Feature Article - March 20, 2008

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Feature Article - March 20, 2008 Denbigh wind farm may become realityBy Jule Koch Brison

Since October last year, a company called Renewable Energy Systems Canada (RES) has been monitoring winds in the Denbigh area.

The company set up an 80-ft. meteorological tower on crown land about 2 kms. north of Big Yirkie Lake, and on March 17, Stephen Cookson, an engineer with RES, gave a presentation to Addington Highlands Council on the results of 6 months of data collection. Although the wind speeds aren’t at the very top of the desired range, but more in the middle, “The results are interesting enough that I’m here, and other companies are also exploring wind projects in this area,” Cookson said.

RES to date has developed and installed 55 wind farms across four continents, generating 2600 MW of energy worldwide.

According to Stephen Cookson, Ontario’s power demand will exceed supply in about eight years, and the Government of Ontario is looking to wind power to make up a substantial part of the shortfall. The government’s goal is to have 4600 MW of wind generation in Ontario by 2025 and the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) will be releasing a call for tenders in the coming months, seeking submissions before the end of the year.

Cookson said that as the prices of other energy sources have gone up and wind technology has improved, the price of wind power has become more competitive. He showed different graphs, one of which projected the cost of oil to reach $100 per barrel by 2030. “But we’re seeing that now,” he said.

RES has created a timeline to proceed with the Denbigh project. They have started environmental assessments and surveys. “We’re counting the birds and the bats - anything that could be affected by a wind turbine,” said Cookson.

If all goes as planned, the company intends to submit a bid to the OPA as early as Labour Day this year.

It would take another year to obtain project approval. Site preparation would begin in the summer of 2010 and construction would be completed in 2011.

Reeve Henry Hogg asked Stephen Cookson if RES was aware that the crown land they’re looking at lies within the Algonquin Land Claim. Cookson replied yes; he said that the company has been working with the Algonquin Negotiation Representatives (ANR) for a year, and expects to be signing a Memorandum of Understanding with them shortly.

The farm would have between 60 and 80 turbines and would generate enough electricity for 30,000 homes. Access roads and power lines would also have to be built.

Cookson stressed that wind power is clean, renewable and creates no greenhouse gases. It reduces dependence on foreign supplies of oil and gas, as well as providing high-skilled jobs for the community. The project would cost $240 million and RES projects that up to 200 people would be employed during the construction phase. “About 30% of that $240 million would go into the community in providing jobs and opportunities for local suppliers and contractors,” said Cookson. “And that’s not counting the economic spin-offs like increased business for motels and stores.”

During the farm’s 20-year operational phase there would be work for 10 – 12 full-time employees as well as road maintenance and snow plowing contractors.

Cookson also mentioned that the farm could generate considerable tax revenue for the township, as MPAC assesses each turbine at between $3000 to $4000 per year. However, Reeve Hogg said the township might not see that much revenue as the farm would be on crown land.

Cookson referred to one possible impact of wind power – the visibility of the turbines. “In Ontario wind speed is a function of elevation, so we have to use the ridges,” he said.

After 20 to 25 years, the turbines cease to operate economically. At the end of that time the company could decommission the project by removing the turbines and restoring the land to its original condition, or they could re-power the site by installing new technology, something that Stephen Cookson says is being done more frequently now.

One member of the audience asked Cookson if the company had found any private land that would be suitable for wind farms. He replied yes, but that the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has opened the window for wind development on crown land so that’s what they are exploring.

Stephen Cookson said RES would keep council apprised of new developments as they happen.

Two of the other companies that have also been interested in wind development in the Denbigh area are Vector Wind Energy and Conestoga Rovers, who approached council with a proposal in February 2006.

Feature Article - March 20, 2008

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Feature Article - March 20, 2008 North Frontenac Council –Mar 13/08by Jeff Green

North Frontenac has time left at waste sites

Guy Laporte from the engineering firm Totten, Sims, Hubiki (TSH) brought reasonably good news about waste disposal to a meeting of North Frontenac Council last week. (March 13)

The five waste sites that remain open in the township (Ardoch, Kashwakamak, Mississippi Station, Plevna, and Road 506) will all be able to accept waste for at least 10 more years, and based on current estimates, the township has 20 years of cumulative life left in its dumps, up from 15 years when TSH first estimated the cumulative life back in 2002.

Laporte credited improvements in recycling as well as improved operations, along with a tendency of TSH to be conservative in its assessment as reasons for the improved picture.

“When I say 20 years, that's easily 30 years if we keep going in the way we've been going,” Guy Laporte told council.

