Club members and dignitaries gathered at the Social and Athletic Club in Harrowsmith Saturday to acknowledge a $19,500 grant the club received to renovate its building o Colbrooke Road.

The grant was presented by Ontario Trillium Foundation Bob Burge, who began his remarks by acknowledging the Anishinabe and other First Nations history of the area.

“This year, OTF was asked to administer the Ontario 150 Community Capital Grant Program,” Burge said. “And the Harrowsmith District S & A Club was one of just over 200 Ontario150 grantees to get the good news that you’d received funding.

“And the Club’s done all this work to make sure that this community space continues to be a great meeting place for years to come. Thank you for bringing your request to our attention and we’re so pleased that we could help you continue to make your community a healthier and more vibrant place.”

S & A Club treasurer Penny Lloyd said the grant was used to do new electrical wiring, new insulation, drywall and painting and perhaps most importantly, a new steel roof.

“We won’t have to do the roof again,” she said.

The S & A Club, a registered charitable non-profit corporation began in the mid-’60s. Since its beginning, it’s offered a wide variety of community and family events such as Canada Day in the Park, the Santa Claus Parade, family movie nights, dances, softball and various other activities. They encourage new families to join the association

No pressure is placed on members to volunteer, making it the members’ choice as to how much time they want to commit to volunteering and as to which events.

The hall itself is available to rent for meetings, birthdays, anniversaries, family dinners and reunions.

“We are at a critical juncture in Ontario — the proverbial fork in the road,” reads the sign-up sheet for Power in the Climate Era, part of Wintergreen Studios’ summer series Healing Earth. “Our hydro prices are amongst the highest in Canada (and we’re feeling it).
“Furthermore, we’re sourcing more than 60 per cent of our electricity from aging nuclear reactors (and) our three nuclear stations are all coming to the end of their lives in the next decade.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to Ontario onto a 100 per cent renewable grid. But is this even possible?”

That’s one of the questions they attempted to answer last Saturday along with the help of featured speakers Angela Bischoff, environmental writer Paul McKay and St. Lawrence College’s Energy Systems Engineering Technology professor Steve Lapp.
“Rena (Wintergreen founding president Upitis) invited me and I came to help generate discussion,” said Bischoff, who has a long history in the environmental movement, currently with the Ontario Clean Air Alliance.
“She almost single-handedly ended coal as a source of electricity generation,” said Upitis.

“It started with phasing out coal,” Bischoff said. “But the provincial energy policy should be about 100 per cent renewable energy rather than rebuilding eight of 10 aging nuclear reactors.”
Bischoff advocates all forms of renewable energy, including wind, water, solar, geothermal and biomass electricity generation.

“We have a 59 per cent surplus on the Ontario energy grid,” she said. “We don’t need aging nuclear facilities.”

In particular, she’d like to close the Pickering nuclear facility, the fifth largest station in North America with six working reactors.
“Pickering was designed to last 30 years,” she said. “It is now 46 and its licence ends in 2018.
“Better options are natural gas, conservation and water power from Quebec.”

For many summers now, Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS) has invited the community to a barbecue at Oso Beach. It’s generally been a low-key affair, designed to foster community spirit and spend an enjoyable afternoon featuring some local entertainment. It draws a crowd every year, and this year was no exception, as over 300 parents and senior’s lined up for a chicken and fresh corn dinner from Cota’s Mobile catering while kids played games and ate watermelon that was being offered up by NFCS staff.

This year’s affair had a little twist — NFCS is now RFCS, Rural Frontenac Community Services. And they chose the barbecue to unveil a banner and introduce the new name to the public.
“Northern Frontenac Community Services will continue to be our legal name but our new operating name will be Rural Frontenac Community Services,” said Louise Moody, executive director. “For the last 12 months, we have been considering how we could increase awareness of the range of services and programs we presently offer across Frontenac County.
“We also wanted to establish stronger connections with the families who use our children and youth programs in South Frontenac and residents throughout the County who volunteer or use our Frontenac Transportation Services.”
She said that during their consultation process about the name, three themes emerged.

“These are: we are community — unified, welcoming and friendly; we are connected — offering a wide range of services and understanding what services are available in our community; and we are collaborative — partnering with other agencies to broaden and strengthen services offered and networking to create a web of support for all individuals.”
She said consultations wrapped up in the spring and the new website, www.rfcs.ca and signage will be ready for September.

