Central Frontenac Council adopted a “Septic System Maintenance and Assessment Program” at its regular meeting Tuesday night.

It further directed staff to prepare a draft licensing bylaw to licence septic system pumpers and haulers for the purpose of reporting pump-out activities including a visual assessment of Class 4 and 5 septic systems.  A committee consisting of Dep. Mayor Brent Cameron, Coun. Philip Smith and Coun. Sherry Whan was set up to look at what type of financial assistance/payment options could be made available for residents found to have systems that need replacing but are unable to pay for it.

There was a provision for an “education campaign” but there were no specifics recommended other than the existing “septic sense” box on the Township website.

The plan was submitted by the Septic Re-inspection Committee, to be implemented in the Spring of 2017.

Under the plan (and assuming passage of the licensing bylaw for pumper/haulers and their willingness to participate) all residents will be required to have their septic systems inspected within the next five years.

The committee estimates there are about 4,000 septic systems in the Township and that about 800 per year can be inspected, thus the five-year window.

Before approving the plan by a vote of 4-3 (Councillors Riddell and Kelsey were absent) a vigorous debate took place.

“If the Township doesn’t have a report on your system after five years, we’re going to come looking,” said committee spokesperson Coun. Victor Heese.

The plan also uses a green-yellow-red classification system, with red representing the systems that need immediate attention. The committee estimates that 3-4 per cent of the systems in the Township would fall into that category. While costs to replace a septic system can vary widely depending on conditions, estimates in the $10,000-$20,000” range or higher have been thrown around at Council.

Cameron reasoned that if the figures are correct, that would mean 80-100 systems will need replacing and those burdens will fall “on taxpayers, many of whom have to go to social services to help pay for heat and hydro.

“My feeling is there are going to be many properties that will have to be auctioned off.”

Coun. Smith said that while he “actually like the plan,” he had the same concern as Cameron.

“If this report had something to address low-income homeowners, I could support it,” Smith said. “But as it is, I can’t support it.”

“That was my concern too,” said Whan.

Coun. Tom Dewey, who voted for the measure, also had a concern.

“How dependable will the haulers be?” Dewey asked. “If they ‘squeal’ on their customers, they won’t get their business any more.”

Heese said that homeowners don’t have to use a licensed pumper to have their tanks pumped out but if they do use an unlicensed pumper, they won’t get a report. Similarly, pumpers don’t have to get a license but they can’t issue a report.

The committee estimated the costs to the Township to implement the program to be about $8,750 including $4,550 in operational costs (staff costs, program review, reports and education packages) and $4,200 in capital costs (inspection reports set-up, software development, education package set-up and pumper training).

North Frontenac Council passed its 2017 budget at its regular meeting last week in Plevna.

Residents will see a $23.91 increase on every $100,000 of their property’s assessment or 2.89 per cent.

The Township portion increased by 2.39 per cent but the bottom line also includes Frontenac County’s increase of 5.01 per cent.

Treasurer Kelly Watkins began her public presentation with noting that Ward 1 contains 46.17 per cent of the Township’s taxable assessment, followed by Ward 2 at 35.11 per cent and Ward 3 at 18.72 per cent.

She said that the Township needs to raise $5,765,957 by taxation and their portion of the County levy amounts to $1,496,828. The education portion of the levy is due to municipalities by March 31.

While there was an increase in revenue from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund of $175,100, $20,000 in insurance savings from a new provider and $8,000 from waste user fees Watkins said there were several key items that led to the levy increase including an increase in OPP billing of $175,225, $50,000 for a new winter maintenance reserve fund, $10,000 for road side maintenance under the Weed Act, a 3.73 per cent increase in wages and benefits for $88,000, an $11,900 increase in contributions to Tangible Capital Assets for recreation (to help fund tractor and truck for this department) and $14,000 from re-use exchange facility.

Grants received included an Ontario Community Infrastructure grant for gravel of $142,725 and a 90 per cent OCIF grant for the Head Road Bridge ($301,500 on a $335,000 project) and a Canada 150 Infrastructure grant for 1/3 of the

Clar-Mill Hall new entrance ($10,000 of a $30,000 project).

