The Ontario Fire Marshall's office conducted a test of the capacity of the Central Frontenac Fire Department to deliver water to a potential fire last Saturday.

The standard that the fire fighters had to meet was to have their equipment up and running within five minutes to pump 200 gallons of water per minute, and to keep up that level for two hours in order to maintain the Superior Water Shuttle Rating for the department.

Central Frontenac Fire Chief Bill Young thought, based on tests in previous years, that they only had two minutes to start pumping, “so I was pretty confident when the inspector said we had five minutes.”

The test took place at a portable concrete facility on Hwy. 7 near Arden.

The first pumper was set up and pumping a stream of water towards the bush within seconds, and then three other trucks rolled in. Crews from each truck quickly, but carefully, set up portable pools to hold water and began filling them. One by one the crews jumped out and pulled the pools off the side of their trucks, set them up, and began filling them.

Within minutes three pools were set up and the trucks were all headed down the road to Arden. Some of the trucks went south at Arden to the Mill Pond, and others north to the bridge at Kennebec Lake.

“Now it's just a matter of driving back and forth and keeping the flow going,” said a relieved Bill Young at the time

Soon after, however, the Fire Marshall Official called Bill Young over and said that since it seemed like the operation was running so smoothly, Young might want to try and up the flow from 200 to 430 gallons per minute to give the township a higher rating, a commercial rating.

“He said that if we didn't get the commercial rating we could settle for the superior rating we already had, so there was no reason not to go for it,” said Young when interviewed two days later.

Crews upped the flow and stepped the pace of the water shuttle was in order keep the pools from draining down. An hour and a half later, the Fire Marshall Official said there was no need to continue. He had seen enough and the commercial rating had been attained.

Superior water shuttle ratings are something that the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office established as a way to demonstrate the capacity of fire departments, and they have the added benefit of lowering the insurance rates that residents pay. The commercial rating will add that of benefit to businesses throughout the township.

Chief Young said that it will take some time for the certificate confirming the rating to arrive at the township, but once it does it will be posted on the township's website. Local businesses will be able to download the certificate and present it to their insurer. They should see some savings as a result.

The township will announce when the rating has been confirmed so businesses eager for savings should wait at least a week before looking online or calling the township for details.

“The test went really well for us,” said Young. “All of our crews were involved and were able to work together, keep the equipment working well, and co-ordinate everything we were doing. It was a good day and we got a better result than we had even hoped for.”

The mist was up and the rain was threatening to move in as a crowd gathered at the old caboose in the Railway Park across from the Central Frontenac Township Office in Sharbot Lake last Saturday morning (September 17).

Town Crier, Paddy O'Connor, delivered two rousing “Oyes” and then an “All Aboard” to welcome one and all to the event. Barb Neill then welcomed the guests and introduced Gary Giller, who proceeded to outline the impressive number of grants that the society has received over the last year or so.

The Community Foundation for Kingston and Area (CFKA) provided $12,200 for the purchase of a railway-themed play structure that is now installed in a location close to the caboose. CFKA Executive Director Tina Baily and board member Gayle Barr were on hand and spoke about how pleased the foundation was to work with a group that is dedicated to community engagement for all ages.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) provided $10,000 for the installation of the play structure and also funded 12 signs marking significant features in the park that are connected to the former railway. James Roulston, of the Quinte-Kingston-Region grant selection committee with the OTF, brought his greetings as well.

The heritage society is also working with Central Frontenac Township on a major trail enhancement project that encompasses the corridor from the Sharbot Lake beach to the museum park and beyond. Phase 1 of the project involves the enhancement of the rock cut and the wooded area between the beach and the government dock, and includes signage and heritage lighting. This project is being overseen by a committee of Central Frontenac Council. Phase 1 of the project has been funded by the Federal Government Accessibility Fund ($50,000), as well as Central Frontenac Township ($15,000), and the Frontenac County Federal Gas Tax Fund ($10,000)

Anne Marie Young, the economic development officer for Frontenac County and a tireless advocate for the K&P Trail, brought greetings from the County.