North Frontenac could look to some of its neighbours as it considers how to maximize the life of its dump sites. Lanark Highlands, another client of TSH, will be temporarily turning all of its sites but one into transfer stations, and concentrating all dumping at a single site.

“In this way they can purchase one good compactor and concentrate on getting maximum use from each site. When one site is full, they will then move to another site and proceed in this fashion,” Laporte said.

Another option would be the one that South Frontenac has taken, commissioning a waste master plan by TSH.

“How much does a master plan cost?” asked North Frontenac Chief Administrative Officer Cheryl Robson.

“The South Frontenac master plan is $20,000. Mind you, they chose not to do public consultation as part of theirs, but that's the ballpark range,” Laporte replied.

Based on current estimates, the 506 dump has 17 years of dump life left; the Ardoch dump has 24 years, the Kashwakamak dump has 10, the Mississippi Station dump has 29, and the Plevna dump has 10 years.

Guy Laporte also updated council on ongoing environmental monitoring that is required at all waste sites, and the post-site closure activities and monitoring at the Ompah, Cloyne, and Fernleigh sites.

An application to operate Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Stations at the 506, Mississippi Station and Plevna sites has been submitted to the Ministry of the Environment and it is anticipated approval will be received to initiate the service in 2008.

Hall troubles – A report by a township task force on the future of the township’s community halls was discussed at length at a special budget meeting on February 28.

The report called for a standardised rental agreement for all halls so they can be centrally administered, and included other recommendations about the operation of the halls.

In the minutes from that meeting, Mayor Maguire is noted as stating that he expected “something more” from the task force report. “The report cites maintenance work needed at each hall ... however the long term picture is not included and I have been telling people at council and the county that the task force is looking at a long-term plan,” he is recorded as saying.

Major questions regarding the future of the beleaguered Clar/Mill hall, which has been vacated by the public library because of a mould problem, the future of the Ompah hall and fire station which has its own deficiencies, and a lack of space at the township office, remain as issues that council needs to deal with. As well, a lingering question about whether the township can maintain five small community halls in the long term has not been settled.

With all of these issues remaining outstanding, council decided to put money into the 2008 budget for the Clar/Mill and Ompah halls, to ensure that all health and safety issues are dealt with.

NF joins CF on ICSP – North Frontenac Council received notification that the Council of Central Frontenac is urging the County of Frontenac to put a halt to approving the framework for a county-wide integrated community sustainability plan (ICSP) which is slated to set up a points system whereby $2 million worth of federal gas tax funding will be doled out in the County over the next 3 years.

Citing a lack of consultation at the township level, North Frontenac passed a motion endorsing the motion Central Frontenac Council approved at their meeting earlier in the week.

The ICSP framework is slated to come before the Frontenac County agenda at the monthly meeting this week.

Rural Routes funding request denied – The Rural Routes Transportation Service has received funding from Frontenac County this year. They are receiving $20,000, and the county set an additional $20,000 aside pending the development of a county-wide transportation system.

This has left rural Routes with a shortfall and they have therefore sent a request for supplemental funding to North, Central and South Frontenac townships. In the case of North Frontenac, the request was for $7,000.

At the county level, Mayor Maguire has been a staunch supporter of Rural Routes, but he did not favour a direct financial contribution from the township.

“I guess before we get involved in what I properly think is county business, we should think twice. The county is on the hook for that second $20,000 and until that issue is resolved I don’t want the county to say '”Well. it's your property, you are obviously funding it,” Maguire said.

“I agree”, said Councilor Fred Perry, ”if we support this we are letting the county off the hook.”

Rural Routes has requested $15,000 from Central Frontenac, and $4,000 from South Frontenac. A table that was included with the request to North Frontenac presented information about Rural Routes services in 2007. There were 4354 trips provided by the service, covering almost 260,000 kilometres, and 6,777 volunteer hours. Of those trips, 247 originated in North Frontenac, 2890 in Central Frontenac, and 180 in South Frontenac.

Feature Article - April 10, 2008

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Feature Article -April 10, 2008 South Frontenac looks at $1.5 million, 3 year upgrade to works yardsby Jeff Green

The five works yards in South Frontenac are all being looked at in terms of salt containment and other environmental factors, and they could cost up to $1.5 million to clean up.

A preliminary engineering report was presented to council this week about the five yards, with the yard at Keeley Road in Loughborough District being the most urgent because of the potential environmental impacts of salt and oil run-off.

