Sep 15, 2016


VIA Rail wants to build a service along Highway 7

At the start of the Central Frontenac Council meeting this week (Tuesday September 13), Mayor Frances Smith presented a document she has received from Jacques Fauteux, Director, government and community relations with VIA rail.

The VIA Dedicated Tracks project proposes to use a new, more efficient diesel-electric hybrid fleet to deliver passenger service in the Quebec City to Windsor corridor.

An adjunct to that project, according to the document, “includes the Shining Waterways Railway Plan, which aims to provide passenger service from Toronto to Havelock, and its extension all the way to Ottawa, using existing tracks or discontinued railway rights of way.”

The service would have many benefits including: local train service to Toronto and Ottawa, shorter trip times than using a car, regional economic development, etc.

Basic inspections are to take place on former railway beds and infrastructure that are under consideration for the project in the region over the coming weeks.

The former rail line from Havelock to Ottawa is currently part of the Trans-Canada Trail. It follows Highway 7 as it heads from Kaladar to Ottawa, but in Central Frontenac it pushes to the south of the highway at Elm Tree, passes below Big Clear Lake in Arden and over to Mountain Grove, eventually following the southern shore of the west basin of Sharbot Lake at Brewer Road, before passing through the hamlet at the medical center, past the beach and then the township office.

Until last year it then went under a bridge at Road 38, but that bridge was removed last year and the trail now passes over the road as it heads back towards Fall River Road, where it again follows Highway 7 towards Perth.

Building report shows solid year

Chief Building Officer Jeremy Neven presented the year-to-date building permit figures, and the total for the year as of the end of August 2016 is up by $300,000 over 2015. Permits for 14 new homes have been purchased, which Neven described as being comparable to other years in recent times. He said that activity has continued to be brisk into September.

When Councilor Cindy Kelsey asked if, as she has seen in her day job at the Arden Post Office, there are many conversions of seasonal cottages to year-round dwellings in the township, Neven said, “Do you think you can get me the names of those people?”

On a more serious note, he said that when seasonal cottages become year-round residences, even if there are no renovations done for that purpose, the requirements for air flow and insulation change and a permit should be taken out.

“A lot of people aren't aware of this, but they should contact us when they become permanent residents so we can ensure the building is suitable for year-round living,” he said.

Facilities report

Neven, in his role as manager of Development Services, reported that work on a number of projects has been proceeding. The new Olden ball field is about to have lights and fencing put in, and the field itself is expected to be completed in time for the 2017 season. The Big Gull Lake boat ramp should be completed this month; a new range hood has been installed at the Kennebec Hall; and shelving has been installed at the Parham library. Work at the Parham fair grounds is expected to be completed this fall as well.

Mayor Smith wondered why the range hood for the Kennebec Hall cost $20,000.

“That's a lot of money for a range hood,” she said.

“It's a very extensive range hood for a very busy kitchen,” said Clerk-Administrator Cathy MacMunn.

“I'll have to go see it then,” said Smith.

KPMG to audit for two more years

Treasurer Michael McGovern proposed that the firm KPMG have their contract extended for two more years for providing auditing services. At that time the township will be participating in a joint procurement process with Frontenac County and the other three Frontenac townships in the hopes of achieving efficiency and cost savings. Council agreed.

Library addition to Mountain Grove fire hall

Fire Chief Bill Young presented the results of a tender for the construction of a 1,000 square foot addition to the Mountain Grove fire hall to accommodate a new library branch. The lowest bid was from Guy Saumure and Sons for $254,600 plus taxes. The budgeted price for the project was $220,000, including a $32,000 engineering fee, and the township received a $110,000 matching grant from the Government of Canada under the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program to cover the costs.

With the engineering added in, the project is now $66,600 over budget, money that will come from savings elsewhere in 2016 township operations if they can be found, or through a loan.

The Saumure bid was over $100,000 lower than two of the other bids and $15,000 lower than the second lowest bid, which was from the Anglin Group Ltd.

Fire dispatch returns to Kingston

When the City of Kingston Fire Service increased its price for providing dispatch services to the township's fire department last year, Chief Young recommended shifting to Smiths Falls, who offered to provide the service for $13,500.

However, Young has now proposed, and Council accepted, that the township return to Kingston Dispatch, as they have revised their price down to $13,500 to match Smiths Falls.

“They seem a lot more interested in our needs now than they were a year ago, and it makes more sense to work with Kingston, which is where the other Frontenac townships get their dispatch as well,” he said.

Signage plan to come forward

Councilor Jamie Riddell, representing the Economic Development Committee, said that now that the Frontenac County branding exercise is complete, the committee will be making a proposal for highway signs at all entrances to the township. This will include corridors such as Highway 7, Roads 38 and 509 and the Arden/Tamworth Road, as well as the Henderson, Crow Lake, and Fifth Lake roads.

“We have been working well with the County on this project, and the work they have done with the new county brand will dovetail really well with what we are doing,” Riddell said.

A report, including costing options, will be presented to Council in time for 2017 budget deliberations.

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