Property owners appeal for boat launch

Even though he was not on the agenda as a delegate, Kevin Browne, president of the Sharbot Lake Property Owners' Association, was allowed to address council at their meeting on Tuesday afternoon (May 27

Browne talked about an issue that has been simmering among property owners on the east basin of Sharbot Lake for some time, and has come to the forefront this spring because of high water levels.

Although there is a public boat launch at what is known as the government dock on the west basin of Sharbot Lake and a boat launch on Road 38, also on the west basin, there is no boat launch on the east basin.

“I don't think I've heard about access to the east basin as an issue in the past. Is this something new?” asked Councilor John Purdon.

“The issue is that people with bigger boats are having trouble accessing the east basin,” said Councilor Wayne Millar, “and it is more of an issue this year because of high water levels on the underpass.”

“We have looked at the lake. I think what it will boil down to is finding a suitable location and perhaps looking at the cost of ownership,” said Public Works Manager Mike Richardson.

“I have two locations where you may be able to look at something,” said Kevin Browne, presenting a map to Mike Richardson. "As far as the need for a boat launch, there is a convenience factor, there is the fact that emergency vehicles can't access the east basin, and you have the septic pumping issue. We are one of the few lakes without access. We don't need a dock, we don't need parking, just a place to get our boats in the water.”

Council decided to refer the matter to staff to look at.

“I guess we should take a boat ride,” Richardson said to Kevin Browne. “If we can get one on the lake."

Culverts instead of a bridge

On the advice of Public Works Manager Richardson, Council accepted a proposal from Fidelity Engineering to put in two 1500 mm wide culverts in place of the Johnston Road bridge, at a cost of $87,236. Since the bridge project had a budget of $330,000 the township will move on to the next bridge on the replacement list, the Fall River Road bridge, with a view towards completing its construction in 2014.

Gravel tender

Council accepted the only tender for the supply and placement of gravel on various roads, from Crains' Construction for $228,000, which is well under the budgeted amount of $285,000.

“I guess all the other bidders were tired of losing out on the contract,” said Mike Richardson, referring to the fact that Crains' has won the contract in previous years.

Chip Truck Competition
Aubrey Francis, proprietor of a chip truck in Harrowsmith since 2008, expressed concern That another chip wagon has been permitted to open in the village less than a kilometre away. In his opinion, he had not been notified of a recent bylaw change that allows these businesses to be operated within 500 metres of each other. Mayor Davison pointed out that the bylaw amendment that Francis was referring to had been in effect since 2002; six years before Francis started his business. Councillor Robinson asserted that Council should close the second chip wagon, because Harrowsmith was not large enough to support two identical businesses. Mayor Davison responded that Council is bound by the by-laws it has established.
Energy Management Plan
Public Works Manager Segsworth reminded Council that in 2013, a regulation of the Green Energy Act required each Municipality to create a five-year energy management plan by July 1st, 2014. As a first step his department has collated all energy consumption data for 2011, for all Municipal facilities that use electricity, propane and/or furnace oil for heating, cooling or general operations. This will be used as a baseline for developing a plan to reduce energy consumption, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact.
The plan will come before Council for endorsement next week, then will be posted, along with the energy consumption data, on the Township website by July 1st.
Partially Maintained Township Roads
“Historically, we’ve done ‘em the way we’ve done ‘em,” said Segsworth, describing the vague and unrecorded decisions that have, over many years, led to varied levels of partial maintenance on at least 42 scraps of township roads. (Two examples: Gully Road, connecting Freeman to Boundary is not open in the winter, and for most of its length barely one vehicle wide, and Little Long Lake which has 200 metres of swamp separating its two ends.) Now faced with increasing pressure for better upkeep, the Roads department has inventoried these roads. Rather than continue with ad hoc upgrades, Segsworth asked Council to consider engaging additional resources to develop criteria and identify liability with regard to increasing service levels on partially maintained roads.
In a separate report, he said that the additional repair of winter damage on twenty other Township roads will draw $50,000 to $100,000 from the 2014 operating budget, which may require a review of spending priorities
at the end of the third quarter.
New Provincial Planning Policies: Planner
Lindsay Mills reported that on April 30, a lengthy new Provincial Planning Policy statement came into effect. This controls, to some degree, what the Municipality can or cannot do within its zoning by-laws. Mills mentioned new buzz-words such as “production of food and fibre”, “resilient” and “freight supportive”, but made no attempt to interpret them. He listed eighteen general notes on the policies, some of which he described as vague and open to interpretation.
He added that in spite of this, much of the text “appears to be designed for good intentions such as protecting natural heritage and endangered species from encroaching development.” In summary he says that; “It remains to be seen how this policy…will be interpreted to allow development to move forward in South Frontenac and the province as a whole.”

