Hydro One and Garlon 4

Wilma Kenny | Feb 02, 2014

South Frontenac Council

Brian Hill of Hydro One asked Council to reconsider the use of the herbicide Garlon 4 (triclopyr) for control of brush and tree growth on hydro right of ways and under transmission lines. He said Hydro’s goal is to stabilize low plant growth in these areas to grass and low shrubs, which will allow ease of access for repairs and maintenance.

In 2007, when Garlon was last proposed, there was a strong public reaction against it, with the result that a compromise was reached, to use Roundup (glyphosate) instead. However, Roundup has proven to not adequately control the woody growth of Manitoba maple, elm, etc, and cannot be used on dormant plants.

As well, the formulation of Garlon has changed: most of the ‘inert’ ingredients have been removed, mineral oil has been substituted for petroleum distillate, and the chemical now comes in a ready-to-use form, eliminating the necessity of mixing on site, which carried potential for spills. It can also be successfully applied to the bark of dormant trees.

Councilor Stowe said that South Frontenac had very few power outages during the recent ice storm, compared to other areas where trees had fallen across hydro lines: he attributed much of this to Hydro’s recent aggressive removal of trees along the roadside hydro lines.

Mayor Davison agreed, and asked whether some areas, such as those near organic farms, could request to be excluded from Garlon treatment. Hill said this could certainly be done. Davison said a thirty-metre setback from lakes and watercourses would also be necessary. There was general agreement from other Council members.

CAO Orr asked Hill to send a formal request from Hydro One, so Council could address a resolution.

Community Grants

Treasurer Fragnito presented a proposal for a community funding policy that would address the means of distributing small grants to community organizations for projects deemed to ‘support and enrich quality of life within the Township.’ In 2014, $10,000 has been budgeted for Community Grants. Councilor McDougall said that these grants might be one means of non-profit groups getting some relief from hall rental fees. Council will review Fragnito’s proposal.

Affordable Seniors' Housing in Township

Councilor McDougall said that although there is need for more seniors housing in the rural areas, the City has made it clear that they do not see rural housing as a priority. As a result, the County of Frontenac has established a Seniors Housing Task Force to encourage local housing initiatives, in order to address at a local level the housing needs of our growing seniors population, and their wish to remain in their home communities.

Old School Museum Project

McDougall reported that the Portland District Heritage Society was continuing to make improvements in the stone schoolhouse in Hartington, and would like to approach Council with a plan to proceed toward the establishment of a museum. As a first step, they will make a presentation to the Township Recreation Committee in February.