Addington Highlands supports mental health campaign

Craig Bakay | Mar 09, 2022

Addington Highlands Council decided to get behind Mental Health Awareness Week (May 2-8) by supporting the Go Green campaign at its regular (streamed) meeting March 1.

Responding to a campaign letter from Lori Snider (who lost her son to suicide), Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch said: “I support this request. Every family has been affected by this in some way.

“And it’s difficult to understand.”

Fritsch moved support “not as a proclamation, just participation” and besides allowing the campaign to hang green ribbons throughout the municipality, he suggested buying lawn signs to put on municipally owned properties as well as promoting it on the Township website and social media.

Coun. David Miles said he found the campaign (Go Green) a bit confusing at first but was in favour of the motion.

“It sounded like an environmental thing but it’s fine, green’s a nice colour,” Miles said.

O’Donnel road

Council deferred a request for changing unmaintained sections of O’Donnell Road to seasonal until budget deliberations.

Roads and Waste Supervisor Brett Reavie told Council that part of the road is seasonally maintained but the part that isn’t is about just over eight kilometres long.

“We spend about $14,800 a year on that road so to maintain the rest of it would be double that,” Reavie said. “The bridge is a big concern — it’s OK for ATVs but it’s only a five-ton capacity (and) there would be engineering required.

“It appears there’s only one permanent resident and that’s at the Flinton end.”

“This could develop into a lot of money for a four-wheeler trail,” said Coun. Kirby Thompson.

Coun. Helen Yanch said the road was originally intended for cars and trucks and could play a part in emergency situations.”

AHEAD on STR’s

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch reported that the AHEAD (Addington Highlands Economic Advisors for Development) committee would like to see an online survey of residents “to gauge whether Short Term Rentals should or should not be managed.

“We could use something like Survey Monkey and people could submit emails at the same time.

“It’s an opportunity for residents and ratepayers to provide feedback on short term rentals in terms of rules, governance, Township strategy, etc.,” Fritsch said. “We have volunteers on the committee who could help.”

CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed said she’d probably need some help setting up such a thing because she wasn’t familiar with Survey Monkey.

“That could be a challenge then,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

Coun. Kirby Thompson voted no.

Access ramp

CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed also reported that the Library Board was successful in receiving a grant for a wooden accessibility ramp at the Denbigh Hall.

“They applied for a concrete ramp but were unsuccessful, so they reapplied and were successful,” she said.

She also said “there is still a sizable amount of accessibility funds available for doors, ramps and things so if people have ideas, they should send them in.”

Denbigh Hall Reno

Council approved renovating an area at the Denbigh Hall so Council meetings could be held there at a cost of $92,267.70 excluding audio and video equipment.

CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed said it wouldn’t be part of the tax levy though as it will be funded partly from the covid grant and partly from reserves for that facility.

Council remuneration

Councillors cost Addington Highlands $104,848 in wages and expenses in 2021.

Reeve Henry Hogg cost $30,956.02 including $847.54 in travel expenses plus $405 in per diem for Quinte Conservation.

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch cost $26,071.60 including $632.27 in travel and $666.53 in expenses (Good Roads).

Coun. Helen Yanch cost $14,986.66.

Coun. Kirby Thompson cost $15,828.80 including $842.14 in travel (plus $152.90 in travel and $950.56 in per diem for Mississippi Valley Conservation.

Coun. David Miles cost $15,495.46 including $508.80 in expenses (ROMA).

Freezing Rain

“Winter’s not done yet, I guess,” Roads and Waste Supervisor Brett Reavie told Council. “The freezing rain’s created some dangerous situations (and) we’ve done a lot of learning.

“It’s a pain in the butt to put chains on every time you go out but we’re doing it.

Building Department

In her capacity as Treasurer, Christine Reed also reported a net revenue from the Building Services Department of $38,036.24.

“We’ve finally got to the point where we’re not subsidizing the building department through the tax levy,” she said. “It’s paying for itself.”