Editorial by Jeff Green

Last week, members of South Frontenac Council received the draft capital budget for next year, which they will consider when they sit down this weekend to hammer out their 2013 township budget.

Included in that capital budget is the continuation of a relatively aggressive road reconstruction plan, at a cost of $4.5 million.

To pay for that, the draft budget calls for $3.5 million from 2013 tax dollars, $475,000 from township reserve funds, and $600,000 from a grant from the City of Kingston.

Two of these numbers require a bit of explanation. Township reserves are slated to decrease this year, as they have for several years. The draft capital budget calls for the reserves to drop to $13.1 million by the end of 2013, down from $14.5 million at the end of 2012. This, of course, is not good news.

But the $600,000 grant from Kingston is another matter altogether. It is accompanied by a note at the side of the page, which says “City of Kingston ???”

To understand this $600,000 accompanied by no less than three question marks, we have to go back to 1997, to the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston where the final deals were made between Kingston and Frontenac County politicians, setting up an expanded City of Kingston and a diminished Frontenac County.

The two largest townships in the former Frontenac County were Kingston and Pittsburgh townships. They both joined the City of Kingston, depriving Frontenac County of its largest source of property tax revenue. At the same time, the County roads system was devolved to the local townships. In compensation for all these changes, the City of Kingston agreed to help South Frontenac Township with the maintenance costs on those roads, which include Perth Road, Sydenham Road, Battersea Road, and others. A smaller amount went to Frontenac Islands for Howe Island Road.

The agreement was set to last for 15 years, and those 15 years are up on January 1, 2013, which is why the $600,000 that was received in 2012 is very much in doubt for the coming year.

Since I have been covering budget debates in South Frontenac, council members, mayors and senior staff have consistently talked about the $600,000 running out after 2012. My understanding was that the money was transitional, designed to help South Frontenac to get on its feet.

Members of South Frontenac Council talked about weaning themselves from that money before it ran out.

But as we can see in the 2013 capital budget, South Frontenac Council still needs that money if they are not going to have to make some difficult decisions. They will have to cut planned road work, raising taxes, or dip even further into reserve funds.

What surprised me is not that the money will be missed, but that there is any expectation that the City might choose to renew the payment beyond 2012.

It turns out that the 1997 restructuring order does indeed leave the door open for the City to keep paying. It reads, “The council of the new City and the new Frontenac Management Board [since re-named Frontenac County] shall, on or after January 1, 2013, reconsider the annual contribution.”

It is pretty close to 2013 now, and how or when that reconsideration will take place is unclear, but presumably Frontenac County will ask for the payments to be renewed sometime soon.

Aside from the implications for the South Frontenac budget as this $600,000 question plays out, it also raises another question. After 15 years, has municipal amalgamation worked for residents of Frontenac County, or is it time to rethink some of the relationships that have developed?

The county continues to suffer from having a dearth of commercial/industry tax assessment and no population centres.

Without support from the City of Kingston, what does the future look like for Frontenac?

Looking to the west, Lennox and Addington includes Napanee, and Hastings County includes Belleville. Frontenac County needs Kingston, but Kingston does not need to support Frontenac County.

That does not really bode well for the future.

Sydenham Water Treatment: Finally Running Well

Kevin Riley, PUC Kingston, and manager of the Sydenham water plant, gave Council a verbal summary of the 2011 annual Sydenham water report. He said that, after some initial ‘tweaking,’ the renewed system is working at its optimal level. Trihalomethanes, undesirable chemicals which had resulted from the combination of chlorine with organic residue in the lake water, have now been reduced to levels “well below the province’s compliance levels.” This improvement is the result of switching to a treatment called ”chloramination’ combined with charcoal filtering. The flavour of the water is also improved. However, there have been no further residential hook-ups added to the system this year. The complete report, which includes a detailed chemical analysis of the Sydenham water, is available on the Kingston PUC’s website, or at the Sydenham library.

Waste Site Issues

Guy LaPorte, of AECOM, presented the annual review of the township’s waste sites. He noted that in spite of the population growth having been slower than projected, the volume of waste being dumped last year in the Portland site had increased 30 to 40% over the previous year. Councillor Bill Robinson said he thought this was a result of more waste coming from the other districts, but Councillor Ron Vandewal pointed out that the volumes at the other township landfills had not decreased. LaPorte said that it was important to find out where the additional waste was coming from. He also said that, due to rising construction and trucking costs, the price of digging and trucking the clay needed to close a waste site has risen 30 to 40% since last year.

