First Central Frontenac Council meeting of year a short and sweet affair

Craig Bakay | Jan 17, 2024

Central Frontenac Council kicked off 2024 with a short (under 20 minutes before moving into closed session) meeting, that consisted mostly of accepting reports and day-to-day business of Council.

Perhaps the report most worthy of note came from Chief Building Official Andy Dillon in which he requested permission to apply for a Hydro One Community Fund Grant of $25,000 to install heat pumps at the Olden and Piccadilly Halls “as they will be more efficient, improve indoor air quality and reduce greenhouse gases.”

The motion also approves procurement of the heat pumps should the grant application be successful.

In his report, Dillon said: “Olden and Piccadilly Halls both have electric baseboard heat, no cooling systems and limited mechanical ventilation.

“Installing heat pumps will improve indoor air quality, improve occupant comfort, reduce heating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Baseboard heaters are 100 per cent efficient, converting 100 per cent of the energy used to heat (whereas) heat pumps can be as much as 200 to 300 per cent efficient, supplying the same amount of heat for much less energy depending on the outside air temperature.”

He said the total capital cost of installation is estimated at $26,500 plus HST.

“The operating costs will increase in the summer but decrease in the winter and should not change significantly,” he said.

Coun. Lynn Klages approved of the proposal, saying that she has experience with heat pumps and is pleased with the way they work.

Wintertide Meltdown

Council authorized CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn to sign a letter of support declaring the Wintertide Meltdown on Feb. 24 at Soldiers’ Memorial Hall an event of municipal significance.

This will allow Daniel Lees from the Kick and Push Brewery to apply for a special occasion alcohol permit for the event.

Committee of Adjustment

Central Frontenac received 19 minor variance application, of which 12 have been approved, Development Services Assistant told Council in a report.

There have also been two Zoning Bylaw Amendments and 52 consent applications.

In 2022, there were 34 consent applications, 23 minor variances and 4 Zoning Bylaw Amendments.

Public Works Report

Public Works Manager Steve Gould (in his report) told Council of the passing of long-term employee Ken Lee on Christmas Day.

“He will be missed by his colleagues and the municipality,” Gould said. “As a result of Ken’s passing, internal postings for landfill attendants are underway to fill his position and the open position for the south waste site.”

Chemical Attenuation Zone

Public Works Manager Steve Gould told Council that it was discovered late in the year that the Chemical Attenuation Zone at the Oso site was not owned by the municipality but that it was a municipal easement to access the test wells monitoring the CAZ.

“As a result, the easement was immediately cleared of blown debris that has collected over the years,” he said in his report. “If debris continues to be a problem, then in the spring/summer, wind fencing could be installed to help mitigate this problem.

Road maintenance

The first week of December started with a cover of snow mixed with freezing rain that required all plows and sanders to be out to eliminate the slippery conditions, Public Works Manager Steve Gould told Council in his report.

“Despite the surprising lack of snow over the rest of the month, some few residents continue to complain about this service,” he said. “Notably, section 4 of the minimum maintenance standards states that it is acceptable for up to 8 to 10 centimetres to be on our roads.

“Often, the roads will be plowed to a lower depth than 8 centimetres if not bare but it is not required according to the standard.”

He said that a snow before freeze-up almost necessitates that, if possible, the loose tops are not plowed because the plows will not just move snow but also put a significant amount of gravel into the ditch.

“Potholes are also a problem on loose top roads this time of year,” he said. “For example, it rained for three days straight during the Christmas break and if you grade a road, it would be churned into soup.

“On the other hand, potholes form and it freezes, it is now impossible to grade and the only solution is to fill the holes with a spread of gravel.

“Eventually, snow and ice fill these holes until the spring thaw.”