Central Frontenac Council Report

Jemma Dooreleyers | Jun 05, 2025

Safe Yard Bylaw Draft Update:

An updated draft of the Safe Yards Bylaw came to Central Frontenac council at the regular council meeting on May 27.

This updated draft included several changes from earlier drafts, which resulted in a strong community response, including a petition opposing the proposed bylaw that had 781 signatures on it.

According to the final draft, the purpose of the by-law is to ensure all properties (occupied or vacant) in Central Frontenac are kept clean, safe and free from hazards. This by-law will give the township authority to: require landowners to clean up debris, junk and waste, stop people from storing unsafe items or broken-down vehicles and charge property owners if the townships has to clean or repair a property.

A yard, as defined by the proposed bylaw, is an open area on your property, not including buildings. Refuse/debris, as defined by the bylaw, is any trash, junk, broken furniture, broken down vehicles etc. 

According to the proposed bylaw, owners and occupants must: keep yards clean and free of refuse/debris, fire hazards, take action within 72 hours to fix the unsafe conditions, clear junk and debris that blows onto neighbouring land and maintain visibility and access for emergency services. The maintenance standards included in the draft are: properties must be kept free from trash, waste and noxious weeds, be without abandoned cars or scrap, without unsafe piles of wood, tools or chemicals, maintain safe trees, shrubs and fences and keep compost heaps small, enclosed and away from drainage areas.

The enforcement process would be as follows: an officer visits and documents problems, a notice would be given in person or posted on the property explaining: what’s unsafe, how to fix it and a deadline to comply, which would typically be three days. If an owner ignores the notice, the township can order cleanup or do it themselves, at the owner’s expense. If there is immediate danger, the township can fix the issue without waiting. Costs of repairs and cleanup can be added to the owner’s property tax bill.

The updated draft of this bylaw was received by the council and was submitted for legal review.

The council’s response to the updated draft was generally positive.

“Things have calmed down with the comments and people seem to be happy with the way it’s gone,” said Mayor Smith.

Nuisance Beaver Bylaw:

CF council has proposed “Management of Beavers and Beaver Dams by-law.

The new by-law highlights that beaver dams on private property and related damage are the responsibility of the private property owner.

In the proposed bylaw,  if a property owner has a beaver dam on their property that could potentially cause damage or danger to public property, the township has the authority to order the property owner to get rid of the beaver dam, paid by the property owner. According to the draft, if the beaver dam is not dealt with within three days, the township has the authority to fine the property owner in a tiered system, increasing with each offence.

If municipal property damage is occurring or imminent, an order can require immediate compliance. If an owner fails to comply with an order, the municipality can perform at the owner’s expense.

The draft of the bylaw was created with after researching what other municipalities have done to reduce damage caused by beaver dams.

The main purpose of this proposed bylaw, as explained by bylaw enforcement officer Nicole shorts,  is to allow the municipality to work with landowners to address beaver dams before they cause damage. It was highlighted that the proactive measures to fix dams might cost hundreds of dollars, whereas repairing the damage from a breached dam could cost thousands of dollars.

Councillor Duncan McGregor expressed a concern that the proposed bylaw might be “overreaching” and suggested it might be better implemented as a policy for the first year or two to “see how it goes.”

“We should try to work with the landowners,” he said.

“We do try to work with the landowners, and that does not always work,” said Mayor Smith. “They want us to do the work for free.”

Councillors have until June 12 to provide feedback on the draft.

Fire Report:

In response to the monthly fire report, there were questions to Fire Chief Chris Mcdonough about why the department has decided to use the Voyageur app over Pulse Point app. There was also a question about the status of the purchase of the pumper truck for Picadilly. The chief was having technical difficulties so both of those questions will be answered at the next meeting.

Bylaw Enforcement Report:

Central Frontenac Bylaw Enforcement Officer Shorts has issued $12,475 in fines to the public since January of this year, and approximately $1500 has been paid.

According to Shorts, some of the residents are on a payment plan to remedy their fines.

Accountability, Transparency and Public Notice Policy:

An updated draft of the Accountability, Transparency and Public Notice Policy was presented to the council. The purpose of this bylaw is to promote accountability and transparency in decision making and operations, it also includes a policy on the delegation of powers and duties. It was updated in response to the introduction of the Strong Mayors Powers. Council will provide feedback on the updated policy by June 12, 2025 and the updated draft will be presented to council on June 24th, 2025.

Cemetery Services

Council accepted a staff recommendation to accept a quote from DG Young Cemetery Services for four years to be in charge of grave openings and closings. The council approved awarding the maintenance contracts for four districts (Oso, Hinchinbrook, Kennebec and Olden) to the successful bidders: McConville Excavating (Oso), Neadow Property Maintenance Hinchinbrooke, Kennebec), and Kennebec Tree and Lawn.(Olden).

Briefs

Council also approved the recommendation to close Garrett Street in Sharbot Lake on July 1st, 2025 for soapbox car races during Canada Day Celebrations and a request to install a park bench at Sharbot Lake Beach, with all costs covered by the requester. 

Cindy Kelsey has been appointed to represent Central Frontenac for the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance, and Mayor Frances Smith was nominated and appointed as a member of the Central Frontenac Trails Committee.

Before the end of the meeting a request was made to include the status of budgeted capital projects in monthly departmental reports.

Council moved into a closed session to discuss property security.