New Building By-Law

Chief Building Official Brian Gass introduced a proposed update of the Building Code, which will reflect Provincial policy changes regarding construction. Among the highlights, the new by-law will; 1) allow staff to accept an incomplete permit application so construction can begin while staff are processing the permit; 2) allow staff, in the future, to accept electronic permit applications, once the department has the necessary hardware, software and staffing; 3) facilitate the process of closing building permits and abandoned permit applications.

The proposed new fees will raise the present fee of $10./thousand of project value to $14, and include a ‘reasonable’ increase to solar, wood stove ad demolition permit fees. The current fee schedule is 16 years old: the changes better reflect the true costs of delivering building department services.

During the public meeting, only one person commented: John McEwen spoke of his concerns around the issue of waterproofing both new and existing structures.

Copies of the new building by-law, which Council approved, are available at the Township office.

Rutledge Road Reconstruction

Mark Segsworth recommended K. Mulrooney Trucking’s low bid of $1,322,856 be accepted. References for Mulrooney gave mixed reviews: after having had discussions with the company concerning the very public nature of the project, staff were satisfied with the approach proposed by the contractor.

Due to the size and cost of the project, it has been divided into four parts; A) road and storm sewers from the bridge to Stormhaven Lane and sidewalk on the south side between the High School and Hillside; B) extension of south side sidewalk west to the bridge; C) installation of intermodal bike lane on the boulevard, adjacent to the proposed sidewalk; D) removing and reconfiguring the Mill Street sidewalk “to achieve a vertical alignment more suitable for accessibility purposes.”

Hydro One Permission

Council Granted Hydro One permission to use Garlon as part of its vegetation management program, on the condition that Hydro One reviews the program with Township staff, advises adjacent property owners in advance of spraying, and does no spraying adjacent to organic farming operations.

Pool Fence By-Law

As a result of changing the building by-law, the pool by-law needs to be updated: with the exception of minor wording changes, the technical aspects of how the existing by-law requires a fence around a pool have not changed.

Photo Contest Winners

CAO Orr announced the winners of the township’s photo contest; First - ‘Sugar Bush’ by Tracey Holand; Second - ‘Happy Kayaker on Sydenham Lake’ by Robert E. Charest; Third - ‘4 friends snowshoe against rock face’ by Robert Webster. These can be viewed on the Township website, along with some of the other 105 entries.

South Frontenac Museum

Council made a motion to accept the Portland Historical Association’s carrying out the preliminary investigations in advance of a final decision of opening a Township museum. Councillor McDougall will coordinate a joint meeting of community members interested in preserving local history.

Tappin's Landing dock to be upgraded

The Mazinaw Property Owners' Association (MPOA) has been meeting with North Frontenac staff to develop a plan for the expansion of the township-owned docking facility at Tappin's Landing, which is a major access point for the public and for water access property owners on Mazinaw Lake in both North Frontenac and Addington Highlands.

The association approached the township last August about the project, at which time they said they expected they could raise enough money to build an expansion to the dock.

Up to 80 cars can be parked at the landing on busy summer weekends, according to Deputy Mayor Fred Perry, and the township gave the MPOA leave to develop the project.

On April 15, MPOA President Arndt Kruger advised the township that that the MPOA has raised enough funds to complete the construction. Cory Klatt, the manager of community development for the township, has met with Kruger on site and ensured that all the necessary hoops are being followed in the construction of a township asset.

At their meeting this week the township agreed to spend $600, as requested by MPOA, on the construction. Addington Highlands has committed $3,000 to the project.

