Back to HomeFeature Article - April 23, 2009 South Frontenac Councilby Wilma Kenny

Commercial Development In Township

Council approved a zoning by-law change to permit the development of a 3 acre lot south of Harrowsmith on Road 38. This will permit Larry Redden to draw up a site plan for a proposed retail building with three attached greenhouses, for a total size of over 13,000 square feet. There was no comment or objection from the public.

Sally Gordon’s proposal for the 2-stage development of 16 acres on the northeast portion of Moon’s Corners (Sydenham & Rutledge Roads) drew comments from neighbours on both sides. Concern centred on the wide range of allowable uses of the property, under the proposed zoning. Ms Gordon’s present plans are for a gas station, convenience store and storage facility, possibly to be expanded at a later date to include office and retail space. However, the permitted uses under Rural Commercial zone include kennels, farm implement dealership, and hotel. After considerable discussion, Council voted to defer the zone change until the list of possible uses had been narrowed down.

Building Canada – Community Funding Grants

On Wednesday April 15, the federal government announced it was accepting applications for project funding, but set a tight two-week deadline of May 1st. CAO Burns recommended Council ask Frontenac County to submit an application on behalf of the Sydenham branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library. Burns has approached the County about this, and as they have no other submissions planned, Burns suggested there might be a greater chance of success, and that would also allow the Township to make the maximum allowable number of applications for roadwork projects.

Accordingly, Council approved in principle an application for 2/3 funding of a proposed $1.8 million Sydenham Library project on the understanding the project will only proceed if funding is granted. Prior to the motion, discussion revealed the township had adequate reserve funds earmarked for administrative and cultural projects to cover the remaining 1/3.

Works Manager Mark Segsworth was given approval to submit grant applications on behalf of the Township for Loughborough Lake Bridge, and 6 km of roadwork on each of Desert Lake, Battersea and Canoe Lake roads. Burns said grant approval decisions were expected to be published in early June.

Loughborough Grounds Maintenance

Council agreed to extend Percy Snider’s contracts for grass cutting and maintenance of Sydenham Cemetery and several other district properties. Snider’s present contracts with the townships had clauses providing for 2-year extensions, dependant on successful negotiations.

Bedford Road Reconstruction

Tender for this project was awarded to O. Bettschen Construction, the low bidder, and the company that had satisfactorily completed last year’s phase of the project. Segsworth reported that interest was high, with the township receiving 9 bids.

Prison Farm Closure

Council endorsed a letter from the Frontenac Cattlemen’s Association opposing the closing of the farm operations at Frontenac and Pittsburg Institutions. Copies of this motion will be sent to neighbouring municipalities, asking for their support.

No Green Energy for Biosphere Reserve?

Councillor Hahn expressed concern that the Association of Ontario Municipalities was recommending that the province not permit any of the renewable energy projects promoted by the Green Energy Act to be developed within the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. This would prevent development of any green energy projects in South Frontenac. The Biosphere Reserve has also protested this on the grounds that one of their mandates is to encourage sustainable development. Council agreed to send their objections to AMO and Ontario Sustainable Energy.

Budget Cut

Heated debate followed Councillor Fillion’s motion to cut the township budget (not the four district budgets) by $80,000, in order to lower that portion of the budget by 2%. "That’s a hollow flag," declared Mayor Davison, "It would amount to about $8.00 a resident: one pack of cigarettes." "I don’t smoke," countered Fillion. "We owe the people: it’s time we did something for the people," said Councillor Robinson. Councillors Stowe, Hahn and McPhail objected to having to draw $80,000 from reserves to cover the shortfall. "It’ll just cost us twice as much next year, or else we’ll be creating a mess for the next council," said Stowe. Council voted 5-4 in favour of Fillion’s motion. Council will vote on the overall budget at the May 5 meeting.

Back to HomeFeature Article - March 26, 2009 Sydenham Legion Remembrance Day contestsby Wendy Davis

Zoe Cook, April McInnes, Ashley Natalizio.

