Dec 4/08 - AH Council

Back toHome

Feature Article - December 4, 2008 Addington Highlands Council -Dec. 2/08By Jule Koch Brison

Don’t shoot the snowplow driver

“We need to remind people that the snow’s got to go where the snow’s got to go,” Addington Highlands Roads Supervisor Royce Rosenblath told council at the Dec. 2 meeting in Flinton. He was referring to phone calls complaining that the snowplow had deposited snow in driveways. “We don’t intentionally set out to block people’s driveways” he said, “but we have to clear the snow”.

He asked council to come up with a policy, and place an ad or create a form letter. The councilors could not immediately come up with an appropriate wording, but agreed to implement Rosenblath’s request.

OPP Report: OPP Detachment Commander Pat Finnegan and Det. Sgt. Wayne Allen of the Criminal Investigation Unit presented a report to council. Inspector Finnegan said that overall, calls for service in the detachment are down.

He addressed two issues that had been brought up during his September 2 visit to council. At that time Councilor Janice Kerr told the officers about “serious incidents” in Denbigh, which had not been responded to by police.

Since then the OPP has held a town hall meeting in Denbigh and Finnegan called the breakdown in service a “shared responsibility”. He said that calls could have been responded to better but that they weren’t always made in a way that communicated how serious they were.

He said it “basically came down to two individuals terrorizing a small community”. They have since been arrested.

He said it had been a problem trying to convince people to stand together - calls were anonymous or people were unwilling to provide statements, but, “When we stepped up the community stepped up. We need the help and support of the citizens .. It’s been a learning experience for everyone involved”.

Another issue was problems with ATVs; however, Finnegan said that in consultations with the community, people did not feel that ATVs were a problem and did not want trail patrols.

The OPP have also investigated complaints that a school bus had repeatedly encountered problems with speeding vehicles on Hwy 41. Inspector Finnegan reported that police had patrolled the specific area several times, “We’ve made a concerted effort to address the complaint but have not observed an excessive amount of speeding”.

However, there is a certain curve on Hwy 41, where it is difficult to see a stopped school bus in good time. The Ministry of Transportation has put up a sign, which Finnegan said should help. They will also look into changing the location of the stop.

Royce Rosenblath raised another issue with the officers. He said he has received dozens of calls from the OPP Communications Centre about problems outside of Addington Highlands. “One night I received a call about an icy road on County Road 11 in Selby…where would they get the idea that was in Addington Highlands?” he asked.

Finnegan replied, “Nobody would argue that local dispatching is better – central dispatching is a problem”. He said police are often frustrated by the problems caused by central dispatching but “it all comes down to money – the government has made those decisions”.

Rosenblath seemed frustrated himself – “But how do we fix the problem?” he asked.

Finnegan said he would consult with the commander of the communications centre in Smiths Falls. Det. Sgt. Allen added that the communications centre jobs are high stress and have a fairly high turnover.

AFARRadio: Hali Foster of the AFAR (Addington Frontenac Area Radio) committee, brought incorporation documents for council to approve. She pointed out that if AFAR were to dissolve, its assets would revert to the township. Presently anyone donating to AFAR is able to receive a tax receipt from the township, but that would change after AFAR incorporates as it does not have charitable status yet. She also asked if the township could continue to cover the board of directors through its insurance.

Township Clerk Jack Pauhl said they would have to consult with the township’s solicitor, but he didn’t think the township could insure the board. “When you incorporate you become self-sufficient; the umbilical cord is cut”, he said.

Council approved the documents.

The Skootamatta District Ratepayers Association (SDRA) asked council to investigate their concerns about the Cloyne waste site hours being reduced on Sundays by North Frontenac Council. Royce Rosenblath said he believed that North Frontenac had a report that Sunday visits to the waste site had dropped. AH will investigate before responding.

The SDRA also asked council to plow the Skootmatta Lake landing parking lot. Rosenblath said that plowing the lot was not a problem if it is empty, but if cars “plug up the lot” it can’t be plowed. Council will communicate this to the SDRA.

Jack Pauhl informed council that municipalities are encountering problems with recyclables since the prices have dropped because of the economic situation. For example, newspaper has dropped from $50/ton to $10/ton.

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 3, 2009Frontenac County CouncilBy Jeff Green

Mayor seeks deep cuts to the Fairmount Home budget

The Fairmount Home in Glenburnie prides itself on a “gentle care” philosophy, but Frontenac County Council will be giving Fairmount's budget some harsh attention this year, if Frontenac Islands Mayor Jim Vanden Hoek has his way.