A proposed solution, which involves paving, ditching, and building a containment pond for salt water, would cost $216,000. A new salt barn, at a cost of $286,000, was also included in the plan, but it is still unclear if building the large salt barn might mitigate the need for such a large pond, and Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth will bring a final plan back to council in a few weeks.

There is $500,000 in the 2008 budget, taken from federal gas tax rebate money, for remediation at the Keeley Road site.

Costs for proposed improvements at the other sites are $116,500 for work at the Hartington Yard, $87,768 for the Storrington Yard, $18,306 for the Piccadilly Yard, and $31,312 at the Bedford Yard.

Costs for replacing salt domes will be in addition to these prices.

The township will also be keeping track of its salt usage next winter with a view towards managing salt better, and perhaps considering alternate technologies, such as salt brine or even calcium carbonate.

“When we just about ran out of salt this winter, we found we could get by without using salt on the back roads, so it’s worth looking at everything we do,” said Mark Segsworth.

Letters - April 10, 2008

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Letters - April 10, 2008 Letters: April 10

Unrest in North Frontenac Township, Rose Bolivin

Maritimer Feels at Home, Kim Perry

Vote No to Composting Facility, Georgia Ferrel

Thank you for Giving, Colleen Fairholme, Canadian Blood Services

Unrest in North Frontenac Township

Could it be that there is a feeling of unrest and rebelliousness amongst the citizens of North Frontenac township? Are we questioning the concern, action and leadership of the mayor and council regarding issues of obvious importance to their constituents? If you have read the “News” over the last several weeks, it becomes apparent that our citizens are not happy. Aside from the provocative letters, the only news from council was a “Rosy report on septic reinspections” and notice that the township budget will increase by 8.93%.

A perception exists that council is more interested in peace and harmony with their colleagues in upper echelons of government and big business than the menial operation of the township it was elected to manage.

Mayor Maguire continually blames higher levels of government for township problems. Whatever happens is the fault of the library board, the county, the provincial or the federal governments. At the same time he advocates a silent “don’t rock the boat “attitude towards those same agencies. Instead of firm direct action, we hear one of “I’m hoping something might happen next year; let’s wait and see. Don’t get them mad, let’s not irritate them, or let’s wait until they advise us.” While we wait, other township mayors are building fire halls, expanding libraries, fixing roads and bridges, and even demanding a moratorium on uranium exploration.

Although “Letters to the Editor” is an effective means of this sort of venting, they are not the forum to discuss all the issues. Waiting until the next election is not an option. Mayors who would like to have public input into their municipal management sometimes hold “Town Hall” information sessions. This get-together allows constituents to meet with their council reps and discuss openly just how well things are going, what the issues are and what can be expected of council during their remaining term of office. If Mayor Maguire is willing to hold such a meeting, it would be well attended. If council’s constituents think they are doing a good job, it would be a short friendly update, a cup of tea and an adjournment. If there is any real or perceived unrest or rebelliousness amongst attendees, I could only guarantee a much longer meeting.

Rose Boivin

Maritimer Feels at Home

Born and raised in the Maritimes, I, along with my view of the world, was shaped by the friendliness of the people, the beauty of the countryside and the Maritime culture in general. I am a true, proud Maritimer who never thought, in a million years, I would ever call any other place “home”. I have now lived a dozen years in Frontenac County, the first few years in Sharbot Lake and the remainder in Harrowsmith. For the first few years, I traveled to Kingston to work and in the later years, I found my true calling in Verona.

I am overwhelmed by the passion and commitment shown by the residents and governments of Frontenac County. As I read the Frontenac News, my thoughts are reaffirmed. I am constantly amazed at what our community has to offer.

On March 28, our family’s weekend began at Trinity United Church where my husband and I and three of our children were served dinner by a dedicated group of volunteers. The children curled up in blankets, ate popcorn and watched a movie for an affordable $5, courtesy in part of Central Frontenac Community Services. It was great to spend time with people we know while our children enjoyed a healthy, safe environment with other families. On the way home, our five-year-old daughter told us “That was the best night ever.” The weekend was just beginning. On Saturday morning, I sneaked away to the Frontenac Farmers Market at the Verona Lions Hall while my husband stayed home to feed the cows. At the hall, the children were greeted with costumes and fanfare from the pirates. Over 20 other children enjoyed the fun for over two hours. We ate wholesome homemade food and toured the hall’s new kitchen facilities. Later that evening, after a massive community effort to find us a babysitter, we partook in the Lions’ Pirate Theme Night, an evening of song, dance, extravagant entertainment and a great meal. This year, I noticed an increase in number of newcomers among the crowd. One seasonal resident I spoke with noted “There is something very special happening in Verona, and it is not going unnoticed by Kingstonians.” Sunday morning brought all five of us to the sugar bush where we enjoyed pancakes, covered wagon rides and the great outdoors, and all in time for me to be back to work in Verona by noon.