In the fall, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 496 in Sydenham sponsored Remembrance Day poster and literary contests for the eight schools in their area. Over 100 entries were judged at the branch level. All first place winners advanced to the zone level, where the judging included entries from Kingston and area schools. Sydenham area students did extremely well.

At the Zone Level, Faull Kenedy, a grade 8 student at Prince Charles P.S. placed first for her poem and Celina Grey, a grade 7 student placed second for her essay (also from Prince Charles). Faull’s poem then placed third at the district level.

Evan Jackson, grade 5, Loughborough P.S. placed third at the zone level for his poem.

Elginbug and District P.S. grade 4 students Ashley Natalizio placed first and Zoe Cook placed third for their posters at the zone level. April McInnes, grade 3, entered a black and white poster and a colour poster and achieved first place at zone level for both posters. She also placed first with both posters at the next level of competition, the district level. Her posters have moved on to the provincial level for judging.

Joshua DeWit (photo left), grade 5, Harrowsmith P.S. placed first at the zone level for his essay. He also placed first at the district level. His essay will now be judged at the provincial level, as well.

All students did amazingly well. Congratulations! It’s very rewarding for these students to have their fine achievements recognized. Also much appreciation goes out to the teachers for their continuing support in these worthwhile activities.

Back to HomeFeature Article - March 19, 2009 GSCA updateby Julie Druker

New faces at the Greater Sydenham Community Association's AGM

The Greater Sydenham Community Association representing the communities of Perth Road Village, Harrowsmith and Sydenham held a general meeting on March 11 to update their recent accomplishments and initiatives.

According to chair Lori Reed, a total of three applications have been put forth to fund three separate initiatives.

The first was to fund the GSCA’s website which has been developed by GSCA member Ron Hipfner of Computer Trustee Services in Sydenham.The lack of web visibility for the area was one fact noted by the Marmora group that reported on the GSC in the community exchange program that happened in earlier 2008.

The website is now up and running though not entirely complete. It includes historical attractions in the area, an events calendar, a business directory and a listing of community groups and services. Members of the association are listed on the site and their web links will also be provided.

The Association’s second initiative was put forth in partnership with the municipality of South Frontenac and concerned Point Park in Sydenham. Reed explained, “It was basically all of the user groups getting together and brainstorming, creating a wish list and hiring an architect to put it into picture play.” That meeting took place March 22 with architect Hughes Downey and user groups. They looked at an earlier 2002 plan for the park and considered the wish lists of the various user groups.

Regarding that meeting Reed stated, “There will be a report and a cost analysis done and as soon as we get those details, the intention is to share that in an open forum.” She stressed, “This plan is not a it’s plan that’s set in stone …, the public community at large will be involved in making suggestions.” Results from the meeting will be posted on the website as soon as they come available.

The third initiative set forth was for directional signage. For Harrowsmith the signs will be placed north and south bound on Hwy 38, east and west on Rutledge Road, northbound on Sydenham Road and north and south bound on Highway 10.

According to Reed, the directional sign project is well underway and funding was received from Frontenac CFDC. The signs will be erected after the spring thaw.

Members of the Harrowsmith and Perth Road community were invited to the meeting to share with the work they do in their specific communities. Val Ruttan, who belongs to a number of community groups including the Portland District and Area Heritage Society, along with Joyce Watson of the Harrowsmith Women’s Institute and Pam Morey of the Harrowsmith S & A Club each spoke of their organizations and the types of services they offer.

Also present was Mike Howe, chair of Parks and Recreation for Loughborough District who spoke about events at the point.

Other subjects discussed included increasing membership, increasing sharing of community information, fundraising possibilities, updating the GSCA Directory for March 31 (since that will represent the end of the fiscal year) and changing regular meetings to quarterly occurrences. There was also talk of making the meetings more celebratory in nature in an effort to get more community members out.

The next GSCA meeting will take place the second Wednesday in June.