Starting next year, North Frontenac will be putting money aside to replace the bridge in about ten years' time.

Community speakers series

John McDougall and Tracy John attended the meeting on behalf of the Sustainability Advisory Committee of Frontenac County. The committee is that proposing that a Community Speakers Series be established, with at least one event being held in each of the four Frontenac townships.

“Hosting an evening in each township means the subject matter will vary by event and be relevant to local residents,” said John McDougall.

Among potential topics are: A Homeowner's Helper (healthy homes, solar water heaters, etc); Developing Resilient Communities (car share programs, encouraging volunteerism, etc); Living Naturally, Living Locally (seed banks and heritage foods, eating locally in the winter, etc.); and A Climate Conscious Community (greening for local business, lake management plans, etc.)

“What we are looking for from you is some idea of topics that might work in North Frontenac,” said McDougall.

“I don't see much about climate change coming from the committee. I would think that adapting to climate change is going to be the key issue in the coming years,” said Mayor Bud Clayton.

Councilor John Inglis said that he has been tracking the temperature regularly at his property since 1994 as part of a program sponsored by Environment Canada and “there has been a clear upward trend over that period,” he said.

“But I think that climate change is an issue on such a broad scale that I wonder what we can do about it as a committee,” he said.

Mayor Clayton asked that members of Council bring ideas for speakers to him, and council endorsed the speakers series as a concept.

NF to join the social media revolution

In order to help publicize the Dark Skies events and ongoing use of the township observation pad on Road 506, Council agreed to set up the first North Frontenac Township-sponsored Facebook site. The site will be accessible on its own and through Northfrontenac.com. It will be managed by a volunteer, although the possibility of township staff working on social media functions was addressed.

IT/911 co-ordinator Evan Sepa, who brought the idea to Council, said the potential for staffing costs devoted to social media may become an issue in the future, but that all depends on the number of messages that a township Facebook page receives. For now, there is no cost.

Wine at farmers markets a slippery slope to wine at chip wagons, Clayton warns

Council expressed understanding but little support for a request from Dr. Ian Gemmill of KFL&A Public Health that they back out of a pilot program that allows the sale of VQAO wine at farmers' markets.

Mayor Clayton, who is the Frontenac County representative to the board of KFL&A Public Health, said “It starts with farmers' markets but when you follow through to the end stage you are looking at wine for sale at chip trucks; and can you see someone running a chip truck refusing a sale because of age?” he said “I'm just using this as an example, but you can see where this is leading.”

Noting that VQAO wine is an Ontario-produced product, and that wine and beer are sold in stores in most jurisdictions, Council decided to receive Dr. Gemmill's request for information instead of adopting it. Mayor Clayton's was the only vote against the motion.

Speed bylaw

A road speed bylaw was approved, although councilors questioned the wisdom of a 40 km per hour limit throughout entire hamlets.

“I tried this morning and had trouble going 40 through Plevna,” said Councilor Gerry Martin.

Public Works Manager Jim Phillips said he will be refining the bylaw by looking at specific sections of road. “I can see Plevna at 60 on the two ends and 40 in the school zone,” he said.

5th Lake/Wagarville Road project underway

A large road project linking Central Frontenac and Stone Mills Township will be getting underway in the coming weeks. Cruickshank Construction has been awarded a tender at a cost of $1.83 million. This portion of the multi-year project includes the rehabilitation of Wagarville Road from Parham west to McLean Road. The project also includes a bridge project that was completed last year at a cost of $434,000.

A further section of road is slated to be rebuilt in 2015. The engineering contract for that section was awarded this week as well, to Jewell Engineering at a cost of $32,500. The budget for engineering for the project was $120,000.

“Did we get lucky here?” Councilor John Purdon asked Public Works Manager Mike Richardson.

“Nobody gets that lucky,” Richardson answered, before explaining that the contract with Jewell leaves room for a number of required permits and studies to be undertaken, which will likely eat up most of the original $120,000 budget.

The multi-year project is being funded by two granting programs from the provincial government. The grants are unusual because they cover 95% of project costs, whereas most granting programs cover 2/3 of the costs.

