North Frontenac Council – September 2

Jeff Green | Sep 03, 2014

Dark Skies and Helipad in conflict -

The Dark Skies initiative, a cornerstone of the economic development plans of North Frontenac Township, is facing a new hurdle. At the most recent Dark Skies event in early August, participants arriving at the North Frontenac Star Gazing Pad on Road 506 saw lights that they were not expecting. A series of green lights were beaming up into the night sky, laid out around the rim of the air ambulance helipad that is located next to the viewing site.

ORNG, the embattled Ontario air ambulance corporation, has decided that all the helipads it uses across Ontario must be lit up at night.

On that August night, volunteers covered the lights with bags, but it was not a long term solution to the issue of light at the dark skies site.

The site is used for star parties put on by the township every few months, and also by star gazers from around the region on any given night.

“I have been contacted by a number of people, from Ottawa and beyond, who say they have heard about the site and have visited it. I have been surprised by how much use it is getting, since it is only its first year,” said Cory Klatt, Manager of Economic Development for the township.

Klatt also said that when the site was being contemplated for the Star Gazing pad, ORNG was approached about whether they had an issue with it being located near the helipad.

“At the time they said they did not intend to put the lights on,” Klatt said. “They had an accident and changed their mind, but there was no problem before that. It is the best site the township has for the Dark Skies initiative.”

A motion, proposed by Councilor Betty Hunter, asked Council to approach ORNG about considering whether night landings could be eliminated at the site on a temporary basis while the possibility of radio controlled lights at the site is explored. The motion also said that keeping the lights on might threaten the township's hard-earned dark skies designation from the Royal Astronomical Society.

Hunter pointed out that the Ompah helipad is not that far away and the 506 pad was only used once in the past year, and that was during the daytime.

“Most of the time the air ambulance goes directly to the location where the call comes from anyway, instead of to the Helipad,” she said.

Others on Council were not convinced.

“Ompah is only a few minutes but a few minutes is a long time in an emergency” said Councilor Gerry Martin.

“The whole thing comes back to not doing enough research in the first place. We run into things without doing research and it ends up costing us money. Nobody should turn off some lights just because someone wants to look at some stars, in my opinion,” said Councilor Wayne Good.

In a 3-2 vote, Hunter's motion was defeated. Lonnie Watkins was the only councilor to support her motion. Councilor John Inglis was not at the meeting.

Township to promote Hydro One program

On the urging of its Energy Task Force, North Frontenac will be publicizing a Hydro One program for low-income homeowners. The Home Energy Program provides a free energy audit as well as new insulation, window caulking and other measures, even providing energy efficient appliances to replace older models.

According to John Kittle, of the task force, the means test that Hydro applies is an annual family income of $39,000 or less for a family of 2, and more for larger households. Information will be posted on the township's website, or go to Hydroone.com and search Home Assistance for details.

Invasive Species – Zebra Mussels don't like NF lakes

Councilor Gerry Martin, the township representative to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA), has been looking into invasive species in North Frontenac lakes. He reported back that the spiny flea is a problem, but one species that is less of a concern is the zebra mussel.

“They don't make it to maturity in the Canadian Shield lakes apparently,” said Martin.

The MVCA has put up invasive species signs and information about how to clean boats at township boat launches.