How Many Councillors Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?

Craig Bakay | May 22, 2024

... And How Much Does it Cost?

Central Frontenac Council decided to ‘let there be light’ at the Cole Lake Free Methodist Church parking lot at its regular meeting May 14 in Sharbot Lake.

The burnt out light bulb at the church parking lot became an issue at the previous regular Council meeting when Lloyd Lee came to Council to request the bulb be replaced. Lee told Council that the Township (and previously Hinchinbrooke Township) had always maintained the light in the past.

However, CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn suggested that because the pole was not on Township property, it was not the Township’s responsibility to replace said bulb.

Subsequent investigation of an existing survey (at a cost of $800) revealed that the pole, and hence the light was indeed not on Township property.

As such, a report prepared by Dep. Clerk Jody Legue recommended the Township take “no action” with respect to the light in question.

Legue’s report said the original church property was created in 1928. In 1975, after Highway 38 was realigned to the west, the Ministry of Transportation transferred surplus land to the Church. The lamp post was not located on the MTO property transferred to the church. The second addition to the church came from the adjoining farmland in 1988. The lamp post was located on this farmland parcel of property.

The cost of replacing the light bulb is about $700-$800. (A metal replacement for the pole, which is not needed at this time, would be a minimum of $5,000.)

However, several councillors, spearheaded by Coun. Nicki Gowdy and Phillip Smith, argued that the Township should continue to look after the light.

“This light has been paid for by the Township,” Gowdy said. “To me, it should be grandfathered.”

“We have a lot of places we don’t own that we plow that have been grandfathered in,” said Coun. Cindy Kelsey. “What’s the difference with this?”

“Because we made the mistake of looking after the light that wasn’t ours, do we continue to do that on private property?” asked Mayor Frances Smith.

“My guess is that MTO put it in the wrong place to begin with,” said Coun. Bill Everett.

So, an amendment to the original motion was added, stating that the Township would replace the light bulb was added.

The original (“no action”) motion was defeated and the amended motion (replace the light bulb) passed with Mayor Smith being the lone no vote.

$100,000 from the County for washroom?

Council approved a motion to ask the County of Frontenac to designated up to $100,000 for the washroom facility at Oso Beach to be used by K & P Trail users (as part of a trail head initiative). The anticipated cost for the washroom building is $301,500 including local fundraising.

“I have an issue with this,” said Coun. Bill Everett. “They (the County) asked us for $2,000 to improve the trail and we said no.

“Now we’re asking them for 50 times as much and I’d feel like a hypocrite voting yes on that.”

“This money has been set aside for quite some time at the County,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “There’s $100,000 for each municipality for a trail head.”

New Equipment

Council approved $429,044 for a new tandem snow plow, as well as $245,000 for a 2000 Sheep’s Foot Compactor for the Olden Waste site and a budget overrun of $77,730 for the Henderson Road resurfacing project, prompting Mayor Frances Smith to remark “we’re spending a lot of money at this meeting.

“I remember when trucks were $250,000 and that seemed like a lot of money . . . not to date myself.”

As far as the Henderson Road project goes, Public Works Manager Steve Gould said some of the culverts required were deeper than anticipated but he also said that there were some expected savings in the Public Works budget that would cover the cost overrun.

Miscellaneous Items

Council approved increasing septic re-inspection fees to $125 from $100 per property.

Council named Coun. Duncan McGregor to the Economic Development Committee.

Council approved applying for an Inclusive Community Grant of $60,000 to improve lighting in the parking lots at Kennebec, Olden, Oso and Piccadilly community halls to increase accessibility.

Council approved the nomination from North and Central Frontenac CAOs to appoint Fraser Rogers to the shared representative position of the Frontenac OPP Detachment Board.