“I'd like to point out that this is a major upgrade. Until now those roads have been tar and chip rods; there is now going to be an asphalt road all the way from Parham to the township boundary, a major upgrade,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski.

Slow start to 2014 building season

“I hesitate to make comparisons on a single month basis, but at this point in the year it is clear that the first part of 2014 has been slow in terms of construction permits,” said Chief Building Official Jeremy Neven.

On April, the department sold just over $1,000 in permits for $81,000 worth of construction. In 2013, permits for $1.3 million in construction were issued, and even in 2012, one of the slower years in recent memory, permits for $750,000 in construction value were sold.

The year to date statistics are not much better. Permits for $344,000 in construction have been sold since January 1, as opposed to $1.75 million for the same period in 2013, and $1 million in 2012.

“I have talked to building officials in other townships and they are seeing the same thing,” Neven added.

“The weather has not been ideal,” said Councilor Tom Dewey.

“The cost of lumber is certainly part of it, too,” said Councilor Jeff Matson.

Septic reinspection targets Sharbot Lake

The township has contracted the Mississippi/Rideau septic office to offer voluntary septic inspections in the village of Sharbot Lake in 2014. Residents with septic systems and those with holding tank systems will have the opportunity to have their systems tested. A council committee continues to consider the merits and logistics of a mandatory inspection program for the future.

Friends of Arden – New footbridge and spawning bed work in Kennebec Park

Terry Kennedy appeared before Council on behalf of the Friends of Arden. He described the latest project that the group is undertaking, a two-phased improvement to Arden Park. The first phase, to be undertaken this year, involved putting in a Walleye spawning bed in the section of the Salmon River that runs through the park, and the second, more ambitious project is a major rebuilding of the foot bridge over the river in the park. The new foot bridge will not be quite as fancy as an artist's conception of a fully covered bridge that was done by Ardenite John Duchene, but according to Terry Kennedy it will hopefully include two half gazebos.

“It will be what is called a kissing bridge, not that I would know anything about that,” he said.

The Friends of Arden will be receiving a $9,300 grant from Frontenac County and will be fundraising for the rest of the $15,000 they need for this year's work. They also will be looking at how to raise the necessary funds for the new footbridge, which they hope will become a signature project for Arden.

Council expressed universal support for the initiatives, with the only concern being the possibility that the bridge could become a “hangout”.

The location is quite open, and we will work on some lighting for it as well,” Kennedy said. “We are certainly hoping for a kissing bridge, not a carving bridge.”

New hall rental prices adopted

In spite of last minute objections, Council approved a new set of policies for township halls, including new rental prices.

Councilor Purdon asked that the price for the basement of the Olden Hall be lowered from $45 to $30 so rental of the entire facility would be $75, and other councilors were concerned that the offer of a discount to “service clubs” such as the Lions club and Legions, was too vague. In the end the bylaw was approved without changes and will come into effect immediately.

A couple of years ago, the public works managers (PWM) from all four Frontenac townships came together to discuss common issues, and they found a lot to talk about. They decided that since they faced the same issues regarding road and bridge maintenance and waste management, they might be able to put out joint tenders of requests for proposals for services ranging from road line painting to engineering for their waste sites.

Neighbouring municipalities have some roads that are owned and managed by their county and some that are owned and managed by the local townships. While the Frontenac PWMs see no advantage in having more than one roads department working in the same municipality, they also know that other counties are able to apply for provincial and federal grants for their county roads, and the local townships in those counties can also apply for grants for their township-owned roads.

However, in Frontenac County, since there are no county roads, only the local townships can apply for grants, putting Frontenac at a disadvantage.

In response, the Frontenac public works managers have developed the concept of the Frontenac Corridor, made up of roads that at one time were owned and maintained by the province and were subsequently downloaded to the Frontenac townships.

They have made representations to Ontario officials and politicians, saying they are planning on treating these roads as a single system, paid for by the local townships, but managed as a single entity for the purpose of grants.

