No truth to Facebook rumours says Central Frontenac Fire Chief

Craig Bakay | Mar 14, 2018

Rumours circulating on social media that the Piccadilly and/or Henderson sub-stations are to be closed are “absolutely not true,” Fire Chief Greg Robinson said at the Central Frontenac Council meeting Tuesday night.

“We’ve been getting some calls because of posts on Facebook stating that because the trucks have been removed, the stations are being closed,” Robinson said. “While the trucks are not in the stations, they have both been sent to repair similar malfunctions and will be back in their respective substations once those repairs have been made.

“There are, nor have there been, any plans to close either or both of the stations.”

And for those residents worried that their insurance coverage would be changed, Robinson said neither of the substations has had any affect on insurance rates as far as he’s aware.

“The trucks being gone wouldn’t have an affect because unless there’s some insurance policy I’m unaware of, even those buildings don’t have any affect on insurance rates,” he said. “It doesn’t matter whether the trucks are there or not.”

According to Dwelling Protection Grade, the only fire stations in Central Frontenac that affect insurance rates due to proximity are Sharbot Lake and Mountain Grove (DPG rating 3B) and Parham and Arden (DPG rating 4).

Central Frontenac Council brought back an old resolution at its regular meeting Tuesday afternoon in Oso Hall and changed it.

The resolution was in support of banning the trapping of ‘Algonquin wolves’ outside of Algonquin Park but following a presentation from Willis Deline, OFMF president, Council rescinded its support and will send a letter to the appropriate authorities stating such.

Deline made the case that genetic evidence suggesting there is a separate species of wolf in this area, ie the Algonquin wolf, simply isn’t strong enough.

Council approved a chain-link fence to separate the ball field and the fire training area in Mountain Grove.

Facilities coordinator Shawn Merriman told Council that if they approved the fencing now, the Township would be able to apply for a grant that could reduce the $25,000 cost by one third.

“One third now is better than no thirds later,” Merriman said.

In a cutting manner, Councillor Cindy Kelsey grilled Public Works Manager Brad Thake on Henderson Road.

“Have you driven the Henderson Road lately . . . and when are you going to fix it?” Kelsey said.

Taken somewhat aback, Thake said that his department was aware of the “bad stretch” Kelsey was referring to and that they were doing what they could to mitigate a lot of roads in the Township.

Thake has gone on record at previous meetings outlining the unusual thaw-freeze cycle this year and how it’s putting unexpected strains on his department and resources.

Planning services
Council passed a resolution to enter into an agreement with Frontenac County for planning services.