While Central Frontenac Council is all behind plans for economic development, spending $75,000 on studies didn’t seem to sit too well with councillors at the regular meeting of Council Tuesday in Sharbot Lake.

Council was discussing a report from Dep. Clerk Cindy Deachman on a recent meeting of the Central Frontenac Economic Development Committee with Megan Rueckwald and Alison Vandervelde from Frontenac County’s Planning and Economic Development Departments regarding the Official Plan process and economic development in general.

“The committee has identified some key opportunities relating to the official plan process and the revitalization of village streets to promote economic development within the Township,” the report said. “The committee recognizes that the road reconstruction project and seniors housing projects are in progress and it is not the intention of the committee to hold up these projects until a secondary plan process is completed. The committee is confident that these projects will be planned in such a way as to allow for maximum flexibility for any future developments contemplated as a result of a secondary plan.”

The report said that the committee believes that prioritizing the plan for 2020 would put the planning framework in place for future projects and opportunities that present themselves so that future development maximizes the hamlet’s economic development potential as a hub.

“We do know that there are talks about Hwy. 7 and about the revitalization of Elizabeth Street in Sharbot Lake,” said Coun. Brent Cameron. “But we are the economic development committee for the entire Township.

“There are lessons to be learned for Mountain Grove and Parham.”

The report said that Reuckwald noted the recent planning process in Marysville was anticipated to cost about $75,000 and that aspect drew fire from Coun. Tom Dewey.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to spend that,” Dewey said.

“I agree,” said Cameron. “There’s enough of a knowledge base on Council and these committees to shape this up.”

“My concern is that we get the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw done and I don’t know that the County has the staff to do more,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

“We’ll have to watch the Marysville document carefully,” said Dep. Mayor Victor Heese. “There will be differences between Sharbot Lake and Marysville but $75,000?”

Humane Society expensive

Central Frontenac may be looking elsewhere for pound services following a contract renewal offer from the Kingston Humane Society that would end up costing the Township $5,292. In 2017 the same contract cost $1,980, $2,128.63 in 2018 and $2,412.80 to date in 2019.

“We should go back and renegotiate,” said Coun Tom Dewey.

“We reached out to them to explain the increases but they didn’t get back to us,” said Dep. Clerk Cindy Deachman.

“Maybe we should be looking at Lanark or Lennox & Addington,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “I think we went with Kingston because our former bylaw officer lived near there and could deliver dogs to the pound on his way home.

“It might be cheaper to pay mileage to Napanee.”

Council deferred a decision to allow staff to investigate further.

Six foot monuments?

A request to remove a restriction of four feet height in favour of six feet for monuments in Central Frontenac cemeteries was denied.

“Six feet is awfully tall,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “If there’s a strong wind or if someone wants to push it over, it would be easier.”

“We do have some existing monuments taller than four feet but they’re old and there was only the one request,” said Clerk-Administrator Cathy MacMunn.

$400 for Christmas Dinner

Council agreed to donate $400 to the Christmas Dinner Fund held by the Food Bank on Christmas Day at St. James Major Hall.

“They have $300 and they need $1,200,” said Clerk-Administrator Cathy MacMunn.

The dinner was originally the brainchild of former Frontenac News Publisher Jule Koch-Brison.

In response to last week’s delegation of residents and several other requests Council passed a by-law extending the 2018 parking restrictions on both sides of the Devil Lake culvert, to be effective as soon as the signs are posted. This is intended to reduce the hazard to traffic and pedestrians along that stretch of road.

Councillor Ruttan asked what further measures Council could take to address residents’ concerns. Public Works Director Mark Segsworth said that any changes such as prohibiting fishing from the sides of the culvert or night fishing, would have to be consistent with other similar areas in the Township. Segsworth said the MNR was aware of the concerns around commercial night fishing; “We need to further explore (what the MNR can do). We don’t want to create unenforceable by-laws, and we aren’t the only area with these problems.” As for trespassing, it is up to the residents to clearly sign their property, and phone the police immediately if there are violations. Mayor Vandewal suggested it might be best to begin with the parking restrictions, which should make that stretch of road less dangerous, and see if the overall situation improves next spring when fishing season begins again.