“We are hoping that the province will treat these roads as county roads, and let us apply for grants for those roads in the way a county would while still being eligible for grants for our own roads as individual townships,” said Mark Segsworth, the public works manager for South Frontenac Township. “We don't want to change anything on the ground, only to become eligible for more funding."

To that end the public works managers went as a group to Frontenac County to ask for funding for a Frontenac Corridor roads improvement plan for Road 38 in South and Central Frontenac, Road 509 in North and Central Frontenac, Road 506 in North Frontenac, Road 96 on Wolfe Island and Road 96 on Howe Island.

That study, prepared by Wills and Associates, was presented to Central and South Frontenac Council this week, and will go to Frontenac County next week.

The study does not reveal anything earth-shattering about the conditions of the roads, according to both Mike Richardson, the public works manager of Central Frontenac, and Mark Segsworth of South Frontenac.

“This is mainly about grants,” Richardson told Central Frontenac Council on Tuesday (May 13). “To a certain extent it forces us to plan together, and it might lead to joint tenders but there is no mechanism for that at this point.”

The Wills study provides a detailed breakdown of each section of road, each bridge and each culvert in the entire system, including the cost of repair or replacement, and it prioritizes all required work in the system over the long term.

Road 38, the busiest in the system, is in relatively good shape in Central Frontenac, since it was rebuilt in 2006, but in South Frontenac it has deteriorated since it was resurfaced in 1997 and needs several million dollars of work to be able to handle the amount of traffic it carries each day.

The South Frontenac Public Works Department will be proposing the second five-year road improvement plan to the new South Frontenac Council early in 2015, and Road 38 will have a prominent role in that plan, Mark Segsworth said.

While the exercise of developing what looks on paper like a county roads plan has been completed, and there is a hope that this will help secure grants in the future, there are no plans to change the way the individual township roads departments operate in Frontenac County

“I have maintained all along that the most efficient way to manage roads is as a single tier, one department working on all the roads in their jurisdiction so there is no duplication. All of the roads, culverts, bridges, etc. are well maintained by the township departments,” said Mark Segsworth.

Segsworth was more reticent however, over the idea of a single roads department operating in one united Frontenac township, which would also be a single tier system.

“That idea is best left to the politicians,” he said.

Museum Proposal

Councillor John McDougall brought a recommendation from the Portland and South Frontenac Recreation Committees, that: “The Township of South Frontenac proceed with the necessary steps to turn the old stone school at Hartington into a museum, under the management of the Portland District and Area Heritage Society and the supervision of the facilities manager and the CAO of the Township.” The report went on to list eight ‘next steps,’ beginning with confirmation of the structural integrity of the building. Deputy Mayor Vandewal said he would support the proposal only if the museum were to represent the whole township. McDougal noted that one of the ‘next steps’ stipulated that there be discussions with other SF heritage organizations to ensure that the new Township of South Frontenac Museum reflects all four districts in its displays. There was general agreement that it would not be desirable or practical to have four separate museums in the Township. Councillor Barr spoke for the Bedford Historical Society, saying that some were in agreement with a museum at Hartington, while others were not. Stowe asked whether the stone schoolhouse was big enough for a museum, or whether an addition might be necessary.

At this point the meeting was briefly opened to the public: speaking for the members of the Portland Heritage Society, many of whom were present, the Chair said they fully intend to include the whole Township in the project. Fran Willis spoke of a group meeting several years ago to discuss a Sydenham museum, but nothing came of it. (Neither Loughborough nor Storrington has an active historical society, though the Womens’ Institute has maintained some written history in their Tweedsmuir Histories.)

Library Board representative W Kenny noted that if the Township were able to build a library similar to Sydenham’s in Verona, that would free up extra space in the neighbouring Princess Anne building for museum storage, cataloguing, etc.

Hydro One Requests Garlon Approval

Further to their presentation to Council on January 28, which was favourably received, Hydro One has asked for formal approval to use Garlon RTU as part of its vegetation management program. In their letter, Hydro One states: “Our technicians plan their work to accommodate timing, restrictions and buffers associated with sensitive species and habitat, organic farming operations, apiaries, and the concerns of local citizens.” Public Works Manager Segsworth said that Hydro One has seemed to take their vegetation control work seriously, and follow the precautions associated with the use of herbicides. Councillor Naish asked whether the Township should consider using Garlon on the roadsides. Segsworth said the Township had stopped using herbicides several years ago, with the exception of controlling two dangerous plants: wild parsnip and poison ivy. Otherwise, brush cutting and mowing has kept roadsides clear.