There is so much to see and do right in our own back yards. Our community should be so very proud of what it has to offer. It is humbling to see and read about the efforts of our neighbours. While good results are satisfying to those who work hard, there is no limit to the personal sacrifices that have been made in the name of community. The list goes on: doctor recruitment efforts, the organization of recreational and cultural events, encouragement of new business, education of our children, welfare of our seniors, assistance to those less fortunate, the promotion of active, healthy living and the protection of our environment.

It is not the years that have made me call this place home, it is the people.

Kim Perry

Vote No to Composting Facility

I live just off Westport Road on Thirteen Island Lake Road, although I am a way in from Westport Road. Nonetheless, I am writing to protest the waste system that Shea is proposing.

It is unfortunate that the most vocal protests are coming from South Frontenac, although the border between Central and South Frontenac runs right along Westport Road, right where this waste dump is proposed, and the residents most affected are in South Frontenac, although it is Central Frontenac which will make the decision.

The company insists that there will be no problem with thisin place receiving waste including organic, i.e. meat waste, from who knows where if Central Frontenac council says okay to the zoning change requested.

I am not normally inclined to write letters of political protest because they usually don't do any good. However, I am sending this letter to the newspaper in hopes that Central Frontenac council members, particularly those for this area - Bill Snyder for one - will find it in their power to say “No” to the zoning change and “No” to this waste system being proposed.

It behooves each one of us to deal with our own consumption waste and not dump it on other areas because we don't want it in our back yard. Well, we don't want it in our back yard either, and there is plenty of evidence that it is not clean and will smell etc. in the hot weather,so please, folks on Central Frontenac council - VOTE “NO” TO THE ZONING CHANGE.

Georgia Ferrell

Thank You for Giving

To the residents of Sharbot Lake and area

Thank you to the Sharbot Lake community for attending the blood donor clinic on April 7 at St James Major Church.

Canadian Blood Services would like to thank all returning and new donors for helping to make Monday’s clinic in Sharbot Lake a success. We were delighted to have collected 33 units of blood; 103% of our goal.

Each donation can help save or improve up to three lives. Therefore, 99 lives will be saved thanks to the generosity of the residents of Sharbot Lake and area. You are true everyday heroes. Every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. It is wonderful to know that by the time you read this, most of the blood collected will have already been shipped to hospitals to help cancer and leukemia patients, victims of car accidents and many others needing life saving surgeries.

As well, we wish to extend our thanks to the Sharbot Lake Lions Club volunteers who always do an excellent job. Hosting such a successful clinic would not be possible without your help. We also want to thank the local businesses, media and organizations that gave us their generous support.

The need for blood is ongoing and we are always looking for donors. Please join us for the next Sharbot Lake Community Blood Donor Clinic on Monday, July 14 from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm at St James Major Church. For eligibility information or to book an appointment, please contact Canadian Blood Services at 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236-6283)

Colleen Fairholme, Coordinator, Canadian Blood Services

Feature Article - April 10, 2008

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Feature Article -April 10, 2008 Addington Highlands Councilby Jeff Green

Tyendinaga occupation yields increased police presence in AH

Addington Highlands Council received a bi-monthly report on policing services at a council meeting this past Monday, April 7, and it was reported that crime levels for January and February in the township were very low.

Becaue of the ongoing occupation at the Tyendinaga Reserve, the OPP Napanee detachment is on a 24-hour alert situation, meaning that regardless of illness or any other factor, 10 officers must be available in the detachment at all times. This has led to increased policing throughout the county, even on the north end.

There were no assaults or sexual assault charges laid in the township during that time frame, but there were 110 driving offence notices issued in January and February.

Denbigh Ambulance – Roy Berndt from the Denbigh Ambulance Committee assured council that the committee intends to “use diplomacy in working toward our goals, but we have to be strong enough to keep the base where it is”. A large delegation will be attending Lennox and Addington County Council this week in Napanee.

“We will be asking for a copy of the study before the report is acted upon” Berndt said, “Our main purpose is to be helpful.

“We appreciate that,” said Deputy Mayor Helen Yanch.

Cross Road – Lea Dowling appeared with Norene Traynor to once again talk about the Cross Road passageway issue, which seems to be headed to court.

“I don’t think there is much more we can do,” said Reeve Henry Hogg, “short of expropriation.”

“Have you done that?” asked Dowling.