After a Public Meeting last Saturday (August 19), Frontenac County Planner Joe Gallivan said that a proposal to create 24 waterfront and 6 land-bound lots on a 45-acre parcel of land on Ardoch Lake will need even more work before it is brought forward for approval by Frontenac County Council.
The meeting, which was conducted by the Frontenac County Planning Advisory Committee, was held at the Clar-Mill Hall in Plevna in front of 34 people, including the applicant as well as Ardoch and Malcolm Lake residents and Lake Association activists from throughout the township.

A public meeting was held in 2014 on a 35 lot proposal and when the applicants first came to North Frontenac Council in 2012 the applicants were proposing to create almost 50 waterfront lots on the lake.
Among the issues that are still to be resolved before the planning committee can complete its evaluation of the proposal and make a recommendation to Frontenac County Council, are the locations of the wells on some of the proposed lots. Malroz Engineering, which provides peer review services to Frontenac County, expressed concerns recently over a change in placement of some wells in the newest version of the plan.
“In our peer reviews we identified that wells should be hydraulically upgradient from the septic systems. The lot servicing plan provided at the time (attached) appeared to address this. The revised plan you provided appears to contradict this. We continue to recommend that septic systems be upgradient of the water supply wells. No rationale to seek an alternative has been put forward at this time,” said Jonathan Pyke from Malroz.
This information was shared with the applicant for response.

Perhaps more serious issues at play are the status of a Heron Rookery on the property where the vacant land condominium is proposed, which will need to be protected. As well, the shoreline where the properties are located is very shallow, and includes some fish spawning beds that have been upgraded in recent years by members of the Maldcolm and Ardoch Lake Association (MALA).
After the meeting, Joe Gallivan said that he will be seeking further information from the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) on how to balance the proposed development with those environmental features.
Other issues that were brought up at the meeting by MALA was about how the potential impact on the lake from 30 new septic systems is calculated. They argue that each new property could be or become a permanent residence and the potential for year round use should be considered in all calculations, and not the “extended seasonal use” that is the basis for the evaluations that have been done thus far.
According to Brenda Martin, a member of the MALA executive who was at the meeting, the residents are not opposed to new lot development, but they envision “eight or nine lots” which is in keeping with the lot density on the rest of the lake, “not 30 lots”.

The Planning Advisory Committee of Frontenac County Council was only formed one year ago to conduct public meetings on all planning matters where the County has approval authority. These include Official Plans for the townships, and plans of subdivision and vacant land condominium – which can be extremely complicated when they are located on waterfront – which is common in Frontenac County.
The Committee is made up of the Mayors from the four Frontenac Townships as well as three public appointees. Among the committee’s roles is to make recommendations to Frontenac County Council concerning land use planning proposals that come to council for approval.

The committee will meet on September 12, and the Ardoch Plan will not be on the agenda although the applicant, Global Land Consortium, may be appearing as a delegation. The meeting after that is set for November. Gallivan said that the committee may hold another Public Meeting on the Ardoch Plan sometime in 2018.

Back a few years ago when the Ontario Government announced it was going to transfer approval authority for subdivisions, condominiums and Official Plans to upper tier municipalities from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, it was generally accepted as a good idea — keeping decisions about local development local as it were.
And while there is much to be said for the idea, it is also clear that implementing such a plan hasn’t come overnight and that growing pains would be inevitable.
Essentially, at the County Level, Director of Planning and Economic Development Joe Gallivan is the guy that signs the yea-or-nay papers on such things, (as determined at the March 2016 County Council meeting) aided and advised by Council’s Community Development Advisory Committee (which consists of Coun. John McDougall and Ron Higgins as well as community representatives Chair Robert Clinton, Vice-Chair Betty Hunter, Darwyn Sproule, Wilma Kenny, Tracy John and Barrie Gilbert).

