Editorial by Jeff Green

I resisted the temptation to write an editorial about the hot weather, because I know nothing more about the heat than anyone else. Then again, if knowing more about a topic than others know is a prerequisite for writing about it, I would probably write about one editorial every five years.

Nontheless, I have two short items this week that might be semi-topical if not semi-tropical

Road closing will wreak havoc on commuters, tourists, next week

Central Frontenac Township will be re-routing all northbound and southbound traffic between Parham and Sharbot Lake to Long Lake Road between midnight on Tuesday, July 24 and 2:00 pm on Thursday, July 26.

That will add at least 30 minutes each way for commuters between Sharbot Lake and Kingston - and that is without factoring in slowdowns resulting from increased traffic on Long Lake Road.

The township says the detour “could add up to 20 minutes of travel time”, but it would take some driving to make the trip from Parham to Highway 7 and then east to Sharbot Lake on Hwy. 7 in 20 minutes.

And there is every possibility that construction on Hwy. 7 between Sharbot Lake and Mountain Grove will cause a further delay. The delay caused by Hwy. 7 construction this week has been up to 10 minutes.

While Long Lake Road is the only paved alternative to bypass the train tracks on Road 38 at Tichborne, there are at least three viable alternative routes using gravel roads that involve much less distance and travel time.

We tried to contact the township on Tuesday (July 17) for comment on why only the Long Lake Route is being identified as a detour, but did not get a response before publication of this week’s paper.

Who approved the Fairmount Home auditorium rebuild?

I must have been missing something, but as far as I know, Frontenac County Council has never allocated money towards a rebuilding project for the Fairmount Home auditorium.

A fundraising campaign, which was started up against the objections of former county council member Jim Vanden Hoek, has a target of raising $200,000 for the million dollar plus project, and while the campaign is underway, the project has never been given any formal go-ahead by County Council.

At the June Council meeting, after a presentation about the ongoing fund-raising campaign, which included concept drawings for the new auditorium, Frontenac Islands council representative David Jones asked county staff if tax levy dollars would be needed for the project. He was told that tax levy dollars would not be needed; there are reserve fund monies available.

The County collects tax dollars from Frontenac County and also City of Kingston ratepayers towards the operating budget of Fairmount Home. This year, Frontenac County ratepayers paid $745,000 and City of Kingston ratepayers $1.8 million.

The County is also paying off the $17 million rebuild of the home, which took place in 2003, through a 20-year debenture, which still sits at $7 million after this year’s payment of $335,000 by the County and $712,000 by the City.

The only sizeable reserve fund the home has is a “capital reserve fund” that sits at over $2 million. It was established for the redevelopment of the home.

The idea that the auditorium project can be done without seeking new money from Frontenac County and City of Kingston taxpayers is either specious, or it involves gutting that “capital reserve fund” which will then have to be built up again using tax levy dollars.

The Fairmount Auditorium rebuild is a worthy project. It would improve the quality of life for Fairmount Home residents in a very real way.

But although Fairmount Home is central to the working lives of Frontenac County staff, it is not central to Frontenac County residents. In fact it is as much a Kingston asset as it is Frontenac County asset.

If indeed Frontenac County Council would like to take on the Fairmount auditorium as a project, let them debate it and make the decision to follow through with spending our money on it.

That’s why we elected them, and that’s why we will have the opportunity to re-elect them, or not, in just over two years' time.

Council does Arden – or vice versa

A conjunction of groups, led by the Friends of Arden and including the Kennebec Recreation Committee, the Arden Seniors, and the Big Clear and Kennebec Lake Associations, arrived in force for the annual Central Frontenac Council meeting in Arden on Tuesday, July 10.

As an added incentive, the Arden groups prepared a meal for the council members. But first they had them sit through a varied 30-minute presentation that included updates on the work of the Friends of Arden over the last year; a proposal for a new entrance to the Arden Recreation Park; a report on the Kennebec Lake Association’s activities; and a thank you to the fire and emergency services by the Blue Heron Ridge Lake Association.

Terry Kennedy from the Friends of Arden began the presentation. He said that the ‘Friends’ developed as a group in late 2010 and began to take action on a list of 29 priorities in May of 2011.