Capital asset replacements include a minimum of two computers, bunker gear, miscellaneous fire equipment including upgraded breathing apparatus, a 2008 Ford F550, 2005 Sterling Tandem, 1999 service vehicle, 1999 steam jenny, Garage 1 roof replacement, replacement of caron wheels for compactor and 25 HP motor (MNR Parks).

Other projects include Road 506 resurfacing, addition/renovation/retrofit of the Municipal Building, website upgrades, new telephone system for the Municipal Building, Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Review, building condition assessment, road condition re-evaluation, inspections for Folger and Buckshot Creek bridges, Canada 150 celebrations and additional speed limit signs in hamlets.

Reserve funds projected year-end balances per budget include $1,142,570.72 in obligatory reserve funds, $1,357,299.95 in discretionary reserve funds, $4,437,187.97 in tangible capital asset reserve funds and $171,789.49 in reserves for a total of $7,108,848.

Gary Radford and Robert Taylor attended council on behalf of the Flinton Jamboree.

They asked if council could offer the Jamboree the use of the Flinton Recreation Centre, during the August 3-6 long weekend, free of charge. They also asked for an exemption to the noise bylaw over the festival weekend and Council agreed.

“There have been some issues in the past that we hope to smooth out this year,” said Robert Taylor.

Gary Radford said “we need to recruit some younger volunteers. It would help bring us some new energy and help with the workload as well.”

“We are also requesting a $200 donation from the township to the hall of fame,” said Taylor.

Last year, the jamboree initiated the Land O’Lakes Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame by inducting 6 inaugural members, and are planning to induct new members at this year’s jamboree.

“The request is in the budget,” Reeve Hogg told Taylor. “That doesn’t mean it is approved, but right now it is in the budget.

Concern over mandatory septic pump outs
The Rural Mayors Forum of Eastern Ontario (RMFEO) sent information and proposed motion regarding a proposed change to the building code requiring that all residential septic systems be pumped out once every five years and that records of the pump out be retained by the owner. The RMFEO expressed the concern not only that mandatory pump outs are not necessary in all cases, such as rarely used cottage properties. It is also concerned that administrative costs for enforcing the new provision will be foisted on local municipalities.

According to he RMFEO, Premier Wynne stated at the recent Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference that the “province recognizes that one size fits all solutions do not always work in rural Ontario” and is hoping to convince Bill Mauro, the Minister of Municipal Affairs to rescind the proposed change.

“This would be just another burden for residents and for the township,” said Reeve Hogg.

Council supported the RMFEO motion and will communicate that to the minister.

Setbacks from wetlands puzzles AH Council
AH staff member Patricia Gray prepared a report to Council concerning the proposal by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) to begin regulating all wetlands within the Mississippi river watershed. A 30 metre setback for construction on all designated wetlands is what the MVCA plans to instigate.

Gray said that the township already has provisions in their official plan for wetlands, “and we do impose a setback already.”

Councilor Tony Fritsch said “I think this is just duplication that will add confusion. Not all of our township is in MVCA territory, we also have Quinte and we have some land that is not covered by any conservation authority. Do we need different sets of rules.”

MPP Randy Hillier recently sent a letter to the MVCA questioning whether undertaking the new authority is a good idea.

Member municipalities each have a seat on the MVCA board. Addington Highlands is represented by Councillor Kirby Thompson, who will have a vote when the matter comes up for a final decision.

Arguing that even though the MVCA can take on this regulatory power it does not have to, Hillier took to metaphor: “by way of an example, the law does not prevent MVCA from selling potato chips – they would, however, require board approval and municipal support to sell potato chips.”

South Frontenac Council instructed staff and the Planning Department to look into regulating outdoor solid fuel combustion appliances (ie outdoor wood-burning furnaces) following a report from Fire Chief Rick Chesebrough at its regular meeting Tuesday night in Sydenham.

In his report, Chesebrough cited an incident Feb. 13 where his department along with the CAO, Chief Building Official and the Ministry of the Environment all received calls from a Portland resident complaining of smoke from a neighbour’s outdoor furnace entering the resident’s house.

Subsequent similar calls were received on Feb. 14 and 15.