Fire and Rescue

During Fire Prevention Week in early October, South Frontenac Fire and Rescue (SFFR) was very active in the Township, holding open houses at 5 of the 8 firehalls, visiting all six elementary schools in the Township, and through the media (Frontenac News, the Township’s website, Twitter, Facebook, and local radio stations.) Throughout, their message addressed smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and the importance of having a well thought-out and rehearsed home fire escape plan. They reported a lot of community interest and positive feedback.

Promotion of Frontenac County’s Bike trails

Council passed a motion to fund the Ontario by Bike 2020 publication to “promote the great trails throughout Frontenac County that currently are not identified as part of the Eastern Ontario bike trails.” Councillor Sutherland had brought this motion in response to a presentation and request made last week by Robert Charest and Bob Clinton.

Municipal Office Christmas Hours and January Meeting Schedule

The South Frontenac Municipal offices will close at noon Tuesday Dec 24, and reopen on Thursday Jan 2, 2020.

Council will meet January 14 and 28, and COW will be January 14.

After emerging from a closed session in which one of the listed items was “advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege . . . more specifically an update with respect to road maintenance,” Council rose and reported to pass the following resolution:

“Based on financial impact and potential other requests, Council denies the request for a grant for Norcan Lake Lane winter maintenance services in 2019/2020.

“And that Council approve providing winter maintenance services in the future years commencing Nov. 15, 2020, subject to the Township being able to find a qualified service provider.

“And that the Mayor approach the Mayor of Greater Madawaska about providing winter road maintenance.”

The measure passed 5-2 in a recorded vote with Coun. Vernon Hermer and Wayne Good voting against. Last Friday’s regular North Frontenac Township Council meeting in Plevna was a busy one, to say the least.

Zoning bylaw amendmend for boat storage site

Council looked at a proposal to rezone a property on Skootamatta Lake Road to rezone the lands from Rural to Commercial Exception Zone that would allow Smart’s Marina to store boats on the property.

In a planning report, Megan Rueckwald, manager of community planning, County of Frontenac, recommended “defer passing an amending bylaw for the subject property until the comments received to date have been addressed by a qualified professional to the satisfaction of the township including the completion of a stormwater management brief and drainage plan.”

In the conclusion/recommendation section of the planning report, she said: “Planning staff and Township staff met with the property owners Nov. 6 to evaluate the site and provide an overview of the comments received to date.

“At the meeting, planning staff advised the applicants that planning staff cannot advocate on their behalf (and) also spoke about the recommendation to Council that a stormwater brief be prepared by a qualified professional and reiterated that this is a decision of Council. Due to the volume of comments (65) received and complexity of the application, the applicants were advised that there are private planning consultants who may be able to assist the applicants in this process.”

Steve Smart asked if an engineering report would really be necessary given it would cost $5,000-$10,000 and suggested they could work with municipal staff on drainage.

However, Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule said he felt strongly that any such report would have to be done by a professional engineer for liability reasons.

Mayor Ron Higgins said that the issue under discussion this day was “simply a request to make a Zoning Bylaw amendment.

“From a Council standpoint, I see no risk.”

Higgins recommended any studies come at the site plan stage.

“We make someone who tries to do everything right jump through hoops,” he said.

“This is a generationally successful business wanting to expand,” said Coun. Vernon Hermer. “I know of no reason (why they shouldn’t).”

Council passed a resolution approving a bylaw amendment.

Kaladar-Barrie Fire department beig reconsidered?

A report from The Loomis Group on the level of Fire Service in Ward 1 compared to Wards 2 and 3 recommended that North Frontenac Council review and consider different service level options.

Currently, Wards 2 and 3 receive fire services from North Frontenac while Ward 1 receives services from the joint Kaladar/Barrie department which is run by a committee made up of officials from both North Frontenac and Addington Highlands Townships.

The report, written by consultant Terry Gervais, concluded that the level of service being provided is similar in the way they respond, the training standards established, the challenges of recruitment and retention, infrastructure, and daily operations.

The difference, the report said, is in how the departments and processes are being managed as well as differences in public education, fire prevention and inspections.

The report presented five service level options for Council to consider.

• Remain status quo
• Ward 1 fire protection managed solely by North Frontenac
• Purchase fire protection from Addington Highlands for Ward 1
• Kaladar-Barrie fire department manages only emergency responses
• Amalgamated fire department.

“I like the status quo,” said Dep. Mayor Fred Perry. “I think we’re working well together and I don’t think we have a building to house our share of the equipment.

“They may need a few more resources.”

