As he took the oath as Frontenac County Warden on December 21, South Frontenac Mayor Ron Vandewal was wearing the watch that was presented to his father after he served as Frontenac County Warden in the 1980’s. At that time there were over 20 members of council and warden elections were contested. In the current era, the warden position is passed around between the mayors of the four townships, and the vote that takes place each year is a mere formality. North Frontenac Mayor Ron Higgins, who will serve as deputy warden in 2017, will take over as warden for the final year of the current mandate in 2018.

Although there was little drama in his election as warden, Vandewal did tear up just a bit as he touched the watch and mentioned that by taking on the warden’s mantle it made his father and him the first father and son to be warden in the 151 year history of the county.

The sentimental moment passed quickly however, as the passage of the 2017 budget was tackled at the beginning of the meeting after being moved up in order to permit Vandewal and his fellow South Frontenac Councilor John McDougall to leave for the wake of long serving South Frontenac Councilor Bill Robinson.
Vandewal voted against the budget, as he had done the previous evening in his own township, and for the same reason.

“We asked staff to bring us a budget with an increase that was no higher than the cost of living increase, plus 0.65% to put towards long term infrastructure. Cost of living is 1.5% so the target was 2.15%, and the budget we have in front of us is 3.15% higher than last year, so I will vote against it,” he said.

Frontenac Islands Mayor Dennis Doyle also voted against the 2017 budget, but did not specify a reason.

Before the budget was put to a vote, Doyle had asked that a $1,000 membership in the Canadian School Alliance be put back in the budget. The membership fee had been removed at a Committee of the Whole meeting about the budget that took place in late November. Doyle was away at the time of that meeting.

The Canadian School Alliance is an organisation devoted to saving rural schools from closure. I’d like to see us remain as members of this organisation, it is only $1,000 out of a levy of over $9 million,” he said, to no avail.

The remaining members of council voted to approve the budget.

Central and North Frontenac Chief Building Official Jeremy Neven tendered his resignation (effective May 26) at Central Frontenac Council’s regular meeting this week in Sharbot Lake.

Neven told Council he was taking a similar position with Auckland, in New Zealand, for two years. Neven said he wanted to give the Township time to find a new CBO as well as finish up some bylaw changes he’s been working on.

“I have nothing bad to say about anybody and I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” he said. “It’s important to me that things go smoothly and I want to leave the department in good shape.”

He said his family is really looking forward to the opportunity to live in a foreign country for awhile but “the first place I’ll be looking for work upon my return will be Central Frontenac.”

The first time Mayor Frances Smith called the vote to accept Neven’s resignation, no hands went up. “We really don’t want to accept this resignation,” Smith said. “But we’ll have to accept it with regret.”

Record building year - Still with Neven, the CBO reported that 2016 was one of the best years the Township has ever had in terms of building. Central Frontenac finished the year with $,658,259 in construction value (up from $7,055,805 in 2015) and $125,131 in permit fees on 121 permits ($100,127 on 116 permits in 2015)

“I haven’t really gone back to check all the files but if 2016 wasn’t the best year, it’s pretty close to it,” he said.

The numbers were even more impressive when compared with 2014, when total construction values were just over $5 million, and permit fees totaled less than $70,000

New name for school committee
After considerable discussion about the name, Central Frontenac Council decided to call the committee looking into what to do with the former Hinchinbrooke Public School the “Hinchinbrooke District Community Centre Committee”. Councilors Brent Cameron and Phillip Smith will join the committee as it applies for an Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grant to help with the preparation of a business plan.

New Deputy Mayor
Councilor Brent Cameron of District 4 (Hinchinbrooke) was acclaimed as Deputy Mayor of Central Frontenac Township.

His appointment almost didn’t happen though as current Dep. Mayor Bill MacDonald jokingly announced: “I’m not stepping down.”

New equipment for fire department
Council approved $258,336 plus HST for the replacement of 32 self contained breathing apparatus’s plus a spare bottle for each pack. Fire Chief Bill Young said the equipment the department has been using is 20 years old, and at the end of its dependable life span.

Another expensive culvert - Council approved $182,000 to replace the culvert/ bridge on 4th Depot Lake Road. Interim Public Works Manager Mike Richardson said the road would likely be closed for 4-7 days but it could be up to two weeks depending on how the replacement is handled.

He said residents on the road affected would get written notification as well as the school board because busing will be affected.