“As you can see,” he said, referring to a list of projects and their state of completion, “we have initiated action or completed 25 of those 29, as well as other projects that were not on the original list, but which came to our attention afterwards,” said Kennedy.

The township completed a number of the initiatives, such as work on the sidewalks and on the bridge in the middle of the hamlet. Others, such as doing a cleanup, establishing some branding initiatives and setting up a website, were done by the Friends of Arden themselves, sometimes in conjunction with the township or other community partners.

Looking forward, the Friends have a number of long- term projects in mind. One that involves the township is a proposal for a land swap with a landowner who lives next to the Arden park. In order to vastly improve the entrance to the park, a direct driveway through the landowner’s property is proposed, and according to David Daski of the Friends, the landowner would be interested in a land swap in favour of a piece of township land that has little actual or potential value to the township but would expand the landowner's holdings.

Council decided to instruct staff to investigate the possible land swap.

The Friends of Arden are also planning to apply to Frontenac County, under the small scale community initiatives program that the county has established, for financial help in improving signage in Arden. Council voted to support the application.

The Friends also sought and received a commitment from the township to help with this fall’s Arden clean-up.

Road 38 closure leads to hand wringing

The month of July is probably not the optimal time to divert traffic on a major artery to cottage country, but in a couple of weeks that is exactly what will be happening on Road 38 in Central Frontenac. CP Rail will be repairing the railway crossing at Tichborne, and the road will be closed in both directions between Tuesday July 24, and Thursday, July 26.

There are major implications for traffic, because the only viable alternative may be to divert northbound traffic in Parham to the Long Lake Road or to the Fish Creek Road in Tichborne, and southbound to the Bradshaw, Bobs Lake and Fish Creek roads, which are relatively narrow gravel roads.

There was a lot of hand wringing over the closure when it was brought to Central Frontenac Council this week, but in the end the decision was made to go ahead with the closure.

The township had pushed hard for the CP to fix the crossing, which is in dire need of improvement. Councilors wondered, however, why CP has decided to do the project in the middle of the summer tourist season, when Road 38 is at its busiest, as are the roads that will be used as detours.

Complete details about detours and timing will be available on the township website and in the Frontenac News next week.

Sharbot Lake Community Improvement Plan

The timing may not have been perfect for the township to receive the draft Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for Sharbot Lake on the day they were meeting in Arden, as there is lingering resentment among Arden residents over the interest the township has historically expressed in economic development within Sharbot Lake, which has the bulk of the commercial and institutional infrastructure within Central Frontenac, in addition to housing the township office.

The draft plan will be the subject of a public meeting at the Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake tonight, July 12, at 6:30 pm.

The draft identifies a number of goals, including the improvement of five businesses and the establishment of two new businesses within five years; improvements to the commercial areas on Hwy. 7 and on Elizabeth street in the core of the village; better signage, etc.

Under the plan, $70,000 will be available from Frontenac County each year and $10,000 from Central Frontenac for matching grants for local businesses looking to improve their physical look and entranceway or make them more accessible.

Council was asked to receive the document for information at this meeting, on the expectation that the plan will receive final approval at next month's meeting, once the public meeting has been held and recommendations are incorporated.

The Community Improvement Plan area was defined in the draft plan as a long and narrow strip running from Brewer Road to the south, to Highway 7 in the north, roughly

Councilor Norm Guntensperger pointed out that there is no requirement that the CIP be limited to such a small region within the commercial core of Sharbot Lake.

“We are entirely within our power and jurisdiction to delineate the entire township as the project area. I see no reason why certain businesses should be excluded,” said Guntensperger

“I think the CIP is an important first step,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski. “Including the entire township would be difficult; it would be like putting gravel on every road every year. It is spread too thin and does no good. We have had experts look at the entire county, and they advised we need to focus on certain areas. We have an enthusiastic group in Arden, and we made some investments in Arden a couple of years ago, which acted as a catalyst to some of the things that are happening in Arden today. Targeted investments can be effective and that’s what this is about.”

Gutowski then invited Guntensperger to attend the public meeting on the CIP, pointing out that he had never done so before.

