Feature Article - May 29, 2008

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Feature Article - May 29, 2008 Central Frontenac Council -May 27/08By Jeff Green

Boomgardt site plan – A proposal to create access to Warren’s Lake near Bell Line Road in Olden for some newly created building lots has been before council on several occasions. Complicating the matter is the fact that a number of neighbours object.

At this meeting, council received reports from planner Glenn Tunnock, and Fire Chief Mark MacDonald, and agreed to bring forward a draft site plan agreement, against the objections of the two Olden councilors (John Purdon and Norm Guntensperger).

“I’m coming around to the idea that we’ve done due diligence on this. We’ve looked at this from many different angles and it seems to me that time is running out,” said Councilor Gary Smith. Council voted 6-2 in favour of asking the planner to prepare a site plan agreement.

Clow nursing home – Jennifer Clow, who is seeking a zoning amendment in order to expand the nursing home she runs on Road 38 between Godfrey and Parham, attended the council meeting, so Mayor Gutowski asked if interim CAO John DuChene could provide an update.

DuChene said that an engineer’s report has been prepared and sent to the planner and the planner has sent it back with comments and is waiting for a final report from the engineer. A water assessment report is also being prepared.

If those two reports are finalised and accepted, the zoning can go ahead. After that, building and fire permits will be required before the building project can resume.

Clow said she is in a hurry to build, “not for myself, but for the people that are waiting to move in. I already have a waiting list for rooms.”

“We should try to fast track this,” said Councilor Bob Harvey.

“”Part of the difficulty is that construction did begin before a permit was sought. I want to say for the record that we do need to follow our procedures,” said Councilor Gary Smith.

Public Works update – Public Works Manager John Simcock reported that a washout on Rock Lake Road had taken place last week, and “the team concept that has been introduced at public works worked out very well in resolving the problem. I would like to personally thank Ilio Rulli for helping out with his own equipment.”

Simcock also reported that the idea of bringing the Wagner Road garage back into service by locating the township mechanic there, is being considered. He is also recommending that the township build a salt dome at the Olden Works yard off Highway 7 near Mountain Grove.

Simcock, along with CAO DuChene, recommended hiring consultant Hans Munz to help come up with a five-year road capital improvement plan, which was accepted.

Second Lake Road – It is recommended that a box culvert be used on the washed out portion of Second Lake Road. The culvert cost $70,000 but the Quinte Conservation Authority is hoping to hear about a 50% grant by the end of the week.

“I don’t see why we should wait at all,” said Councilor John Purdon. “We need to fix it whether we get the grant or not.

“The point is well taken,” said DuChene

John Lowery donations – Councilor Philip Smith informed council that monies donated to the Lowery family on the death of John last month have been donated to the Hinchinbrooke Recreation Committee and earmarked for the building of new benches at the Parham ball field.

The township will send a letter to the Lowery family thanking them.

Feature Article - May 29, 2008

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Feature Article - May 29, 2008 North Frontenac Council-May 22/08By Jeff Green

North Frontenac Mayor Ron Maguire was participating in a rural forum in Kingston last week, so Deputy Mayor Jim Beam was called upon to chair the regular council meeting on May 22.

Big Gull Lake – At a previous meeting, council had received a delegation led by David Pattenden representing a group of island cottagers on Big Gull Lake who were seeking to establish a dock on Crown Land in order to access their cottage properties, since the existing marinas on the lake have been closed.

A group of residents on the lake, whose properties are located across the bay from the proposed docking facility, have commissioned commentary on the proposal by the firm Birchall Northey.

The 13 page report, which was sent to the Bancroft Ministry of Natural Resources office, and copied to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and the township, argues that the “draft ESR [Environmental Assessment Report] is fundamentally flawed, as it does not consider all reasonable alternatives and it does not provide adequate justification for the preferred alternatives”.

Among the alternatives that are noted in Birchhall Northey's comments are the purchase of one of the closed marinas by the island cottage owners, the use of an existing marina located a w“10-15 minute” boat ride away, or the purchase of private land on another, more secluded bay.

Birchall Northey also said that the environmental impacts of the proposal have not been adequately evaluated.

Councilor Lonnie Watkins said “I can’t see where these issues are coming from. If people do not use the local marinas themselves, they end up closing, and people need to do something to get to their island cottages. I think the people who are complaining just don't want to see a dock when they look across the bay.”

Deputy Mayor Jim Beam said “I think a lot of the onus is going to come to the ministry to respond to these people.”

“If they have some complaints, they should come to council,” said Councilor Wayne Cole.