“We tried to buy it, that’s all,” said Henry Hogg.

Public works – The township is joining a county-wide purchasing group for two years’ supply of salt.

An environmental assessment is underway for the Flinton Bridge, and Reeve Hogg said the township is still trying to find out what rules they must follow in spending almost $500,000 in new money from the province.

“We have a total of 15 bridges that either need repair or need replacing,” said Public Works Manager Rpyce Rosenblath.

“We need to be very cautious with our expenditures,” said Henry Hogg.

Feature Article - April 17, 2008

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Feature Article -April 17, 2008 Central Frontenac Budget to include marginal rate increaseBy Jeff Green

Central Frontenac Council had two objectives in budgeting this year: keeping tax increases to the rate of inflation and improving the safety of roads in the township.

With help from a $1.5 million road and bridges grant from the province, and some pruning of the budget by staff, they have succeeded.

The tax rate for services delivered by the township will rise by 2.1% in 2008, and when the education and county rates are factored, the increase that Central Frontenac ratepayers will see is a mere 0.5%.

Central Frontenac ratepayers remain the highest taxed in Frontenac County, however. Taxes on a home with an assessed value of $150,000 will be $2,100 in Central Frontenac this year, up from $2089 in 2007.

“I’m glad that staff managed to bring the increase down to the rate of inflation,” said Councilor Gary Smith when the amended budget was presented to council on April 9. Smith was one of the councilors who had been pushing for low taxes.

New road work was included in the budget, mainly because of the one-time provincial funding that came out of the Ontario budget in late March, and with the budgeting work out of the way, council began to focus on how to best to proceed with road work.

In the absence of a public works manager, a position that interim Chief Administrative Officer John Duchene said would be filled within a week or two, the township leaned on advice from the team of consultants Bryon Dawn and Steve Reynolds when considering which projects to undertake.

There was broad agreement that a paving program for Road 509 and the Ardoch Road, at a total estimated cost of $311,000 should be undertaken.

Health and safety improvements to take out curves and flatten hills on Shibley Road ($325,000), Fall River Road ($100,000), Zealand Road ($109,000), Tryon Road ($128,000), and Elm Tree Road ($96,500) were also accepted, but a plan to pave the Shibley, Zealand and Fall River roads, at a total estimated cost of $750,000, was not as well received.

Councilor Philip Smith said “You are talking about spending $1.5 million in one small area of the of the township. I think we should cut down on the paving”.

The $750,000 cost of paving three roads in Oso district made even Oso Councilor Frances Smith take pause.

“I feel pretty greedy to see all this money go to three jobs,” she said, “If we can fix these roads and do some ditching, that would be enough.”

“We should hear more from staff,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski, “A study from 1987 says that if surface treatment [paving] lasts three years, you are ahead of the game because you don’t need to grade or gravel surface treated roads.”

“I’m with the other two councilors as far as safety issues, absolutely,” said Norm Guntensperger, “but the surface treatment, that’s a little extreme. We are getting a new road boss and we should let the new boss set his or her priorities. I’m personally more concerned about the basic upkeep of roads, like the Bell Line Road, for example”.

“I think we are talking about reallocating the surface treatment money,” said Mayor Gutowski.

“So we go ahead with the five safety projects and the pavement preservation plan on 509 and Ardoch Road,” said CAO John Duchene.

$750,000 will be left in a roads and bridges reserve fund for future projects.

Central Frontenac to fund Rural Routes

Council will provide $15,000 in one-time funding to the Rural Routes Transportation Service in 2008.

A three-member team from Rural Routes, including Jane Drew, Rural Routes Manager; Scott Black, Director of Adult Serices for Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS), which is Rural Routes’ parent agency; and Jim Scott, NFCS board chair, appeared before council this week to make the request.

“We're in a position that if we get the funding we are asking for we are able to continue until the end of this year,” said Scott Black.

Rural Routes provides dispatch service for rides that are provided by volunteer drivers. The drivers receive mileage payments and are paid either by the person getting the ride, or by provincial or federal agencies that support them to get to a host of medically necessary appointments, children's services, and other locations. While Rural Routes charges a premium over mileage costs for administration, it does not cover the entire cost of dispatch.

For two years, Rural Routes has sought funding from Frontenac County, and received $36,000 in 2007, and $20,000 in 2008. A broader-based transportation initiative is being looked at by the county, and Rural Routes is participating in that ongoing process.

“Most of you know how I feel about this,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski. “I feel it is a county-wide issue and it is on that table. The county has facilitated a number of meetings. I'm comfortable that the county is moving forward, but what form it is going to take we don't know yet.”