At the tail end of a day-long meeting on November 18, some preliminary numbers for the 2010 budget were presented to Frontenac County Council. Included was the budget for Fairmount Home.

The projected 2010 Fairmount Home budget for 2010 is up only marginally from 2009, to $10.2 million. That budget is only partially derived from municipal taxation; the provincial government will pay $4.7 million and resident fees account for $3 million. Frontenac County ratepayers are on tap for about 1/3 of the $2.5 million municipal share, with the City of Kingston covering the rest. Thanks to a projected increase in resident fees in 2010, the contribution from Frontenac County ratepayers to Fairmount is projected to decrease by 5% next year, to a shade under $800,000.

Those numbers didn't satisfy Vanden Hoek however, who put forward a notice of motion to county council that he would be seeking a 5% decrease in the overall Fairmount budget in 2010, and a similar decrease each year for four more years.

This, if implemented, would result in a budget of under $8 million for the home by 2014.

Vanden Hoek's notice of motion comes on the heels of a consultant's report from early in 2009 that said Fairmount's cost per patient is higher than the provincial average. At that time Vanden Hoek asked Fairmount senior management to come up with a cost-cutting plan, and his budget request seems poised to put some increased pressure on that planning process.

A cost comparison shows that Fairmount does cost more to run than other homes in the region - 14% more than Lanark Lodge and 10% more than the John Parrot Centre.

Lanark Lodge in Perth, which is owned and operated by Lanark County, had a budget of $11.25 million in 2009 for 163 residents, an average cost of $69,000 per resident. The John Parrot Centre in Napanee, which is owned and operated by Lanark County, had a $12.1 million budget for 168 residents, an average annual cost of $72,000 per resident.

At $10.1 million for 128 residents, the average patient cost at Fairmount was $79,000 in 2009.

Frontenac County Council will consider Vanden Hoek's motion at their meeting in January, when the 2010 county budget will be on the table. 

South Frontenac dings county for $42 grand for an acre

The new ambulance base in South Frontenac will be located on Stagecoach Road next to the Sydenham water tower.

At a special in camera meeting of Frontenac County Council on Monday night, a county purchase of the property, which is owned by South Frontenac Township, was finalized. The county will pay South Frontenac $42,000 for the one-acre parcel, and the base is slated for construction in 2010.

Frontenac County applied for, and received, a federal/provincial stimulus grant to build the base. A study of ambulance service needs in the county that was completed this past spring concluded that a new base in South Frontenac, and a 24-hour ambulance, is necessary.

The senior levels of government will provide up to $500,000 for construction of the base, and the ambulance service will cover 1/3 of the total cost.

The projected cost of maintaining a 24-hour, 365 day a year ambulance at the base is over $750,000 per year.

The Frontenac County land ambulance services covers the City of Kingston and Frontenac County. The Province of Ontario covers 50% of the costs; City of Kingston ratepayers about 40% and Frontenac County ratepayers pay about 10%.

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 3, 2009South Frontenac CouncilBy Wilma Kenny

The meeting began with the swearing-in of Councillor Ron Vandewal as Deputy Mayor of South Frontenac Township, for the year 2010.

Sydenham Triathlon to Continue

Terry McKinty spoke on behalf of a delegation representing the Sydenham Triathlon. He noted that the success of this summer's event owed much to township staff, volunteer committee members, the Legion and staff and pupils of SHS. Over 400 people attended.

He asked Council's permission to begin planning for a second triathlon on July 4, 2010.

McKinty said there were some issues to address, e.g. in relation to the route, but he thought the race could become an annual Sydenham event on the Sunday after Canada Day. Councillor Stowe thanked him for their donation to the Cat trail. Mayor Davison asked whether the event needed to be renamed from "Kingston" to "Sydenham." McKinty said they were downplaying the name Kingston, but wanted to keep it in the title one more year, to help out-of-town participants locate the area more easily.

Colebrook Road Concerns

Harrowsmith resident Monica Brown began her presentation to Council by saying that after a man died on her front lawn, she began to talk with her

Colebrook Road neighbours, and learned that they all had grave concerns about traffic along that road.  Speeding, both by cars coming off Road 38, and along Colebrook Road from the west topped the list: over the years, more than 20 pets have been killed.  Other concerns included: the six-way intersection at Road 38, two schools, blind entrances to the cemetery and the Golden Links hall across the road, lack of sidewalk or shoulder for pedestrians and horse riders, and heavy trucks using the road as a shortcut. Several residents admitted to the unadvisable practise of driving slowly in the centre of the road to slow speeders.