“You have your opinion and I have a different opinion,” said Mayor Ron Higgins.

Council passed a resolution to meet with Addington Highlands Council to decide how to proceed.

The long and contentious approval process to create 15 new building lots at Johnston’s Point on Loughborough Lake (off North Shore Road) took another bizarre twist this month with the release of a new document.

Because of the presence of two endangered species on the site - Blandings Turtles and Gray (aka Black) rat snakes – the project developer was required to obtain a “Overall Benefit Permit” from the Ministry of Natural Resources as a condition of approval for the project.

The permit sets out the steps that must be taken to ensure that the net effect of the development will not cause any more stress on the populations of the two endangered species than existed when the property was in its natural state.

Frontenac County, as the approval authority that will ultimately give the go-ahead for the project, wanted to see the permit. The Ministry would not release the document and the county submitted a freedom of information request last winter to get access.

While the request was being considered, ministerial changes took place and responsibility to enforce the permit is now held by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. The document was finally released to Frontenac County on October 29, but as members of Frontenac County Council saw this week when the document was released to the public, it is a redacted version that was released.

The redactions were done by the ministry and a third party with an interest in the project. The ministries’ redactions, county planning staff have determined, were done so that the specific locations where the species are located within the site are not identified.

The redactions make parts of the permit very hard to understand.

The permit does say that paving should be avoided within the building project, and that a 30-metre vegetative buffer around the lake must be adhered to. It also places restrictions on the time of years when certain construction activities can take place.

For example, no vegetative clearing, driveway clearing or construction, building or septic field construction can take place between April 1 and October 31 unless a qualified professional is on site to monitoring all clearing and construction to make sure the species are not negatively impacted by the activity.

While construction will be restricted during the main building season of April 1 to October 30, any blasting that will take place will be restricted to April 1 – October 31 so it does not impact the snakes during hibernation.

Even once construction is complete, there are provisions for educating property owners on the site, and for annual reports concerning the wellbeing of the two species.

The stringent requirements about the project, the materials to be used in road construction, and the timing and limitations during the construction phase will all be enforced by the Ministry, the township of South Frontenac and the County of Frontenac have no jurisdiction concerning the stipulations contained in the benefit permit.

The ghost of the Mike Harris government is resting a bit more quietly in Ontario municipal circles.

The province "will not force amalgamation of municipalities," Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark said at a public forum just after the federal election took place.

The province has been conducting a review of 82 upper and lower tier municipalities, most of them located in the vicinity of the City of Toronto, sparking speculation that the review would lead to amalgamation.

As the Ford government demonstrated in the first few weeks of its mandate when it changed the ward system in the City of Toronto in the midst of a municipal election, provincial authorities have broad powers over municipalities in Ontario through the Municipal Act.

Last spring, when the details about proposed changed in the health sector were released, the government began a process whereby Public Health agencies, Paramedic Service delivery agencies, and front line health care agencies are being combined into large regional entities, the idea being that service delivery will be more efficient and less expensive for provincial taxpayers.

All of this led to speculation that small and rural municipalities, of which there are 405 in the province, will find themselves facing amalgamation pressures within the next year or two.

The announcement by Minister Clark put an end to speculation.

“I never took that talk too seriously,” said Central Frontenac Mayor Frances Smith, who is preparing to take on the mantle of Frontenac County Warden in 2020. “It’s easy to say that amalgamation is the answer but when they take a detailed look at the cost of maintaining services and keeping up roads like 38 and 509 that the province downloaded to the municipalities in the first place, they see that there are no real savings to be had.”

Within days of Clark’s comments, a new municipal funding program, the municipal modernization program, aimed at those 405 small, rural municipalities, was announced.

The first intake for the program is providing grants for “reviews of municipal service delivery expenditures by independent third-party operators.”

Frontenac County and its member townships decided last week that they would like to apply for the funding.

At their meetings this week, South Frontenac and Frontenac County Council are both considering making a combined submission to the fund. If the submission is successful, they will undertake a service delivery review focused on taking a regional approach in reviewing operational services to identify efficiencies and best use of limited resources.

At this point, all that is necessary is that an expression of interest form be submitted to the province. The details can be worked out between the 5 municipalities (North, Central, and South Frontenac, Frontenac Islands, and Frontenac County) before a final submission is submitted next month.