Later in the meeting, Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth said that the Public Services Committee had deferred their work on the waste disposal sites operational review, in order to concentrate on developing an action plan for the Portland site. However, he is recommending that e-waste be accepted only at the Keeley Road Hazardous Waste Facility, where Stewardship Ontario has agreed to dispose of it free of charge. (The Township has to pay to dispose of any e-waste left at the Portland or Loughborough sites.) Segsworth also hopes to present Council with a proposed reduced operating schedule for township waste sites, now that all households have access to weekly pick-up. He says this should reduce costs, as well as increase recycling.

Budget Update

Treasurer Louise Fragnito brought good news about the federal gas tax funding to come from the County: during budgeting, Council had made a conservative estimate that they might receive $100,000 allocation from the county. However, the county has recently notified South Frontenac that they will get $357,098. This money can be used only for ‘environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure projects’ within set categories. Any not used in 2012 will remain in the township’s gas tax reserves.

As well, both the county and the education tax rates have decreased from 2011 to 2012. Discussion followed on whether this was an opportunity to add a one-time project to this year’s township budget. Treasurer Fragnito has been asked to prepare more information for discussion at a COW meeting.

Is That a Three-legged Loon?

Councilor Tinlin showed Council a sketch of the proposed new township coat of arms, and explained the meaning of each separate feature. The designer had studied the quilted logos of each of the districts, and the result promises to be rich with references to the township, both current and historical. Deputy Mayor McDougall asked whether the four colours of the First Nations could be included, and Mayor Davison suggested a fishing line could be deleted. All agreed that there was an unfortunate juxtaposition of a loon above three griffin claws from Count Frontenac’s arms. Quipped Councillor Vandewal: “Looks as if that loon’s been nesting at the toe of the Portland landfill.” Council will review one more sketch before making their final decision. There were 32 logo submissions for the banner at the bottom of the coat of arms: the chosen one will be announced at the May 1 Council meeting.

Talk of increased shoreline development in CF

Township planning co-ordinator Cathy MacMunn, and planning consultant Glenn Tunnock brought up the question of whether the township should permit increased shoreline development in the form of storage buildings and parking specifically for island property owners.

Tunnock reported on a recent request by an unnamed island owner to build a storage building on a mainland shoreline property he/she also owned, which Tunnock suggested, “might get the municipality thinking of what these implications might mean on a broader basis. The upside would be the convenience to property owners who own both island and shoreline property, and the downside - people trying to use their mainland shoreline properties to build on for other purposes than just storage.”

Councilor Norman Guntensperger was vehemently opposed to opening up the issue of increased shoreline development.

“I have grave concerns about this since it seems to go in the exact opposite direction of what we have carefully tried to develop as our regional plan regarding the development of our shorelines. I have seen the damage done to shore lines where I grew up in Quebec, which are covered in boathouses and buildings in what otherwise would be a very scenic place.”

Councilor John Purdon agreed. “I'm leaning to no accessory buildings.”

Mayor Gutowski cited an example of one island owner she knew of who because of certain restrictions was forced to purchase a six-acre mainland lot in order to access their island property. She also thought the issue might be better discussed as part of an Official Plan review.

Tunnock agreed that it could be looked at then.

New Burn Ban signs for township

In his fire activity report, Fire Chief Bill Young reported that new signs are being made for four locations in the township to assist residents in knowing better the current burn ban conditions. The proposed locations are Sharbot Lake Fire Hall, Road 38 at Wagarville Road in Parham, Mountain Grove, and Arden. CEO Shawn Trépanier said they will also be looking into placing signs at the two township signs on Highway 7. Councilor Guntensperger suggested locating a sign at the south most end of the township line on Road 38 as well.

Position for full-time receptionist approved

Council approved the recommendation that the current position of a part time receptionist at the township office be changed to full time. In a report to council, Trépanier identified the need due to increased work loads regarding taxation, general inquiries and administrative duties. “Staff in finance, planning, and general administrative departments either have to work more hours, causing overtime and/or that other various projects are being delayed.” He said the change would improve customer service and lessen waiting times for staff processes. Council passed a resolution for the change.

CF vehicles on the chopping block

A total of 15 surplus township vehicles will be offered up for bidders (see ad on page 13) ranging in price from $200-$900. CEO Trépanier said the sale of the vehicles will save the township considerably in insurance costs. The closing date for bids is May 17, 2012.

No leaks in finances, says Leakey

Auditor Vicki Leakey of KPMG reported that the township's finances are ship shape.

Councilor Purdon asked Leakey just how the township stacks up regarding its reserves. “Are we too high, too low or just right?"