She said a number of solutions had been proposed, but the three top choices seemed to be: setting a speed limit of 40, more signage, and greater OPP presence. Other possible traffic calming measures might include rumble zones, crosswalks on 38, extending a sidewalk to the Golden Links hall, or constructing a roundabout.

Stowe mentioned flashing lights activated whenever school's in session.

Robinson said that although he agreed with Brown's concerns, some of her suggestions, such as an extended sidewalk, or lowering the hill past the cemetery, could be prohibitively expensive. As for needing crosswalks, Robinson said that very few children lived west of 38, and any who were east of the highway were bussed to school.

Mayor Davison congratulated Brown on an excellent presentation, saying Public Works Manager Segsworth would review her report and bring his recommendations to Council. Meanwhile, they would ask the OPP for more frequent patrols.

Private Lane Upgrading Assistance

The 2009 Bedford District road budget had contained $10,000 for the purpose of subsidizing up to 50% of private lane improvements, with the goal of making them more accessible to emergency vehicles. Segsworth said the pilot program has not been as well known or understood as anticipated, but he felt it is worthwhile, and worth continuing. Those who have used it are very appreciative of help from the municipality.

Deputy Mayor Vandewal said that he had been sceptical of the program, but now "I don't think it's such a bad idea." Mayor Davison agreed, but pointed out that the township had as many miles of private as public roads, wondering how the program could be moved into amalgamation.

Robinson asked how the township collected the money: Segsworth said they dealt with road associations, not individual residents, and the onus was on the associations to complete and pay for the upgrading, before applying to the township for a (post inspection) rebate.

Bedford Hall Kitchen Renovations

Four tenders were received, ranging from the lowest, $23,625 up to $52,000. CAO Orr said the low bid was thorough, and the contractor, Shelley Home Improvements, was well recommended. SHI's bid was approved.

Township Reserves Look Healthy

Councillor Fillion had asked for an update on the township's reserve funds. Accordingly, the treasurer prepared a Year To Date Reserve report, which shows that as of November 19th, the township has over $16 million in reserve.  Some questioned whether this high an amount was appropriate: Mayor Davison reminded them that the roads transfer payment from the city was slated to run out in a few more years. Council agreed to discuss this and other questions in more detail as part of budget deliberations when treasurer Bracken is present to explain the figures. It was noted that the year-end figures would be different. Many portions of the fund were earmarked for specific future expenses, such as landfill site closures, equipment replacement, etc.

Architect seeking to lower costs at Sydenham Library

By Jeff Green

Gerry Shoalts of the Shoalts and Zabach Architects had just received the preliminary cost estimates for the Sydenham Library when he brought them to a meeting of the committee of South Frontenac Council that is overseeing the project last month.

The numbers were not good, $350,000 over the projected $2.25 million construction cost. While a federal/provincial grant is in place to cover 2/3 of construction costs, it is capped at $1.5 million, so anything over $2.25 will come from South Frontenac ratepayers.

Gerry Shoalts has been looking more closely at the plans, and will return to the committee this week. Possibilities for cost savings include simplifying the design of the building, abandoning the goal of attaining a LEEDS Silver energy efficiency standard, or eliminating some rooms.

Construction is still expected to commence next year, with a completion date no later than March 2011.

Back to HomeEditorial - December 10, 2009Last word on Frontenac County governanceEditorial by Jeff Green

Increasing the number of councilors on Frontenac County Council from four to eight has been the subject of sustained interest on the part of township councils in the county, and intense disinterest on the part of ratepayers. The issue will be resolved favourably next week, unless the Council of South Frontenac pulls the plug, which they may well do.

The change is anything but earth-shattering, it will give Frontenac ratepayers the kind of representation that virually all of their neighbours have. The consequences of not making a change would leave Frontenac County mired in the kind of internal bickering that has been the hallmark of its council in recent years.

Central Frontenac Mayor and current County Warden. Janet Gutowski, who had been lukewarm to this change earlier in the process, realised this even if some of her compatriots seemed oblivious to it.

The signs were all there.

Back in May, there was a round table on county governance that was attended by a majority of representatives from each of the four member councils. They all wanted more say in County matters and reacted in angry dismay when three of the four members of county council refused to keep the meeting going long enough to even let them speak.

It was in the wake of this meeting that members of Gutowski’s own council called a meeting, held on October 1, for lower-tier councillors from South, Central, and North Frontenac to discuss common interests and initiatives. The county was not invited. The implication to this is that the townships were looking away from the county and towards each other.

And then there is North Frontenac.