Gary Giller also thanked John Duchesne, who has come on board to help with grant applications for the society.

Central Frontenac Mayor (and Frontenac County Warden), Frances Smith, marked the end of the formal proceedings, and the start of the rain, by cutting the cake.

Fortunately the rain then let up and the assembled crowd enjoyed music by Gilbert Riddell, Jim MacPherson, Pete MacPherson, Al Cooke, and Guy Cooke, as well as hot dogs, lemonade and cake.

Perhaps the happiest person in the crowd was Sally Angle, who is now the former president of the Central Frontenac Railway Society, a position she held for 14 years until Derek Redmond recently took on the role.

At the very end of the September 13 meeting of Central Frontenac Council, Councilor Cindy Kelsey put forward a notice of motion to discuss portable food trucks.

Recently, a food truck that had been open variously at two different locations on Highway 7 was shut down after a resident complained to the bylaw officer.

It turns out that the township's comprehensive zoning bylaw does not permit any food trucks within its borders. The bylaw, which was passed in 2011, includes “licensed refreshment sales vehicles” in its definitions, but in the rest of the document these kinds of establishments are not listed as permitted within any of the township's building zones.

There are at least two such establishments in permanent locations in the township, one on Highway 7 at Sharbot Lake and one on Road 38 at Godfrey and there is at least one other business that provides catering out of a truck.

South Frontenac has a provision for and permitting “licensed refreshment sales vehicles” in commercial zones within the township, under a set of criteria that includes separation distance from other food establishments. Central Frontenac may be looking at a similar provision in their own bylaw.

“That is my intention,” said Cindy Kelsey, when contacted this week, “to bring in an amendment to the bylaw so we can regulate and permit these kinds of businesses. Right now they are in limbo. Anyone can call a bylaw officer to shut them down, which is not fair, and they do not pay any fees, while restaurants pay property taxes, which is not fair either.”

Kelsey's notice of motion asked staff to prepare a report outlining how the township can proceed on the matter.

It's been 18 months since Andrew Kovacs purchased the former Sharbot Lake Seniors' Home from Dr. Peter Bell. Kovacs had originally planned to make the necessary changes to the building to change its focus completely in a matter of months, but he found that the building needed to be reduced to the “bare bones” and then re-imagined as a modern residence for seniors.

In the coming weeks, however, the residence will be ready to be unveiled to potential tenants.

“I've been waiting until everything is ready before holding an Open House,” Kovacs said when interviewed at the residence in late August, “because I know there will only be one chance to make a first impression when people come to see what we have to offer.”

The new seniors' residence, which will be available for rent, will start in the range of $3,200 per month. This includes all meals, snacks, cable, wi-fi, laundry services, etc., and is about $2,000 per month lower than what a similar facility would cost in places such as Kingston, Ottawa, or even Smiths Falls.

All the floors are made of bamboo composite flooring; rooms include full bath and shower facilities; and a new elevator is being installed. The dining room has been moved next to the completely refurbished kitchen, opening up what is now a large common room with modern furnishings and a full view of the east basin of Sharbot Lake.

“There are a number of seniors who no longer want the hassle of cutting the grass, of worrying about leaking roofs, preparing meals for one person, and would like to live on their own, but in a community.”

Kovacs said that once the residence is complete, it will accommodate over 20 people, mostly singles although there are suites that are suitable for couples.

He will encourage residents to form a committee to develop recreation programming and said he will do what he can to help make the residence a true home for the people who live there.

The grounds are all being spruced up at the property, including the area between the building and Road 38, and the area behind that opens up onto Sharbot Lake.

“There are many advantages to living in a full-service facility like this is going to be, and I am looking forward to showing it off,” said Kovacs.

The date of an open house at the Sharbot Lake Residence will be announced shortly.

Earlier this year, Connections Adult Learning received a $39,000 Seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to fund its new “Alleviating Social Isolation Through Technology” (ASITT) project.

Over the next eight months, Connections will be taking steps to provide access to hardware and internet connections and to help people improve digital skills through various training opportunities. Planned activities include establishing community Wi-Fi points; visits to housebound persons; providing multi-session and one-day workshops on various technology topics; establishing half-day technology drop-in centres for access and advice; hosting social digital activities like exergaming and streamed video; and providing online tips from experts in health, legal and other online information.