Frontenac Roads Corridor

“The problem is, Frontenac County is unique: because it does not recognize roads as a County responsibility, the four amalgamated Townships have been cut off from a primary source of funding from the Province.” Segsworth presented the recently completed needs study on the Frontenac Corridor (downloaded former provincial highways 506, 509, 38, 95 and 96), done by D.M. Wills Associates, to assess condition and prioritize needs along the north-south corridor. This study, done with the cooperation of the four Townships’ roads departments, will be used to support applications for roads grants, as the corridor is a regional transportation system for the geographic area of Frontenac County. The next step is to present the report to the area CAO’s and to County Council.

Sale of Municipal Land

Inverary resident Doug Amy has requested to buy a 100-acre parcel of township land (west half of lot 14, concession 9, Bedford), in order to have access to his abutting property. After a brief discussion, Council agreed they would be willing to dispose of this property: staff will provide more information on the process necessary to accomplish this.

AH brings in budget with 2.69% increase in local taxation

Addington Highlands Council approved their 2014 spending estimates and tax levy this week with little fanfare. Members of council had several sessions on the budget over the past six weeks and since there were no members of the public in attendance, Treasurer Jack Pauhl did not go into any of the details of the budget before the vote.

In dollar figures the public will pay a total of $60,000 to the township, up to $2.287 million. Taxpayers pay Addington Highlands taxes in addition to L&A County taxes (which were up by about the same amount), as well as education taxes as part of their municipal tax bill.

Because Addington Highlands saw an increase in direct provincial funding of $187,000, spending is up by about $250,000 this year.

The budget includes $50,000 to go towards the new fire hall in Northbrook. The estimated cost of the project is $1.67 million but the township does have money in reserve to put towards it. At this point, the budget estimates that the township will be taking out a loan of over $1 million once the project is completed, which will be paid back over a number of years.

The township will also be rebuilding Ruttan's Bridge this year, at a cost of $532,000 but most of the cost is covered by an infrastructure grant of $480,000. The $15,000 cost of this year's municipal election is also in the budget, whereas only $1,000 was set aside last year. In terms of equipment purchases, a grader ($325,000) for public works and a tanker ($262,000) for the fire department are the largest items.

The policing cost of $523,000 is up by $23,000 from last year, but that increase could be much greater yet next year depending on how a new OPP costing formula shakes out.

“I expect we will see a large increase next year,” said Jack Pauhl.

The preliminary proposed OPP funding formula of $369 per household would put the costs at just under $1 million for the 2,700 households in Addington Highlands, and although amendments are being proposed for that formula AH costs are still likely to go up. The permanent resident population of Addington Highlands is 2,532 so policing costs could be as high as $400 per resident if the formula remains in place.

Reeve Hogg wary of proposed hiring bylaw

Councilor Snider has proposed an amendment to the township's hiring bylaw. Currently, the bylaw says that hiring is “subject to the following restrictions: a) the individual must not supervise a relative, and b) the individual must not be supervised by a relative.”

Snider's amendment included more restrictive language. It says “The Municipality shall not hire anyone who is a relative of a full-time municipal employee ... “ Relatives are defined in the existing bylaw as immediate family (including common-law spouses) as well as in-laws, grandparents or grandchildren, nieces and nephews employees, council or township committee members.

“I think we would be open to human rights complaints if we passed this,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

“Is this something we should have a legal opinion on?” asked Councilor Helen Yanch

“At the very least,” said Hogg. “I think we are likely open to charges if it's not worded properly.”

“Can you also ask that the legal opinion is here in time to put this back before council at the next meeting?” said Snider.

“The lawyer tends to follow his own schedule, not ours,” said Hogg.

“You keep throwing up roadblocks,” said Deputy Reeve Bill Cox.

“It's not a roadblock, it's just being careful,” said Hogg.