North Frontenac Council has taken the extreme, and ultimately futile, step of asking the premier to grant them leave to secede from Frontenac County. While county governance may not be at the heart of North Frontenac’s grievances, the fact that Mayor Maguire has been thwarted in his attempts to secure funding for relatively small projects because he can never get more than one other member of County council to support them, has been aconstant irritant.

While Mayors Vanden Hoek and Davison look at the governance issue in instrumental terms, asking whether bringing more bodies to the table will really lead to better decisions, the political implications seemed lost on them.

Only a more active County Council, with the disciplined perspective of nuts and bolts township politics, will be able to provide the kind of oversight to County staff that has been sorely lacking.

The rubber stamp model that had served the Frontenac Management Board after amalgamation in 1998, does not fit with the circumstances of 2009.

The fundamental reality is that local councils send out the tax bills on their own letterheads.

Although more than half of that money is split between county and education taxes, we all look to our own councilors and say, “Why are you charging me so much money. What do I get for it?”

Township Councils are held responsible for the municipal budgets. Those same councilors have responsibility for hard services, roads and bridges, township halls, policing, libraries, etc. They should have a say in how the 25% of that money that goes to the County is spent.

The county does three things. It runs an ambulance service and a seniors’ home and it manages a relationship between the senior levels of government and the local ratepayers.

The county wants to move into other areas: promotion of economic development, planning, etc., but these initiatives have yet to catch the imagination of local councils.

The Councils see any money the county spends on these new initiatives as money that is drifting away from their ratepayers at a time when services are more and more difficult to maintain.

Giving the councils a direct representative at the county table will also provide the County with an opportunity to promote those initiatives to the township Councils.

After proceeding in fits and starts and spending months

promoting an ethereal sustainability plan, Janet Gutowski has ended her year as county warden by pushing the right kind of reform through a relucant County Council.

If the proposal is defeated in Sydenham next week it will not be through any fault of hers.

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 10, 2009 Frontenac County governance reform faces one last hurdleBy Jeff Green

As expected it will come down to the always-fractious South Frontenac Council.

The bylaw to expand Frontenac County Council from four to eight members and grant two votes to the mayor of South Frontenac was easily ratified by the councils of the townships of North and Central Frontenac this week.

By the terms of the Ontario Municipal Act, the change needs to be approved by county council (which happened on November 30) and must also be approved by a majority of member councils representing a majority of the population.

Since 58% of Frontenac County’s population lives in South Frontenac, the final outcome will be determined when the bylaw comes up for ratification at the South Frontenac Council meeting on December 15.

Even though the proposed composition would give South Frontenac Township 33% of the votes on county council in place of the 25% it has now (one vote in a four-member council), the change has not been universally popular among South Frontenac councilors.

On May 19, South Frontenac Council narrowly endorsed a proposal that would have created a nine-member county council with 3 representatives from South Frontenac.

However, in September, South Frontenac Council put forward an alternate proposal at a committee meeting, a five-member county council with two members from South Frontenac.

And then in October, South Frontenac County endorsed their original proposal from May 19.

The only certainty going into next week’s meeting is that the county governance debate will be put to bed by the vote, one way or another. 

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 10, 2009 Addington Highlands Council - Dec 7/09By Jeff Green

Flinton rink roof in doubt

Addington Highlands Council might consider the old adage – “Be careful what you wish for because your wish might come true”.

Back in the spring when federal/provincial stimulus grant application deadlines were approaching, municipalities throughout Ontario sent in thousands of applications that fit the granting criteria. Based on how previous granting programs had played out, the expectation was that even if a municipality applied for six or seven grants, they would receive one, or two at the most.

This time was different, and particularly in the Lanark Frontenac Lennox and Addington Riding, the bulk of applications received 2/3 funding from the federal and provincial governments.

This news was welcome in most cases, but since municipalities must pay the remaining 1/3 of the cost, the stimulus grants threaten the 2010 municipal budgets.

One of the successful applications from Addington Highlands was for a $372,000 coverall for the Flinton ice rink, which is adjacent to the Flinton Recreation Centre. The senior levels of government are willing to pay $248,000 towards the project.

In an unusual arrangement, the Flinton Recreation Committee handles much of the maintenance on the grounds around the hall, even though the property is a township asset.

This arrangement extends to the coverall project, which was something the recreation committee was behind.

So, now that the township has to come up with $124,000 to cover 1/3 of the cost of the roof over the rink, Clerk/Treasurer Jack Pauhl wrote to the recreation committee asking them to come to a council meeting to let the township know how much they are willing to contribute towards the project.

The committee wrote back that they can cover half, $62,000, and came to the meeting asking the township to cover the remaining $62,000.

But Township Reeve Henry Hogg poured cold water on that suggestion, putting the entire project in doubt.