“My thoughts are that we've got something that's working well, why not use it as model? I just think it is a matter of dollars and the county should be there,” said Councilor Frances Smith.

A request by Rural Routes to North Frontenac Township for $7,000 was rejected last month.

“We don't want to take the county off the hook,” said North Frontenac Mayor Ron Maguire at the time. “They should be supporting this.”

“Central Frontenac is the core of our service; 60% of our rides originate here,” Scott Black told Central Frontenac Council this week, “I'd like to think that in spite of what other councils do you guys can think for yourselves. I ask you to really consider this. Don't turn us into a poltical football. Because you are promoting this with other jurisductions, don't turn your backs on this well-run program.”

“I tend to agree,” said Councilor Norman Guntensperger. “Often times you hear about the end of the rural lifestyle. I suggest the peple you are serving are the neediest in our community. It would be a shame to lose this; the needy in our community would suffer.”

“If Central Frontenac does not take the lead, no one else will look at this,” said Councilor Bill Snyder. “I support a one-time grant of $15,000”.

There was one dissenting voice on council, that of Councilor Bob Harvey.

“I don't see that a municipal dollar should be paying for this. It is another matter of downloading as far as I'm concerned.”

A resolution granting $15,000 was approved.

Feature Article - April 24, 2008

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Feature Article -April 24, 2008 Composting plan faces oppositionBy Jeff Green

A proposal to alter the zoning of a property on the Westport Road was the subject of a well-orchestrated show of opposition at a Central Frontenac Township public meeting in Sharbot Lake on Monday night.

The property is owned by Casey Shea (left), who runs Earthworx, a landscaping company that operates a sand pit and distribution and screening location for topsoil, gravel, and finished compost there. The zoning of the site allows for a composting operation to be operated there, but Earthworx is seeking to amend the zoning in order to permit the composting of what are called “separated organics” as well as the yard waste, that the current zoning permits, and is also asking that material from outside of Central Frontenac be allowed to be transported to the site for composting, which is not currently permitted.

Earthworx has never applied for a Certificate of Approval from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MoE) to establish composting at the site, but if they receive zoning approval they intend to go through that process. They plan to answer a recently released request for proposal from the City of Kingston to receive organic waste and truck it to their Godfrey site for composting.

Earthworx currently manages two composting sites for yard waste for the City of Kingston.

Glenna Asselstine was the first to address council. She raised a number of concerns. The first was about the possibility of materials such as animal carcasses, human feces and medical waste finding their way into the composting facility.

“There are other potential problems,” she said, “such as odor caused by excess moisture, an ammonia odor, pollution of the water and ground, buffering between the site and surface, fire or spontaneous combustion, sparked from over-heated machinery, and more.”

She also claimed that there is “material on the site now that is from the City of Kingston. What that means is that he [Casey Shea] has violated the current bylaw.”

Del Stowe, a councilor from the Bedford District of South Frontenac, where a lot of the people who live closest to the border hugging the site reside, also addressed council.

“When this proposal first came to our township, my first impression was that this was going to be a very good opportunity. We didn’t say much and we gave them our blessing,” Stowe said. “But then people came to my door and informed me of their concerns, leading me to realise that I dropped the ball on this. This operation is suited to places that are farther away from dwellings. I’m asking you to give serious consideration to this.

“Take some time, remembering that the residents were here first. Please do not take this lightly. Let’s go green green; let’s not go green red.”

Richard Zelisnak appeared on behalf of the Stinson family. He talked about his own experiences in Thorold, where a composting and waste disposal site are located in the vicinity of a large subdivision. He talked about odor.

“Unless they can control it, the smell is atrocious,” he said. I’m not pleased with what the ministry does, they don’t protect the people who are affected. Why should local people pay the price for a commercial enterprise that has no interest in the community?”

Mike Coulter, who has owned a school bus for 25 years, said that because of the increased traffic, the “potential for a catastrophic accident is greatly increased if this goes through. This isn’t shock tactics, this isn’t fear mongering; this is a cold hard fact. I beg council to turn this down.”

Finally Ed Kennedy from the Frontenac Landowners Association said that people’s “right to use or enjoy property might be affected by this, and the landowners will stand with the people affected.

“Make your decision,” he told council, “No threats, but whatever you decide, you will each be held personally accountable.”

Casey Shea then addressed council and the 100 plus people who had given each of the earlier speakers rousing ovations.

“A lot of the concerns you have brought up are relevant,” he said, “and I want to set the record straight. The first step in this is the zoning amendment. The second is the MoE, who have stringent requirements before granting approvals.”