For more information and/or to join the association please visit their new website at www.tgsca.ca

Back to HomeFeature Article - March 12, 2009 Sydenham Students were “Dressed to Kill”By Julie Druker and Wilma Kenny

Grade 11 student Emi Belliveau backstage showing and wearing her own "Dressed to Kill" creations. Photo: Julie Druker

Shelley Brooks, an adolescent care worker at Sydenham High School, has co-ordinated the annual fashion show for the last 25 years and has been involved with it even longer than that. In the Sydenham gym on March 4, the day of the event, Brooks explained “I helped co-ordinate the show way back when I ran the daycare here, long before I was even working at the school”.

It is no wonder than that this year’s 39th version of Sydenham High School's annual fashion show called “Dressed to Kill” was so highly polished, well organized and ran as smoothly as the silky outfits that shimmered on the stage.

Brooks is humble, though, and attributes the show’s success to staff, volunteers and all of the students both on and off the stage who make it work. She explained, “For me the fashion show is about bringing all of different school groups together. That’s why I do it. In high school you have so many different cliques and it’s a way to eliminate that. Anyone who wants to be in the show can be”.

Over 80 models including staff and students showed clothes from 21 different stores in and around the Kingston area. The more theatrically minded students had a chance to act in the ongoing murder mystery that was an integral and entertaining part of the show.

For Emi Belliveau, a grade 11 student at the school, it was an opportunity to flaunt her hand-sewn creations, formal and informal dresses that she has been making for herself and friends. Her “sewing set”, a series of nine dresses, were featured in the first half of the show. Emi says that it was her friends who suggested that she approach Brooks to have her dresses in the show.

Brooks was happy to include Emi’s work and recalled, “Twenty years ago the majority of the clothes in the show were student made, but with the end of Home Economics that has all changed.”

Emi’s been making dresses for herself since grade 7. She started watching her aunt make dresses and began at a young age assisting her.

The show is great publicity for Emi and she said when I spoke to her after the show, “I’ve had about 20 requests in the past two years for dresses and I’ve made 12 so far since it takes a lot of time.”

Emi enjoys the creative element involved in the work and likely inherited that gene from her parents. She explained, “Both my parents are artists. Before I make anything I always draw it and I have a lot of great design ideas but the final product also depends on the fabric that I’m able to get my hands on”.

Over a hundred models, ranging from toddlers to teachers, wore clothing on loan from a variety of Kingston stores. One set featured dresses completely designed and stitched by Emi Belliveau, an SHS student. Three others were the traditional wedding party, prom and tuxedo sets.

Two dance numbers choreographed by Danielle Asselstine and Jackie Evoy starred members of Katie May’s dance class wearing, in one set, vintage gowns from “What’ll I Wear?”

Woven throughout, a comedy/thriller featured Laura Bauman as the unbearably bossy show coordinator, with Geoff Hall, Dylan Parsons and Kyle Kelsey as her assistant, her bodyguard, and a hired killer (with years of video game experience) who team up to do her in. In true cartoon style, there were plenty of dramatic pratfalls into the centre well, with nobody ever getting injured.

As might be expected, there were a lot more gals than guys on the runway, but the “boy models” wore their suits with flair and confidence, and the audience greeted the shirtless overalls with rockstar appreciation.

The finale was a glorious tongue-in-cheek display of “trash fashion:” it’s truly amazing what can be created from garbage bags, crime scene tape, a bit of cardboard and a lot of duct tape! (Photo left, by Wilma Kenny)

And what will Emido now that "Dressed to Kill" is over?

She will have a chance for further fashion inspiration as she travels to France next week with 30 other students as part of a French exchange program. They will spend 4 days of their trip in Paris, where Fashion Week will have just ended.

For most of us though, the runway right here in Sydenham was the place to be to get our pre-spring fashion fix. As usual the Sydenham event was well attended and the students who took in the midday show hooted and hollered their approval.

Funds raised from this year’s show will be put towards spotlights for the stage and other stage renovations.

Show participants were looking forward to the evening performance and the wrap up party to be held at Raxx in Kingston at a later date.