The review would take place early in 2020 and a report will be submitted to the ministry and released to the public in late June. Later intakes under the Municipal Modernization Program, which runs until 2023, will provided funding for implementation of identified projects

Frontenac County will also be submitting an expression of interest to the program to conduct a review of the economic development department with view towards making the best use of the limited resources in the small department.

Central Frontenac Council received and adopted a business case study for seniors housing on the site of the former Sharbot Lake Public School at its regular meeting Tuesday evening at Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake.

Ken Foulds of SHS Consulting and Re/ Fact Consulting presented Council with a report that would pave the way for 10 units of seniors housing, all on a single floor with larger halls and doorways, that would come in at a capital cost of about $2.8 million with annual operating costs of about $89,000 per year.

The 10 units would be set up as two fiveunit pods to take advantage of regulations that require additional septic and/or well requirements for buildings of six units or more.

Each unit would contain one two-bedroom unit and four one-bedroom units. Foulds said that reflects the feedback of 118 online surveys received.

“The concept is viable,” he said. “The site is obviously larger than what would be needed for those two pods and there is existing septic and well that may be useable.”

He said half of the one-bedroom units would be at Acceptable Market Rate (AMR, currently $832/month) and half at 80 per cent of AMR (currently $665/month). Two bedroom units would be at the AMR of $1,144).

Several assumptions were made in the study such as a property value of $250,000 (after the existing school building is demolished), funding from the Ontario Investment in Affordable Housing program at $150,000 per unit for 50 per cent of the units, a waiver of municipal development fees ($27,800) and a County equity infusion of $330,000 plus $100,000 from the Township.

“Operations would be managed by an experienced local housing provider (Central Frontenac Housing Corporation, which manages the existing senior’s housing units on Clement Road),” he said.

He said the next steps include making the actual decision to move forward, confirming governance/oversight/management, determining usability of existing site services, securing initial funding commitments and beginning pre-development project planning activities.

“We have our starting point,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

Report on Thomson’s Cut

Multi-Use Cultural Centre Steering Committee Chair Gary Giller gave Council a presentation on the completion of Thomson Cut improvements completed this summer including a pedestrian walkway and nine streetlights.

“It’s an important greenbelt between Railway Heritage Park and Oso Beach,” Giller said.

Giller said it’s also important to maintain the greenbelt in the event that an actual railway station come to Sharbot Lake in the future.

“That’s a discussion for another day,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

Elizabeth Street Project

Council authorized staff to undertake a review of Elizabeth Street titles before the anticipated renovations planned for 2020.

“The immediate concern is understanding the extent/location of our road allowance and confirming we have clear title to those sections where we need to undertake rehabilitation,” Public Works Manager Tyson Myers said in his report. “Part of Elizabeth Street is shown in the 1894 village plan, however the northern section has not been surveyed.

“We are in the process of reviewing existing R-plans of neighbouring properties so that boundaries can be located on the ground.

“Furthermore, it would appear that Elizabeth Street has been realigned over the last century and it is unclear if legal titles were updated to reflect what is now on the ground.”

Myers said that while there will be some surveying done as part of the consultant work, it won’t be for legal title. Any title surveying won’t be part of the grant program and therefore the Township will be responsible for costs.

“And it needs to be done sooner rather than later,” he said.

Alton Road

‘Alton Road,’ as the road allowance between Concession 5 and 6 in Hinchinbrooke is commonly known, has had the common law right of of passage restricted on it due to a bridge on it needing repair.

It is not a road within the Township’s current road network and is not recognized in the Township Road Naming Bylaw, Public Works Manager Tyson Myers told Council.

Coun. Victor Heese asked if the bridge should be removed to reduce Township liability but Myers replied: “In the short term, we’ve put up ‘use at your own risk’ but if somebody wants to go back there, they’ll find a way, even if it’s putting up their own bridge.

South Frontenac Council met last week in committee of the whole to pour over the draft 2020 township budget.

The base budget that they received from the treasury department called for an increase in local taxation of just over $500,000, 2.54%.

That increase is not arbitrary. South Frontenac Council set a target of a 2% increase in what the township treasurer Louise Fragnito calls the “taxpayer impact” of the budget.

Fragnito looks at the total value of property assessment in the township when setting her budget target.

She considers two kinds of assessment growth, one that is based on inflationary increases in property and an another that is due to new construction (new homes and renovations to existing homes). The added revenue that the township receives as the result of new construction is considered an increase due to growth and it is used to help calculate the “taxpayer impact” of the budget.

