Special to The News | Apr 15, 2020


Central Frontenac Township held its regular meeting as scheduled Tuesday afternoon but although everything on the agenda was dealt with, it was hardly business as usual.

With the current Covid-19 crisis in play, Mayor Frances Smith and CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn were in the Township offices (two separate offices) along with staff each in their own separate offices. The rest of Council was in their own homes, with their video icons showing up on the screen when they wanted to speak via the communications program Webex.

Considering the circumstances, they did manage to get a considerable amount of business done, with Fire and Emergency Services carrying the bulk of that load.

Manager of Emergency Services/Fire Chief Jamie Riddell received approval to retrofit the vehicles from the Henderson Road and Oak Flats Road sub-stations and move them to Stations 1 and 2 to replace older units that will declared surplus and sold ‘as is.’

“The vehicles at our sub-stations were taken out of service in 2017 due to overall weight issues and have not been used in an active status since,” Riddell said.

He said the retrofitted units will be used for medical response and scene support (ie hazmat response).

Councillor Nicki Gowdy asked if the units would be replaced in the sub-stations.

“Not at this time,” Riddell said. “We only have someone at Piccadilly during the winter months and someone at Henderson only sometimes.”

Councillors Gowdy, Brent Cameron and Elwin Burke voted against the measure.

Still with fire, Riddell received approval to buy an new four-wheeler ATV and trailer in the amount of $15,949 to replace a similar unit at Station 2.

“The old Station 2 unit is only two-wheel drive and our experience has shown the need for four-wheel drive,” Riddell said. “We use these units to ferry people, supplies and equipment back and forth to locations our vehicles can’t reach and they’ve been useful for things like ice-water rescue, snowmobile accident and such.

“Just last year, we had three of our four ATVs in use at one call which shows the need to have one at each of our four stations.”

Riddell also received Council’s endorsement to investigate the possibility of replacing pumpers with used units.

He said given the cost of new pumpers ($400,000+ each) for a unit that would have a 20-year lifespan, it could be possible to buy two units with about 10-year lifespans each.

Council deferred passage of a new fireworks bylaw that would prohibit the sale/use of Chinese Lanterns.

“Those things were quite popular last year and they caused a lot of damage,” said Coun. Tom Dewey.

New brusher

Council approved the purchase of a new Cubex brusher at a cost of $44,087.54.

Coun. Tom Dewey asked what’s to become of the brusher it’s replacing.

“Can we get anything for it or does it become a boat anchor?” Dewey asked.

“It’s probably just scrap metal,” said Public Works Manager Tyson Myers.

“I think that thing was scrap when we got it,” said Dewey.

Contracts ‘at risk’ due to COVId

Still with Public Works, PWM Tyson Myers said that given the current pandemic and declared state of emergency, there is a lot of economic uncertainty connected with road construction.

“All of our contracts are ‘at risk’ right now and may have to be moved to another year,” he said.

However, he did receive Council’s approval to proceed with an RFP to provide a basic topographical survey of the sections of Henderson, Arden and Oak Flats Roads that were pulverized in 2019 and scheduled to be resurfaced in 2020.

“The survey will provide the base information needed to reference when making elevation improvements to the road or culverts, eliminating any conflicts or questions regarding the existing elevation and alignment of the road and cross culverts,” Myers said. “The second part of this proposal is the environmental portion.

“The consultant will be required to look at all culverts and offer a basic general assessment of environmental constraints.”

Myers said he has been in contact with the contractor for street sweeping, which should begin late this month.

Oak Flats, Second Lake Road and Godfrey Road have been brushed.

And finally, he said: “With the volume of traffic being less than normal, we are gaining on patching. It will continue to be ongoing, weather permitting.”

Link on website

Dep. Clerk Cindy Deachman said that Tuesday’s Council meeting was recorded and a link to view it will be on the Township website.

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