Leakey responded, “Unfortunately there is no definite ration or benchmark out there to go by,” but she added, “I think you've done well and that you have a good finance team here.”

Diverse delegations to Central Frontenac Council

by Jeff Green

Central Frontenac Council heard from a disgruntled ratepayer, a group of enthusiastic proponents for a community center at Hinchinbrooke Public School and three OPP officers at the evening portion of their council meeting this week.

Ed Warren, the disgruntled ratepayer, was first up. Warren is a lifetime farmer who lives on Bell Line Road. Over a number of years he has had to deal with property damage as the result of road work and snow clearing on the narrow stretch of road where he lives and farms.

Three years ago his fences were damaged by winter road crews, and at that time he fixed them himself, but this winter it happened again and he is not particularly pleased about it.

“Fences are just in the middle of the road for some of the people driving those trucks,” he said, “when is this kind of stuff going to stop?”

“We’ve got to look for a permanent solution for this problem,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski, “there are many permanent residents on that road now, and it is very narrow and our equipment has gotten larger over the years. We have directed Mike Richardson, our public works manager, to look at making a proper investment in that road so this doesn’t happen to you, and others, year after year.”

“I appreciate what you are saying; that doesn’t do much for me. I don’t see the township helping me out” said Warren.

“I think what Ed is looking for is some assurance that the fence is going to be repaired and that it won’t happen again,” said Councilor Frances Smith. “When do your cattle go out, Ed?”

“End of May,” he said

“So we have a month to get it back into shape. That sounds reasonable to me,” Smith said.

“We understand what you have said,” Mayor Gutowski said to Ed Warren, “and we are going to try to deal with it.”

Central Frontenac Community Center

Sue Leslie spoke on behalf of Bob Teal, Mary Howes, Eric Wagar, and Dave Willis, who were all in attendance, as well as a number of other members of a working group that is looking into the possibility of turning Hinchinbrooke school in Parham into a community center once the school closes, which could be as early as the fall of 2013.

The working group has held several meetings and has had preliminary interest from a number of community groups that are interested in making use of the space, including the School of Rock, Northern Frontenac Community Services, Community Living - North Frontenac, and others.

Other possible uses include seniors’ apartments and a home for the Parham Library.

The model project that the working group plans to look at is the Addington Highlands Community Centre - Denbigh, which is also located in a former school

“We are in the very early stages,” Leslie told council, “but we thought we should come to council at this point because we are hoping to apply for an EODP (Eastern Ontario Development Plan) grant in early June to complete a feasibility study and have an architect review the plans to suggest ways to make the building accessible and make the best use of the space.”

A the same time the committee is planning to develop partnerships, and seek other funding to move the project forward.

“We are hoping that the township will take the lead in applying for the EODP grant,” said Sue Leslie.

The written report that the working group submitted also included a request that the “township consider purchasing the Hinchinbrooke Public School if and when it becomes available.”

Mayor Gutowski commended the working group for the partnerships they have already made and for starting to work on the project so far in advance of the school’s closing.

Councilor Smith said that key thing to look at is the viability of the building for what is being planned.

“The worst thing would be if the cost of using the building ends up being too high and you have already done a year’s work developing plans,” she said.

The group will work with CAO Shawn Trépanier for the next couple of weeks, in the hopes of paving the way for meeting the June deadline for a grant application that the township will be able to lead.

OPP visit

A delegation led by Lanark Detachment Commander Gerry Salisbury came to council to renew a relationship with the township that has foundered during the time that Inspector Salisbury was seconded to work on the G8 summit in Huntsville.

“My proposal is that I work directly with CAO Trépanier, and that we present activity reports to council twice a year, in the spring and the fall, to keep council up to date on the activities of the detachment, the staffing complement, and incident statistics,” Salisbury said.

“That would be about right in terms of reporting, as far as I’m concerned,” said Councilor Guntensperger.

Council also expressed concerns about policing costs, which are $728,00 in 2012, up almost $60,000 from 2011.

Salisbury said he could spend time going over costs with Shawn Trépanier, and he also let council know that in reconciling estimates with actual costs, the OPP has determined that the township is eligible for a rebate.

“I can’t say how much it is, but an announcement should becoming to you within a week or so,” he said.

Editorial by Jeff Green

A couple of weeks ago, we ran an article called “Deputy Minister sees diminished role for MNR”. The article was based on the transcript of a video statement by David O’Toole, the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, that was viewed by staff throughout the ministry in the wake of the provincial budget, a budget that has now been approved by the Ontario legislature.

