Central Frontenac Council - May 25/10

Jeff Green | May 27, 2010

Councilors wary of increased hall rental costs

A staff proposal about insurance policies that groups renting township halls may be required to take out led to some debate.

Councilor Frances Smith said, “If people are going to be required to take out insurance before renting our halls, people will not rent our halls. We pay to maintain these halls, to heat these halls and all the rest. If people can no longer use them, why do we bother?”

Township Treasurer Judy Gray handed out the current application form for hall rentals, which includes a requirement for insurance, at a cost of $108, for hall rentals for licensed events.

Councilor John Purdon noted that the staff report about insurance, which was based on recommendations from the township’s insurance broker, “includes some ambiguous language. Insurance is required for licensed events, it says, but for groups holding regular meetings it is ‘advisable’. For events where admission is charged, it is ‘advisable’, and for bridal showers or other one-time events a certificate is ‘not required’. Does this mean we only need insist on insurance for licensed events, as we do now?”

The matter was deferred, as township staff seek clarification from the township’s insurance broker.

Beach looks “fanastic” – toilet seats welcome

Mayor Janet Gutowski said that the Oso beach improvements were well received over the Victoria Day weekend.

“The beach looks fantastic,” she said.

Councilor Gary smith noted that the new seats that have been installed in the public washroom at the beach had survived their first weekend of use.

Bill Young, the contractor who installed them, said, “The people certainly seem to appreciate having them. They are better than cold metal.”

Livestock valuer gets pay raise – From time to time, the township hires one of three people to investigate claims by local farmers that predators have killed one of their animals. If the claim is accepted a set fee is paid to the farmer by the township, which is then fully reimbursed by the province.

The livestock valuers, up to now, have been paid $25 per visit and $0.32 per kilometre for travel costs. This is lower than neighbouring municipalities and staff recommended raising the pay to $60 and the standard township rate of $0.48 per kilometre.

Councilor Bill Snyder thought $60 was too high, and suggested it be lowered to $50. This was accepted by the rest of Council.

There were two valuations conducted in 2006, seven in 2007, three in 2008, and four in 2009. So the impact on the township budget will be minimal.

Fire activity report – Deputy Fire Chiefs Bill Young and Art Cowdy reported that there were 30 calls for assistance in April, including one fire call, one alarm call, two complaints to be investigated, 10 medical assists, four vehicle accidents, and 12 other calls (such as water/ice rescue and wildfire calls)

Councilor joins Geeks for Cancer – Councilor Jeff Matson informed Council of an event that is being sponsored by the Arden Pastoral Charge of the United Church. The GEEC youth group and their leaders have been growing their hair with the intention of having a mass hair cut/head shaving to build up a stock of hair to be used for wigs for cancer patients and to raise money for cancer research. The hair-raising event is scheduled for June 19. Councilor Matson said he has been talked into getting his head shaved as well. As part of the festivities there will be a silent auction, and the highest bidder will earn the right to shave off Matson’s moustache.