Craig Bakay | Dec 16, 2020


At its regular (online) meeting Dec. 8, , Central Frontenac Council decided to keep its community halls closed until the COVID-19 situation improves in a vote of 5-3. The meeting started off with Dep. Mayor Tom Dewey in the chair as Mayor Frances Smith was participating in a telephone meeting with the Premier and all the other mayors in the province on COVID-19. Smith joined the meeting in time for the discussion on halls.

Outdoor community skating rinks can open when they’re ready but warming shacks will remain closed. Although there won’t be staff members policing the rinks, a list of safety protocols will be posted.

Coun. Nicki Gowdy argued in favour of opening the halls, saying that there were groups like youth and seniors facing mental health issues that could benefit by activities commonly held in the halls.

“It’s not about controlling COVID-19, it’s about living with it,” she said.

Coun. Sherry Whan asked if it were possible to allow only certain groups to use the halls but Smith said: “With community halls, it’s difficult to say yes to some groups but no to others.”

Several times during the meeting the likelihood of a move to orange status from yellow in the KFL&A region came up and this was the case during the halls discussion.

“On Monday, during our conference call, Dr. Kieran Moore said we’re creeping towards orange,” said Smith.

It was pointed out that some neighbouring municipalities, such as North Frontenac, have opened their halls with no issues reported but Coun. Brent Cameron pointed out: “Their decisions were made when we were in green. I understand they’re considering reversing those decisions.”

When Coun. Bill MacDonald brought up the subject of restricted numbers in warming shacks at outdoor rinks, CBO Andy Dillon said: “My recommendation is to leave them closed. If there’s heat in there, it would be difficult to enforce on cold days.”

Goudy defeats Dewey for Deputy Reeve

In a vote of 7-1, Council followed the tradition of moving the deputy mayor position around the districts, naming Coun. Nicki Gowdy to the position for 2021.

Current Dep. Mayor Tom Dewey decided to let his name stand as he “didn’t have much to do this year with COVID.”

But the only vote Dewey got was his own, which prompted Coun. Bill MacDonald to quip, “When I was campaigning for mayor one time, I went up to Roscoe Garrett’s place and he told me ‘I’ll vote for you Bill but remember that people in Oso are liars. They all told me they’d vote for me but if I hadn’t voted for myself, I wouldn’t have gotten any votes.’”

Expropriation

Council voted to proceed with expropriation of parts of three properties resulting from the culvert replacement across Dead Creek on Henderson Road after not hearing back from any of the three affected property owners.

“We sent letters out in September and didn’t get replies from any of them,” said Dep. Clerk Cindy Deachman.

Snow Plow has blower

Public Works Manager Tyson Myers reported that the new sidewalk snow plow is equipped with a snow blower and the chutes are long enough to allow it to discharge into a pickup truck.

Myers also confirmed that there will be sand available at the two Township garages.

“At the Hinchinbrooke site, it’s inside the gate so you’ll have to take your bucket in through the gate,” he said. “But at Mountain Grove, you can drive right up to it.”

Septic Inspection Program canceled for 2021

Council voted to cancel the Septic Inspection program for 2021 citing covid concerns interfering with preparations.

Record year for building

CBO Andy Dillon confirmed that 2020 has been a record building year in Central Frontenac with $13,286,135 in value on 151 permits compared to $10.965,340 on 144 permits.

“It could have been even more but some of the permits we’ve issued this year have been put over to next year because contractors are so busy and some people couldn’t find one to build their house,” he said.

Conservation Authorities

Since Central Frontenac has already sent a letter of concern to the provincial government on changes to conservation authorities, it didn’t opt to support several letters from other municipalities on the subject.

Coun. Victor Heese said it wouldn’t likely matter anyways.

“Conservation authorities are going to be gutted,” Heese said. “It’s over and we’ve lost.”

Support local
independant journalism by becoming a patron of the Frontenac News.