The statement raised a number of questions, and I attempted to get some clarity from the ministry. I waited seven days, but when I received the response last week from the communications department at the ministry, I’m afraid I found it less than forthcoming about the ministries real plans.

One of the key questions I asked was what kind of risk Mr. O’Toole was referring to in his statement “Resource monitoring programs will be re-designed to reduce delivery costs. These programs will be consistent with the ministry’s higher tolerance to risk and the move to landscape level planning.”

I received a five-part response to this one part question, the most definitive part being the following - “The MNR will not compromise on our mandate of ecosystem protection.”

This was followed by part 2, which was about how MNR service will be modernized: “Taking a risk-based approach would allow MNR to better prioritise decision-making and resource allocation within broader ecosystem considerations.”

That left me confused. Exactly how does a ‘risk-based approach’ relate to ‘higher tolerance to risk’?

This was followed by the standard spiel about holding public consultation before any changes are made. The answer concludes by saying that in the future the MNR will be focussing on “core business lines of fish and wildlife, endangered species protection, forestry, Crown land management, water, parks and protected areas, non-renewable resources, and public safety.

Aside from my own frustration at not being able to get a straight answer to my question – I still have no idea what risks will be more highly tolerated by the MNR - the last part of the ministry’s answer is simply not credible at all.

That list of core business lines is long, and there is strong evidence that those functions are already not being accomplished adequately, before the budget cuts take effect.

For example, there is only one conservation officer for Fisheries Zone 18, a massive region that encompasses most of Eastern Ontario and thousands of lakes and hunting lands. Fish and wildlife regulations can be flouted with impunity now.

When ministry officials came to talk to the local conservation community in Northbrook a few weeks ago the hall was full, and the talk in the hall was less about whether the regulations made sense and more about how the regulations were going to be enforced.

No statements about a new business plan and restructuring can mask the fact that the MNR is losing funding again and will be able to provide less rather than more protection to rural Ontario in the future.

Stewardship councils on the rocks

The MNR provides support for 46 stewardship councils in rural counties across the province. That funding is now under review

Stewardship councils, which are made up of volunteers with an interest in helping to maintain and learn about their local and regional ecosystems, have been in place for about 16 years. They were set up the last time the MNR underwent major cuts. The councils replaced some of the outreach functions of the MNR.

In Frontenac County, the council has about 20 members, including representatives from all of the four townships. Members bring their own interests to the council. With the help of Cam McCauley, an MNR employee who provides administrative support, and is adept at securing grant money from government and foundation sources, the council supports tree planting efforts, landowner efforts to prepare stewardship plans for their properties, fish spawning bed enhancement and more.

In recent years the council has forged a relationship with Frontenac County, producing the Naturally Rich Frontenacs booklet, and presented public talks on a host of species, including fishers, wolves, coyotes, bats, loons, and turtles.

While the council continues to meet each month, there is a feeling that it will soon face a fatal cut in support from the ministry.

An effort to save Stewardship Councils is being led by the Leeds Grenville Stewardship Council Chair Rhonda Elliott. She has started an online petition at the following url - www.gopetition.com/petitions/ontario-stewardship-councils-are-important-to-ontarians.html

When I contacted the ministry, I also asked them the following direct question about the future of Stewardship Councils. Will the stewardship councils be losing all ministry funding?

The answer could have been a yes or a no, but instead I received a three part answer.

Here it is:

- MNR will continue to have a presence in rural Ontario. Details regarding specific transfer payments still need to be worked out and finalized. MNR is committed to providing information as more details become available

- Our focus will be to engage in more strategic partnerships aligned to MNR’s core priorities and business needs, and establishing clear expectations and accountabilities for the funds provided.

- These changes are necessary to address the government’s financial realities so that the MNR can continue to better serve our clients and all Ontarians.

If anyone can make sense of the above please contact me. I think it implies that the stewardship councils are toast.

But what do I know?

Trenton mill closure will affect local logging industry

The township received a letter from Wayne Snider and Shawn & Patricia Gray asking council to send a letter to the LFL&A MP and MPP informing them of the impact of the impending closure of the Norampac paper mill in Trenton on the local economy.

Cascades Inc. announced that the mill will close no later than June 1, 2012 after employees rejected a final offer for a new collective agreement.

The letter from Mr. Snider and the Grays said that all wood deliveries to the mill have been stopped. "Loss of this mill will greatly impact the local logging industry not only for the sale of round wood pulp, but also the sale of our saw logs as the mills that buy our logs will not be able to send their chips … The next closest mills are in Thurso, Quebec, or Espanola, Ontario. Shipping to these mills would not be economical because of distance and low revenue from this product, as well, the transportation regulations are not the same in Ontario and Quebec."