“You might get a bill from the school board,” he said.

OP amendment
Council approved an amendment to its Official Plan that removes a restriction on building within 300 metres of waterfront in lands zoned rural. Rules affecting setbacks, minimum lot size and lot creation are unaffected by the change.

It was a goal that fit nicely into a narrative. The K&P trail linking the Trans Canada Trail segments between Sharbot Lake and the Cataraqui Trail to ensure Frontenac County is part of the national trail network was to be complete by Canada Day 2017. A photo-op at the Trail head located at the exact location where the funeral car carrying Canada’s first prime minister switched onto the K&P line, for its trip to his adopted home town of Kingston as thousands looked on, would be the centre-piece of Canada Day celebrations in Frontenac County.

It’s not going to happen. The complicated final 12 kilometres of trail, which are located on lands that were sold off to the owners of abutting lands before the rest of the trail was sold to Frontenac County, have proven to be slow to acquire, as agreements need to be reached with each landowner. Only then can a contract for building the trail even be negotiated.

At their final meeting of 2016 in late December, Frontenac County Council accepted the bid by Crains’ Construction to build “approximately 4 km of the 12km remaining to be completed by the end of 2017” in the words of a staff report to Council. The bid price was $137,593 plus hst and Crains’ also agreed to honour the same unit pricing for one year should more trail be freed up for development as agreement with landowners are reached.  Their bid was the lowest of 7 that came in, the second lowest was $195,200 from the Cruikshank Group.

At this time, 42 kilometres of trail, between Orser Road and the rail crossing in Tichborne have been completed. Work has begun in the City of Kingston to complete the Kingston portion of trail so it will run all the way to Lake Ontario.
Funding for the final section of the trail is coming from a Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program and the Investing Ontario Fund, which has made just under $500,000 available for the project.

Frontenac County Council members from Frontenac Islands and North Frontenac were able to secure special funding from the county for recreational infrastructure within their borders when the K&P Trail was first being developed. The trail is only located in South and Central Frontenac and county gas tax rebates were being used for its construction.

That money is all gone, as those rebates are going directly to the local townships, and funding the K&P Trail has come mostly from grants.

At the December meeting, Councilor John Inglis made a request to county staff for an accounting of all the money spent on the trail since the proposal to purchase and construct it was approved in 2009.

There is no set completion date for the trail.

Bill Robinson passed away Dec 15th, on his 82nd birthday, after almost a year of poor health following a broken hip. He had served as a Portland district rep on South Frontenac Council since 2000.

Bill was fearless and steady in his support of his constituents, and he had a keen eye for assessing, and if need be, questioning budget expenditures. He was a treat to watch at a community meeting, especially at campaign time. Nobody could hold audience attention like Bill could, with his trademark blend of humour, opinion and down-home common sense.

His wife Donna managed the Portland waste site for many years, and that’s where on weekends Bill held informal polls on various community issues. After her retirement, he moved his polls to a local restaurant. And he brought his findings back to the Council chambers. Bill never really took to Facebook; he preferred good plain face-to-face contact with people.

As a young man Bill played hockey: it’s been said he could have turned pro, had he wished to.
In 1952, aged 18, he enlisted in the Canadian army and in May a year later, fought in one of the deadliest and least-known battles of the Korean War: Hill187. This battle raged for two days, and left many dead and wounded. Bill himself suffered a concussion and the permanent loss of hearing in one ear, but continued on patrol for the remaining four months of the war.

He later remarked, “A doctor cleaned the blood out of my ear and said I was ok. It was only after that I found out he was a psychiatrist, not an MD.”After leaving the military in 1969, Bill worked for the prison service in various capacities until his retirement in 1998.

He was a dedicated caregiver to his wife in their latter years.

Jim Gratto, who served in the army with Bill, described him this week in this way: “he was rough and tumble, a goofy guy, an honest guy that’s for sure. Back in the army we all backed each other up, none more so than Bill.”

South Frontenac Mayor Ron Vandewal, who served on Council with Bill for ten years, sitting next to him at meetings for most of that time, said “you always knew where Bill stood on things. And when he really had something to say, he would stand up. That’s when you just knew he was about to let go on something or somebody.”