Back to HomeFeature Article - March 5, 2009 Local Girl Guides and Scouts think bigBy Julie Druker

Sydenham Sparks join the ranks for the WAGGGS' "World Thinking Day" celebrations in Harrowsmith

It was an evening of song, celebration, and trivia games for the Girl Guides and Scouts of Harrowsmith and Sydenham last Thursday night at St. Paul’s in Harrowsmith as they met for their annual “World Thinking Day” celebration, which occurs every year on February 22.

The event celebrates Guiding by honoring the birthdays of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell of England, founders of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

The “World Thinking Day” according to organizer Marni Pedersen of Harrowsmith is “geared to thinking of our sister Guides all over the world.”

This year’s theme was “Stop the spread of AIDS, malaria and other diseases” and it supports the WAGGGS’ aim to change the world by taking global action and affirms their commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals as set out by the United Nations.

The five local Guide and Scout groups that participated in the Harrowsmith event were the Sydenham Sparks, Brownies and Guides, the 1st Harrowsmith Guides and the Chippewa Pathfinders. The five groups took turns presenting songs, skits, and trivia games in an interactive presentation that was enjoyed by friends and family members. Highlights included an interactive “stomp” by the Path Finders sung to the tune of Queen’s “We will rock you” with their own original lyrics.

Long time Guider Marni Pedersen organized the event. Val Ruttan of Harrowsmith, who has been involved in Guiding for 40+ years and remains involved as a trefoil member, was also present.

There are more than 10 million Girl Guides and Scouts worldwide whose goals are to contribute responsibly to their communities and to develop into responsible citizens.

Guiders Marni Pedersen and Melissa Nason say that the numbers of local Guides and Scouts are down because there are so many other activities available to children these days.

Kelsey Ross, who helps guide the Chippewa Pathfinders and who has been in Guiding herself for 12 years, lists the benefits of Guiding.

“It’s taught me leadership and teamwork and I’ve had a chance to meet a lot of people outside of school.”

The groups meet weekly and are looking forward to their regular camping excursions that take place at Camp Waupoos near Picton.

Anyone interested in joining the ranks can call Marni Pedersen at 613-374-9929.

Back to HomeFeature Article - March 5, 2009 South Frontenac CouncilBy Wilma Kenny

Sydenham Water Report

Kevin Riley of Utilities Kingston presented the 2008 annual Water Treatment Plant report to Council, and noted that it is available to the public at the Township offices, the water plant, and online at utilitieskingston.com. Of the 60 metals and chemicals for which the water is tested, only one exceeded the Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC). As earlier discussed in Council, this was the Trihalomethane level, which averaged out at 142 micrograms per litre. (The MAC is presently 100, though the Canadian level is expected to be brought down to the same level as the US: 80.) South Frontenac has retained the services of a qualified consultant to assist in the research and trial of alternative treatment options to reduce total Trihalomethanes. The report states that no attempt will be made to calculate the average water usage per person until all the village hook-ups are completed.

Council approved three community members for a Sydenham Water Advisory Committee, which will meet quarterly. The committee will consist of Kevin Riley, Councilors McPhail and Vandewal, village residents Janet Knights and Wilma Kenny, and township resident John Allen, former District Manager for the Ministry of the Environment. The Health Unit has asked to send an ‘observer’ to provide background information. Purpose of this group is to keep the village residents up to date on the status of the water system.

Lacey Lake Summer Camp/ Retreat/ Cultural Centre

Council gave final approval to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto to begin building a summer camp on a large piece of property just northeast of Perth Road Public School, just off the Walsh Road. The project had been on hold until a right-of-way access road was brought up to township standards. When completed, the camp will have the capacity to serve 200: it will operate in the summer only, though there will be year-round caretakers living on site.

Township ‘Housekeeping’

Council approved the annual/biennial bridge inspection, an upgrade to the office telephone system, purchase of a grader, and an agreement with the public health unit to continue with the septic tank re-inspection program in 2009.

