South Frontenac Council

Wilma Kenny | Jun 15, 2016

Radon Gas Protection

John McEwen spoke to Council of the dangers of radon gas in basements that are used as living spaces. He quoted the Ontario Lung Association’s statement that “radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Ontario, accounting for more than 850 fatalities per year province wide.”

McEwen asked Council to to consider making it a building code requirement that all new houses in the Township have properly installed waterproofing and soil gas control membranes in their basements. He said that Wolfe Island already does this. Mayor Ron Vandewal recommended this issue be referred to Corporate Services Committee for recommendation.

Perth Road Corridor Study

Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth reported on a study done by AECON on the section of Perth Road from the Rutledge Road intersection south to Kingston. The intent is to develop a long-range plan for corridor improvement which would take into account all known proposed developments as well as projected background development. There is potential for over 740 more new houses to access this already-busy corridor by the year 2035. The study addresses recommended near future, short term, long term and ongoing improvements.

Segsworth said the Public Works Committee has already reviewed the study and although they are in favour of the overall plan, they “didn’t exactly embrace” the suggestion of a roundabout as a ‘gateway feature’ at the Moreland-Dixon road intersection to assist with the transition from from 80 km/hr to 50 km/hr in the village area.

Councillor McDougall congratulated Segsworth for “an excellent long-term plan”, and further discussion focussed on means of funding the work, so developers could be given am up-front estimate of their portion of the cost. Segsworth said Kingston is already looking at a long-range transit plan, and will be involving South Frontenac in this.

Automated Vehicle Location Software

AVL Systems is a means of tracking municipal vehicles, in order to assist in answering customer complaints about Township vehicle and contractors’ speed and locations, garbage pick-up and winter road maintenance, etc, as well as vehicle maintenance information. $

100,000 had been budgeted for purchase and installation of the units, based on the Skyhawk system chosen by Lennox and Addington. However, conversations with Central Frontenac staff brought another solution to South Frontenac’s attention. Fleet Complete by Tyroute Telus would provide the same service without the cost for hardware and installation, thus saving the budgeted $100,000 capital expenditure. Both systems have similar monthly service fees, and require a three-year contract. Segsworth said the extra “bells and whistles” offered by Skyhawk would add little value, and were known to be prone to malfunctioning.

Following discussion, Segsworth was asked to check with the township’s insurance supplier as to whether the type of system chosen might have any substantial effect on insurance premiums.

Segsworth’s recommendation will come to Council for approval July 05.

Wells Monitored in Hartington

Segsworth reported that the Township has monitored 6 wells at the Boyce Road/Road 38 area for hydrocarbons and related pollutants: the firehall, Princess Anne Building and four residences. All tested clean, but the monitoring will be ongoing.