Guntensperger ignored Gutowski’s final comment, sticking instead to his main point

“I think in building a community, you don’t divide it,” he said.

In a vote to receive the draft CIP for information, Councilor Guntensperger was the only no vote.

Later in the meeting Guntensperger proposed a motion to extend the CIP to the entire township, making particular note of what it could do to enhance the Arden revitalisation efforts that had been the subject of much of the meeting.

Mayor Gutowski said that opening up the CIP to the entire township would slow its implementation.

In a recorded vote, eight members of the nine-member Council supported Gutowski’s view and Guntensperger’s motion was defeated.

OPP reports costing models to council

Members of the Sharbot Lake and Lanark OPP detachments made a presentation at council's request regarding costs and models of service. Attending the presentation were Sgts. Paul Ross and Paul Legault, Inspector Gerry Salsbury and Provincial Constable David Blair. Sgt. Paul Legault began the presentation by outlining the two different models available to municipalities and how their costs differ; the first being a contract model and the second a non-contract model. The differences between the two are that in the first, OPP staff costs are fixed for the full term of the contract, whereas in the second the costs are adjusted at year's end to reflect the actual staffed hours. Other differences are that in the first, OPP staff are authorized to enforce area by-laws where as in the second, non-contract model they are not. Similarly in the first model staff are eligible for grants to run special programs like the RIDE program where in the second they are not eligible for additional programs. Sgt. Legault also outlined the current new costing formula which was undated in 2012. Following his presentation Sgt. Paul Ross outlined the OPP report for the township from January 2012 to May 31, 2012 and highlighted major incidents involving the OPP, which included numerous statistics regarding the types of crimes reported in that time period, including assaults, break and enters, thefts, and mischief. The report showed that the number of incidents in total increased steadily from January 2012 from 110 incidents to 156 in May 2012. Following the presentation council received the report for information.

Photo: Harrowsmith PS principal Mme Valerie Arsenault

Students at Harrowsmith Public School will be the recipients of a new playground and sports area thanks to the long-time efforts of the school's parent council. Since 2009 there have been plans in the works to transform the vast school yard behind the school into an improved play, sports and outdoor learning area for the students.

The parents began the project in 2009 by asking students at the school what kind of vision they had for an improved outdoor facility. Though some of their suggestions, like an outdoor pool, a trampoline and others proved either too costly and / or too impractical, the council has since arrived at six specific objectives that will take place in four separate phases. The project is a partnership between the school's parent council and staff, the Limestone District School Board's Facility Services, the Township of South Frontenac, the Frontenac Soccer Association, and the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston. It is expected to be completed by 2015 and the total cost is estimated at $173,000, with funds being generated from donations from corporate sponsors, local area businesses and individuals, and with additional elbow grease being provided by numerous school and community volunteers.

School principal, Mme Valerie Arsenault, said the organizers will also be looking into possible funding opportunities from various granting bodies.

The six major objectives that have been established for the project will include a gravel track (which is close to being completed); the construction of various exercise stations and equipment around the track; the construction of an outdoor learning area that will include rock benches and a covered area; upgrading the existing baseball and soccer fields; planting new trees; and constructing new benches. After completing her first year as principal at the school, Arsenault said she is thrilled to see the project taking shape. “It's great to see a project like this one taking place, which involves so many partners since it incorporates so many of the current educational values of our parents, school staff and the community at large. The new yard will go a long way in facilitating and promoting healthy living, physical activity and outdoor learning,” she said. The over 300 students that attend the school will have a treat in store for them when they arrive at their desks come September.

Editorial by Jeff Green

Back in the fall of 2010, North Frontenac Council thought it would cost about $80 per square foot to build a fire hall/ambulance post in Ompah. Frontenac County staff disagreed. By hiring project management, and building to LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) standards, a policy that has been adopted by Frontenac County as part of its sustainability initiative, they put the price at $200 per square foot once all the costs were in.

It took a year to sort the whole thing out, but in the end it is fair to say that the county's view prevailed. With Frontenac County having committed $300,000 for a 1,500 square foot space, and North Frontenac committing up to $550,000 for a 2,750 square foot fire hall, the project got underway last November.