Chesebrough said that on the evening of Feb. 15, “a 911 call was placed stating ‘house full of smoke, occupant having difficulty breathing’; the fire department responded and provided first aid and notified ambulance to respond.

“There were zero readings in the house, however there was a smell of smoke.”

Chesebrough said the owner of the furnace has installed an extension on the chimney of the furnace in an effort to alleviate the problem and a meeting between the MOE and township staff has been scheduled for Feb. 24 to further discuss the issue.

He said that under the laws governing fire departments, there isn’t much he can do as the furnace was installed legally and to the manufacturer’s specifications.

“I’m recommending the Planning Department draft a bylaw to regulate how these appliances are used and the Building Department create a permit system similar to the wood stove permit system to incorporate into our existing fees bylaw,” Chesebrough said.

“I don’t remember many of these incidents coming up but they’re not unique,” said Coun. John McDougall, adding that he was familiar with the houses in question. “I support the idea of a bylaw but it won’t be retroactive so it doesn’t rectify this situation.”

“I wonder if there isn’t a bigger issue as to these (furnaces) being installed at all,” said Coun. Brad Barbeau. “What with the price of oil, gas, and heating in general, perhaps some provincial lobbying might be in order.”

In response to a question from Coun. Mark Schjerning, Chesebrough said the MOE indicated that they did have some powers in these matters. He added that this particular unit was also used to heat water and that these systems in general can cost $10,000-$20,000 with $1,000 for copper piping alone.

Mayor Ron Vandewal said “we’ve been through this before and a lot of regulations have been suggested, like set backs which meant I couldn’t have one of these on my 100-acre farm.

“If you’re going to restrict these units then you’ll have to look at bungalows that have wood stoves because some of them don’t have chimneys higher than 10 feet.”

Solar panels at arena
Council gave its approval for staff and the arena committee to look at the possibility of solar installations at the arena, following a notice of motion from Coun. Ross Sutherland.

Sutherland said the idea of whether it would be a rooftop installation or a ground installation hasn’t been determined as yet.

“Just keep in mind that roof is 40 years old,” said Dep. Mayor Norm Roberts.

“I’ll support it because I notice the word ‘consider’ is in there,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal. “We’ve ‘considered’ it before and there’s still nothing there.”

Despite freezing rain Saturday morning, a full house turned out in Ompah to discuss proposed changes to North Frontenac Township’s Official Plan.

Many of those in attendance were from lake associations and there was one proposed change they were all glad to hear — larger minimum lot sizes and setbacks — even if the proposed changes don’t go as far as some would like.

Many of the comments were like this from Jim Holton, past-president of the Canonto Lake Association.

“We’ve been arguing for larger lots for years,” Holton said. “Water quality is not just about phosphorus.”

“Our available lakefront properties are getting scarce,” said Mayor Ron Higgins. “For example, Mazinaw Lake is at capacity.

“But I think the (County) private roads study will be good for us (and) we’re creating a best-in-class Official Plan here.”

Higgins said he’s pleased with some of the proposed changes that should encourage more affordable housing.

Planner Joe Gallivan said the proposed 250-ft frontage and 2-acre lot size with a 100-ft setback (up from 1 acre and 150-ft frontage) is “a good start” even though it’s smaller than the 1-hectare (2.2 acres) and 300-foot frontage required in South and Central Frontenac.

“It’s protecting the lake better than it is now,” Gallivan said. “(But), there’s more to it than just lot size.

“There are things like is there room for septic, how big can a boat house be, how big can a bunkie be?”

Gallivan is also including changes that will better accommodate the ‘live/work’ building where residents can set up a business in their home and sections to encourage smaller homes.

“There are now 350-square-foot homes that cost $60,000,” he said. “When I retire, that’s what I want to have.”

Gallivan said they’re also working on communal septic and water systems which would require smaller lot sizes to work efficiently.

He said after all the feedback has been considered, he expects to have a plan ready for adoption by the end of the summer.

“Council seems to like the plan so far,” he said.