Now, North Frontenac, Central Frontenac and Frontenac Islands all use Gallivan’s planning department for their planning services. But South Frontenac has its own planning department, under Manager of Developmental Services Forbes Symon.
At last week’s regular South Frontenac Council meeting, Symon presented several reports on the subject including a report on the subdivision and condo approval process, a subdivision approval flow chart, Township draft plan guidelines, and who does what. There are also reports on monitoring conditions set out in the development agreement. (All reports are available on the South Frontenac website under the agenda for the Aug. 1 meeting.)
Of these reports, the approval flowchart is of particular interest, outlining the 21 steps required to get approval for a subdivision project.
The first two steps involve only Township personnel. In Step 3, County personnel join the consultation process along with Township personnel as well as Health Unit and Conservation Authority personnel.
Step 4 goes back to the Township where the proposal is introduced at a Committee of the Whole meeting and in Step 5, the developer receives feedback and decides whether to proceed.
In Step 6, the developer pays fees and submits an application to the County.

In Steps 7-11, there are a series of public meetings and consultations, mostly through the County.
In Steps 12 and 13, the Township hears the proposal and sets conditions for draft approval.
In Step 14, the County Planner presents a report to the County Planning Advisory Committee recommending conditions on draft approval and notes.
In Step 15, the County either approves or rejects the proposal and in Step 16, the County gives a notice of decision and there is an appeal period.
Then following this prescribed period, the developer fulfils draft conditions and provides clearance letters from agencies to the Township. The Township then prepares a condo or subdivision agreement and notifies the County of its clearance of specified conditions and recommends final approval (Steps 17-19). In Step 20, the County gives final approval and in Step 21, lawyers register the approved plan, agreement and easements etc on site of property at the County Registry Office.

Council and various dignitaries gathered at the site of the new fire hall planned for Perth Road Village last Friday to put the first shovels in the ground.

“This is our first new fire hall in three decades,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal. “We’ve been looking at it for two years since the old hall was condemned for training purposes.”
The new hall, with an estimated price tag of $1.5 million, will join the eight other fire halls in South Frontenac and will likely be the go-to site for firefighter training.
“It’s going to be a great space with a training room for 30 people,” Vandewal said. “Public Works will probably use it too.

“It’s been very frustrating for firefighters because they’ve had to use Sydenham for training programs but this station has the third highest call volume in the Township.”
Vandewal said the price tag wasn’t the best but in the end Council unanimously supported it.

“The old site just didn’t have the space,” he said. “Plus this one, with drive-through bays and being on Perth Road as opposed to an interior street, will have much better access.”
Fire Chief Rick Chesebrough agreed.

“For firefighters, not having to pull into a residential area alone should make response times faster,” Chesebrough said. “This is a tremendous asset for response time, training and safety.
“It will have all the proper equipment such as IT, ventilation and we’re expecting it to have at least a 40-year lifespan.
“We have 18 volunteers here now and we’re hoping to get that up to 25.”

On Monday, July 17, a newly-created street in Harrowsmith was opened and named in honour of Bill Robinson, popular long-time Portland representative on South Frontenac Council, who passed away earlier this year.

It was a simple but colourful ceremony: first Mayor Ron Vandewal dragged aside the ‘Road Closed’ sign, then former Mayor Phil Leonard drove the first car along the street: Bill’s lovingly restored bright turquoise 1972 Volkswagen Bug. Bill would have approved.The new street, connecting the Star Corners road to the Colebrook Road, is part of the Harrowsmith revitalization plan, which will eliminate the dangerous 5-way corner in the heart of the village.

It was several years in the making, and not without several roadblocks, but last week the Verona Community Association celebrated the official unveiling of its new electronic message sign.

The new sign sits exactly where the old manual sign sat. The old board was serviceable but it was partial to one particular problem. Changing the letters was fine in the summer, but in the winter — not so much.

“Snow tended to cover up the box where the letters were kept and it also covered up the ditch,” said VCA president Wayne Conway. But because they wanted to promote local events, they soldiered on.

The idea of going digital started several years ago when the VCA started putting away funds for a new sign, Conway said. The land the sign was on belonged to the Township and there were concerns that it might have negative effects on traffic. It also turned out that Hydro One needed an address to provide power but these got worked out.

“The VCA is very active,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal. “We hear from them a lot.

“But the selling point for us on the sign was that we could use it for messages concerning road work and closures and such.

“We do a lot of work together with the VCA.”