The letter estimates that losses to the local forest industry will be in the millions.

Council agreed to send the letters to the MP and MPP as requested.

Denbigh Ambulance Service -Councilor Tony Fritsch spoke briefly about the Denbigh Ambulance Service, whose fate was decided at the L&A County Council meeting on April 11. The base will not be closed, but will continue as a 12-hour instead of a 24-hour base. Fritsch acknowledged that the Denbigh area was on the brink of having no service at all and said he is grateful that it has been saved to some degree. He expressed his thanks to everyone who was involved in the intensive lobbying to save the base – to the citizens and the businesses as well as the council.

Reeve Henry Hogg said that he was asked at the county council meeting whether the township could help to some degree with the costs of the base, but that the township has no existing secure facility that it could contribute to serve as a base. Also, the township would not build such a facility. Councilor Fritsch commented that it wasn't reasonable to expect free space from the township.

Councilor Adam Snider commented that since the ambulance has to stand down so often, it is often not available for calls. Councilor Fritsch agreed, saying that people often make the decision not to call the ambulance even when they should, and they get themselves to the hospital some other way.

Source Water Protection - Council received draft Source Water Protection plans for consultation from both the Mississippi Valley and Quinte Conservation authorities. The deadline for comments is May 4 for the MVCA plan and May 18 for the Quinte Conservation plan. Council will request an extension for the former in order to properly consider both plans.

Yard maintenance by-law - Council considered a new draft yard maintenance by-law, which mentioned "firewood being stacked neatly" and "inoperative farm machinery being lined up in rows". The main thrust of the bylaw is to "prohibit deposition of refuse or debris on land without the consent of the owner or occupant". However, Councilor Snider asked how the bylaw could be enforced, as the township has no bylaw enforcement officer. The township does currently have a bylaw in place, and council decided to see if it could be built on instead of passing a new bylaw.

Council voted to remove the half-load restrictions on April 23, two weeks earlier than usual.

Tweed Hearing Centre - Laura Moloughney of the Tweed Hearing Centre wrote to council about plans to start holding a hearing clinic in Northbrook once a week. The letter said that the Tweed Hearing Centre would like to "participate in a patient-centric clinic that could provide several medical disciplines…" The letter mentioned the need for a storefront office-type space and asked for council's assistance in locating potential resources.

Council said that they would advise Ms. Moloughney to contact Land o'Lakes Community Services for assistance in finding a suitable space.

Addington Highlands Reeve Henry Hogg and Deputy Reeve Bill Cox had a decision to make at the Lennox and Addington County Council meeting on April 11. Should they wait to hear their fellow councilors’ response to a staff report that called for closure of the Denbigh ambulance service in favour of a new base to serve Loyalist Township, or should they get a jump on the debate and propose cutting the Denbigh service to 12 hours a day?

“It was a difficult decision to make,” Hogg said after the meeting, “because we really think the Denbigh ambulance should be as it is, a 24 hour service.”

The debate on the future of ambulance service in Lennox and Addington was preceded by a 30 minute long powerpoint presentation by Brian Smith, L&A County Director of Emergency and Long Term Care Services, and Mark Schjerning, Chief of Paramedic Services. Council had asked for information on a number of options, and in addition to financial data, the report included population information. The report pointed out that Addington Highlands, with 6% of the population, has 57% of the ambulance resources in Lennox and Addington County. Napanee, with 37% of the population, has 43% of the resources. Stone Mills, with 10.7%, and Loyalist, with 47.6% of the population respectively, each have 0% of the ambulance resources.

Napanee has the fastest response times in the county, followed by Addington Highlands, Loyalist and Stone Mills.

In advocating for moving the Denbigh resources to Loyalist, Smith and Schjerning said the impact would be “faster response times to a higher number of calls in the south and “an increase in response times to come calls in the north,” leading to a “positive statistical impact on the average response times in the county.”

Immediately after hearing the report, Henry Hogg, moved, and Cox seconded, a motion to keep the Denbigh service open 12 hours a day, and allocate half of its resources to serve the south end of the County.

“I'm going to quote the County's website in response to this report,” said Hogg. “It says L&A County is a 'friendly and caring organization, dedicated to respecting and upholding the rights of its citizens.' I don't believe the people of the north should be called upon to suffer for the statistical benefit of the county.”

Napanee Mayor Gord Schemerhorn spoke next.