“Technology is advancing at incredible rates; the ability to use technology and navigate the internet is no longer simply an amusement or enjoyable distraction, it has become a necessary and essential tool for accessing government services, finding information about health care, searching job opportunities, running a small business, or just staying in touch with family,” remarked Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. “With this grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Connections Adult Learning is providing important technology-based education and skills development while helping people better connect to their communities, and the world, in a digital age.”

So, what could you learn if you participated in one or more of the training opportunities? Topics currently being explored include: online banking, how to buy and sell items online through sites like Kijiji or eBay, learning to use social media (Facebook, Skype, Instagram), basic computer skills, finding online health care information, finding legal advice, and how to watch online videos. However, Connections will be looking for the public’s suggestions into their needs and interests.

“To many of us, activities such as sending a photo, using social media, browsing yardsale sites, or visiting with distant family and friends are simply taps on our mobile device. However, for people without digital skills or access to hardware or internet these activities are not simple, and becoming socially isolated from family, friends and community is a real possibility,” said Karen Bertram, the project’s coordinator.

In late September, Connections will be offering the first of ASITT’s multi-session workshops. In Sharbot Lake, (24719 Hwy 7), Connections will present a “Basic Computers - Windows 10” workshop and “Managing Your Mobile – Android Phones and Tablets”. In Northbrook, (12497A Hwy 41, Unit 3), they will also offer “Basic Computers - Windows 10” but switch up the mobile training to “Managing Your IPAD, IPhone or IPOD”. See the flyer insert in this paper for more details or visit www.connectionsadultlearning.ca.

To make this happen, Connections will need the community’s help. It’s looking for 10 or more volunteers (Digital Coaches), to help deliver training and support to the programs’ participants. It will provide technology training to the Digital Coaches, as well as training in adult learning processes.

Additionally, to advise on content, recruitment, effectiveness and evaluation, Connections is recruiting six volunteers who can commit to four hours a month for a Project Advisory Committee.

Some examples of people who will benefit from the project are: the student who can’t use the Internet to do their school assignment; someone who can’t apply online for Ontario Works or Employment Insurance; seniors who can’t use social media to connect with their children and grandchildren; anyone who isn’t able to list their item for sale online; and the resident who can’t use online banking.

Connections needs you. Whether you want to learn more about computers and other digital technology or if you have digital talents to share, give Connections Adult Learning a call (Sharbot Lake 613-279-2499 or Northbrook 613-336-0691/866-402-8347);check them out on Facebook or drop in to see them at the addresses above.

(Note - in the paper version of this article the address of Connections Adult Learning centre was erroneously listed as 4719 Hwy. 7)

Each year, the Royal Canadian Legion celebrates Legion Week on the third week of September. Legion Week provides us with an opportunity to inform the public exactly what goes on within a branch, and what the branch in turn does for the community.

The Legion is a non-profit organization assuming the responsibility of maintaining the tradition of Remembrance of those who paid the supreme sacrifice by defending our great nation in past and present conflicts, so that we as Canadians can live in the freedom that we enjoy today!

We continue to support and represent our veterans of past and present with many benefits as a result of the determination of our dedicated members at all levels of the organization.

Legion branches across the province work together with their affiliated organization to raise funds in support of the many programs within the Royal Canadian Legion. The monies raised supports numerous programs benefiting our veterans, seniors and youth within our own local community.

September 18-24, 2016, has been proclaimed Legion Week throughout the Province of Ontario. Sharbot Lake Branch 425 celebrates this event every year with a seniors' day of bingo and dinner held on the Tuesday of Legion Week, which is a very successful day of fun, food and camaraderie.

Sharbot Lake Hollowood Branch 425 takes this opportunity to invite the general public to visit the Legion, or talk with a member, to learn what we're all about and to consider joining in the activities put on for the enjoyment of the community, and perhaps even consider joining our organization.