When the increase due to growth is taken into account, the impact of the 2020 budget is a 2% increase in taxation on the average valued house in the township.

The average valued house in South Frontenac will have an assessed value of $272,538 in 2020. Township taxes on the average property will increase by $40 if the draft budget were accepted by council with nothing was added to it.

Before looking in detail at the budget, council heard brief outlines from Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Neil Carbone and the department heads overseeing four services areas (Corporate, Public Works, Development, and Fire and Emergency) about their plans for the coming year or two.

It is the first budget since Carbone came to the township this past summer.

He described the budget process as the most important strategic planning tool and policy document for the township. He said that the 2020 budget process has been focused on maintaining “council’s tax target rate and long-term financial plan while addressing emerging challenges and opportunities”.

Starting next year, the strategic plan the township is working on as well as a recreation master plan, a fire station location study, a service delivery review and a climate change adaption and mitigation plan, will all have an impact on the budgeting exercise.

Manager for Public Works, Mark Segsworth said that the township continues to grow and there are increased expectations on the part of the public, which, “for the most part, we have managed to keep up with.”

Councilor Ray Leonard said that the “expectations of people who move into the township are sometimes out of line with what we can, or should be, providing. We need to be wary of that.”

Recreation facilities and programming are also a growth area for the township, Segsworth added.

Fire Chief Darcy Knott said that the “cultural shift” in the fire department, from four semi-autonomous fire crews into a single service, is a work in progress that is proceeding well. The department completed a successful recruitment drive this year and 25 new recruits have been trained and are ready to join the department.

He also said, in terms of capital expenses, the department is looking at acquiring first response vehicles, 4-wheel drive pickup trucks, to respond to medical calls, which are the most common call-outs for the department.

“Pumper trucks are expensive and can remain in service for 25 years but the cost of maintenance to keep them that long increases over time,” he said. I myself if we need to use a $750,000 pumper for a medical call. We could purchase a whole fleet of heavy-duty pickup trucks for the cost of a single pumper.”

Director of Planning Services Claire Dodds talked about the challenge her department is facing to respond to new tighter timelines for planning approvals that the provincial government has mandated in an effort to bring more housing on stram more quickly. She said that better use of technology could free up planning staff to make better use of their skills, and also talked about more integration between the planning and building departments. She will also be working on a comprehensive growth plan for the township with a 20-year window.

In discussing the budget, a number of items caught the attention of council.

There was concern expressed about the unanswered questions regarding a proposal to build a Stock-sport court/multi use pad at Harrowsmith Centennial Park, but since funding for the project would come from reserves the money was left in the budget. The project was not approved by Council by at this time, but neither was it halted in its tracks.

New hires in the planning, public works and recreation departments are included as add-ons to the budget, and will require further discussion before getting final approval.

One member of council questioned the necessity of developing a South Frontenac brand, when there is already a county brand.

“The branding initiative is fundamental to all of the other initiatives we are undertaking. Staff feel strongly about this,” said Carbone.

The budget allocates $45,000, taken from reserve funds for the branding initative.

A number of alterations were made to some of the budget numbers as well as clarifications about how some spending will roll out.

In the end, Treasurer Fragnito said she will act on council’s direction, and will also wait to receive some further information about funding from provincial sources before bringing a final budget forward in December, at which time council will have a final opportunity to make changes.

The township budget makes up only part of the municipal tax bill that ratepayers receive. Education taxes and Frontenac County taxes are also included. The education rate for 2020 is still pending as is the county rate, although the Frontenac County Council is slated to include a 5% tax increase after discussions in October. Like South Frontenac, the county budget will not be finalized until December.

Problems at Devil Lake Culvert
Several local residents spoke of the continuing problem with nighttime commercial fishing at the culvert on Perth Road a couple of kilometres north of the Devil Lake boat launch site. They listed trespassing, dangerous and illegal roadside parking, large quantities of fish being taken, sometimes out of season, lights and noise all night, garbage, excrement and often defiance and rudeness. “I can’t rent one of my cottages because of the noise and lights all night, so it’s available to any member of Council who’d like a free weekend next summer on Devil Lake, just to see what we’re talking about” offered Roger Brice. Roger Jones said he has watched a steady decline in fish in recent years. They cited similar problems in Port Hope, Peterborough, and Westport. Mark Segsworth, Director of Public Works, said there was a plan to add more ‘No Parking’ signs to the area, and after some discussion, Mayor Vandewal indicated that Council would reach out to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the OPP to see how enforcement of trespassing and overfishing could be increased, particularly at night.