Council approved a motion to defer the proposed change pending a legal opinion.

Health Unit wine prohibition request fails to get backing.

Dr. Ian Gemmill from Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington Public Health has written to local municipalities asking them to put a stop to sales of VQA (Vinners Quality Alliance) wines at local farmers' markets.

In December of last year, the province initiated a pilot project permitting the sales of the Ontario wines, which is set to take effect this month.

“Municipalities can prohibit the sale of VQA at any or all farmers' markets within their jurisdiction” wrote Gemmill. Saying that the checks and balances in place to ensure the safe consumption of alcohol are best accomplished by the LCBO, Gemill urges KFL&A municipalities to exercise that authority.

“I think we should do this,” said Deputy Reeve Bill Cox.

“Why?” asked Councilor Yanch, “we don't even have any farmers' markets in our township.”

Cox's proposal to prohibit the sales did not receive a seconder.

Support for Kemptville Campus

Further to Deputy Mayor Vandewal’s notice of motion, Council voted to support North Grenville’s resolution to keep the Kemptville Agricultural College campus open. Because of its importance to Eastern Ontario, local farming organizations have contributed financially over the years to this program, and hope it will continue.

Planning Report re Proposed Quarry Expansion in Portland

Planner Mills presented a detailed report explaining the relationship between an application under the Planning Act to amend the Official Plan to permit expansion of a quarry, and an application under the Aggregate Resources Act for a licence to expand a quarry. Both are necessary. The Official Plan amendment deals mainly with compatibility with surrounding land uses. The licence application requires more technical studies such as Impact Assessment (effects on fauna and flora), Archeological Assessment, Water Table Assessment and site plan. These have all been submitted.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMA&H) is the authority for final approval of any Official Plan amendment. The process is that the Municipality hold a public meeting, then forward the minutes and all comments to the MMA&H for their review. (Present stage of this process.) If the Ministry supports the application, the necessary bylaw will come to council for readings, then return to the Ministry again for final approval (or denial.) The MNR will not issue their license until Council has approved the zoning by-law amendment.

Presently, both applications are being processed: it is expected that it will take another eight to ten months to arrive at a final decision.

Council’s Recommendation re Quarry Applications

Council made a motion that; “The MNR defer any decision on quarry applications until such time that the official plan amendment and the rezoning applications have been finalized. And that the MMAH be advised that Council has serious concerns with the unfair application, on neighbouring properties, of the one-sided application of the area of influence requirements.”

Radio-communication Towers

The location, design and construction of these towers in Canada is the exclusive jurisdiction of Industry Canada, which has the consultation protocol of contacting all residents within a radius of three times the height of the tower. South Frontenac has required that a public meeting also be held to answer questions and address concerns. Although residents have no real say in the tower location, planner Mills reported that Industry Canada will often consider the public’s concerns and modify the towers’ location as long as it still meets the service area requirements.

Public Works Tenders

Council approved Kal Tires bid of $99,887 for supply and repair of the Township’s tires for 2014. Segsworth said this is the first year tires have been treated as a separate budget item, and allows the Township to benefit from their purchasing power.

Council approved the bid of Avery Weigh-Tronix for the supply and installation of a portable 60 foot truck weigh scale system at the Portland waste disposal site. This will permit a more accurate record of waste, which has until now been assessed by volume.

The 2014 tender for street sweeping and catch basin cleaning was awarded to Percy Snider.

Portland Waste Disposal Site

Segsworth reported that due to cooperation from the Quinte Conservation Authority, better understanding of the hydrology of the area, and clearance of blocked culverts on the K&P trail, there is no longer water at the foot of the Portland waste slope.

Council endorsed his recommended revised action plan to mitigate environmental impacts at the site. This plan will include; water level management, establishing surface water monitoring locations in consultation with the MOE, completion of partial cap and buffer by fall 2014, continued operational plan improvements along with the installation of weigh scales, and increased diversion from disposal.

Central Frontenac to honour Bill Snyder

Central Frontenac's meeting this week on Tuesday (March 25) started with the oath of office being taken by Phillip Smith, who is representing Hinchinbrooke ward until the election this fall.