“I did not prepare a speech like Henry did,” he said, “but I would say that if I was being responsible to the people of Napanee I would say it is fiscally responsible to close the base in Denbigh. But I have supported Lennox and Addington from day one. I feel I’m between a rock and a hard place. I can’t just sit here and support Napanee when there are such great distances to cover in the north. It would help if Henry was offering to help out with facility costs up there, but I support this in principle.”

“We can talk about facility costs,” Henry Hogg responded.

County Warden Bill Lowery, who is also the mayor of Loyalist Township, said, “I think with the closure of Denbigh and the building of a new, proper base in Northbrook and one in the south we would be up to date and good for the next 50 years. What is being talked about here is a band-aid solution.”

In the end, Council sided with Henry Hogg’s motion, in a vote of 7-1, securing a future for the Denbigh ambulance service.

Next Steps for Sydenham Subdivision

In November 2010, council approved draft plan conditions for the Valleyview Estates subdivision in Sydenham (south off Rutledge road.) Since this approval the developer, Rob Morgan, has been working toward meeting the required conditions for final approval of the development.

One of the requirements is the conveyance of up to five percent of the land to the municipality for parkland: the municipality has the option to ask for cash in lieu of land. Morgan has proposed to pay cash-in-lieu to satisfy this condition. Accordingly, he came to Council with two appraisals of the land, for which he originally paid $295,000. Since then, the house on the property has been severed and sold. One value estimate was $100,000, the other $404,000. Council reached consensus that they would settle on a present value of $250,000. Five percent of that amount ($12,500) will be charged as parkland fee.

Mills brought a 35 page draft of the proposed Subdivision Agreement for Council’s information: the draft requires a few final revisions before it can be brought to Council for them to pass a by-law formalizing the agreement. The proposed 35-acre subdivision will include 20 residential building lots, one lot for ‘future adult lifestyle development’, and an environmental protection area along the creek.

Drinking Water Source Protection: Following the Walkerton tragedy where contamination of drinking water caused illness and death, the province established the Clean Water Act in 2006. This has led to the development of “Source Water Protection Plans” throughout the province. Locally, such a plan is in the process of being developed for the twelve municipal water systems in the Cataraqui Source protection Area (Sydenham is the only municipal system in South Frontenac), and for the vulnerable aquifers and groundwater recharge areas in the townships. The plan must be completed for submission to the MOE by August 2012. The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority has requested Council to review the present, revised document and make comments as soon as possible. The whole document may be viewed on the CRCA’s website at: www.cleanwatercataraqui.ca. Council’s main concern is the potential expense of administering the plan, once it becomes a provincial requirement.

Sydenham Water Request for Exemption: Mike and Shelly Lacelle came to Council requesting they be exempted from hooking up municipal water to their proposed severance on Rutledge road, just east of the end of the present water system. (Connection to municipal water is a condition of severance approval.) The Lacelles say that the cost of bringing water to the lot would exceed $25,000. Council has asked for more information from the public works department about what will be involved in extending the water service, before making a decision.

Of Municipal Roofs, Rot and Raccoons

CAO Orr asked Council’s permission to go to tender for a new metal roof over the former library and administrative offices, on the grounds that the present roof, installed in the mid-‘80s, is leaking in a number of places where the steel roof has corroded around the roof fasteners. Rotted soffits have allowed vermin (raccoons?) to nest above the former library. Council agreed to roof replacement.

Good bye pot holes, hello blue bins!

In his activity report Public Works Manager Mike Richardson reported that all of the gravel roads in the township have now been graded. He also said that the purchase of an asphalt hot box last year improved the road crew's ability to patch roads in adverse weather conditions with better results.

An occupational hygienist from the Ministry of Labour who visited the Hinchinbrooke garage saw no immediate concern regarding mold and asbestos issues but recommended that a mold/asbestos specialist come in prior to a wall panel being removed to fix a window leak.

Kyle Labbett reported that over 70 blue recycling bins have been sold at the three waste sites and the township office.

Due to the early thaw on county roads this year Richardson recommended that a motion be passed to remove load restrictions earlier than usual, and council agreed. Load restrictions have been removed as of April 11.

Township cemeteries report

CAO Shawn Trépanier presented a report to council regarding the state of the 11 cemeteries in the township. Ten of the cemeteries have grounds in pristine condition. Some of those require minor maintenance to signs, gates and fencing.

Some older tombstones are in states of disrepair and staff wants to look into alternative options to repair them. Of the 11 cemeteries only four have empty plots available, with a total combined number of 539 plots available for purchase.

