North Frontenac Council - Oct 14/14

Jeff Green | Oct 15, 2014

NF coming to terms with OPP costs

North Frontenac Township formally received notification from Derek Needham, the detachment commander of the Lanark County OPP, that the cost of policing for the township in 2015 will be just under $365,000, an increase of $137,000 dollars over the cost in 2014.

Further, Needham projects that costs will increase by $137,000 per year through 2018, and will go up $63,000 in 2019. By that time the costs are projected to be almost $846,000, an increase of $619,000 in annual costs after the five-year rollout of the new costs.

That represents an increase of over 12% in the tax rate if all other spending in the township remains frozen at 2014 levels.

In the short term, when the 2015 budget is being contemplated the township will be facing an increase of almost 3% before they begin to look at any other spending priorities.

Derek Needham will be appearing before Council on November 24 to explain the funding model.

As Council was preparing to accept the administrative report on the OPP billing, Councilor John Inglis said, “Are we not going to discuss this today? This bill is very real. I guess we are giving up protesting this at this point.”

Councilor Gerry Martin said, “It is very unfair to bill us on a per dwelling basis when 80% of our dwellings are empty for at least six months a year."

“The government pays us gas tax on the basis of permanent population only, and we are billed by the OPP on the basis of permanent and seasonal residents. There should at least be some consistency,” said acting Mayor Fred Perry.

Treasurer Angela Miller said, “We got together with Tay Valley, Madawaska Highlands, and three other townships and hired Howard Allen to analyse the data and make a presentation for us to the ministry at the AMO meeting in August. The seasonal versus permanent issue was raised in that presentation. There was no response. We could submit that information again.”

Council received the administrative report for information.

Trillium application for Snow Road hall

John Kittle of the South Palmerston Community Centre Association (SPCCA), which runs the Snow Road Hall, came to council seeking endorsement for an application to the Trillium Foundation to fund the installation of a new air conditioning unit (including a heat pump), a new kitchen and an exercise-friendly red oak floor.

If successful, the $35,000 project will include a contribution of $3,500 from the township, $500 from the SPCCA and $31,000 from Trillium. The project represents phase 2 of a refurbishment project for the hall.

Kittle pointed out that ever since the township told the local community two years ago that unless the hall started being used they were going to consider closing it, there has been a massive community effort to make use of the hall.

“Last month there were 22 bookings,” said Kittle. “It is amazing what has happened. It has rejuvenated not only

the hall but the community as well.”

Council endorsed the grant application.

Rogers cell tower

Graham Lewis appeared before Council on behalf of the Status Group who are working with Rogers Communications. He provided information about an application to the federal government for permission to install a tower that will provide cell service in the far eastern end of the township, an under-served area for cell coverage. Council endorsed the proposal.