there could be a problem (“the east end of Lake Kashwakamak could be hit pretty hard”), said there were just too many unknowns at this point for him to support a program of spraying.

“I’ve looked at the safety data sheet and it said ‘do not allow near waterways’ because of possible effects on trout species and quail, which presumably could include partridge and bobwhites,” he said. “Also, if I spray my property and one of my neighbours gets sick, can they sue me?”

Higgins wondered aloud about the Township’s liabilities if it supported spraying, even if organized and paid for by residents.

“From a liability standpoint, we need certificates of permission (from Provincial Ministries) in place,” Higgins said.

“I don’t agree with the Township being involved in spraying — it’s an MNR problem,” said Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin.

“It’s an MNR responsibility,” said Coun. Vernon Hermer.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure I’d like to see this in the Township,” said Coun. Fred Fowler.

Proctor said he wasn’t looking for the Township’s permission per se, just that they wouldn’t object.

But Council wouldn’t even go that far, suggesting that Proctor take his concerns to the lake associations urging them to connect the Ministry.

The passed resolution also included a provision that Council does not approve of a helicopter service using Township property for this purpose.

“I guess the best we can hope for is maybe next year,” said Proctor. “I guess I shouldn’t have raised the question.

Stumpage fees on Crown Land

Coun. John Inglis responded via email to a Council request that he follow up on the Township’s request for stumpage fees that it was his understanding that the matter was a long-standing MNRF policy and “I wasn’t going to change anything by asking about it.”

Inglis suggested Mayor Ron Higgins contact the Minister directly.

“I think that’d be a waste of your time, Ron,” said Coun. Fred Perry.

“I will approach the Ministry,” Higgins said. “I know that Renfrew County gets stumpage fees and I can’t understand why we can’t.”

Lifetime Dog tag ‘transferable?’

While completely in favour of the Township’s new lifetime dog tag (for $100), Coun. Vernon Hermer proposed that it should be “transferable.”

“If I can’t care for my dog and give it to a family member, shouldn’t the tag still be valid,” he said.

“There is a cost involved,” said Coun. Fred Perry. “For change of address and such.”

“I don’t think it should be transferable,” said Coun. Fred Fowler.

“We would be losing out on user fees (and) it sounds like your suggestion has been defeated,” said Mayor Ron Higgins.

ANSI changes

Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin was optimistic that restrictions on some Areas of Scientific or Natural Interest could be changed when Frontenac County revisits its Official Plan.

“I met with (Manager of Planning and Economic Development) and he seems to have backed off on the need for a $50,000 Heritage study to do this,” Martin said. “He showed me that he’s not just a bureaucrat but that he is willing to help up with our planning problems.

“(But) with covid-19, everything is in Limbo.”

Adopt a Road

North Frontenac does have a rather lengthy Adopt-A-Road policy that specifies rules and procedures for picking up garbage on the side of the road. Part of that is insurance for volunteers should they be injured during this practice.

But what about smaller groups, families and such, that just want to pick up whatever garbage is in the ditches near their homes?

“We have no shortage of volunteers,” said Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin. “Our problem is a 15-page bylaw that is outdated and archaic.”

CAO Cheryl Robson said that she’d gotten reports of small groups picking up garbage on Earth Day.

“Some groups included school aged children who told us ‘we were told by residents that Council wouldn’t allow us to,’” she said

“Does this (bylaw) prevent people from picking up garbage in front of their property?” asked Coun. Fred Fowler.

“There is nothing in (the bylaw) to address small groups,” said Clerk Tara Mieske. “The Adopt-A-Road program still applies.”

“I just want to be sure I won’t be contravening a bylaw if I go out and pick up a piece of garbage,” said Fowler.