Central Frontenac Council, January 27, 2015

Jan 28, 2015

Fire Report

Fire Chief Bill Young asked council to approve a request that was proposed to him by staff at the Granite Ridge Education Centre for the Central Frontenac Fire Department to fill a water storage tank at the school, which feeds the school's sprinkler system, as needed. The well at the school does not have the capacity to keep the tank filled, which is necessary to allow for the required weekly tests of the system. Council agreed to the request, which Young estimated would amount to roughly six loads of water per year at a cost of $110 per load. It is unclear whether this request will be ongoing or is merely required for the short term.

In his fire activity report for 2014, Young stated that the total number of fire calls, 231, was significantly down as a result of a sizable reduction in the number of grass and structure fires last year. The average number of calls per year is 350-375. Young also submitted to council the fire department's Long Term Action Plan.

Finances: In his financial report, Treasurer Michael McGovern's request to approve the investment of $500,000 was approved, as were the multiple financial reports that he submitted.

Cemeteries: In her cemeteries report, Cathy MacMunn requested that council approve amendments to the price list for the sale of interment plots, since they were not raised as they should have been in 2014. She also requested that the fees associated with the opening and closing of interment plots be raised from $275 to $360 since the fees have not changed in the last nine years. Council approved the request. MacMunn also reported that staff are looking into acquiring more land at the Parham cemetery and that plans are currently underway at the Oconto cemetery to increase lands available for more burial plots there.

Delegations: Mike Procter made a colorful presentation to council dressed as a pioneer settler and equipped with a tomahawk. He outlined the many events upcoming at this year's Frontenac Heritage Festival, which runs from February 13-16. He encouraged the councilors to get involved in this year's festival and handed out brochures outlining all of the festival events that will take lace over the holiday weekend

Angela Lee made a presentation to council requesting that the interest owing on unpaid back taxes on a 80-acre property located near Arden, which she recently acquired through family court, be reduced. Lee, who is raising four children, hopes to be able to sell the property at a later date. Council received her presentation for information and agreed to consult staff regarding the matter, with the promise to get back to her in a timely fashion.

Maribeth Scott, acting executive director with Northern Frontenac Community Services, requested funds from the township in the amount of $15,500 to help support the various youth programs that NFCS offers to youth in the community. She outlined the success of the programs that have been serving countless numbers of youth in the organization's catchment area. Council unanimously voted to approve her request.

Budget meeting date set

Council set Friday, February 20 as the day that they will spend reviewing the budget. It was agreed that a full day session will serve the councilors well in gaining an in depth understanding of the budget as a whole. The location of the meeting is yet to be determined.

Speed reductions and traffic lights

Council will look into two traffic issues that were brought to their attention by local residents The first was a request to lower the 80km speed limit on Long Lake Road in the section around the public beach area. The second was a request to have traffic lights installed at the intersection of Road 38 and Highway 7. In both cases council passed motions to have staff look into the matters and report back with their findings and suggestions.