The Seniors’ Fitness and Lifestyle Program will be starting up on Monday September 26 at the Sharbot Lake Medical Centre in the Community Room. This free program consists of aerobic and strengthening exercises instructed by a Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging certified seniors’ fitness instructor, monthly healthy lifestyle education sessions, seasonal social activities, and more! There will two moderate-vigorous level classes held twice per week from 9am-10am and 10:15am-11:15am on Mondays and Thursdays. There will also be a gentle chair-based class held once per week from 11:30am-12:15pm on Thursdays. For more information or to register please call 613-279-2100.

by Jeff Green

Among the recommendations in phase 1 of an operational review of fire and emergency services in Central Frontenac Township is the creation of a full-time fire chief position.

Terry Gervais, formerly of the Napanee Fire Department, made 11 recommendations in the report he delivered to a regular meeting of Central Frontenac Council on Tuesday afternoon (September 13).

Of those, a number dealt with health and safety measures, and others with the way the township makes incident reports to the Province of Ontario for every call that the department goes out on.

The final section of the report is about the position of fire chief, whether to maintain the status quo, with Fire Chief Bill Young and Deputy Fire Chief Art Cowdy both putting in 16 hours, or two days a week; to increase Young's hours to a larger part-time position; or in the words of the report, to “hire a full-time chief.”

Gervais said that the status quo option is not advisable because the township is already falling behind in its legislative reporting and other requirements.

Option 2, to increase the hours, would not be sufficient, in Gervais' view, partly because, as he said, “The fire chief already works more than 16 hours so that option is already in place and it is not enough. It is my recommendation that the township hire a full-time person.”

For comparative purposes, he looked at neighboring townships and found that of nine he looked at, six have full-time fire chiefs; one shares a full-time chief, and only two have part-time chiefs, one of those being Central Frontenac. In Frontenac County, not only does the largest township, South Frontenac, have a full-time chief, but North Frontenac, with half the full-time population of Central Frontenac, also has a full-time chief.

Mayor Frances Smith thanked Gervais for his report and said that council will look at the recommendations in the coming weeks or months.

Although the report called for a new position to be created, it was silent on how that position should be filled, not saying if the job should be offered to Young or filled through an open hiring process.

VIA Rail wants to build a service along Highway 7

At the start of the Central Frontenac Council meeting this week (Tuesday September 13), Mayor Frances Smith presented a document she has received from Jacques Fauteux, Director, government and community relations with VIA rail.

The VIA Dedicated Tracks project proposes to use a new, more efficient diesel-electric hybrid fleet to deliver passenger service in the Quebec City to Windsor corridor.

An adjunct to that project, according to the document, “includes the Shining Waterways Railway Plan, which aims to provide passenger service from Toronto to Havelock, and its extension all the way to Ottawa, using existing tracks or discontinued railway rights of way.”

The service would have many benefits including: local train service to Toronto and Ottawa, shorter trip times than using a car, regional economic development, etc.

Basic inspections are to take place on former railway beds and infrastructure that are under consideration for the project in the region over the coming weeks.

The former rail line from Havelock to Ottawa is currently part of the Trans-Canada Trail. It follows Highway 7 as it heads from Kaladar to Ottawa, but in Central Frontenac it pushes to the south of the highway at Elm Tree, passes below Big Clear Lake in Arden and over to Mountain Grove, eventually following the southern shore of the west basin of Sharbot Lake at Brewer Road, before passing through the hamlet at the medical center, past the beach and then the township office.

Until last year it then went under a bridge at Road 38, but that bridge was removed last year and the trail now passes over the road as it heads back towards Fall River Road, where it again follows Highway 7 towards Perth.

Building report shows solid year

Chief Building Officer Jeremy Neven presented the year-to-date building permit figures, and the total for the year as of the end of August 2016 is up by $300,000 over 2015. Permits for 14 new homes have been purchased, which Neven described as being comparable to other years in recent times. He said that activity has continued to be brisk into September.

When Councilor Cindy Kelsey asked if, as she has seen in her day job at the Arden Post Office, there are many conversions of seasonal cottages to year-round dwellings in the township, Neven said, “Do you think you can get me the names of those people?”