He also said, “There would be purely organic material and leaf and yard waste, no medical waste, or human feces.”

Concerns about odor are also legitimate, he said, “and the main process for alleviating odor concerns is through process and procedures. Again, the MoE is very vigilant when it comes to procedures.”

Shea proposed setting up a public liaison committee to consider all of the issues that were being raised at the meeting and could come up as the process moves forward, but got little response from the audience.

Members of Central Frontenac Council had little to say.

Councilor Norm Guntensperger asked Casey Shea if he was currently bringing in material for composting from Kingston to the site, and Shea said he was not.

Council passed a motion asking their planning consultant Glenn Tunnock to prepare a report on the zoning amendment request, taking into account the public comment.

When contacted by phone the next day, Casey Shea seemed undaunted by the opposition he had encountered. “I don’t have anything negative to say about the community concerns. Glenna Asselstine, for example, made very good points. We are finally getting down to the issues, and I am more than willing to address all the issues, but the big thing in all of this is trust. At the end of the day, when you take away all of the drama, you find some concerns that can be addressed.”

He reiterated that Earthworx is “not in the garbage business; we are in the landscaping business” in reference to allegations that items have been dumped at the site on the Westport Road. “When the snow recedes, you have some litter in the ditch and on the site, but this happens everywhere and we have cleaned it up.”

He also talked about the kinds of approvals he would need from the MoE before opening up a composting site. One is an approval for the operation of a composting facility, another is a certificate for air. “If an odour is exhausted from the site we would be liable for a fine of up to $100,000 per day,” he said.

A third approval would be needed for storm water management to address issues such as leachate.

“This is a great news story or Central Frontenac,” he said. “This is being designed as a regional facility, and we are not reinventing the wheel here, these kinds of operations are fairly well established. There are some fears and concerns from my community and they are addressable and can be managed without risk.

“I’m not going to get rich here. I’m a simple dirt farmer.”

Feature Article - April 24, 2008

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Feature Article -April 24, 2008 Addington Highlands CouncilApr 21/08By Jule Koch BrisonProposed subdivision has problems

Although builder Bruce Kellar was not on the agenda of the Denbigh council meeting, he was in the audience, and Reeve Henry Hogg invited him to speak to council about a subdivision he is proposing to build north of Cloyne, off the Skootamatta Lake Road.

Kellar is seeking an answer from council on whether they will approve the first phase of the development, in which three new lots would be created.

Kellar showed the councilors his severance application and said, “Before I spend another $3000 I need to know that phase one will be approved... I know you have rules, but you’re the people that can change the rules.”

Two of the lots have access by a private road, the status of which would have to be “clarified”, according to Reeve Henry Hogg. But one lot does not have road access.

Township Clerk Jack Pauhl said, “Parcel B does not front on a maintained road and doesn’t fit into the Official Plan.”

Kellar said that there is an unopened road allowance that would allow access into Parcel B.

“Parcel B can’t be created; a road allowance is not a road. Until it is assumed by bylaw it does not become a public road,” said Pauhl, adding that approval would also have to be obtained from North Frontenac Township as the unopened road allowance is on the boundary between Frontenac County and Lennox & Addington.

“Whose responsibility will it be to bring the roads up to standard?” asked Henry Hogg, adding, “I don’t want another Cross Road”, in reference to a contentious dispute in which a landowner closed a road.

“Road access is the developer’s responsibility,” said Pauhl, and asked Kellar if he had spoken to a planner. Kellar replied, “I’m not going to retain a planner until I know that phase one can go ahead. I approached this as a partnership with the municipality; I’m looking to do economic development for the township and the municipality would collect the taxes.”

Reeve Hogg replied, “I don’t believe residential taxes are a windfall for the township.”

Deputy Mayor Helen Yanch suggested that council discuss the proposal further before giving a reply. Kellar then asked for a time frame, saying it had been almost a year since he first approached council with the proposal.

Hogg assured him that council would get back to him by Monday the 28th.

Hogg later said that council would “try to work something out” with Bruce Kellar.

Council approved a cost of $2150 to drill four wells, three at the Vennachar site and one at Denbigh, for environmental monitoring.

Council has received a quote for Electronic Waste Diversion from Computer Recycling Inc., Ottawa. The cost of recycling is $0.54 per lb. for peripherals and electronics. Computer towers are free. Trucking costs $400 for a 4-ton load. The company estimates that a municipality with 6000 residents spends $20,000 on E-waste recycling and trucking.Jack Pauhl prepared a report for council, suggesting that tipping fees could be charged to offset the costs, and also that AH could do the trucking themselves, as no MOE permit is required to transport E-Waste.