CRCA Draft Budget
Katrina Furlanetto, incoming General Manager, Cataraqui Conservation Authority, began with a brief outline of the agency and its roles.

The CRCA is responsible for management of 11 watersheds over 11 municipalities, an area stretching along the St Lawrence from Napanee to Brockville, and north through much of South Frontenac. The agency protects drinking water sources, manages flooding and erosion hazards, provides education and outdoor recreation areas for all ages, and has planted over 1.5 million trees over the past ten years. It’s a reliable source of information and technical advice.

In the face of two Provincial government directives in late August, which forbade any increases to fees or levies “while legislation and regulations are put in place, unless they are supported by your partner municipalities for 2020 and beyond,” the CRCA has been forced to make some major adjustments. They have cut back on programs (eg, they will no longer rent canoes and kayaks at the Outer Division Street property), reduced staff by five, and hope to soon move their headquarter offices to leased space at Fairmount, Frontenac County. It is anticipated that sharing some office resources would provide savings for both agencies.

The current draft budget would result in 0.9% increase in the levy for South Frontenac, or $1.215.35 over last year, for a total of $144,823.

RFP for Garbage and Recycling
Mark Segsworth said the initial RFP for collection of household garbage and recycling was issued in 2010, and has been renewed since then, pending anticipated provincial changes in how the Blue Box would be funded. However “based on recent provincial announcements about the timelines of that rollout, staff feels the Township can move ahead with a new tender now.”

The last renewal of the current contract will end on August 31, so Segsworth is bringing proposed changes and additions to specifications for discussion by the Committee of the Whole. These include: pickup for the whole township, except for what is collected by township staff; four day a week pickup, with same day garbage and recycling for all; payment to be based on number of households, rather than weight; a five-year contract plus a two-year renewal option; no more private lane collection; collection on both sides of road; recyclables in recycle bins only.

Councillor Sutherland addressed the concern that putting the whole township out as a unit might be more likely to attract an outside provider from a big company. Segsworth replied that the sprawling, rural nature of South Frontenac was unlikely to attract outsiders, who are looking for the best return on their time. Mayor Vandewal added that a local contractor would have the advantage of knowing the area and its requirements better than anyone else. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Sutherland, all expressed concern about ending private lane pickup.

When asked for his opinion, the current contractor Snider said he recommended the township be divided into three pickup areas, rather than four, in order to provide enough work hours for the contractor’s employees.

Segsworth thanked Council for its comments, and said he would return in the New Year with an outline of various RFP options.

“I’ve never had an information report defeated before, I guess it’s non-information,” Mayor Frances Smith said at Central Frontenac Council’s regular meeting Tuesday night at Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake.

The report in question came from Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Services Greg Robinson.

Staff department heads in all townships regularly give monthly reports and they’re almost exclusively rubber-stamped by councils.

But not this time.

Councilor Brent Cameron asked for a recorded vote on the resolution to accept the report. He, along with Councilors Nicki Gowdy, Cindy Kelsey, Sherry Whan and Elwin Burke voted against accepting the report.

Before the vote, Gowdy asked Robinson about training sessions.

“Do you see a buy-in from firefighters and attendance at these sessions?” she asked.

“It’s definitely a work in progress but comments I’ve had are that training is improved,” Robinson said.

Cameron took issue with what he called “a lack of statistics” in Robinson’s report.

“I understand the broader issues with technology (the department’s ‘Firehouse’ reporting software has been an ongoing issue),” Cameron said. “But I’d like to see even the stuff you would input to Firehouse.

“For example, recruitment numbers.”

“We have found a major tech issue,” Robinson said. “I have good 2018 stats now (and) I fully believe we will have stats for the next Council meeting.”

“So the next fire report will have numbers in it?” said Cameron.

“It will,” said Robinson.