Even though he had not been to a council meeting since February, no one was in a hurry to replace him on South Frontenac Council. He was elected to council five consecutive elected time and served for over 15 years, making him the longest serving councillor in the post amalgamation era of Frontenac County. When interviewed during the 2014 election, he correctly predicted that the Petworth Road subdivision proposal in Hartington would be a major issue for this council, and said he opposed any changes to Stars Corners in Harrowsmith (a project that is in fact  going ahead next year)

A minute of silence was held at South Frontenac Council on Tuesday Night, and his wake and funeral were held on Wednesday morning in Sydenham. Discussion of how he will be replaced on Council was deferred until the new year.

Vickie Leakey, a senior manager with KPMG professional services, appeared before Council to bring an update of the Asset Management Plan that the township has been developing and following over the last 5 years. She said that the township is in a much better position than most in the region and that this might account for some of the success the township has had in obtaining grants for much needed roadwork.

The township devotes 2% of its levy to ratepayers to a reserve fund for the replacement of capital assets, which includes equipment and both paved and gravel roads.

In her report, Leakey said that the township faces an issue of affordability when it looks at its capital needs because of its lower growth rate than the provincial average, 3.9% as opposed to 19.5%. Also, a high number of people in the township live on on fixed incomes, 39% derive all their income from pensions as opposed to the provincial average of 14%.

“You also have a lot of roads per person in North Frontenac because of the size of the township and the sparse population. For North Frontenac, as for a lot of rural townships we look at, it’s all about the roads when it comes to asset management,” Leakey said.

She also pointed out that North Frontenac is the only township she knows about that has done an inventory of gravel roads and entered them into their asset management plan.

“That’s why when it comes time for the province to look at grant applications, they see that what is coming from North Frontenac has some data behind it, and that makes a difference. Your staff and council are to be commended for all your efforts,” she concluded.

Floating dock on Canonto Lake sparks “principled” response from Good, Inglis
An item that was easy to deal with at this time, but may be more contentious in the future revealed one of the fault lines among two members of Council. The Canonto Lake Association is proposing to build  a floating dock to improve boat access to the trails network it has developed at the Palmerston Canonto Conservation Area. The association has $500 to invest and is willing to provide the labour, and is asking the township to kick in $2,500 for materials.

Before deciding, council is referring the matter to the Mississippi Valley Consernation Authority (MVCA) the owner of the land that will be accessed and the agency that provides comments on construction projects on the water.

However, if the dock is built it will become the property of the township, with all of the liability and potential future maintenance issues that flow from ownership of a public dock.

“I support this in principle,” said Councillor John Inglis. “The association wants to improve access, they are taking initiative and we should support them.”

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it now, we are not in the dock business,” said Councillor Wayne Good.

When it was pointed out that the township has assumed ownership of a number of docks in recent years, Good said “I am certainly aware of that and I opposed them all. We can’t afford to make everyone in the township pay for a dock that is serving a few people on one lake,” he said.

The matter was referred to the MVCA and to the 2017 budget process as well.

No grant from Trillium Canada 150 fund
The township has learned that it will not be receiving a $500,000 grant from the Trillium Foundation for the renovation of the township office building that is planned for next year.

Nomination for regional leadership award
The township has nominated Brenda Martin for one of  the Canada 150 Regional leadership award for all of the work she has done for local causes, including her current work with the Clarendon and Miller archives. It is a long shot, however, since there will only be 5 winners named from the entire country.

Money, money, money
Council looked at mileage rates for members of council attending meetings within and outside of the township’s borders with the exception of meetings of Council. The current rate is 48 cents per kilometre, but based on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) recommended rate for 2017, the township is raising it to 54 cents per kilometre. A motion was proposed by Mayor Higgins to set the rate at the CRA rate so it does not need to be debated each year. Councillor Inglis said he had prepared documentation, which he offered to share with council, which he said shows that the mileage rate is based on the assumption that the vehicle that is being driven is valued at $55,000. According to his calculations, over 35 cents out of a 54 cent per kilometre rate is to cover for the cost of replacing the current vehicle of the owner.

“If we assume that the owner is driving a $20,000 car, the rate would be 30 cents,” he said.

His was the only opposing vote on the motion to set the rate at the CRA rate.

Remuneration
At Council’s, request, staff prepared a chart comparing the pay of the Mayor and members of Council in North Frontenac with similar sized municipalities. The pay in North Frontenac is higher than most.

“It looks like we have the lowest population, and the highest pay,” said John Inglis.