At the tail end of the meeting Mayor Gutowski suggested that council sponsor some sort of permanent recognition for Bill Snyder, whose death last month precipitated Philip Smith's appointment to Council.

“I would like to see the township place something of lasting value at the Piccadilly cemetery, a bench or trees or something else. I was thinking of something that costs up to $500. Bill's heart and soul was in Piccadilly. He was fiercely supportive of the community. We are all proud to have known this fellow. I think it would be appropriate if the Hinchinbrooke members put a motion on the floor about this,” Gutowski said.

She then looked up to the ceiling and said “I know, Bill, that what you really want is the wrought iron fence all around the cemetery, but we can't afford that.”

Last year Bill Snyder attempted to convince Council to invest in a wrought iron fence to mark the limits of the Piccadilly cemetery but the proposal did not achieve majority support.

A motion authorising staff to investigate a memorial for Bill Snyder, in consultation with his family, was moved by Heather Fox, seconded by Philip Smith and supported unanimously by Council.

Budget increase cut to 3%

When the township received the audit and consolidated financial papers from KPMG, a lot of numbers were tossed around, but the only one that stuck in everyone's mind was the operating surplus of $380,000 for 2013.

With the township tax levy set to go up by 5%, Councilor Frances Smith suggested that some of the surplus be used to cut down on the increase.

“I am running for mayor, but aside from that I just look at the people that I know whose heating costs have gone through the roof, who have astronomical hydro bills, who are having trouble keeping their finances together. Let's give them a break, and still set aside some of the money for our own needs.”

Treasurer Michael McGovern said that after cutting the levy to ratepayers to a 3% increase, $240,000 would be left to establish a stabilization reserve.

“I agree that this is the best thing to do,” said Mayor Gutowski, who is running for re-election. “I'm comfortable we've done the best we can do with the budget. I will be voting in support of this.”

The motion was supported by Council and the budget bylaw will be brought before Council at their next meeting, on April 8.

New contract for fire dispatch – Fire Chief Bill Young brought a proposal to Council that what he called level 2 fire dispatch be contracted out to the Kingston fire department, which already provides level 1 dispatching for the township.

“Until now, Kingston would do the initial call, which we call level one, and then one of our members is assigned to report to the fire hall to take over from there.” said Bill Young.

The problem is that it is getting more and more difficult to find someone to fill that role, and there have been times when a crew member has had to be re-assigned from a fire scene to cover dispatch.

“All of our neighbouring services have already done this. Not only would it relieve us of some responsibility, it would be better for liability reasons because they are able to record every call and keep a complete record of times of calls, etc.” he said.

The cost of the new service will be phased in over four years, but at the end the cost will be over double the $10,000 or so that the township pays Kingston Fire currently for level 1 dispatch. It will phased in over five years, ending at $21,600 in 2018.

“What will happen after that?” asked Councilor John Purdon. “Will it keep going up over the next five years?”

“We haven't had a price increase until now, so I don't think it will keep going up,” Young responded.

Council approved the proposal after asking Bill Young to seek a contract with Kingston Fire Services to ensure the price will not keep going up after five years.

Frontenac Heritage Festival

Jesse Mills, who was taken on to help promote this year's Frontenac Heritage Festival and create a video record for promotion in future years, showed two videos, one he made of the whole festival and a second one devoted entirely to the Polar Bear Plunge. The festival video is being posted on the township site.

Mayor Gutowski thanked Mills for his work. She also said that while it is hard to put firm numbers to the economic impact of an event like the Heritage Festival, all the local restaurants reported they were full on the festival weekend, and the Arden Legion set a record at their fish fry.

“In addition to the good that the festival has done for our sense of community, the business community has seen a benefit as well, as have a number of charities,” she said.

Septic Re-inspection Task Force – Councilor Jeff Matson, who is chairing a task force that is looking into the possibility of a mandatory septic re-inspection program, said the task force has already met twice, and has talked to the two agencies that could take on the inspections, KFL&A Public Health and the Mississippi-Rideau Septic Inspection Office.

“This seems to be moving along much faster than I thought. We might have something to bring to council pretty soon,” Matson said.