“We don’t have that kind of money,” he said. “We just don’t have it, that’s all.”

He then asked Duane Thibault, spokesperson for the six-member Rec. Committee delegation, if they might consider applying for a Trillium grant for the roof.

“We don't have time,” Thibault said, “the project has to be completed next year.”

Hogg said that the project is not in the township budget.

“Are you going to be budgeting for it next year?” Thibault asked Hogg.

“That would be a 1 to 2 per cent increase [in taxes], just to do this,” Hogg said.

“Let me get this straight,” said Deputy Reeve Helen Yanch, “the Flinton Rec. Club is willing to cover half of the township share. Isn't there something we can work out, so every year they can pay a certain amount towards the rest?”

“We've already put a lot of money towards this township,” Duane Thibault said.

“We applied for the grant on behalf of the rec. committee,” Henry Hogg replied, “we never committed any of the money.”

Duane Thibault pointed out that if the township doesn't make use of the funding they will “never see that kind of money again.” Thibault then asked if there was any way the township could lend the Rec. Committee the money so it can be raised over time and paid back.

“We don't really have money available,” said Treasurer Jack Pauhl, “our reserves are mostly what are called un-funded reserves; they are partially made up of back taxes.”

“We'll have to do some brainstorming,” Henry Hogg said, “I don't know what council thinks, but I don't think we can make a decision today.”

After leaving the meeting, the rec. committee members said they really need to know something pretty soon, because the construction schedule they have been working with includes a $3,000 payment in January, and a $75,000 payment early next spring.

OTHER NOTES FROM AH COUNCIL:

Work has begun on the Matawatchan Road reconstruction project, and the tender for the Denbigh garage project will be opened on December 17. This is the second time the Denbigh garage project has gone to tender. The first time the bids were double the amount budgeted for the project. “Let's hope the bids are lower this time,” said Roads Superintendent Royce Rosenblath.

CHRISTMAS CLOSING: Staff requested, and council agreed, to close the township office on Thursday December 24, and reopen on Monday, December 28.

CONSERVATION AUTHORITY BUDGET – Councilor Eythel Grant reported that the Quinte Region Conservation Authority would not be looking to the municipality for more money next year for its operating budget. “But there will be an $1,800 increase to cover the pension plan that was approved last year,” he quickly added. 

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 10, 2009 Central Frontenac Council - Dec 8/09By Jeff Green

$1,200 for Heritage Festival

Carol Coupland, representing the Frontenac Heritage Festival, came to Central Frontenac Council this week, cap in hand. She described the schedule of events that is being developed for this year’s festival, which will run from February 19 to 21, and then she asked for some financial support.

This year’s festival will have similar features to festivals from previous years, including a photo contest (with a new category for young photographers), events at the Crow Lake Schoolhouse, a pseudo-curling bonspiel at the Sharbot Lake beach, a variety show, skating events at the Kennebec rink, and a snowmobile ride, ending at the closing luncheon at the snowmobile club in Snow Road.

Coupland asked Council for $345 for portable toilets, $175 for bussing children to the Crow Lake events, $280 for signs, and $1,000 for fireworks, a total of $1,800

Council was sympathetic, but not that sympathetic. They agreed to give the Festival $1,200.

Among other sources of income, the Heritage Festival has received $1,000 from the Community Futures Development Corporation for marketing the event.

REC. COMMITTEE WANTS TO MOVE OLDEN BALL FIELD: Members of the Olden Recreation Committee met with township staff on November 17 to talk about problems that have developed with the ball field, which is located on the same site as the Olden waste site and township garage. “Specifically, there is a major safety concern due to the increased traffic in the area now that the Aden landfill is shut. With the salt dome under construction, it has become clear to all that the recreational use of this property is not appropriate due to the nature of the activities of the site,” it says in the minutes from the meeting.

A consensus emerged that a better site for a ball field would be in a former gravel pit on the property where the Olden fire hall is located, near Land O’Lakes Public School in Mountain Grove. This was acceptable to the fire department as well.

Township works Manager Mike Richardson proposed that Council consider hiring a recreation planner from the City of Kingston on a short-term basis to look at the details of building a new ball field in Mountain Grove. Council approved spending up to $2,500 on the consultation.

FIRE DEPARTMENT FINDS $10,000 – Fire Chief Mark MacDonald, along with Deputies Art Cowdy and Bill Young, brought a report on departmental activities.

Councilor Bill Snyder commended them for withdrawing their request for $10,000 to cover over-spending in the 2009 fire budget.

“We really pared the budget down,” said MacDonald. “We are not wearing socks today.”

