Central Frontenac Council - Jul 12/11

Jul 14, 2011

Friends of Arden receive unanimous support from council

Terry Kennedy, of the Friends of Arden (FOA) group, updated council on the progress of the Arden revitalization program, outlining over 24 projects they hope to achieve over a five-year period.

To date the volunteer group has removed the metal guard rail along the Arden millpond, replacing it with rocks, and have removed and disposed of two full truck loads of debris from the Arden stream with the aid of the township.

Other upcoming FOA projects include improved signage, improvement to public areas like parking lots, picnic area, trails and the playground as well as larger projects like exploring the re-opening of a store/tearoom in the hamlet.

Terry Kennedy said that the group hopes to explore various options that would enable the township and the group to work together in these upcoming projects.

The next major project on the group’s agenda is the major clean up of the hamlet planned for July 28 (with a July 29 rain date) where FOA volunteers will be assisting members of the community to transport and dispose of refuse from their properties, which some owners have been unable to dispose of themselves. Kennedy asked that council consider supporting the clean up by providing equipment for refuse collection from a central location and for councils consideration in terms of tipping fees.

The FOA plans to ask participants having material collected to be prepared to sign a form agreeing that their “waste amnesty” load applies to the items removed. The FOA will also make a request to local residents who do not anticipate using their “amnesty load” to consider donating it to the clean up project.

Council unanimously passed several motions in connection with the FOA presentation, which included: directing staff to come up with a formal communications plan with the FOA; to make township equipment available for the upcoming clean up project on July 28 and recognize the amnesty loads by eligible property owners and donors; that council support the development of a proposed FOA signage program for Arden and assist in its implementation subject to the availability of township funding; and lastly that council direct staff to finalize plans for street improvements in the vicinity of the Arden mill pond based on input from public works and the availability of funding.

Council discussions re - RFP for septic approvals and inspections

CBO Jeremy Neven reviewed the proposed Request for Proposal (RFP) to provide both septic approvals and re-inspections on behalf of the township. It was decided that keeping the service in house would go above and beyond the capabilities and expertise of the municipality.

Council decided to explore and compare the competitive services and rates offered by the KLF&A Public Health, who now provide the service and who recently announced an increased cost for the services they provide, to similar services offered by the Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office (MRSSO).

Councilor Frances Smith wondered if there was any private industry that might be considered for the job. Neven answered. “None that I am aware of right now; its a large task to take on for a private company.” Councilor John Purdon wondered if there were any other potential organizations that might take it on, such as the Quinte or Catarqui Conservation Authorities. Neven said he did not believe so.

John Duchene said these providers, such as Quinte Conservation, are usually not interested in serving areas outside of their regions.

Mayor Gutowski summed up the reason for creating the RFP in the first place. “Tax payers are concerned with these issues and costs, so if there is any way that we can help protect our water and also help tax payers get a better deal and good service then we need to make sure we look into it.”

Private Roads Draft Policy: Cathy MacMunn reviewed a draft policy that was prepared by the township’s planning consultant Glenn Tunnock, who will be attending the council meeting on August 9 to address his proposal and make any other changes that need addressing.

Councilor Purdon said he was pleased to see the draft proposing new private roads as a possibility as well as new lots on private roads.

Until now, the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), the body that has jurisdiction over the township, has insisted that no new construction on private roads be permitted in the township’s amended Official Plan.

Tunnock’s proposal is an attempt to come up with wording to go into the Official Plan, which will convince MMAH to permit a limited number of new building lots to be created on existing private roads or through extensions to those roads.

In his report, Tunnock made use of some information the township has gathered to demonstrate the necessity of permitting limited development on private lanes for the township’s continued viability.

Given the limited number of locations where building can take place on public roadways in Central Frontenac, and the number of new houses that have been built each year since 2001, Tunnock’s report shows that without allowing 1-3 lots to be created on private lanes per year the township will run out of building lots in short order and the rate of new construction will begin to drop.

The proposed policy also includes measures designed to ensure that private lanes are kept up to a minimum road standard, since the ministry has expressed a concern over the ability of fire and emergency vehicles to access properties on private lanes.

The private lane policy is the only section of the amended Official Plan that has not yet been approved by Municipal Affairs.

Public Works: Councilor Bill Snyder brought to council’s attention the rough shape of the Wilkinson railway crossing. CAO John Duchene said he will contact the railroad to make them aware of the condition of the tracks at that location and at the Tichborne crossing.

Event Remuneration: A resolution directing staff to prepare a draft by-law regarding event remuneration for members of council was defeated. The majority of councilors agreed that opening up the budget to remuneration regarding per diems and mileage to cover councilors attending out of county meetings would be opening up a can of worms that would be difficult to keep track of.