The price came in at $1.14 million, $257 per square foot for a building that is meant to house an ambulance and some fire equipment, and provide a basic resting spot for two paramedics for up to 10 hours a day, and a meeting room for the periodic use of firefighters. Effectively it is a building with two garages and some basic amenities, but that is what the preferred bid has come in at.

In response to that pricing, there has been a resounding silence from both Frontenac County and North Frontenac. Both councils received a report that outlines the costs, including proposals about how to mitigate some of the costs by cutting out $115,000 in LEED-related costs and making the building smaller.

The impact would be to cut the cost for the North Frontenac share of the project from $734,000 to just over $600,000.

But when it came time to send a request to Frontenac County Council to cut out the LEED costs and make the project more affordable, the votes were simply not there on North Frontenac Council.

Four members of the seven-member council are simply not willing to spend any more than $550,000 on the project, and there is no scenario on the table now that can bring the cost back to $550,000.

It's as simple as that.

The official reason why nothing has happened since this stark reality was revealed in early June is that an environmental assessment is still pending. But that assessment, which was seen as a hurdle that had to be overcome quickly before the costing for the project was revealed, has now become nothing more than a convenient excuse to delay the inevitable final decision to kill the project that North Frontenac Council will be facing.

When North Frontenac Council decided not to even ask Frontenac County Council to provide some relief, they lost their best opportunity to rid themselves of the political responsibility for killing the project. They did not do so out of fear of county council; they did so out of fear that their pleas would be heard and they would have to spend $50,000 more on the project. What that vote demonstrated was that the current North Frontenac Council is not really behind this project, which was initially championed by the previous council.

In the first place, the Ompah location was the second choice of the previous Frontenac county council for a northern ambulance base, and it has less than fulsome support on the current county council, so to say the project is on shaky ground with this current pricing would be more than understating the reality.

What next?

For the paramedic service, the likeliest scenario will be a return to the original plan, a full-sized, $1 million plus base to be built in the vicinity of Ardoch Road and Road 509.

For the Ompah fire service, the scenario is less clear. It might be possible to fix up the existing base, although there are issues with flooding at the back of the hall, and there is also the possibility of the township building a stand alone fire hall.

While promises have been made to the people in Ompah about a new fire hall and about the ambulance service, the latest pricing debacle has laid bare the fact that there is little political support, not only at Frontenac County, but on North Frontenac Council as well, for this project after all.

If it is to be killed, best to do it quickly and move on.

As it stands, there will be an ambulance idling at the North Frontenac Township garage on a deserted stretch of highway at Lavant for up to 10½ hours a day for another winter.

That can hardly be in keeping with anyone's idea of fiscal or environmental sustainability.

Further, this question should be asked.

No matter who builds what, it is hard to see why it should cost $257 a square foot to build a glorified garage with taxpayers' money.

Prior to the July 5 meeting, Council hosted an open house and tour of the freshly renovated Township hall and office spaces. With the exception of Public Works (at Keeley Road), all the township services are now located together in Sydenham. Mayor Davison complimented staff, particularly CEO Orr, for their hard work and patience during renovations. Council chambers have been rearranged with Council sitting at a horseshoe table, thus providing considerably more space for delegations, spectators,etc.

Council members have elegant new chairs, but the spectators’ gallery is back to using the familiar orange plastic: we’re going to miss those comfy library chairs!

Severance/Parkland Fee Policy Needed

Darlene Clement of Storrington District came to Council on behalf of her father, who owns and wishes to sever two adjoining farm which have been merged, although the properties still have separate roll numbers and tax bills.

At issue is the Township’s requirement of a fee of “up to 5% of the value of the severed property, in lieu of parkland.” Ms Clement’s argument is that the fee, which could be substantial, is unfair because two old farms are simply being separated again.

While not common, this is a situation that occurs from time to time: after discussion, Council asked staff to draft a parkland fee policy for properties which have merged through common ownership, and are being re-severed.

New Three-way Stop in Sydenham

Stating, “It’s more good fortune than good management that there hasn’t been an accident,” Public Works Manager Segsworth proposed a by-law which would create an all-way stop at the corner of Church and William Streets in Sydenham. This will come into effect as soon as the signs are posted.