“It’s absolutely amazing what you can do,” said Coun. John McDougall. “We’re so lucky to have an organization like the VCA.”

In the end, the Township gave the VCA use of the land, installed the poles and provided access to power. The Verona Lions Club provided financial assistance for the installation and Reid’s Foodland cuts the grass.

The VCA is a registered corporation which promotes community involvement and the welfare of the area. It is governed by a board of eight members elected for two-year terms. Membership is open to anyone living within an area roughly bounded by Verona, Godfrey, Desert Lake, Hartington and Bellrock.

Arguably the biggest block of North Frontenac Council’s debate time at last Friday’s regular meeting in Ompah centred on the Frontenac News story two weeks ago in which Mayor Ron Higgins discussed his thoughts and plans for community development.

The Mayor laid out a futuristic vision that he’s been working on involving aquaculture, hydroponics and electricity generation that certainly would be unique in rural Ontario municipalities if nothing else.
But, as sometimes happens, it would appear his Council isn’t entirely on-board with the concept as of yet.
“The mayor can do independent research but this was not approved by Council,” said Coun. John Inglis, starting things off.
“I’m going through research to see if it is feasible,” Higgins said.
“I find that arrogant and disrespectful of everyone on this Council,” said Coun, Vernon Hermer. “You sanctioned me for discussing (Council business) with one resident.
“Here you are presenting inaccurate information with the world.”
“We told you very carefully we did not approve,” said Coun. Denis Bedard. “I’ve had callers ask me if we’re remaking The Nutty Professor or if we’re on drugs.”
“When I see a picture of the Mayor with the chain of office (on a story) it makes it look like we endorse it,” said Coun. Gerry Martin.
After some more back and forth discussion, Higgins offered to write a letter to the editor of the paper clarifying his, and Council’s, position.
“I will clarify that this was my initiative, not Council’s,” he said.

Fire Rosters
In a report to Council, Fire Chief Eric Korhonen acknowledged that there are some concerns with the current roster of firefighters in terms of training and attendance but said “the fire roster continues to remain stable” and he has plans to address any deficiencies.
“I appreciate the roster has been deficient for five years,” he said. “I have been chief for a year and a half.
“We are attempting to make training and recruitment priorities but I’m not going to go all heavy handed on volunteers.
“I hope to have it all addressed by Dec. 31, 2017.”
He said they should be reviewing the makeup of the department.
“Currently, medical response is not a problem and that makes up about 85 per cent of our calls,” he said. “Some members don’t want to carry hose and they’re content to be first responders at accidents and that’s much of our business.”
“The Chief and the Personnel & Audit Committee are dealing with it and I’m happy to shut up about it,” said Coun. John Inglis.
“If you want to support the fire department then get on board and don’t go on a witch hunt,” said Dep. Mayor Fred Perry.

Bylaws
Council passed bylaws restricting the use of flying lanterns and changing fees and charges and changes to its municipal waste and recyclables bylaw.

South Frontenac Council held a brief meeting this week to resolve the question of exceeding the amount ($1,000,000) budgeted for the construction of a new fire station at Perth Road.

The current station is in disrepair and considered unfit to be used for training meetings, and Council has already purchased a larger lot on the main road for the new fire station.

Public Works Manager Segsworth confirmed that only the supplemental water tank has been removed from the specifications presented at last week’s Council. There was brief discussion confirming the intent that the same building design could serve as a prototype for future firehalls in the Township. The training room has potential to be used by the Township for public meetings to gather community input on issues, training space for public works, and Federal and Provincial Polling stations.

Mayor Vandewal said that while in an ideal world all the Township fire halls would be replaced in the not-too-distant future, in reality some of the halls are functioning adequately, and with proper maintenance and upkeep could have their lives extended. “We need to keep our halls maintained to a higher standard; there has been no upkeep on these buildings for years.”

Council unanimously agreed: to award the contract to Anglin Construction in the amount of $1,465,569 (the low bid); to fund the extra $491,363 from the Facilities/ Property Reserve; and to budget the costs for site works, paving and landscaping in 2018 for the estimated amount of $200,000. Councillor Schjerning noted that the final cost of the building was close to the original architect’s estimate. No one commented on whether or not the 2017 budget might have been trimmed unrealistically.