Jule Koch Brison | Jun 20, 2013


Addington Highlands resident Paul Isaacs brought a proposal to council that the township hire him for a nominal fee of $1 to investigate the costs to the municipality of monitoring ground and surface water at its waste sites.

Isaacs pointed out to council that if something goes wrong with, for example, the water at the Denbigh hall, dozens of people would fall sick instantly. However, if the water is bad at waste sites, no one would immediately be harmed. Yet, monitoring the water at the hall costs around $300 a year as opposed to the cost of monitoring water at the waste sites, which was over $80,000 in 2012. The monitoring is done by Johnson Environmental Consultants.

Isaacs is asking for the nominal fee so that he can request information as a representative of the township, but said he would not send out any communications without township approval.

He said that in his investigation so far, he had found that the documents controlling the waste sites do not contain actual rules, but only guidelines or recommendations. He therefore proposed that the township could reduce costs by taking the samples themselves and requesting that the number of test wells and the frequency of sampling should be reduced.

Council responded that they were very appreciative of Paul Isaacs having taken the initiative to help the township, but that the first step should be to refer the proposal to the waste site supervisor, Royce Rosenblath.

Deputy Reeve Bill Cox also pointed out that there were two different ministries involved: the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment.

Council voted to receive Paul Isaacs’ proposal and refer it to the waste site supervisor.

  • The library board is applying for a Trillium grant of $15,000 for new computer work stations, monitors, etc.

  • Council approved in principle a proposal to place a portable toilet for visitors in the area of the museum grounds in Cloyne, with the exact location to be determined later, subject to approval by North Frontenac Township.

  • Northbrook fire hall: Deputy Reeve Cox said he was afraid that if the township waited until next spring to call for tenders for the proposed fire hall they would be too far behind. Fire Chief Casey Cuddy agreed, saying that the schedule is to issue the calls for tenders in September, which would give time for the contractors to view the site and submit tenders in December, with construction slated to start in the spring.

  • Casey Cuddy brought with him one of several new signs that have been made up to notify drivers to yield to flashing green lights, which firefighters use when responding to emergencies. The Ministry of Transportation will not allow the signs to be posted on highways, but Cuddy said they would be placed on county roads.

  • The Land o’Lakes Lions will be conducting their annual fundraising road toll on June 27, 28 and 29 on Highway 41 in Northbrook.

  • The County of Lennox and Addington is beginning a Transportation Master Plan (TMP) study to guide the County's transportation programs and road infrastructure investments for the next 20 years. The county is asking for public input and will be holding a series of open houses at various locations. The study will be completed in one year. For more information visit www.lennox-addington.on.ca/public-notices/857-notice-of-study-commencement.html

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