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Jeff Green | Dec 27, 2007

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By Jeff Green

Tent and Trailer Park Expansion

Gerald Colton from Woodcrest Tent and Trailer Park on Kashwakamak Lake addressed North Frontenac Council last week. Along with his parents Arnold and Mary, he was looking for preliminary approval for a planned 200-campsite expansion to the 20-year-old park.

The proposal is in the process of being vetted by the Ministry of the Environment (Ontario), the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, and Public Health.

“We are celebrating our 20th anniversary next year, and we would like to have this in place,” said Gerald Colton.

Colton told council that work has been done over the past several years in anticipation of this proposal, including the installation of a large water system in 2002. Weekly monitoring of the septic system has been done in the summer time to get a sense of the flow rate that 300 camp sites would entail.

Colton mentioned the potential benefits to the township from increased tourist traffic in the summer months and an increase in tax assessment. “We have also spent thousands of dollars working with engineers, and we had a site visit by some councilors and the township planning consultant, Glenn Tunnock”, he said.

In order for the project to progress though the next group of regulatory hoops, Woodcrest needs an amendment to its certification of approval from the Ministry of the Environment, and the mayor needs to sign a document saying council is aware of the proposal and is not opposed in principle.

“You mentioned Mississippi Valley Conservation. Have they expressed concerns about density on the lake?” asked Deputy Mayor Jim Beam.

Gerald Colton recalled that Alison Symond of Mississippi Valley had said the maximum density for this kind of operation is 10 sites per acre, and Woodcrest is a 40-acre park proposing to build 300 sites. He also said that a grey water system would be part of the proposal.

“The major concern seems to be phosphorous going into the lake. Kashwakamak Association information shows that phosphorous levels have been coming down,” he said.

Council agreed to authorize the mayor to sign the necessary document, and are planning to do another site visit in the spring to see for themselves what is planned.

Insurance for the use of township halls – Council heard a presentation by Paul Dorman from Jardine Lloyd insurance on changes to the kinds of services the company is providing. The township's insurance policy is up for renewal in April, and Dorman said the company would be offering a 3-year rate at that time.

Later in the meeting, recreation co-ordinator Cory Klatt presented a report to council on the matter of insurance for groups using township facilities. After being informed that the township is liable for injuries that might occur when groups rent township halls, earlier this year, the township began insisting that groups have event insurance before renting the halls.

“Many of the groups who rent our facilities are small and the average cost of insurance is approximately $150. That appeared to be unreasonable to each of the user groups,” Klatt's report said.

After talking to Jardine Lloyd on several occasions this fall, Klatt was informed on December 6 that for an extra $500 annually, the township’s liability can be covered, as long as the hall is not being used for a licensed event. In that case the group will need to obtain their own insurance.

Council approved the expenditure.

Ompah transfer station – When the Ompah dump closed and a transfer station was established, council decided to try this for a limited time only, in order to be assured that it was working well.

“Council was concerned because it was the first time North Frontenac has had a transfer station,” said Clerk/Planning Co-ordinator Brenda DeFosse, “but it has worked well.”

Council decided to maintain the transfer station.

“Will this come back up again?” asked Councilor Bob Olmstead.

“Not unless council decides to bring it up,” said DeFosse.

Crown Land Stewardship – There was good news for the embattled Crown Land Stewardship program. Revenue from campsites was up by more than $15,000 this year, to $85,252, leaving a modest operating surplus of $1,400 for the program this year.

Last year, sales had dropped after the township had invested about $30,000 in an online reservation system.

Although there are still problems with the system, and a protocol for operating when the system is down still has to be developed, Klatt reported that, “for the most part things went well”.

His report went on to discuss comments made by users, council members, and local permit vendors on the program, which includes a network of 58 kilometres of roads, and 184 campsites on 12 lakes.

Council is seeking a meeting with Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) officials in January to discuss the program.

The Crown Land Stewardship program is operated by North Frontenac Township under a land use permit (LUP) from the Ministry of Natural Resources. The LUP is renewed annually, and it comes with limited funding support from the MNR.

Animal Control Contract – Council agreed to renew the Animal Control and Bylaw enforcement contract with Frontenac Municipal Law Enforcement, a company owned by Ken Gilpin of Perth Road Village, at an increase rate of $350 per month, up from $300 per month in 2007

Staff Remuneration – After receiving a report concerning the average rate increases for pay in neighboring municipalities, council agreed to a 3% cost of living increase in 2008. This puts North Frontenac in line with South Frontenac and the Frontenac Islands (Central Frontenac has yet to decide on 2008 staff pay)

Mileage rate up – The mileage rate, which applies to staff and councilors traveling outside of the township to meetings, etc. is going up to 47 cents in 2008 from the 2007 rate of 45 cents.