Sydenham Water System Operation & Maintenance

Council accepted Segsworth’s recommendation that the Township extend the contract of the current water plant operator (Kingston Utilities) until December 2014, in order to gain ‘operational experience.” Much of the focus to date has been on improving the water treatment plant, and addressing the THM (trihalomethane) issues. The emphasis is now shifting to the distribution system: “New development and infrastructure repair and maintenance around the distribution system are creating new demands. We are still at the early stages of the learning curve...our focus for the next year or so should be on connecting all properties located within the existing Water Service Area,” Segswoth said.

Township Entrance Signs

Council selected a design for new road signs which will include the township motto and population. There was unanimous agreement on a design clearly featuring the township name in an oval that some may find a bit reminiscent of a popular coffee shop chain. But what’s wrong with appearing familiar, Canadian and welcoming?

New Use for Hartington’s Stone School House

Representatives of Portland and District Heritage Society were delighted with Council’s agreement to enter into a fixed-term renewable lease which will permit the Society to use the old Hartington School House for storage of historical materials. The Society will look after routine maintenance, and the Township will continue to provide heat, hydro and insurance. The previous tenants, Neighbourhood Sharing, have relocated to the adjacent Princess Anne building.

Verona Lions Plead for Consistency in Township Support

Deputy Mayor McDougall read a letter to Council, signed by himself, outlining the many benefits provided the community by the Verona Lions’ Club’s Hall and adjoining ball diamonds, etc. Over the years, the Township has charged taxes for the property, but also provided varying levels of support, recently in the form of mowing part of the playing fields. The letter asked for a township commitment to a consistent level of support, so the Lions would know what to expect and be able to plan their annual budget accordingly.

Before setting policy about support of non-township owned facilities (Storrington’s Ken Garrett Park is in a similar situation) Council asked for more information from staff.

Expansion of Latimer Cemetery

Council approved the purchase of land to expand Latimer Cemetery, in Storrington District. It’s been agreed that the Township will acquire one-quarter of an acre on behalf of the cemetery, in exchange for: “$10,000, two grave lots, four cornerstones, and HST.”

No more meetings in July

Council will meet next on August 7. There are no Committee of the Whole meetings scheduled for the summer.

Policing Update

Staff Sgt. Greg McClellan of the Napanee detachment and Sgt. Bernie Leblanc of the Kaladar detachment paid a visit to Addington Highlands Council on Tuesday.

The visit is the first in some time from the OPP, and Staff Sgt. McClelland said that the OPP intends to bring quarterly updates to council in the future.

McClelland also brought information about what the OPP call the Mobilization and Engagement Model of Community Policing that the OPP is implementing province-wide.

The model is based on the identification of different types of communities as far as policing is concerned, ranging from what are called red zones, where incidents of various kinds are prevalent, to green zones, where there are few incidents.

The goal of the model is for police to work with community partners, from schools to social services to municipalities, to identify and deal with the root causes of crime in red zone areas to slowly change them to yellow, blue and eventually green zones.

In green areas, such as Addington Highlands, Stone Mills, and North Frontenac, the model focuses on identifying situational crimes that occur, such as seasonal break and enters or traffic issues on summer weekends, and finding solutions to those issues through allocation of resources and community engagement.

The model will be introduced to the local community at a public forum for residents and council members in Addington Highlands and North Frontenac in the early fall, McClelland said.

Commercial/Institutional construction dominates

In a region where residential construction tends to outstrip commercial construction by a wide margin, projects being undertaken by the Kaladar Shell, the Northbrook Petro Can, Hardy Inn and Flintshire farms have pushed up construction values for the first half of 2012.

The largest portion of the $5,666,429 in construction permits in 2012 is for the pending rebuild of Pine Meadow Nursing Home.

New home construction was actually down from the same period in 2011, which was $1.35 million (the 2012 total is $1.18 million) but the renovation total of $4.37 million as opposed to $375,000 last year has made all the difference.

Permit fees are down in 2012 as compared to 2011, by almost $2,000, because of the permit holiday for commercial and institutional construction in the township.