The fire department is scheduled to present a long-awaited fire Master Plan in February.

“You say February,” said Councilor John Purdon to MacDonald, “but you didn’t say which year. I take it you mean February 2010.”

PARKING WOES – A committee will be formed, which will include members of the Sharbot Lake business community, to look at parking shortages in the village.

“We should take some time to figure out which way to go on this,” said Works Manager Mike Richardson, “parking is important, but you don’t want to destroy a pretty little town for the sake of a parking lot.”

E-WASTE SITE: Mike Richardson said he has received the necessary approvals and is looking for a metal building about 12’ by 16’ in size to hold electronic waste. Once a structure is found and placed at the waste site on Wemp Road (off Crow Lake Road) the township will begin to accept electronic waste from residents

HENDERSON HALL WATER – Water problems at the Henderson Hall have escalated. It has been determined that the pump is filled with sand, and a new system needs to be put in place immediately because there is no running water. The cost is $12,000, but there is money in the Kennebec Recreation budget to cover it, and council approved the expenditure.

NOT A TOTAL BUST – “It’s not going to be the best year ever, but it’s not a total bust either,” Chief Building Official Ian Trickett said of the building totals in the township for 2009 as of November 30. The total value of construction permits was $5.55 million after 11 months, which compares to $6.9 million at the same time last year, and $7.4 million in the first 11 months of 2007. As of the end of November, 138 permits had been taken out, as compared to 169 in 2008 and 183 in 2007. 

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 10, 2009 South Frontenac Council

Streamlined Sydenham library design fits budget

By Jeff Green

A design for a 5,500 square foot library, which includes a multi-purpose room and all of the major features that were included in a previous design that a budget estimator had determined would be $350,000 over budget, was brought forward last week.

Gerry Shoalts of the architectural firm Shoalts and Zabach presented the revised project design to a meeting of the Sydenham Library Committee at a meeting last Thursday, December 3.

The estimated construction cost of the new design is $1.72 million. With other fees (design permits and site development) and costs added in, the project will reach the $2.1 million total that was envisioned when Frontenac County applied for a grant on behalf of the township last spring. The county received a $1.4 million grant for the project out of federal/provincial stimulus funding, and the ratepayers from South Frontenac will kick in the remaining $700,000.

“The building will be 500 square feet smaller than the original design, but it will contain more book stacks than the original design, based on comments from the committee,” said Gerry Shoalts.

The revised plan no longer includes a basement, and decreases the size of the staff room, “but for its size we feel the staff room is still sufficient,” Shoalts said.

While the initial design included accessibility features in all three washrooms in the building, the new design includes a fully accessible washroom only in the family room, while the other washrooms are smaller. The building is a one-floor structure with wide entrances.

Committee member Neil Allen, who uses a wheelchair himself, said that “provided the family room washroom is completely barrier free, it will be ok.” Allen also said that the option of heat-activated water spouts should be avoided, because they are dependent on electricity and are prone to breaking down. Gerry Shoalts concurred.

Other savings were found in a change in construction materials, particularly a move to an entirely wood frame building from a steel studded building, and a switch from stone to brick for the external wall.

One change was questioned by members of council, however. The revised plan calls for a shingle roof in place of a steel roof, and Councilors David Hahn and Ron Vandewal questioned this, given the shorter lifespan of a shingle roof.

“I don't want us to save money now, and leave a cost 15 years down the road,” said Hahn.

“Steel roofs have 100-year lifespan,” said Vandewal.

Gerry Shoalts said it would be possible to include the two roofing options on the tender document, which is slated for the end of January. He pointed out that the company that was hired to estimate the cost of construction “always uses conservative figures, so the tender price would be somewhat lower.”

But the impact of the federal stimulus programs on all public construction projects next year will be a big x factor. “We will be going to tender with this one just as the bulk of the projects across the region and the country are being built, and we don't know what that will mean as far as the number of contractors who will want to bid on it, and what the effect on the bid prices will be,” Shoalts said.

The revised plan was accepted by the committee, and will be presented for approval to South Frontenac Council on December 15.

Council should be somewhat familiar with it already, as five of the nine members of council attended last week's committee meeting. 

COUNCIL REALIGNMENT PROPOSAL FIZZLES

By Wilma Kenny

Councilor John Fillion of Storrington brought a notice of motion to realign council to 'representation according to population,' by permitting Bedford district only one elected councilor, because of its lower population. Hisrationale was that in an even-numbered council, tie votes are possible, and in such cases the mayor is called upon to cast the deciding vote. He felt this deadlock was counterproductive, and made 'an uncomfortable chamber.' (It might be noted that this particular council seems to often find the councilors from Loughborough and Bedford districts supporting one side of an issue, against the councilors from Storrington and Portland. And the mayor seems to have tended to agree more often with the choices made by Bedford and Loughborough. However, councilors from the same districts do not agree with each other on all issues.)

