Central Frontenac Council - Oc 27/15

Julie Druker | Oct 29, 2015

Parham Library Update

In her remarks to council regarding the issues raised at a public meeting held on October 17 at the IOOF Hall in Parham concerning the fate of the Parham public library, Mayor Frances Smith said that there are hopes to put in place a strategy to get more people to use the library. She also said that a kiosk-style self-service library would not be a satisfactory solution since, “Fewer and fewer books would be accessed and closure from inactivity would eventually be inevitable.” Council plans to discuss the fate of the Parham library further at their 2016 budget discussions.

Parham Fire Hall Update

In a report to council, Central Frontenac Fire Chief Bill Young updated council on the progress of the construction of new fire hall in Parham. In August of this year council approved the construction of a new fire hall in Parham at the cost of $694,800, noting that an additional cost of $95,000 would be necessary for an added library/meeting room expansion to the building. To date the township has completed roughly one quarter of the project and has spent $206,782 to cover the associated legal fees, engineering services, the purchase of the land, surveys, a drilled well, a portion of the excavation and the framing of the building. A number of unexpected additional costs totaling $8,100 were noted in Young's report and included the costs of extra back fill, an oil interceptor, along with fire rated attic access hatches. The expected occupancy date for the new facility is late November/ early December 2015.

Budget Pressure Update

In an effort to mitigate the $255,000 discrepancy identified in council's 2015 budget, Treasurer Michael McGovern outlined a list of potential savings. These included a number of revisions to council's initial budget expenses that will result in accumulated savings, reducing the 2015 budget costs for gravel, salaries, repairs and replacements, capital programs, contaminated sites and loan deferrals. The results show that the 2015 budget of $5,502,342 will be reduced to $5,247,342. To date 61% ($3,188,573) of the 2015 budget has been spent.

Council accepted McGovern's report for information.

Tax Sales

In a report to council, Treasurer McGovern outlined how the municipality is authorized to commence the tax sale process on any properties in the township that have fallen four years into tax arrears, and he noted the upcoming sale of five properties in the township that fall into this category. A tax sale will take place on November 12. Tenders will be accepted in a sealed bid process until 3:00PM.

By-law approves 1/3 of councilors' salary to be deemed “expenses”

A by-law was passed by council approving that one third of the remuneration paid to councilors be deemed expenses. The by-law is effective as of December 2, 2015.

By-laws regarding new speed limits passed

A number of new speed limits were approved by council in the form of a new by-law and will be posted. These changes will include the following newly posted signs: a 40km/hour sign on the Arden Road north of civic number 5916, and a 60km/hr sign south of civic number 5916; a 50km/hr sign on the Henderson Road from Highway 7 to Baker Valley Road, a 60 km/hr sign from Baker Valley Road to the hamlet of Henderson and a 50km/hr sign in the hamlet of Henderson. Further, a new 60km/hour limit sign will be posted on Long Lake Road beginning at Public Beach Road and running south for 1000 metres.