Representatives of Queen’s University’s biological station and the Nature Conservancy of Canada came to Council requesting closure of a section of road allowance crossing the developed portion of the former Hewlett-Packard property in Storrington Township. Presently, Queen’s is leasing the Elbow Lake facility, a recreational complex contained in the 1200 acre property, for “use as an education and outreach centre specifically targeted towards community extension.” The lease agreement includes an option to purchase “a 20% undivided share of the property.” Presently the land in question could not be severed for sale, as it is divided by the unopened road allowance.

Council discussed the options of closing and selling the road allowance, which is described as running across a swamp, or possibly accepting an alternate road allowance in trade. Councillor McPhail expressed concern that the proposed summer programs for children would compete with similar programs offered by the Cataraqui Conservation authority, though the Queen’s representative said he had already met with the CRCA, and felt this would not be a problem. However, Deputy Mayor McPhail noted that there has been no meeting with the Limestone School Board,which runs summer outdoor education camps from their Gould Lake facility.

Later in the meeting, Council requested more policy information and time for a viewing of the road allowance in question, before making any decision.

Township Reserves

Treasurer Louise Fragnito reported that the Corporate Services Committee is in the process of reviewing the Township’s reserve structure, with the goal of drafting a reserve policy for Council’s consideration in the fall. Presently, the Township has a projected 2012 year-end balance of almost $14 million, to be held in 45 separate reserve funds.

Cemeteries in South Frontenac

Angela Maddox, Recreation Coordinator, reported on comments received from the district cemetery boards in regard to the existing structure of cemetery boards, the fee schedules and the respective by-laws. Council’s goal is to develop common fees and by-laws. Maddox included information from the Ministry of Consumer Services, which administers the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act (FBCSA). This act, which comes into force July 1, combines two previous acts and addresses issues such as the resale of unused plots and establishments of crematoriums.

Council directed this report to the Corporate Services Committee for further direction. CAO Orr noted that as well as municipal cemeteries, the Township also contains church-owned, community-managed, private family and abandoned cemeteries which may also be affected by the new act.

FYI: The FBCSA states that “cremated human remains cannot be interred in a pet cemetery.” But it does not seem to address the reverse possibility….

This week, North Frontenac Council made one large expenditure, $511,000 to Smith Construction for road paving (which was included in their 2012 budget) as well as a number of much smaller expenditures for other projects.

One of those expenditures was for the Snow Road Hall, where the Monday June 27 meeting was held. Lorie Ryder appeared before Council, representing the South Palmerston Community Centre Committee (the formal name of the hall), and put in a request for $2,000 for materials. Volunteers are available for installation. Council decided to fund half the project, and granted $1,000.

Canada Day grants

Council granted $500 for the festivities being organized for Saturday for a township Canada Day event (see details in Canada Day supplement) and $600 for the fireworks display at the Ompah gravel pit in the evening. Please note that the Canada Day events are indeed set for Saturday June 30 in North Frontenac.

Harlowe Hall

The Harlowe Hall Committee has raised $5,000, which they would like to see going towards the installation of a roof over the back door of the hall. They asked for the township to manage the project and to refinish the floor. Council agreed to allocate staff time for the two projects.

$750 to feed fishermen

The township received a request from the Land O’Lakes Tourist Association to support a stay at Frontenac Parklands by the production team for Fish TV, a syndicated fishing show that is shown on Global TV, World Fishing Network, Outdoor Life Network, and others. The request was for $750 for food (accommodation has been arranged). Council agreed to provide the food money.

Update on Bobolinks

Councilor Gerry Martin, township representative to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, (MVCA) reported that the hatchling Bobolinks have been born at the site where the MVCA is planning to build a new headquarters in Carleton Place.

“They should fly the nest by the beginning of August and the building project can start,” said Martin.

No news on Ompah build

There was no reference to the Ompah Fire Hall/Ambulance Post project on the agenda. CAO Cheryl Robson said she has not heard back from MALROZ Engineering, the company that is dong a Environmental Assessment on the proposed site of the project, so she left the item off the agenda. Council is expected to consider their next move in early July. A Request For Proposal for the project yielded a recommended bid of $1.14 million for the project, $734,000 for the township share. That is almost $200,000 more than the township had contemplated paying.