(Subsequent to the posting of the article beneath, Central Frontenac Council cut another $80,000 from the budget. The final budget levy to ratepayers is $7.45 million, an increase of 4.1% over 2016. Because total property assessment in the the township dropped by 0.8% last year, the tax rate itself is up by 4.3%. During their deliberations, Central Frontenac Council cut a total of $311,000 from the levy tahta was initalliy proposed to them by staff, through cost cutting and dipping into reserve funds)

Members of Central Frontenac Council huddled with Treasurer Michael McGovern after their regular council meeting late on Tuesday afternoon to go over the last few departmental budgets in search of some savings.

Before they started, McGovern presented them with an amended budget that included enough cuts to bring the total tax rate increase down from 6.2%, which is where it was a week ago, to 5.1%. The tax rate for township purposes, had dropped from an increase of 7.9% to 6.3%. (see note below)

In order to bring the rate down, McGovern was recommending cuts of $56,000 from budget lines in the  waste disposal budget, $15,000 from spending on the asset management program, $14,000 from grants for recreation, $25,000 from salaries, $10,000 from the culvert replacement program, and a number of smaller cuts. In total, the budget Council was looking at this week was over $230,000 lower than the one they were working from a week ago.

Mayor Frances Smith had set the target of a 4% increase after the previous meeting, a tall order considering all of the major departmental budgets have already been combed through, leaving only development services, cemeteries and the swim program for Council to go through this week.

Updated budget numbers as the result of Tuesday evening’s deliberation can be found at Frontenacnews.ca

(budget note – Central Frontenac collects taxes for their own spending and transfer obligations, but also collects money that goes to Frontenac County and the Ministry of Education. The township amount is the largest (70.5%) compared to Frontenac County (14.2%) and The Ministry of Education (15.3%)

This year, the amount being charged by Frontenac County to Central Frontenac is up by 5%, while the Ministry of Education rate remains as it was last year, a 0% increase. Because all these numbers are combined, the local increase of 6.3% results in an increase in the total tax collected of 5.1%)

Other items from Central Frontenac Council

New MVCA regulations to have little impact, planner says
Planner Reid Shepherd presented a report to Council on the implications of a proposal by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) to begin regulating development near all designated wetlands in the Mississippi River watershed. The MVCA is one of three conservation authorities that have responsibility for parts of Central Frontenac. The other two, Quinte and Rideau Valley, already regulate wetlands. As well, as Shepherd pointed out, Central Frontenac already has its rules in its own official plan about setbacks from designated wetlands, so the impact of a new role for the MVCA “will likely be small” he said.

Shepherd added that development pressures on wetlands in the township are minimal.

“Most of the development in Central Frontenac is on the shores of lakes,” he said, pointing out that “for the six years encompassing 2011–2016, only 10 applications were submitted for development within 30 metres of wetlands throughout Central Frontenac, and only 2 applications were filed within the boundaries of the MVCA.”

A map that was included in Shepherd’s presentation, showed a large number of green shaded areas that could be included under new regulation, but he said more study on the ground will be needed to determine where wetlands are actually located.

For planning purposes, wetlands must be over 1 hectare in size and must be fed by and drain into another water body.
Councillor Bill Macdonald, who is the Central Frontenac representative on the MVCA Board, said that “other townships, including our neighbours in Tay Valley and North Frontenac, have passed resolutions opposing this, but really the MVCA is just doing what every other Conservation Authority already does, and the implications for Central Frontenac are very minimal if there are any at all.”

In the end the township received Shepherd’s report for information. No resolution opposing the change was passed, or even contemplated.

(Note – Mayor Frances Smith informed Council that Reid Shepherd will be leaving Frontenac County to take a job in Ottawa for a consulting firm. Shepherd has been working as community planner for Frontenac County and has been doing much of the work in Central Frontenac as part of a contract the township has with Frontenac County for planning services.)

Culvert replacement and sand stockpiles under pressure
Interim Public Works Manager Mike Richardson reported that the work on replacing a culvert on 4th Lake Road has been hampered by the weather and other complications. He is hopeful the plan for replacement will not need to be changed or that any delays will occur, and said he would know more by the end of the week.