Deputy Mayor Yanch pointed out that the township pays for recycling anyway, and this would divert a lot of material from the waste stream.

Council agreed to discuss the matter further at budget time.

Feature Article - April 24, 2008

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Feature Article -April 24, 2008 Central Frontenac Official Plan to receive the nod from province.By Jeff GreenIt’s been over two years since Central Frontenac Council began a review of their Official Plan, and 18 months since council sent in their amended Official Plan to the province for approval.

Since then Laurie Miller, a planner with the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, has made several trips to Central Frontenac, each time with suggestions from the ministry about changes they would like to see.

Laurie Miller again appeared before council at a special planning meeting this week to talk about a few wording changes in the document.

The final issue that came up for debate had to do with council’s desire to allow for certain kinds of ancillary structures, such as gazebos, to be constructed less than 30 metres from the shoreline on existing lots, under certain conditions.

Miller said the ministry would acquiesce, but proposed that sheds not be permitted less than 30 metres from the shore.

“The reason is that sheds could contain toxic substances, such as gasoline and solvents, which we would not like to see stored that close to the water,” she said.

Council agreed, and ministry approval for the document should be forthcoming.

In a reflection of the advances made by the Algonquin Land Claims process in recent years, the Ministry sought comment on the Official Plan from Robert Potts, Principal Negotiator to the Algonquin Land Claim.

Potts’ letter of reply expressed wholehearted approval of the plan.

The Shabot Obaadjiwaan First Nation is a party to the Algonquin Land Claim. The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, which also has a significant number of members in Central Frontenac, is not.

Feature Article - May 1, 2008

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Feature Article - May 1, 2008 Central Frontenac CouncilBy Jeff Green

Central Frontenac will not reimburse resident for OMB hearing costs

David Daski appeared before Central Frontenac Council this week to request that the township help cover the costs he has incurred challenging one of their decisions at the Ontario Municipal Board.

Daski is opposed to the establishment of a portable concrete facility by Thousand Island Concrete on a lot on Hwy. 7 that is located 1.7 kilometres from his own property. He plans to develop a tourist resort.

He launched a challenge against a bylaw the township passed approving the concrete facility back in the fall, and because the township recently repealed that bylaw and replaced it with a new one, which he is also challenging, he feels the township should reimburse him the $4,000 he has spent challenging the original bylaw.

“The township should not have passed the first bylaw. It was done because of a staff error, but it leaves me out $4,000 and facing more costs to deal with the new bylaw.

“Do you think my wife and I should bear the cost of the OMB hearing when it came out because of miscommunication by council? I see what the strategy is; you wait for a young family to go broke, and then you can do what you want.” Daski said.

Mayor Janet Gutowski then said, “I took a drive from Kaladar to Mountain Grove last week, and along that stretch I saw a closed restaurant, Mitchell’s Auto Sales, an abandoned restaurant, and the Trillium Motel, which has an auction sign. It’s been a challenge. Past the Thousand Island site, I drove 1.7 kilometres and came to your property. On the east side of your site is Gibbs Gas. There is nothing that is really flourishing in the vicinity, and our public works yard and major waste site are 3 km from your property. I look at the planning and I don’t find that the concrete plant conflicts with the existing use.

“The costs you have incurred taking this to the OMB are your choices. You are saying we need to take responsibility for our staff. We do sir, whether they are pushing a plough or making expensive engineering decisions. We are accountable, every four years.”

Council voted to receive Mr. Daski’s submission for information purposes.

Budget approved – Council formally approved their 2008 budget, with a tax rate of $1,400 for every $100,000 of assessment, a marginal increase over 2007.

New building permit fees – Chief Building Official Ian Trickett presented proposed new fees for building in Central Frontenac. “The object of the exercise is to keep the building department revenue neutral. If fees cover all costs, including administrative costs, the taxpayers are not subsidising the builders.”

Trickett’s proposals, which will be posted and advertised prior to returning to council to seek approval, include an increase in the permit fees for new houses to $12 per $1,000 of estimated construction costs from the current $8. The cost of commercial construction is slated at $10 per $1,000 in construction costs, and there are flat fees for various other activities.

Household hazardous waste day – Mark July 26 on your calendars. On that day, at the Hinchinbrooke public works yard will accept household hazardous waste (paint cans, batteries, solvents, etc.) free of charge.

Public works manager - John Simcott has been hired as public works manager, a job that has been vacant for 15 months. He will start work next week.