Loughborough District Canada Day Committee

After 2008's successful return of Canada Day celebrations in Sydenham, the following were appointed to the 2009 committee: Brenda McPhail, John Trousdale, Sandra Sigsworth, Anne Barlow, Norm Irwin, Mark Alton, Susan Radford, Sharon Menard, Mike Howe, Sarah Jeffrey and Christine Stevens.

Back to HomeFeature Article - February 12, 2009 Sydenham Eagles out dive the Napanee HawksBy Julie Druker

Preparing to strike, Sydenham senior girls out play Napanee Hawks 3-0

The Sydenham girls’ junior and senior volleyball teams faced off at home on February 5 against the Napanee Hawks in two exciting games.

Both Sydenham teams secured their wins in 3-0 sets and overall maintained a wide point spread in the majority of their sets.

The juniors’ final third set score was 29-27, the closest in their match. Coach Joanne Brown managed to play the entire team during the final set. Brown seemed pleased by the team’s performance but admitted, “We’re relishing being unnoticed at this time so that the team can really concentrate on their game.” The juniors are currently seated in 2nd place with one more league game to play.

In the second match, Sydenham's senior Eagles out-played Napanee winning 3 straight sets 25-12, 25-18 and 24-19. The ongoing communication between the Sydenham players was strongly apparent throughout the entire game and resulted in the team’s confident lead throughout.

Napanee took the lead once in set 3 and though they had strong serves and scored some key points just inside of the line through the game, they also missed a lot of plays due to miscommunication and errors.

The senior Eagles, demonstrating that they are not a team to sit back on their heels though in the lead, continued to dive and slide for difficult returns until the very end. Player #9 Sara Martinali in particular made a number of nice saves in set 3.

Team captains #3 Shannon Walsh and #12 Meghan Herrington credited the team’s strong communication skills on the fact that many of the players have been playing together for years now.

Coaches Sharry Martin and Stephanie Dixon likely deserve credit for instilling in their players the determination to play at their best at all times. During a timeout near half time the coaches encouraged the team to concentrate on limiting their number of errors, since according to head coach Martin, "That is often what it tends to come down to in the end."

The seniors now sit in second place tied with Ernestown with one game left to play in the league. On Tuesday in Sydenham they play KCVI, which is tied for first. It will be an exciting match and will likely draw a large crowd of supporters to the Eagles’ nest.

Both Sydenham teams have secured a spot in the playoffs and will be playing their first playoff quarter final games back to back on Tuesday February 17 in Sydenham.

Back to HomeFeature Article - January 29, 2009 Sydenham welcomes home resident mountain climberBy Julie Druker

Leslie Myles of Sydenham summits Mount Kilimajaro

The Sydenham community recently welcomed home Leslie Myles, their resident mountain climber, who, at 7 am, January 12th , successfully reached the 19,341 foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This is Africa’s tallest mountain, and Leslie reached the summit along with her entire team: 11 women, 6 porters and 4 guides.

Friends family and community members gathered at the Sydenham Legion on Sunday to welcome her home and to congratulate her on her successful endeavor, the “Kili Climb for Kids”, which raised $61,000 for the Amani Children’s Home in Tanzania.

The organization, located at the base of the mountain, provides a safe, nurturing and healing environment to homeless Tanzanian children. It provides healthy meals, ongoing access to education, health care, counseling and also strives to reconnect children with relatives or village members in their community.

After the climb, Leslie had time to visit Amani House, its staff, and the children they serve. “I was touched by the children and really impressed by the efforts of the staff and the positive effect their work is having.” Currently 89 children are involved in the program which began in 2001 in a small two bedroom house which initially supported 6 children.

Photo: Vicki Veldman, Maryanne Takala, Heather Quinn and Margie Johnston host welcome home for Leslie Myles (centre)

Back at home, the Sydenham Legion was wall to wall with well wishers as Leslie set up a slide show of her trip and spoke to the large group about her recent accomplishments. Not an easy climb, it was predicted that only half of her team would make the summit. Leslie explained, “Though not the largest mountain, it is the hardest mountain because it is the fastest. You go in and you come out in a very short time with not a lot of time to acclimatize.”