“It is hard to say, since some of the others pay a salary plus money for attending council and other meetings, which we don’t do.”

The salary for the Mayor of North Frontenac was $22,424 this year, the Deputy Mayor received $18,745, and council members $15,066. The pay is similar to what politicians in Addington Highlands make, but double the salaries that are paid in Central Frontenac and Frontenac Islands.

As part of an initiative that is being led by Lennox and Addington County, Addington Highlands is now making use of the services of McDougall Insurance Brokers to help them navigate the world of municipal insurance. Until this year the township has dealt directly with Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT), one of three companies that offer municipal insurance in Ontario. Chuck Airhart, from McDougall, came to Council this week to talk about how his company is working at ensuring that the township has of its needs met. He said that the cost of basic insurance from JLT is set to rise this year by about $2,000 or 4%, from just under $72,000 in 2016 to $74,000 in 2017.

“The cause of this is really global,” Airhart said, “there is lots happening and the american and worldwide markets.”

In addition, he said that cyber-insurance, which until now had been covered within the existing policy from JLT, has now been pulled out and needs to be paid for on its own.

“I don’t have the final quote for that from JLT, it was not ready when I was leaving my office to come here today,” he said, but I have a price of $2,400 from another company so that is a maximum and maybe it will be less.”

Airhart’s son Mike attended the meeting with him. Mike also works for Mcdougall and is better versed in cyber-security issues. He said “as a municipality you have private information, including information from you ratepayers, that needs to be protected, and as we know even with a good system in place, it can be hacked.”

“How responsible are we, if we are hacked,” asked Deputy Reeve Bill Cox.

“Unfortunately it comes back into your lap,” said Chuck Arihart.

Airhat also proposed that the township consider a $1,200 policy for Facility User Event Liability (FUEL) to cover for damage from individuals and groups who rent township facilities. Council was interested, but when they found out that the coverage does  not inlcude use of township facilities for licensed events, they saw less benefit.

They received the information from the Airhart’s and voted to accept the $74,000 insurance contract and up to $2,400 for cyber-coverage, and to decline the FUEL policy.

Township willing to help Kaladar Commuinity Centre, to a point
Bill Cox and Councillor Tony Fritsch met with representatives from the Kaladar Community Club to talk about their struggles to keep the Community Centre open now that the Land O’Lakes Tourist Association is no longer a tenant in the building.

Tony Fritsch said that “we discussed the viability of it. It was a good and candid discussion. They are looking at revenue and at cutting costs to keep it going, and I think they will be coming forward with a request for a small grant from us before we do our budget for next year, like other groups do.

“We told them that we cannot take over the building,” Cox said, “and they seem to be ok with that. They said it costs them $6,000 a year to keep it going, but when they have some problems beyond that as well. They are struggling. They do make money from the bingo’s they hold but that money cannot be used to help maintain the building. We said we would keep in touch with them and that the township does want to help to the extent that we can.”

New propane furnace for Health Centre
Ongoing heating issues at the Lakelands Family Health Team building, which is owned by the township, have led a contractor to propose that a new propane furnace be installed to replace electrical heating systems at two locations in the building. $12,000 has been quoted and Council decided it was better to spend that money than to continue with the electrical systems. Two other quotes will be sought before the contract is awarded.

Water woes hitting Denbigh where it hurts, at the rink
Councillor Fritsch reported that early in the day an attempt was made to flood the Denbigh rink, but the water table in the shallow well that is used to flood the rink is so low that it only ran for a minute or two and the rink could not be made.

“The well is shallow, it normally only runs for 15 or 20 minutes, but this time we didn’t get enough to flood the rink,” said Fritsch.

The fire department will be contacted to see if they can help out by flooding the rink until the water comes up in the well.

1/2 price for use of Flinton Rink
Peter Rasenberg made a request that rink fees be waived for a skating program that runs on Saturdays from 10:am until 12:30 pm at the Flinton rink between January 7th and mid March, and for a fundraising hockey tournament on Sunday, February 18.

“I have no problem with this, except that the fundraiser is to support activities for only one the Pineview Free Methodist Boys and Girls youth group, instead of all township children. I have nothing against that group, but it would good if all kids had the opportunity to go,”said Reeve Hogg.