The Frontenac County portion is $380,000, $80,000 over the county budget, but the county also declined to consider the item when it came up at their meeting last week, as they are also waiting to hear about the Environmental Assessment.

Policy Needed for Extension of Sydenham Water Mains

Council deferred a motion to approve an ad hoc solution addressing the cost of a proposed Sydenham water extension a short distance east along Rutledge Road. They have asked Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth to develop a policy addressing any further extensions of the water mains,taking into account the capacity of the system, once the new village subdivision and all residents in the present service area are hooked up. Such a policy would address protocol and procedure, including ‘who pays for what.’

Coat of Arms: “Yes,” Logo Change: “No”

Council examined and approved a revised version of the Coat of Arms sketch: a couple of small details have been deleted, and the native medicine wheel with the four traditional colours (red, black, white and yellow) has been added. A formal rendition will now be ordered.

A proposal to alter the existing township logo by replacing the centre landscape with features derived from the Coat of Arms was soundly defeated: “A community group worked hard to design this logo (at the time of amalgamation,) and it’s on all our vehicles and stationary” said Davison: “I see no reason to replace it.”

Portland Waste Site Response to MOE

As discussed at last week’s Committee of the Whole, three alternatives for addressing concerns about the Portland landfill will be proposed for further review over the summer: 1)Water level management, 2) Partial capping of the site, and 3) Temporarily restricting use of the site. If the MOE approves, the review will be followed in September by an implementation plan that, Segsworth says, “Could end up being one of these alternatives, or some sort of combination of all three.”

Memorial Endowment to Enhance Township Office Streetscape

The interest from a 1999 memorial endowment will be used for purchase and installation of a new park bench, planters and plants outside the Municipal offices. This anonymous gift, to be administered by the Township, is intended for “community purposes in the Village of Sydenham to improve health, security, cleanliness, comfort and ornament of the village.”

Robinson Congratulated

Mayor Davison congratulated Councillor Robinson for having received a pin from the Sydenham Legion, recognizing 55 years of service.

Addington Highlands Community Centre - Denbigh: Councilor Tony Fritsch said that the gym could be used now for events that do not require tables and chairs (the center does not have any) and that queries have already been made to use it for a sports event. Council will draw up a rental agreement template.

Fritsch also brought up the possibility of a small business opportunity at the center, such as someone opening a small coffee shop, though he said it wasn't clear how viable a business like that would be. The idea was shelved until council could find out what insurance and regulations, e.g. about drinking water, would be needed for such a venture. The center's parking lot is presently being excavated, to a depth that created steep embankments in some places. Works Superintendent Royce Rosenblath said that the embankments have been sloped more gently, which has taken up some of the parking space, but is preferable to having to build a 200 ft retaining wall.

Lion's Toll Booth - The Land o'Lakes Lions will be holding their annual voluntary toll in the village of Northbrook from June 28 to June 30.

Waste sites - Reeve Henry Hogg said that the township received a letter from a senior environmental officer, stating the ministry's satisfaction with the conditions of all five of the township's waste sites. Reeve Hogg commended Royce Rosenblath for his work in bringing the sites to their present condition.

Firehall Engineering Plans -The township received a draft layout from Jewell Engineering for the proposed new fire hall. However, Reeve Hogg questioned the need for the township to "spend a lot of money on fancy engineering work". He said he had been reminded that in the past a similar layout had been done by the township's then chief building inspector. Council voted to meet next week with Fire Chief Casey Cuddy to develop the floor plan of the fire hall.

Road Reconstruction - Council voted to receive plans and cost estimates that had been prepared by Jewell Engineering for work on the Deerrock Lake Road and the Beatty’s Curve Road. In the case of the Deerrock Lake Road, over the years the road has gradually encroached on a private property in a certain spot. the project will cost $62,000 and Deputy Mayor Bill Cox commented that it would be cheaper to buy the property than to reconstruct the road.

For the Beatty's Curve Road, property owners have requested that the township maintain the part of the road that the township owns. The township would need to buy land, and faced with project costs of over $250,000, council will notify the landowners that they cannot afford to do anything now. They will also ask if the property owners can contribute towards a "joint effort on these roads"

The township is also waiting for a report from Jewell Engineering on all its roads.