Central Frontenac Council - July 12

Jeff Green | Jul 20, 2022

Mayor's remarks

In her remarks before the start of what was supposed to be the only Central Frontenac Council meeting this month (a special meeting was later called for this week to deal with the implications of CP Rail construction activity) Central Frontenac Mayor Frances Smith said that it was great for the township to have been able to put on Canada Day events after an enforced two year break.

“It was excellent, so nice to see everybody out and about again. The Rec Committee did a great job. Thank goodness that we can meet together again in a more or less normal fashion,” she said.

Building boom continues

For the second month in a row, Chief Building Official Andy Dillon said that the reported building activity numbers that he prepared for Council did not reflect everything that is going on in the township.

“I’m still behind getting permits out, with all of the site visits that have been required of me,” he said, noting that since a junior member of the department is in the midst of testing for certification as an inspector, he is hoping to be able to catch up sooner than later.

the total construction value so far this year is $6.5 million, off from $7.4 million at this point in 2021, but well above the $4.3 million in 2020. (The 2020 total was impacted by the COVID lockdown.) Permits for 12 new permanent and 4 new seasonal residents were taken out in the first half of 2022. Halfway through 2021, 12 permanent and 8 seasonal permits had been issued.

Although 46 permits have been issued, Dillon said the real number is over 100. Sixty six permits were issued in the first half of 2021.

Custodial services at Oso Hall

When the contract for custodial services at the Oso Hall came up for renewal in June, the contractor, Clean Sweep Cleaning Services, told the township that the amount they were paid for the contract in 2021, $27,980, was too low. The expectation in the contract was that the hall would be rented about 8 times a month, but in recent months the hall is being rented 26 times a month.

The township decided to put the contract out to a request for quotation. Clean Sweep was the only company to put in a quote, for $39,400, and Council approved the contract. Clean Sweep also takes care of the Piccadilly Hall, and township staff report that they are “pleased with the service that they have provided.”

Clear Bag prices going up

After over 10 years at $1 for a regular bag, and $2 for a large bag, the price of the clear bags is going up. The bags, which include the township logo, must be used in order to deposit bagged garbage at township waste sites. The new prices are $1.50 and $2.50.

“How do these prices compare with other townships,” asked Councillor Philip Smith.

“They are lower than other places, but the treasurer suggested that we limit the increase instead of doubling the price at this time,” said Public Works Manager Tyson Myers.

Myers also reported that the department is working on a plan to establish a Central Frontenac Hazardous Waste Depot to be in place by the spring or summer of next year.

The department also reports that work is underway on the Arden Rink.

Sharbot Lake Rink

Council approved a proposal to begin work on phase 1 of the Sharbot Lake Rink project. This phase included excavation, installation of a prefab foundation, a concrete pour and underslab insulation. The total cost is $137,500, of which $125,000 is to be funded by recreation reserves dedicated to the project, and $12,500 to be offset by fundraising.

Phase 2 of the project will be covered by a Trillium grant, if a $150,000 application that is being prepared for the August intake proves to be successful. Otherwise “the Sharbot Lake Rink Committee will fundraise the remaining balance from the private and corporate sectors to cover phase 2 of the project,” according to a report that was prepared by Tyson Myers and the rink committee.

“What’s the big rush,” asked Councillor Nicki Gowdy, “why not wait to see if the Trillium grant comes through.”

“$125,000 is available for excavating,” said Myers “we wanted to get going.”

“I believe they fundraised a lot of money for this,” said Mayor Smith.

“And there was also $25,000 set aside in the budget for 3 or 4 years,” said Myers.

Fire truck damaged after hitting deer

Fire Chief Chris McDonough said that as the result of a deer collision, one of the trucks used by the fire department ended up in a ditch, causing $21,000 in damage and shaking up one of the members of the department. The truck was assigned to the Arden Station.

“One of the trucks from Sharbot Lake is being used in Arden at the moment and we are waiting to hear back from our insurer on the $21,000 cost” said McDonough. “The operator is ok.”

Mathew Street Road Project

A letter to Council from Robert and Rhonda Young, who own the property at the southeast corner of Mathew Street, resulted in a meeting between the Youngs and Public Works Manager Myers.

“They wanted the parking changed from parallel to perpendicular and it turned out we could make that change. The engineer gave the go ahead. It means we will need to use about half as much of their property as originally planned,” said Myers.

Councillor Bill MacDonald said that he received a letter from another homeowner on Mathew street, the Moase family, expressing their concerns about the potential impact of the construction on their home, which has a heritage designation.

This surprised Myers.

“I spoke to them at their home for 45 minutes and they were supportive of the project,” he said, and asked that any letters be forwarded to him so he could respond.

“How much public input do we want to allow to these plans before submitting the drawings to the contractor,” Myers asked Council.

Mayor Smith said: “Normally we sort of present the information in advance and then have the public meeting to hear them out and then make the decision and go to tender. I think we are a little fast with this one and we are getting the input now, and you have been meeting with them which is great. I don’t see any reason to hold the project up.”

“There was some lack of comfort among residents in that area. After the plans were explained to them, there was more comfort. They are not 100% happy but in general people are supportive of this,” said Councillor Sherry Whan.

Forgotten Soldiers at Oso Hall

Pam Giroux appeared as a delegation. She read out a letter that she had sent to Council about two photographs of WW1 veterans from the region, which she found laying about in the hall twice in recent year, while the township has been undertaking hall renovations. The first time, in 2019, she took it upon herself to rehang them on the wall. Most recently she found them laying next to the hall’s piano in a storage room.

“This hall was originally called Soldiers Memorial Hall when it was built in the 1920’s” she said. “It was built to commemorate the brave young men from Sharbot Lake and environs who went overseas to fight in the Great War. Some never returned from fighting in the trenches of Europe, while others were fortunate to make it back home.”

She said that she wants to make sure that the photographs, which are encased in ornate round frames and dome glass, “are preserved in a box with Styrofoam or newspaper around them to protect them,” until they go back up on the wall.

“One of them has lost its name plate in all of the moving around,” she said. “These are priceless artifacts that need to be cared for.”

“I think we need to have those pictures cleaned, spiffed up and hung up in the hall,” said Mayor Smith. I want to thank you for bringing it to our attention.”

Long in camera

A one hour in camera meeting took place shortly after the beginning of the council meeting. It was held, with council, senior staff, and legal counsel Tony Fleming. The meeting was about the status of the heritage road/Oso Road.

At the previous meeting, a public meeting on regarding the Oso Road and a proposal to allow for residential construction on properties abutting the K&P Trail in the vicinity of Bell Line Road, led to a deferral pending legal advice.

At the end of the meeting, another in camera meeting was held, this one to discuss labour relations or employee negotiations.

In both cases, Council rose from Closed session without reporting.