The sand stockpiles have been depleted due to the amount of freezing of rain that has occurred, culminating in a large freezing rain event on February 7 and 8. Richardson said the next three weeks will tell if more sand needs to be sourced.
Waste amnesty dates approved

Richardson recommended and council approved that the waste amnesty (1 trailer load per household per year) should take place within the regular waste hours throughout the summer, rather than during a small waste amnesty window. The waste amnesty program this year will extend from May 13 to September 10.

Strategic plan
After an eight month process, Council approved the first Strategic Plan for Central Frontenac. The plan includes 6 focus areas: asset management; environmental services; good governance & effective administration; health, recreation, culture & lifestyle; infrastructure; and the protection and health of the natural environment. 

Cemetery benches in Mountain Grove
John Purdon, appearing on behalf of Judy Gray, asked for township to approve spending of up to $9,000 for 3 granite benches, one for each of the cemeteries in Mountain Grove. The money for the benches has been raised in Mountain Grove during annual cemetery services in the summer.

As Purdon pointed out, “this is a budget matter but it does not involve tax dollars as we have raised all the money, and we have almost $10,000 put aside.”

Council approved the plan as presented.

The goals of Bill 151, The Waste-Free Ontario Act, 2016 are a “wonderful, noble objective but there are significant problems with blue box funding,” South Frontenac Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth told Council at its regular meeting Tuesday night in Sydenham.

Segsworth is a rare rural representative on the Ontario Waste Management Association board.

“I wouldn’t say I’m that active (on the board) as it’s mostly City of Toronto and big waste company representatives,” he said.

But while the idea of having absolutely no waste and 100 per cent recycling is admirable, there are many roadblocks that must be solved before it could ever become reality, he said.

“For one thing, it’s time we let producers be 100 per cent responsible for the products they produce,” he said. “My fridge was only 13 years old when it needed replacing and people said ‘wow, you got 13 years out of it.’

“That thinking has to change.”

And manufacturers are responsible for 50 per cent of blue box recycling programs, but don’t often make that goal. Segsworth said that has to be closer to 100 per cent for zero waste to have a chance.

“We’ve all heard the arguments for less packaging,” he said. “When is that going to take place.”

And it’s one thing to ban organics from land fills, but, he said:

“it would be great, we wouldn’t have garbage if we eliminated the organics but where is that going to go?

“I don’t think anybody has it figured out.”

He said the City of Vancouver has a private firm doing its blue box program but doesn’t see that as an option for rural municipalities because of volume.

However, he does see changes coming whatever they might be and as such has recommended Council try to extend its contract with existing waste contractors for three years (in order to buy some time) rather than negotiate new seven year contracts which they might end up having to pay for but not using. And too, it might mean that the existing contractors would be in a situation where they bought equipment that wouldn’t be needed.

“That’s the kind of challenges we face,” he said.

One thing Segsworth would like to see is waste management becoming a County wide contract.

“I’m led to believe that everybody believes zero waste is a good idea,” he said. “But a lot of it is coming out of the GTA, especially the demand to recycle organics.

“We need a solution that works in rural areas.”

In the meantime, Segsworth said that for organic waste: “We sell backyard composters for $33 each and that price hasn’t changed in years.”

Coun. John McDougall wanted to know why South Frontenac wasn’t fully compliant with the Province’s Minimum Maintenance Standards for Retro-Reflectivity and signage and so he filed a notice of motion for a report on the subject.

After Tuesday night’s regular Council meeting in Sydenham, he’s still waiting.Council passed a motion to refer the matter to the public works committee for further discussion.

“I don’t understand why it sits and we don’t do anything,” McDougall said. “Looking at compliance issues, we should at least have a plan.”

Coun. Alan Revill sort of put the matter into perspective, however.

“I’m struggling to support this not because I think we shouldn’t comply but because I also believe we should have some sense of priorities,” Revill said. “In all our public works issues, I’m not sure this is the highest priority.”

Coun. Ross Sutherland agreed with Revill.

“I’m tending to agree with Coun. Revill,” Sutherland said. “We do have some compliance issues and we need to have a plan.

“(But) the ditching’s much better than it was and lights are going up . . .”

Coun. Mark Schjerning also agreed with Revill, pointing out that compliance with all regulations is a challenge for all aspects of municipal service, including his own field, paramedics. “The issue was raised very early in the term and we have yet to get a report,” he said. “(But) full regulatory compliance is a very lofty goal but (still) we need to work towards it.”