(Correction – Reeve Hogg mentioned at the meeting that in a cutline for a photo that appeared in the Frontenac News two weeks ago he was identified as Henry Higgins, a mash up of his name and that of North Frontenac Mayor Ron Higgins. Ron Higgins also informed the news about this in an email last week. We apologize to both Reeve Hogg and Mayor Higgins for the mix-up. Neither has yet taken up our offer to record them reciting “The Rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain” or singing “I’ve grown accustomed to your face”  for a Youtube posting, but the offer still stands)

South Frontenac Township will be without a budget for the first bit of 2017.

A budget featuring a 2.2 per cent increase was voted down at this week’s regular Council meeting in Sydenham.

It was actually a tie vote (there are eight votes on Council currently as Portland representative Bill Robinson passed away last Thursday) with Mayor Ron Vandewal, Dep. Mayor Norm Roberts, Coun. Ron Sleeth and Mark Schjerning each voting against the budget.

For Roberts and Sleeth, the issue was the scrapping of the garbage handling fee in favour of the charge now being rolled into the tax levy. Schjerning said he was voting against the budget “on principle” because “there are a number of things we’re required to do that aren’t in the budget.” Vandewal said he wanted to keep the budget increase to 2.0 per cent.

“I’ve had time to reflect on garbage fees,” Sleeth said. “For things like vacant land, people will be paying garbage tax on that where they haven’t been in the past.” Treasurer Louise Fragnito said that 70 per cent of South Frontenac ratepayers would see a net reduction in the garbage portion of their taxes. Only the top 30 per cent of assessed properties will see a net increase because of the new system.

“I like the budget, there’s nothing magic about 2 per cent,” said Coun. Ross Sutherland.

When compared to the fate of the former Sharbot Lake Public building, which was doomed to a slow decline followed by demolition at a hastily announced council meeting a couple of days before Christmas last year, the former Hinchinbrooke school building has a bright future.

That does not mean it will be opened up for public use any time soon, or perhaps ever. A report to Central Frontenac Council that was presented on the final meeting of the year on Tuesday (December 13), said that the lower floor of the building can be re-born as an accessible recreational building with a commercial kitchen for under $300,000. While Central Frontenac does exactly have $300,000 kicking around, grants could be available for such a project. What is more of a concern are the long term operating costs of such a public building, which is estimated at $60,000 per year by the community recreation centre committee that is spearheading the project, including over $30,000 in heating costs.

The feasibility study was overseen by Perth architect Geoff Hodgins, and included reports on the structural and mechanical soundness of the building. The report did not consider the cost of remediating any of the asbestos in the building, or the cost of removing an oil tank that is buried on the site. Both of these issues would need to be dealt with whether the building is renovated or torn down.
The windows and other elements of the building, which is 46 years old, were upgraded within the last 15 years. For that reason, as well as cost factors, the study does not recommend that any major energy efficiency upgrades be made to the building, the result being that heating costs will remain quite high.

In the summary of his findings, Hodgins said the following: “The former Parham elementary school building is in relatively good condition and could be retrofitted to serve the proposed use as a multi-purpose recreation and cultural facility. There are some substantial costs that would be associated with this retrofit, the most significant of which have to do with renovating the support system for the gymnasium to include a fully functioning commercial kitchen,  required upgrades to the mechanical and electrical system and accessibility compliance requirements. Should the design be made to proceed the result would be $8,500 square feet of fully functioning accessible space, with an additional $5,000 square feet of second floor space for development.”

In his response to the Hodgins report, Central Frontenac Chief Building Official (CBO)Jeremy Neven said there are a number of potential costs that are not included in the Hodgins report but need to be determined before he can confidently make a recommendation to Council on the viability of the project.

“The study appear to have been well done, but there are factors outside of its mandate that could cause construction costs to balloon substantially,” he said.

In his report, he recommended that council reserve any decision on the matter until “a complete and viable business plan is put forward detailing how capital costs for any and all renovations will be addressed and how ongoing operational costs for the building will be addressed.”

The community recreation centre committee also appeared before council as a delegation in response to the release of the study. Sue Campbell of the committee said that the they are asking council to allow them to take the lead in preparing an application to the Trillium Foundation for a “seed stream” grant which would be used to fund “development of a working business plan for a culture and recreation centre at the former Hinchinbrooke School site.”

Campbell said that the Trillium deadline is the end of February.

