Tax deferral program not likely to see the light of day in North Frontenac

Craig Bakay | Mar 30, 2022

Coun. John Inglis’ desire to see some sort of tax deferral program for small businesses and private residences has waned somewhat since he gave notice of motion to have it reach a North Frontenac Council meeting agenda a month ago.

“I got the idea (of deferred taxes) from a business in the area hard hit by covid,” Inglis said. “The proposal is to offer a loan service for temporary non-payment of taxes, where the property owner already has the intention to sell in the near future.

“Such an offer might be especially applicable in North Frontenac, where land values have become very high.

“It might also be a benefit to seniors on low fixed incomes who are living at home on properties which have become valuable and who plan to sell the property in a few years.”

He said this would probably be the case with many lodges in the area.

“(But) I’ve been having second thoughts,” he said. “I’d vote for it but I don’t see a huge demand.”

Treasurer Kelly Watkins said that most of the lodges in the area are residential assessments, so any such program would have to apply to anyone in that class.

“But we can only do that for low income seniors or low income disability so it would need County involvement.”

“I don’t see any need for it,” said Coun. Wayne Good.

Council deferred making any decision.

Remuneration

Mayor Ron Higgins cost North Frontenac ratepayers $29,344 in renumeration in 2021 including $1200 in office expenses

Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin received $24,863.16 plus $1,200 plus 289.03 in mileage.

Coun. Fred Fowler received $19,895 plus $1,200 and $183 in mileage.

Coun. Vernon Hermer received $19,895 plus $267.78 in mileage.

Coun. John Inglis received $19,895 plus $305 in training and $950 in meetings.

Coun. Wayne Good received $19,895.

Coun. Fred Perry received $19,8695

Also, Planning Advisory Committee members received for meetings, training, conferences, mileage and expenses: Janice Arthur- $1,580; Gerald Lichty - $3,007; Barbara Sproule - $2543 and Carl Tooley- $3697.

Expropriation

“Expropriation is in the near future,” Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin said during his portfolio report on County Council and the K & P Trail project through North Frontenac.

“Some have agreed to sell but some haven’t.”

“I think there is always another recourse,” said Coun. John Inglis. “They could go on roads like they did south of Sharbot Lake.

“I don’t agree with expropriation.”

Don’t believe what you read

Coun. John Inglis commenting on an email that suggested the reason part of the area was without power so long after the December, 2021 wind storm was because Bon Echo Park made restrictions governing how Hydro One could trim for power lines.

“Hydro One has replied that the email was untrue and the Park never placed restrictions on them,” Inglis said. “Don’t believe everything you read.”

Internet at Snow Road Hall

Council agreed to new monthly charges of $145 plus HST for internet at Snow Road Hall.

“Even when the Hall was closed, people would pull up and use that hot spot,” said Coun. Fred Fowler.

Fowler also said that a new cell tower is up at Snow Road but it still needs equipment and power to become operational.

“I have my fingers crossed we’ll have cell service by summer,” he said.

E-voting again

Council passed a motion to join with the other municipalities in Frontenac County to contract for the provisions of electronic voting services (both internet and telephone).

“People now need to check that they’re on the voting list,” said Clerk/Planning Manager Tara Mieske.

To check that you’re on the voters list, go to voterlookup.ca, a website owned and operated by MPAC.