The background information provided by the clerk's office, based on 2006 MPAC reports, showed that Portland district, not Bedford, had the lowest number of voters, lowest property value assessment, and in 2009, raised half a million dollars less in taxes than Bedford.Fillion withdrew his notice of motion, on the grounds that the population numbers he had obtained for Bedford were much lower than those in thestaff report.

Mayor Davison said he had received a flurry of e-mails protesting the motion. He closed the discussion, saying, "This is dead."

WINTER ROADS CONTROL PROGRAM: Mark Segsworth noted that he and his staff have made adjustments that should result in a higher level of service than last year. He said that any residents with concerns relating to winter roads should phone 376-3900, which will have a live person on the line daily between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside those hours, messages will be relayed to a patrol truck, which will be on the road 6 pm to 6 am weekdays, and 24 hours a day on weekends. He also spoke of treating Perth Road, Rutledge Road and Sydenham Roads as arteries on par with Road 38. This winter, residents will be actively discouraged from plowing or shovelling snow from private drives onto roads. If they do not heed an initial warning, the by-law officer will be notified.

SOLID WASTE COLLECTION RFP: Segsworth also reported on the Sustainability Committee's recommendations for developing the terms, conditions and specifications for the solid waste collection Request for Proposal. Most of the existing contracts expire at the end of August 2010.

One of the primary goals is to provide a consistent level of service throughout the whole township, including Bedford. Segsworth noted there are still challenges to providing consistent service in the areas presently serviced.

Currently, collection contractors are paid on a lump sum basis with annual increases based on increases in the number of new households. Segsworth said his suggestion they change this system to paying per tonne of waste collected was 'not exactly warmly embraced' by the Sustainability Committee. He said this was 'an area that we need to get to', noting that from a best practices perspective, pricing per tonne reduces costs and increases collection rates. It is intended that over the term of the upcoming RFP, more accurate information will be gathered about the quantities of waste generated within the township.

Councilor Robinson said he thought the sustainability committee's comments should be called suggestions, not decisions: Mayor Davison clarified that they were merely decisions brought forward to Council for their discussion.

PHOTOVOLTAIC RECOMMENDATIONS: Students from the St Lawrence Green Energy project reported back on their assessment of the suitability of installing photovoltaic cells on township buildings. They presented Council with a full and detailed report, which indicated that, for example, a ten kilowatt system installed on the present Sydenham library at an initial cost of $80,000 could realize $110,000 clear profit over 20 years. Councillor Ron Vandewal said this should come back to Council for consideration, once councillors had had an opportunity to study the report: "It looks like a win-win situation."

NEW ELECTION DATE PENDING: Mayor Davison announced that the province is in the process of establishing the 4th Monday in October as the municipal Election Day: "It doesn't interfere with Thanksgiving, Hallowe'en, or deer hunting; absolutely perfect!"

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 17, 2009 South Frontenac Council

The shape of Frontenac County Council will change after the municipal election next October. In place of a four member Council made up of he Mayor’s of the four constituent townships, there will be 2 representatives from each township, the Mayor and a Council appointee. In an added wrinkle to the new 8 member Council, the Mayor of South Frontenac will have two votes, making it an 8 member, 9 vote Council.

The new model was approved at Frontenac County Council on November 18th, and was ratified in an uncontested vote at South Frontenac Council on Tuesday Night. It has now been ratified by all the member Councils.

Out-going County warden Janet Gutowski and North Frontenac Township Deputy Mayor Jim Beam attended the meeting in Sydenham, and thanked the Council for approving the change.

Opening statement by the Mayor

Mayor Davison had opened the meeting by reading a prepared statement that referred to "a recent number of verbal exchanges of a personal nature, in Council." He said this was not acceptable behaviour, and if repeated, the offender would be expelled from the council chamber.

Library Presentation Architect Gerry Shoalts presented floor plans and simulated views of the planned Sydenham Library, which has been adjusted to come within the established budget. The new drawings show a slightly smaller, more rectangular building than the previous one, but have not sacrificed any of the major features. Later in the meeting, Council voted to authorize the inclusion of a steel roof in the library tender and to accept and fully fund the incremental cost of steel over asphalt. (est. $40,500.)