Councillor Tom Dewey asked about the status of the committee that is working on the project, and Sue Campbell said the were under the previous council. That status was not renewed, however, and that will have to be rectified in January, which will require that a councl member join the committee, likely one of the Hinchinbrooke Councilors.

Councilor Brent Cameron said “I’m personally supportive of the project, but we need to find a way to make the building self-sufficient.”
Meanwhile, as the building waits for its fate to be determined it will not be heated this coming winter. That poses a minimal risk of heaving, which is offset by $30,000 in savings.

COUNCIL BRIEFS

Building permit activity drops in November, but December is looking good
CBO Neven presented the construction permit report as of the end of November.

In November, permits for $150,000 in construction were issued, down from over $500,000 from last year, leaving a year to date total of just over $7.5 million, up from just under $7 million a this time last year, and $4.6 million in 2014. Neven said that the November numbers were down because a number of permits were delayed and he expects to issue over $1 million in permits this month, which could bring a record year end total for the township.

Fire report
Fire Chief Bill Young reported that the department has issued an rfp for the replacement of 32 twenty year old Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units.

“They have a 15 year life span so we need to do something,” Young said.

He  reported that work on the library addition to the Montain Grove Fire Hall will not be completed before the end of the year, as had been hoped, but will happen in mid-January.

“We had to wait too long for approvals from hydro, etc.” Young said, “but it has gone well and is almost complete.”

He also reported that a new software system, the Fire House records management program, has been installed and will automate tracking and reporting department activities, which will help the township comply with reporting requirements set out by the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office.

The hiring for a full time fire chief has been posted internally and an external posting is pending. The new hire was one of the recommendations of a report into the departments operations.

Council approved a request for $1670 for a street light at the Parham Fire Station and Public Library.

Train whistle presentation
Donald Lafleur of Crow Lake appeared before Council in support of his request that the township undertake the 8 step process to request from CP rail that trains passing through the four rail crossings in Central Frontenac cease to whistle.

Lafleaur said that the trains whistle 5 times at each crossing, for a total of 20 for each train, and there are anywhere from 3-10 trains passing near his Crow Lake property each day.

He said that at least two guests at his rental property have said they will not be returning because of the whistling, and presented  a petition signed by most of his neighbours.

In response Councillor Dewey said he wanted to make sure that if the township requests that the whistling stop it will not create any liability, a point shared by others on Council.

Lafleur said that it is the railroad, not the township, that will make the decision and the liability rests with them.

Council accepted Mr.Lafleur’s submission, and instructed CAO MacMunn to seek legal advice on the liability issue

FICE is one of those low-tech, imaginative programs that can help communities gain a different perspective by seeing themselves through the eyes of first-time visitors. Coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), representatives from communities that are similar in population and economic drivers visit each other unannounced, and later report back on their first impressions. In this case, South Frontenac ( specifically Sydenham, Harrowsmith and Verona) was twinned with Highlands East (Wilberforce, Cardiff and Gooderham). Among other benefits, participation in FICE can help support funding applications for future community projects.

In reporting back to South Frontenac on behalf of his two co-visitors, Curtis Tigh drew smiles with his description of Harrowsmith as having “a very strange intersection”. They were impressed by all three communities’ cleanliness, beautiful buildings, parks and sense of community pride. They made special note of the use of historic photos in businesses such as Trousdales and The Point Restaurant.

The suggestions to Harrowsmith about improving their parking signs, “doing something with that intersection”, seeking new businesses to fit vacant storefronts and encouraging tourism through promotion of history and heritage fit well into the village’s recently launched community improvement program. The five biggest challenges facing South Frontenac were listed as; proximity to and dependence on Kingston, lack of accommodations and industry, need to attract youth and young families and need to develop greater unity between villages i.e; willingness to reach out to, and support neighbouring towns.

Shooting Range: a Federal Responsibility
Adam Rayner of Buck Bay Road, Godfrey, appealed to Council for help in resolving his issues with a neighbour’s shooting range. According to Rayner, he was aware of the gun range on the adjoining property when he bought his home two years ago. However, after reviewing the ‘Chief Firearms office rules for a licensed range’ he felt assured the range would not be allowed to continue for a number of reasons: the range was far closer to the property line than the required 200 metres; it was being used, but was not approved for, skeet shooting; and the required signage was not posted. The reply from the RCMP indicated the range had been reinspected and was in compliance with all requirements, and therefore fully approved. The Firearms Act has no process for a third party to challenge a decision made under the act: the RCMP recommended contacting the Municipality.