Several of those plots, however, are either reserved or are located in difficult spots for burial. At the average rate of 5-10 burials a month, the cemeteries would have to close in roughly 5-7 years if no cemetery planning takes place.

With that in mind council directed staff to prepare more plots at the Oconto cemetery. The report ultimately recommended that council direct staff to initiate a cost analysis for the completion of surveying all the cemeteries, completing the repairs to the cemeteries, and creating a master list for all the plots therein.

Oliver Scott Memorial Ball Field repairs

In response to a letter from the CF Minor Ball Association to council concerning the dismal state of washroom and canteen facilities at the Sharbot Lake ball field, CAO Shawn Trépanier presented a report to council recommending that staff be directed to repair the current facilities at an expected cost of $1,000-$1,500 rather than furnishing the site with port-a-potties for this coming season at a cost of over $2,000. The issue of vandalism was raised. Councilor Wayne Millar wondered why the known vandals are not billed for the costs of the repairs. Mayor Gutowski supported repairing the field for the time being and for council to consider in the future giving youth more opportunities to take ownership of their community in order to curb vandalism.

Township exception from CETA? Not at this time.

Craig Pittman of Sharbot Lake appeared as a delegate asking that council pass a resolution exempting themselves from the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in order to “protect the powers of municipalities hospitals, school boards, utilities, universities and other sub-federal agencies .”

CETA just went through its 11th round of in camera negotiations in Belgium. Pittman said “I am here to encourage you to learn more about CETA and I strongly feel that municipalities should have more say in the CETA negotiations, especially today when municipal governments are increasingly important to the Canadian economy, the delivery of services, and the quality of life in our communities.”

Mayor Gutowski and Councilor Purdon expressed interest in the issue but both felt they needed to study it further and therefore could not support the resolution at this time.

First Annual Frontenac Activity Festival

In an effort to promote physical activity in the community, four student occupational therapists at Queens University currently working with the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team came before council. They outlined the plans for an event that will take place on Saturday April 21 beginning at 10AM. The students along with the Family Health Team, are partnering with the Sharbot Lake Lions, NFCS, Tri Rudy, Northern Connections, SLHS, the CF Township to organize the event. The festival will take place at the Sharbot Lake High School and will include demonstrations in Tai Chi, Yoga, line dancing, Karate, Qi Gong and more.

There will also be numerous educational display booths, along with other physical activities including tug of war, an obstacle course and a walk/run through the village that visitors can participate in. The organizers are hoping the festival becomes an annual event and are currently looking for volunteers to help. For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 613-483-4146

Councillor walks away from Verona dump job to counter perceptions of bias

Perhaps it was only a matter of time.

The future of the Verona waste site is in doubt as the township attempts to satisfy concerns expressed by the Ministry of the Environment. The fact that the site’s manager, Bill Robinson, is also a sitting member of Council, now threatens to become an issue and he has responded by stepping away from the job.

“For the first time in the eleven years I’ve been on Council, there’ve been rumours going around, so right now I want to put them to rest,” declared Councillor Bill Robinson at the beginning of a meeting of South Frontenac Council on Tuesday night (April 3).

He went on to say that as the result of having consulted a lawyer, he has resigned as the manager of D&B (the company contracted to operate the Portland waste disposal site), and will have “no hand in the operation of D&B now, or in the future.”

The new manager is Doug Kelly.

New Financial System

Township Treasurer Louise Fragnito is looking forward to upgrading the township’s outdated DOS based financial software system. Council approved her recommendation to accept Diamond Municipal Systems’ bid of $181,257, and an additional $16,250 for the supporting server and database system. These amounts fall within the $200,000 set aside for financial upgrading in the 20112 capital budget, and include all necessary implementation, system conversion and staff training. Fragnito and the Deputy Treasurer have visited two neighboring municipalities who are currently using this system: both recommended it.

Official Plan Amendment

Planning Coordinator Lindsay Mills presented recommendations for four amendments to the Official Plan: 1) to strengthen and clarify the regulations re required setbacks from water, 2) to set general policies for plans of condominium (vacant land with common elements), 3) to introduce a ‘holding’ symbol as a planning tool, and 4) to include the entire township for site plan control, by adding “institutional and multi-residential development” to the present wording. Council received the report and will forward it, along with all comments and discussion from the public meeting, to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for their review.