Dangerous Intersection in Sydenham

Village resident Sherry Kirkham spoke to Council of her concern about the intersection of Wheatly and Rutledge roads. She said that three accidents had occurred there in the last year, alone. She highlighted two issues: cars coming down the hill west on Rutledge rarely are travelling at the posted speed of 40km, and vehicles including small busses parked in front of theHigh School block the view-lines of cars attempting to turn left from Wheatley onto Rutledge. Both Deputy Mayor Vandewal and Mayor Davison agreed that the parking in front of the school was a problem. Public Works Manager Segsworth agreed to look into the problem.

Desert Lake Road Reconstruction

Mark Segsworth reported that work would be continuing on the Desert Lake Road:

"We're trying to improve safety: a significant amount of rock has to be taken out." Because of the amount of rock to be removed, the 7.4km from Canoe lake Road/Bedford Road to Bauder Drive and the Hinchinbrooke north intersection has been divided into sections: the Deyos Corner section will be postponed for now, in order to stay within the budget created by the Federal/Provincial grants. Council approved Mulrooney Trucking Ltd.'s bid in the amount of $1,032,303.12. Blasting will be carried out during the winter.

Trailer By-law Extended

Council voted to extend the time-line for compliance with the prohibition of the use of trailers on private residential property until December 31, 2015. By that time property owners must have made a decision on construction of a permanent structure, or they will be required to remove their trailer as of that date. All trailers covered by the by-law must have been licensed in 2005 & inspected by the Health Unit. No new trailers will be permitted outside designated areas, and once removed, a trailer cannot be replaced.

Composition of South Frontenac Council

Councillor Hahn served notice of a motion he intends to bring in January, which would formalize the way in which any changes to the composition of township council could be made.

Councillor Fillion said he felt Council was not working, and that half the councillors were alienated. He asked for an investigation into what he described as withholding of information, saying he was not aware of the numbers of voters in the districts until he received his meeting package last Tuesday, at the meeting. Mayor Davison pointed out that the information packages had been available for all councillors on the Friday before the meeting. Councillor Robinson said that he supported Councillor Fillion.

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 17, 2009 Northbrook Medical Centre gets family health team designationBy Jeff Green

“It is good news, very good news,” said Dr. Tobia of the announcement last Friday that his Northbrook medical clinic will be one of 19 new Family Health Teams (FHT) in Ontario. “It’s going to ensure medical services in this region for generations to come.”

When the announcement came it did not include any detail about services that will be offered at the Lakeland Family Health Team, which is what the clinic will be called, but Doctor Tobia said the application that was made by the clinic in conjunction with a dedicated community healthcare committee, included building, and staffing with a nurse practitioner, and satellite clinics in Denbigh and Plevna.

“But we really won’t know for up to six months what will be included in the funding,” he said.

According to the media release that accompanied the announcement, “The new Family Health Teams will include family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers and dieticians.

“Family Health Teams deliver comprehensive health care services and offer additional programs tailored to the needs of their communities, including seeing patients who do not have a family doctor. They will support increasing chronic disease management and prevention including Ontario's Diabetes Strategy.”

The Sharbot Lake Family Health Team, which was one of the first wave of FHTs that were established by the province, offers a basket of services and includes a Registered Nurse, a Nurse Practitioner, a Diabetes Nurse, a Dietitian, and ancillary mental health, social work and psychiatric services at their Sharbot Lake location.

For the village of Northbrook, the FHT will make recruiting new health care professionals to work out of Northbrook an easier task, because it will make it a more attractive place to work.

“We have been trying to recruit another doctor for 13 years without success,” said Doctor Tobia, “this will make it that much easier to find one.”

As part of the process, Addington Highlands Township will be purchasing the medical clinic and then working out a long-term arrangement with the Ministry of Health.

“We knew that purchasing the building would be necessary in the long run anyway but now we will have support,” said Addington Highlands Reeve Henry Hogg.

“I was almost surprised when I heard that the Family Health Team application had come through,” he added,” because many communities have had to apply two or three times before being successful and this was our first try.”

Hogg said that credit for the success of the application should go to the two people who did all the work preparing the application, “Dr. Tobia and Janice Powell from Denbigh.”

Henry Hogg said that Janice Powell is a retired nurse who recently moved back to Denbigh, where she came from originally, and came forward to help out with the committee.

“I was thrilled to hear that it had come through,” said Fred Perry, the North Frontenac Council representative to the Committee. “A lot of people helped to prepare the application for this, and they deserve credit for all the work they did. Our own council has made a commitment to find a suitable location for a clinic in Plevna, and we will be glad to be held to that. If it comes through it will bring medical services to North Frontenac for the first time. This is a really good thing for the entire region.”