Planner Lindssay Mills confirmed that unless the shooting range is a commercial venture, the municipality has no by-laws (other than possibly the noise by-law) that would apply to this federally regulated use. CAO Wayne Orr said Council could choose to advocate by writing to the firearms officer.

Rayner raised the possibility that restricted weapons (‘semi-automatics’) might be in use on the range. He gave no indication of the orientation of the range, or frequency and times of use. Councilor Mask Schjerning said more background information was needed.

Mayor Vandewal said Council would discuss the problem with the RCMP.

Asset Management Plan
Treasurer Louise Fragnito presented an asset management plan update which will come before next week’s Council for adoption.

First developed in 2013 to meet Provincial requirements, the original plan is currently being integrated with a related software, Cartography. As this is further developed, it will give the Township a more efficient way to catalogue assets and provide

Treasurer Fragnito’s current report included two more capital projects to be added: a furnace for the museum and docks for the Point ($10,000 each), and an MPAC update in assessment with an increase in growth amounting to an unexpected additional capacity of $48,750. This, combined with adjustments by the township departments, creates a total of $87,525 of unallocated budget resources. Fragnito listed several options: lower taxpayer impact by .2%; fund added capital projects or CFDC’s request for one-time funding (had the County agreed to grant CFDC $35,000 South Frontenac’s portion would have been $20,000), or increase reserves, or fund ‘other projects’. This will be discussed at a later meeting.
Due to a lengthy closed session, the public Council meeting did not convene until 7:40. Other than to confirm that they met with the Township’s solicitor concerning two OMB appeals (Hartington subdivision proposal and proposed Official Plan changes to sections 5.10.2 / 5.11) and ‘property matters’, neither Mayor nor CAO would make any comments.

Councillor Norm Roberts of Storrington was sworn in as Deputy Mayor for the coming year.
Newly-hired Chief Building Official Ryan Arcand was introduced to Council.

Petworth Mill
A brief public meeting addressed zoning changes necessary to permit creation of two residential lots in the hamlet of Petworth. In this unusual situation, Council has decided to accept land to fulfill the parkland dedication requirement, in order to acquire the part of Lot #1 (.2 acres) containing the remains of the Petworth Mill, for future preservation: the lower stone arches of the structure have been judged noteworthy. There were no objections; only one request to consider imposing a speed limit on that part of the road running west through the hamlet from the bridge.

Public Works Q&A
Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth provided a report answering a number of budget-related questions from Council. Eg: Cost to operate a single streetlight? Approximately $0.13 per day. Cost to install them? Up to $10,000 per light if there is no pole present. Why install doors on salt domes being used for storage of vehicles or equipment? Lack of doors is deemed a health and safety issue, due to pigeon faces. All other attempts to deter the pigeons have been unsuccessful.

Applewood Parkland Fee
Council accepted the planner’s recommendation to accept $30,000. as the fee in lieu of parkland offered by the developers of Applewood condominiums in Storrington. This is 5% of the value of the land ($600,000), as appraised by M.W.Cotman & Associates.

OMB Reform
Council agreed, with little discussion, to support the two core principles and 9 recommendations put forward by the Ontario Association of Municipalities (AMO) in their paper; Ontario Municipal Board Reform. These will be forwarded to the Ministry as South Frontenac’s comments on the review of the OMB. The core principles are: 1) municipalities are a mature form of government and are in a  position to take a more rigorous role in land use planning, and: 2) Planning in Ontario should continue to be a public, democratic process. Full details of the nine recommendations, intended to streamline and clarify the OMB process, can be found on the Township website in the agenda notes for the Dec 06 Council.

Canada 150 Community Leader Appointed
Council accepted the nomination of Pam Morey for this role.

Perth Road Fire Hall
The Fire Chief, Supervisor of Facilities and Public Works Manager evaluated four proposals for the design and construction administration of a new fire hall, to be located on Perth Road, north of Wilmer Road. Council approved their recommendation to appoint AWDE Architect of Bethany, Ont (near Peterborough) at a cost of $112,350.25, HST included.

January 2017 Meetings
There will be no Council meeting January 3: the regular schedule will resume with Committee of the Whole Jan 10 and 24, and Council January 17.

There will be no meeting January 31, the fifth Tuesday.