On a more serious note, he said that when seasonal cottages become year-round residences, even if there are no renovations done for that purpose, the requirements for air flow and insulation change and a permit should be taken out.

“A lot of people aren't aware of this, but they should contact us when they become permanent residents so we can ensure the building is suitable for year-round living,” he said.

Facilities report

Neven, in his role as manager of Development Services, reported that work on a number of projects has been proceeding. The new Olden ball field is about to have lights and fencing put in, and the field itself is expected to be completed in time for the 2017 season. The Big Gull Lake boat ramp should be completed this month; a new range hood has been installed at the Kennebec Hall; and shelving has been installed at the Parham library. Work at the Parham fair grounds is expected to be completed this fall as well.

Mayor Smith wondered why the range hood for the Kennebec Hall cost $20,000.

“That's a lot of money for a range hood,” she said.

“It's a very extensive range hood for a very busy kitchen,” said Clerk-Administrator Cathy MacMunn.

“I'll have to go see it then,” said Smith.

KPMG to audit for two more years

Treasurer Michael McGovern proposed that the firm KPMG have their contract extended for two more years for providing auditing services. At that time the township will be participating in a joint procurement process with Frontenac County and the other three Frontenac townships in the hopes of achieving efficiency and cost savings. Council agreed.

Library addition to Mountain Grove fire hall

Fire Chief Bill Young presented the results of a tender for the construction of a 1,000 square foot addition to the Mountain Grove fire hall to accommodate a new library branch. The lowest bid was from Guy Saumure and Sons for $254,600 plus taxes. The budgeted price for the project was $220,000, including a $32,000 engineering fee, and the township received a $110,000 matching grant from the Government of Canada under the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program to cover the costs.

With the engineering added in, the project is now $66,600 over budget, money that will come from savings elsewhere in 2016 township operations if they can be found, or through a loan.

The Saumure bid was over $100,000 lower than two of the other bids and $15,000 lower than the second lowest bid, which was from the Anglin Group Ltd.

Fire dispatch returns to Kingston

When the City of Kingston Fire Service increased its price for providing dispatch services to the township's fire department last year, Chief Young recommended shifting to Smiths Falls, who offered to provide the service for $13,500.

However, Young has now proposed, and Council accepted, that the township return to Kingston Dispatch, as they have revised their price down to $13,500 to match Smiths Falls.

“They seem a lot more interested in our needs now than they were a year ago, and it makes more sense to work with Kingston, which is where the other Frontenac townships get their dispatch as well,” he said.

Signage plan to come forward

Councilor Jamie Riddell, representing the Economic Development Committee, said that now that the Frontenac County branding exercise is complete, the committee will be making a proposal for highway signs at all entrances to the township. This will include corridors such as Highway 7, Roads 38 and 509 and the Arden/Tamworth Road, as well as the Henderson, Crow Lake, and Fifth Lake roads.

“We have been working well with the County on this project, and the work they have done with the new county brand will dovetail really well with what we are doing,” Riddell said.

A report, including costing options, will be presented to Council in time for 2017 budget deliberations.

Community Living – North Frontenac (CL-NF) celebrated its 40th anniversary at its Annual General Meeting on August 30 at St. James Major Church hall. Chris Beesley, executive director of Community Living Ontario, was the invited guest. He presented Dean Walsh, CL-NF executive director, with a certificate to help celebrate the organization’s 40 years of excellent service in the community. Walsh spoke very proudly of the board’s progressive, forward-thinking decisions. He also said that the agency is looking at a property south of Sharbot Lake, the former home of Drapeau Emergency Services, as a possible new location for an expanded Treasure Trunk.  Community Living currently operates the Treasure Trunk in a rented property at the foot of Cannon Road in Sharbot Lake.

Paddy O’Connor was welcomed as a new board member. 

(Note - A previous version of this article said the following in place of the third and second to last sentences: "One example is the organization’s recent purchase of the Drapeau building south of Sharbot Lake on Road 39, which will be the new location of the Treasure Trunk" but representatives from Community Living called to provide clarification.)