The climb took 6 days in total and the team passed through 4 eco-zones. They began in the rain forest and reached the bare, moon-like, glacier filled upper reaches of the mountain where temperatures dipped to minus 25 degrees.

The team began their final push for the top on the fifth day at 12:30 at night in howling winds and bitter cold.

Leslie told the crowd, “All of you were there in spirit with me and all the way up I remembered the words of my trainers back home, Jimmy Latimer and Brian Meyers, ‘What? Are you going to quit now?’” Quit she didn't and Leslie made it to the top of the mountain along with the 10 other women from her team.

Leslie recalled, “One of the most exhilarating moments was climbing the Barranco Wall”, a virtually vertical wall with a narrow, slippery foot path with nowhere to hold onto and no poles to assist you. “You had to really watch your footing.” In Swahili, the advice most commonly given to her and her team was, “Pole. Pole. Slowly. Slowly. One step. One breath”.

Leslie and her team were grateful to their guide Angus Murray, an experienced climber from BC, who gave in depth explanations and important demonstrations all along the way.

In her words," The trip was a great way to reevaluate what's important and what's not and how valuable time really is." She stressed the importance of her ongoing retail work, (she owns three Body Shop franchises) in that it allows her to pursue her personal interests, namely, helping children and exploring other cultures.

Leslie’s plans for the future? “My daughter Emelia is an ambassador with the Free the children: me to we” program and is interested in helping build schools for children around the world, so I’d love to help her with that. I‘d also love to take her to see the Amani House because they have great volunteer programs there.”

Following her presentation, the Sydenham Legion presented Leslie with a cheque for $250.00 for the cause and South Frontenac Mayor Gary Davison presented her with a plaque recognizing her work for the children of Tanzania. In the words of the mayor, “There is a saying out there, ‘Get her done and this lady does it.’” Everyone present applauded their consent.

For more information about Amani House visit www.amanikids.org

Back to HomeFeature Article - January 22, 2009 The Greater Sydenham Community Association's new plans for 2009

by Julie Druker

The GSCA and committed community members.

The Greater Sydenham Community Association invited community members to a meeting on January 14 at Sydenham Town hall to share their recent accomplishments and current projects that are underway for 2009.

The association is looking to members of the community for their ideas, time and services in order to accomplish existing goals and to formulate future ones.

Chair Lori Reed recapped information gained from two separate earlier exchanges: the first from the “First Impressions Community Exchange Program” that occurred in September 2008. That program paired Sydenham with Marmora, and teams from each community reported their impressions of the other based on a number of areas. These included the community in general, government, health care and other services, local businesses, infrastructure, education, the economy, tourism, housing, and recreation.

The second batch of information on the same topics resulted from a survey put out by the GSCA to the greater Sydenham community. The survey asked for input regarding areas in the community that need improvement. It also looked for answers as to why certain services are sought outside of the community.

Reed pointed out the bottom line: “When we talk about progression and development we really want the money to stay here; that is what it really boils down to.” Reed added, “The summary of these two projects is going to form the template of the action plan that we, the association, have for 2009.”

Some initial projects that were completed in 2008 were the placement of six new historic gateway signs in the villages of Perth Road, Sydenham and Harrowsmith and the publication of a Sydenham directory, with maps and lists of local businesses and services.

Reed explained that this year the association will be focusing on more signage, beautification, and the Point.

Under the heading of “Beautification”, the GSCA has just submitted an application for funding to build rock gardens around all six of the new signs, and inquiries have been made into purchasing holders or “surrounds” for the garbage cans in all areas to make them more appealing.

Under “Infrastructure”, an application has recently been submitted for the construction of a website for the area. Reed explained, “That is where we believe the link will be in creating what people need to know about the area.” The Mamora team pointed out in their findings the lack of internet visibility for the area.

The Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC) and the South Frontenac Public Works Department are teaming up with the GSCA to create a signage plan that will include directional signs, business district signs for the village of Sydenham and signs for the “T” intersection at Rutledge and Sydenham Roads..

Reed happily announced, “There are some volunteers in the community who have expressed an interest on focusing on “The Point”’. Joanne Brown, a teacher at Sydenham High School, along with other school employees and Mark Segsworth of the Public Works department are also committed to improving the Point in Sydenham. Brown and her group have begun preparing an application for a feasibility study to see how specific goals like lighting the football field, for example, can be approached. Brown is hoping to get input from the GSCA and other community members and groups regarding their own ideas for improved facilities at the Point prior to submitting the final application for the study.

Future potential projects Reed mentioned included improved wheelchair accessibility and washroom facilities, developing a historic pamphlet for the area, landscaping, increasing the number of public benches and decorating the downtown core with banners, light fixtures and potted plants.

Reed stressed the importance of the community getting involved and stated to the audience, “We’re asking if you have an interest in something, stand up to the plate and give that piece of time, that piece of you to that project…and bring along a friend and bring along your kids.”

By enlisting the help of various community groups and members it looks as though many more projects will be accomplished in the upcoming year.

The meeting was well attended and the GSCA appeared excited by the local turnout and the commitment offered by those present.

Reed summed it up in a quote she shared toward the meeting’s end: “We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give and it takes a whole community to make a difference.”

Grumpy over splitting costs of road repair

South Frontenac Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth brought forth a recommendation that South Frontenac agree to pay $4,127 to Central Frontenac to cover half the cost of bringing up the level of what Segsworth described as a “private laneway driveway in the vicinity of Arena Boundary Road.”

Segsworth wanted council to make it clear, however, in submitting the payment that “any future maintenance requirements on this laneway/driveway will be the sole responsibility of the Township of Central Frontenac.”

The road in question bisects the two townships, and it contains a low spot which had been subject to flooding due to persistent beaver damming on private lands in South Frontenac and some land that is under the jurisdiction of the Quinte Conservation Authority.

The property owner, Gary Morey, claims that the road is a public roadway and that the township has maintained it in the past. He also claims that an agreement exists whereby Central Frontenac is supposed to maintain the road.

Central Frontenac spent $8245 on the road in recent weeks, and both townships have blown up beaver dams as well.

In his report, Segsworth said that South Frontenac had indicated to Central Frontenac “that we were prepared to work with them to haul gravel to build this laneway up. We were not aware that they were going to hire a contractor and request that South Frontenac pay half.”

“We might as well be neighbourly,” said Councilor Bill Robinson.

“It’s hard not to,” agreed Councilor Alan McPhail.

“I don’t think we can set the precedent of doing work on a private laneway,” said Councilor David Hahn.

“Years ago Portland did work on that road,” said Mayor Davison.

In the end council approved the expenditure. Councilor Hahn voted against it, and two councilors, Stowe and Filion, were absent from the meeting.

Snow Disposal – Council agreed to pay $2,000 to Peter Darling for the use of his gravel quarry near Sydenham as a place to dump snow that is removed from streets in the village of Sydenham. The location is closer for township trucks than the Loughborough dump, which was used last year.

Blue Box – Council voted to support the position taken by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario regarding recycling. The position is that manufacturers take 100% responsibility for the cost of recycling the products and packaging they produce, up from the current 50%.

Construction figures in – The total value of construction in the township was $22,204,000 in 2008, down substantially from 2007, which was a record year at $29,217,000. But 2008 levels were still higher than 2006 ($18,867,000) and 2005 ($22,363,000). Seventy-four new family dwelling were built in 2008, which is the lowest number in the last 9 years.

Sydenham Water Committee – Council agreed to reformulate the Sydenham Water Committee. The committee is being set up as a communication tool, Council said, and will likely be made up of 2 members of council and 3 from the public. CAO Gord Burns will set out the parameters and bring a proposed structure back to the next council meeting.