Central Frontenac Council - Sep 22/15

Julie Druker | Sep 24, 2015

New public works manager appointed

Council passed a motion officially appointing a new public works manager. John Badgley will be taking on the role that was left vacant back on June 16, 2015 following the township’s decision to sever its contract with former works manager/CAO James Zimmerman.

Since that time council has been working without a CAO. In the interim Kyle Labbett took on the role of public works coordinator along with his regular post of waste management supervisor and Steve Reynolds has been working as the public works supervisor. The only background information that came forth at Tuesday’s meeting is that Badgley will be soon be arriving from outside of Ontario.

Request for assistance to repairs of Big Gull Lake boat ramp denied

Last month, Central Frontenac made a request of North Frontenac to help with repairs to the boat ramp at Big Gull Lake. When the matter was brought up in North Frontenac the request was denied. In a subsequent letter explaining the denial, the reasons given were budget pressures from a number of other boat launches in North Frontenac that also require repairs. Councilor Bill MacDonald proposed sending a letter to North Frontenac staff requesting that they provide assistance in the future. Councilor Cindy Kelsey agreed and suggested sending a letter requesting North Frontenac’s financial support in their 2017 budget, since it is mostly North Frontenac residents who use the boat launch. She also pointed out the fact that as it is now, the boat launch poses a safety threat to snowmobilers.

Councilor Brent Cameron then said that “In fairness we need to revisit this at a point in time where their financial pressures are not as great as they are right now.”

Council agreed and Mayor Smith said that she would write the letter requesting that the Township of North Frontenac agree to pay their fair share in the future.

Swim Program Recommendations discussed

After reading the 2015 summer swim program report, Councilor Tom Dewey suggested providing the instructors with a second floating dock at Long Lake. In the report the swim instructors said that they were frustrated by having to daily move the existing dock there from deep to shallow waters in order to accommodate their young swimmers. Council passed a motion that included staff looking into the costs of meeting the recommendations suggested in the report. One hundred and nineteen young swimmers participated in the program

Three road allowances to be further investigated by staff

Council passed a motion regarding three separate requests for road allowance closures, requesting that staff look at the viability of those closures and the value of the cost of the lands prior to holding any formal public meetings. The closures include applications by Miller, Burbridge and Thompson.

Friends of Arden propose a memorial garden in Arden

Terry Kennedy, on behalf of the Friends of Arden, and Sarah Hale, on behalf of the Kennebec and District Historical Society, with the additional support of the Kennebec Recreation Committee, asked for township support to create a memorial garden to commemorate residents who have significantly contributed to the Arden community.

The proposed 0.12 acre site would be located on a small piece of township property across from the Arden mill pond. The proponents requested that the township approach Quinte Conservation; that staff provide an estimated 30 loads of fill for the project (at a cost of $4700); and that the proposed site receive routine township maintenance. Lastly, they asked that in recognition of work undertaken by residents, the township issue tax receipts to residents for their contributions to the project. Council passed the motion in support of the project but pointed out that legally they are not able to issue the requested tax receipts. Kennedy said that the initial phase of the project would involve the leveling and filling of the site and that this phase required the most support from council. After that Kennedy said that much of the work and expenses would be donated by members of the local community. The next step will be for the Arden residents to seek approval from Quinte Conservation.

Upcoming 40 year anniversary for the Frontenac Community Arena

Councilor Brent Cameron brought to council’s attention the upcoming planned celebrations in 2016 for the 40th anniversary of the Frontenac Community Arena.