The rejection of the report comes in the context of continuing controversy over an incident that took place on July 27 and 28, when the township owned pickup truck that is used by Fire Chief Robinson’s was reported stolen in Prince Edward County. (Under the terms of his contract, Robinson uses the truck for personal as well as township business)

The truck was subsequently located in Sharbot Lake after having been damaged in a hatchet attack by a man from Perth. It had been returned to the township office parking lot by the as yet unidentified truck thief. The hatchet incident led to an extensive police operation in Sharbot Lake on Sunday afternoon on July 28, involving the OPP canine and Emergency Response Units with helicopter support. A man from Perth, who has still not been identified by police, has been charged with vandalism and assault in the case. The OPP have not released any information regarding the theft itself.

An unofficial petition on Change.org asking for Robinson’s resignation on the grounds that he has lost the confidence of the public has garnered 105 signatures.

The council meeting was attended by 15 or 20 people who were interested in seeing if council would address the controversy. Aside from the unprecedented rejection of the chief’s monthly report to council, there was nothing related to the chief or the fire department on the agenda for the open council meeting.

A closed meeting regarding “personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees pursuant to S. 239(2) (b) of the Municipal Act of Ontario” followed the open council meeting. In addition to members of council, Clerk/Administrator Cathy MacMunn and Fire Chief Robinson remained for the in camera meeting, Council rose from the in camera meeting without taking any action.

Other items from Central Frontenac Council

The boat dock at Oso Beach in Sharbot Lake is to be dismantled and moved to Eagle Lake.

In his report to Council, manager of developmental services Andy Dillon said: “Waterlines from the lake supplying the bathrooms have been severed four times this year from motor boats. There are also neighbours’ waterlines near the dock that have also been severed.

“The swim program at Eagle Lake could make better use of the sections to tie their buoys to and divert boats away from the swimming area.”

He said existing staff can complete the work.

Store coming to Arden

Council held a public meeting on a proposal that would make it possible for a convenience store, gas bar and take-out restaurant to open up north of Arden,

There is no decision made at public meetings but for the project to go through a rezoning to General Commercial from Rural has been the subject of an application that came before council.

Proponent Derek Matson said the proposed location is on Arden Road, just across from Price Road.

“At the Kennebec Lake Association meeting, there were people applauding the proposal so I think there’s interest,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

Interim Public Works Manager plans to pulverizes roads

Interim Public Works Manager Steve Keeley, a retired public works manager in Tay Valley and Huntsville who was recently signed to a three-month contract, said he plans to pulverize Henderson Road (Baker Valley to Bordenwood) and Price Road in conjunction with the pulverizing of Crow Lake Road.

“Price Road is really bad and I think we should pulverize it all,” he said. “The same could be said for Henderson.

This would mean the roads would become essentially gravel roads until such time as they can be re-surfaced but, he said the pulverizing would provide a good base once those projects can be undertaken and would provide a more drivable surface in the meantime.

He said the Arden Road project from the hamlet to Pit Road is on hold.

“I’m not sure it’s in good enough shape for micro-surfacing,” he said.

He said they plan to do some paving repair on Road 509 and have a paving company coming in to make recommendations.

Central Frontenac Township kicked off the first of three open houses on the revisiting of its Official Plan (mandated by Provincial Law) last week in Sharbot Lake with an information session on Waterfront Development Policies. Subsequent open houses on Settlement Areas and Growth Management and Rural Areas and Agriculture are planned on following Wednesdays.

About 50 people including staff and four members of Central Frontenac Council.

“This is a complete overhaul of the Official Plan,” said Frontenac County Manager of Community Planning Megan Rueckwald, who also serves as Central Frontenac’s planner. “It will be more comprehensive and not just for waterfront areas.”

One proposal is to reduce the minimum lot size to 2 acres (0.8 hectares) from the current 2.47 acres (1 hectare).

“But there will be other measures introduced to deal with character and density along the waterfronts,” she said. “For example, there is work on backlanes and a 30-metre setback has been solidified.

“Also there are new policies to govern lot coverage within 60 metres (200 feet) of the high water mark.”

As well, there are specific sections to govern the Garrison Shores development and the fish culture station at White Lake.

Rueckwald said they plan to bring a report to a Council meeting in September summarizing the feedback they receive.

However, she said there is a new Provincial Policy Statement expected in October and any final changes to the Official Plan will likely wait until it comes out, in order to be consistent with the PPS and Frontenac County Official Plan.

So, there’s still plenty of time to have your say.

The third and final open house is scheduled for Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. in Sharbot Lake’s Oso Hall.

Or you can contact Rueckwald directly at 613-548-9400 ext. 351 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..