Portland Waste Disposal Site Plan

In a letter dated March 21, C. Raffael, of the Ministry of the Environment, acknowledges receipt and acceptance of Public Works Manager Segsworth’s letter outlining the proposed next steps toward addressing the Ministry’s environmental concerns at the Portland waste site. These include investigating and ranking five possible options by June 30, then choosing one alternative and drafting an implementation plan on or before September 30. The environmental concerns at the Portland site became acute when the MOE recently and changed the site’s certificate of approval from requiring measurement of contamination at the property line (where water tests have come up clean) to measuring the water quality at the base of the waste slope (where they have not)

Environmental Committee Seeks Broader Mandate

Del Stowe said that the Environmental Committee does not have enough volunteers to be able to do tree sales this year. He asked that the Committee of the Whole consider giving the Environmental Committee a broader mandate, perhaps including some ‘green initiatives’, in order to attract more volunteers. Meanwhile, residents interested in buying trees this year should contact the Cataraqui Conservation Authority, which will have some for sale.

Two Concerns

In reference to a decision made at the previous meeting to do more work on Bellrock Road this year, and cut a project on Perth Road, using the logic that a large project is already scheduled for Perth Road next year, Councillor Vandewal said he had looked at both Bellrock Road and Perth Road, and in his opinion, Perth Road was in much worse condition than any part of Bellrock Road. There was no comment.

Makes a Dog Tag Look Like a Bargain!

Dogs caught running at large which cannot be returned to their owner because they aren’t wearing a dog tag are taken to the pound. By renewing their 2012 contract with the Kingston Humane Society for the provision of pound services, Council has agreed to pay $55 per dog for the approximately 50 dogs that are impounded annually. Additional cost to the owner to retrieve an untagged dog from the pound is $100. The good news is that dog tags are still available from the township for $12 until the end of April.

Dogs caught running at large which cannot be returned to their owner because they aren’t wearing a dog tag are taken to the pound. By renewing their 2012 contract with the Kingston Humane Society for the provision of pound services, Council has agreed to pay $55 per dog for the approximately 50 dogs that are impounded annually. Additional cost to the owner to retrieve an untagged dog from the pound is $100. The good news is that dog tags are still available from the township for $12 until the end of April.

Township will pick up garbage

A messy issue that has been discussed at the Addington highlands Council several times now is about to be resolved.

Garbage has been dumped on the roadway and on private property on the Old Addington Highlands Road that leads into North Frontenac and the township has been considering what to do about.

Finally they decided to clean up the garbage that is on their property.

“We can’t do anything about the garbage on private property or North Frontenac property” said Reeve Hogg.

Garbage has been dumped at the same location in the past, and at one pint during his term of office former Reeve Ken Hook cleaned it up himself.

“Can we not at least put up a sign that says ‘No dumping’ said Councillor Helen Yanch. “I think it's disgusting to see all that garbage on the side of the road.”

“Until you fine somebody there will be no deterrent,” said Henry Hogg.

“I’d make a recommendation that we prepare a bylaw setting out the kinds of signage and fines we want to impose,” said Councilor Tony Fritsch.

Township Clerk Jack Pauhl said that it will take some time to prepare a bylaw so council decided to install a no dumping sign and begin enforcing the bylaw once it is enacted, which might be early this summer.

No interest holiday for lost cheque: Council received a letter from a Mr. Crone, whose family owns three cottages on Oborne Point on Skootamatta Lake. In the letter, Mr. Crone said that he received a notice about past due taxes on March 12, which surprised him because he had sent two cheques in one envelope at the end of July to cover the last two instalments of the 2011 taxes that were owing.

The cheques had never been cashed and in his letter Mr. Crone said that he has been informed by the township office that to their knowledge the envelope was never received at the township office.

Mr. Crone also invited Council to consider that in the 50 years that has family has owned property on Skoottamatta, they have never been late with a tax payment.

“For the record several years ago one of our post-dated cheques was misplaced by your office but was subsequently found in its original envelope, according to your staff at the time.

“Under the circumstances hopefully Council will agree that charging interest in this case is hard for us to swallow.” Mr. Crone wrote.

His letter came with a cheque for the outstanding taxes, plus a payment for the first 2012 instalment, but not the $138.60 in interest that has been charged to his account.

“He said in his letter our staff searched the office and did not turn up the cheque. I’d have to say that in the end the onus is still on the individual to prove that we received the cheque,” said Reeve Hogg.

Council decided not to act on Mr. Crone’s request, and a letter of explanation will be sent to him.

Busing concern in Denbigh

Councilor Adam Snider brought up an issue that does not directly affect Council, school bussing in the Denbigh area.

“Why are there extra busses coming down the same roads?” he asked.

Reeve Hogg, who owned a bussing company for many years, told Snider to contact Tri-Board Bussing in Napanee.