Central Frontenac Council - Nov 8/16

Jeff Green | Nov 09, 2016

New rink in Sharbot Lake one step closer

but money needs to come from local community

The Oso Recreation has long hoped to build an outdoor rink at the Oliver Scott Memorial Park, the ball field that is located next to Granite Ridge Education Centre, and at Council this week Jeremy Neven, Manager of Development Services, presented a set of drawings for a rink that is located within all the required setbacks in the zoning bylaw, and that has the blessing of the Public Works Manager as far as distance from Road 38 is concerned.

“I must say I was surprised by how much room there was for a rink,” said Neven.

Rec committee members intend to build a change room/washroom and a canteen as well on the site, for use in the winter and for the ball field in the summer time.

In his report, Neven said “in addition to the Rec. Committees fund raising efforts, plans are being made to engage township staff to ensure monies are collected and receipted appropriately, setbacks and building codes are met and public works are not affected.”

While all systems are go for the project as far as the planning issues are concerned, it is left to the local committee to raise the necessary funds to put up the rink.

Emergency culvert replacement

Interim Public Works Manager Mike Richardson came to council to talk about a large culvert at 4th Lake Road in Hinchinbrooke ward.

Because of the low water levels, the culvert, which is normally always half full of water, has been left dry. This allowed township roads staff to inspect it, and when it looked suspicious, Richardson himself walked through it.

“I'm not that glad that I did,” he said, “I found it was in a sorry state.”

Richardson said the culvert will likely collapse if left in place until next spring. He suggested, and council agreed, that he immediately approach three engineering companies to quote on engineering for the project.

It will be funded through reserves, which will have to be replenished in 2017, curtailing other potential road and bridge upgrades next year.

Facilities update

Of the projects that were planned for this year, a number are completed or under construction. The Boat ramp at Big Gull Lake, a $20,000 project, has been completed. Construction is underway for the $220,000 addition to the Mountain Grove fire hall for a new library. A $31,000 project to update shelving in the Parham library has been completed. The $20,000 range hood for in the kitchen at the Kennebec Fire Hall has been installed.

The fencing and lighting project at the Parham ball field, originally budgeted at $37,965, has gone over budget. Council approved an increase in spending to $49,445. The extra funds will come from the recreation reserve.

The township has also applied for a number of one time federal “Canada 150” infrastructure grants. They range from larger to smaller grants: $113,052 for the rink and building project at Oliver Scott Park in Sharbot Lake, $53,000 for the Thompson's Cut Trail, $50,000 for the new Olden ball field, $6,600 for the Kennebec hall range hood, $1,650 for playground fencing at the Parham ball field, and $1,980 for the Parham ball field canteen water pressure system. No one knows exactly when the results of the massive nationwide grant program will be known.

New boat for building department

In order to enforce the building code on island properties, council was asked to support the purchase of a boat for $8,582.

Jeremy Neven said that the department is currently dependent on the property owners to ferry them across in their own boats, which raises a liability issue, “and can also lead to some uncomfortable boat rides back to shore if the properties fail our inspection.”

Icarus ascending

The representatives from Icarus Power, who were rebuffed when they tried to address council at the previous meeting because there was no township staff report available concerning the three solar power projects they were seeking municipal support for.

This time around, a staff report said they were well within the necessary setbacks for Feed in Tariff (FIT) projects, and they have also obtained signatures from neighbouring property owners in support of the projects. Council passed a motion of support for the 3 projects, two of which will generate 500 kw of power if approved, and the third 250 kw.

NFCS gets continued support for youth program

Louise Moody, the Executive Director of Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS), outlined the extensive youth program that the agency has built over the past few years. With no provincial funding, but support from foundations and the municipalities of Central and North Frontenac, the program has increased its offerings for youth over the last three years.

The township committed $15,500 in 2017, the same amount they provided in 2016.