After the first round of budget deliberations for Central Frontenac Council, the magic number is sitting at a 6.2 per cent increase.

If the budget were to be finalised tomorrow, that would mean an additional $64 per $100,000 of assessed value to ratepayers.

“(But) we’re not done yet,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “If we can get it down to 4 per cent, that would be good.”

When Council began the all-day meeting on Monday (February 6), they were initially faced with an intractable fact; so-called negative growth. The total assessed value of all the properties in Central Frontenac for the purposes of the current tax year is $886,543,881, quite a chunk of change. But it is down from the total assessed value from a year earlier, by $7.5 million, or 0.8%. That means if the same tax rate that was used in 2016 were applied, tax revenue would be down by $62,000.

This issue is compounded by increases coming from the Frontenac County budget. The County increased its levy to the townships by about 4.2% this year. The impact of that increase over the entire county is buffered by assessment growth of 1%. However, here again since Central Frontenac saw negative growth of 0.8%, the impact of the county budget in Central Frontenac is a 5% increase.

When increased policing, hydro and staffing costs, in particular the move to a full time fire chief, members of Central Frontenac Council were looking at a 9% increase in the amount needed for their own purposes, and a total increase of just under 8% when the a 0% increase in the education rate and a 5% increase in the county rate is factored in.

After a day of work, Council cut $180,000 in spending from the budget, lowering the increase for local use to 7.8% and the overall increase to 6.2%.

Council isn’t done yet having scheduled another budget meeting to follow the Feb. 14 regular meeting, but two of the largest budgets — public works and fire — along with corporate services have already been dealt with. That leaves the planning, building and capital budgets still to be scrutinised.

(Editors note - Budgeting in Central Frontenac has been difficult over the years. When Central Frontenac is compared to that of its neighbours to the south and north, the reasons become clear. South Frontenac, with 4 times the population and healthy growth, benefits from a better economy of scale. North Frontenac, with an almost identical amount of property assessment as Central Frontenac, has a much higher proportion of seasonal residents than does Central Frontenac, a 4-1 ratio as compared to 1-1 ratio. Seasonal residents require service for 2-4 months a year instead of 12 months per year and are therefore cheaper to serve, and they tend to pay a lot of tax because many of them own waterfront properties.)

Freeburn named New Road & Waste Supervisor in Addington Highlands
Addington Highlands Council announced its new Road & Waste Management Supervisor at its regular meeting Monday in Flinton.

The Township chose to promote from within, naming lead hand Mark Freeburn to the position.

Freeburn officially begins his new duties Feb. 13.

The position became vacant last November when long-time supervisor (29 years) Royce Rosenblath announced his retirement plans.

Rosenblath himself took over the position from another long-time employee, his father, James (26 years as ‘road boss’ of the former Denbigh, Abinger and Ashby Township).

For his part, Freeburn was optimistic.

“Everything’s looking good,” he said.

Condolences
The Township expressed its condolences on the passing of former Frontenac News editor Jule Koch. In a prepared statement Council said: “Jule covered activities in Addington Highlands and reported on many Council meetings. Addington Highlands would like to recognize Jule for her hard work and integrity and express their appreciation for all she has done.”

Building Code Changes
Council expressed concerns over possible implications proposed changes to the Building Code could have for residents as they apply to sewage systems.

“My concern is there could be a huge cost for cottagers,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

“A couple of years ago, the Mazinaw cottagers association was all for it,” said Coun. Kirby Thompson.

“The associations were for it because they were concerned about pollution going into the lakes,” said Coun. Bill Cox.

Water Conditions
A report from the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority that “conditions (have) returned to normal (and) the watershed in no longer in drought status” prompted Coun. Tony Fritsch to observe that lack of snow in Belleville area might lead to concerns for the Quinte Conservation Authority and to suggest “perhaps we could send them some water in return for a rate adjustment.”

Budget Date Set
Council set Feb. 21 as the date to begin 2017 budget deliberations. The budget talks will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at noon to be followed by the regular Council meeting in Denbigh.