“They can come to council if they want but they need to have a real good reason to make us try to stop this. As far as I'm concerned the advocates for this dock are just trying to get to their cottages, and they are paying for it themselves,” said Councilor Wayne Good.

Tenders, tenders, tenders

The roadside grass mowing contract was awarded for three years to Scott's snow plowing and grass cutting service at a rate of $94.50 per hour, a $5 increase over the bid from last year. They were the only bidder.

There were three bids for the gravel crushing contract, which went to the lowest bidder, Robert Young Construction of Peterborough for $40,700 including all taxes.

The winter sand contract went to Gemmill Construction, the lowest of three bidders, at a cost of $39,324 after taxes.

Pine Lake concerns – Councilor Wayne Cole expressed his ongoing concern about the proposed building at Pine Lake by the Ardoch Algonquins, particularly in so far as building permits are concerned.

In response to these concerns, council passed a motion inviting a representative from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to attend the June 12 meeting with respect to permits and taxes and other related items.

Uranium levels high on two properties – Jim Beam, the township representative to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA), informed council that of 80 wells that were tested for uranium contamination in North and Central Frontenac and Lanark Highlands, as part of a program sponsored by MVCA, two of the wells showed “extremely high rates”. An earlier set of tests showed a few wells with some uranium contamination, but only in the lower range.

Solstice gathering – On June 21, a volunteer breakfast will be held at the Clar-Mill Hall, and concurrent activities such as the skateboard park, games, face painting balloon twisting, and a BBQ at noon will also take place, with activities slated to finish by 1:30.

Harlowe Road Cleanup – A roadside cleanup of the Harlowe Road, all the way from Hwy. 41, through Harlowe, and on to the Central Frontenac border, will take place on June 14. For further information or to volunteer, contact Wayne Good, at 613-336-0158

Feature Article - May 29, 2008

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Feature Article - May 29, 2008 Addington Highlands Council

AH tax rate up 3%

Members of Addington Highlands’ Council had to go back to the budgeting drawing board at the last minute a couple of weeks ago when they realised they needed to purchase a compactor for their waste disposal sites this year, and budget for the operator to run it.

In the end the overall tax rate in the township, including the county and education rates, is up by 3%.

A residential ratepayer in Addington Highlands who owns a house that is assessed at $150,000 by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, will pay $2,103 in property tax this year.

“We did pretty well, I think, to keep the tax rate from going up too much, but waste management and other costs are mandated, so there was an increase,” said Reeve Henry Hogg about the budget.

Among other causes of the overall increase was a decision by the County of Lennox and Addington to put a 1% levy onto the county rate to support three hospitals and the Pine Meadow Nursing Home.

Jun 19/08 - NF Council

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Feature Article - June 19, 2008 North Frontenac Council - June 12/08by Jeff Green

Neighbours want to block islanders’ plan for dock on Big Gull

A delegation of Big Gull Lake residents, led by Keith Rowe and Adair Crosby, appeared before North Frontenac Council last week. They raised concerns about a proposal to build a dock for 12 island cottagers on the east end of Big Gull Lake on Crown land that is administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The islanders came to council on May 1 to request access through two small pieces of township property, and the rest of their dealings have been with the MNR.

On May 29, council received a consultant’s report from a group of land-based residents of the east end of Big Gull Lake, which challenged the assertion by the islanders that the dock proposal is the “preferred alternative” to the problem of access to the 12 cottages.

According to one of the delegates, the information that was presented to the MNR and the township by advocates of the dock, “is full of assumptions that have not been tested”. The neighbours say they are concerned about the impact 12 or more boats could have on water quality. “The issue is the concentration within the bay. We are concerned about spillage. We have to look at the future viablity of the bay,” one of them said. “There have been no studies on the bay this far to gauge the impact of what has already been done there.”

The docks are being proposed in the wake of the closing of two marinas that formerly provided docking services for the cottagers.

One of the delegates argued that two marinas on the other side of the lake, which he said “are only a 10-15 minute boat ride away” should be offered the opportunity to provide docking to the islanders. “We should not be competing with businesses that need all the help they can get,” he said. “They need the business.”

Deputy Mayor Jim Beam, sitting in for Mayor Maguire, who was attending a meeting in Ottawa, said “Council will take both sides into consideration, but truthfully most of the approvals come from the MNR, and the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. They are strict when it comes to the environmental impacts of new structures.”

Clar- Mill hall water woes: It seems that township staff have determined why the basement of the Clarendon and Miller hall at Plevna continues to have a mould problem. The mould has led the Kingston Frontenac Public Library to close the branch located in the hall until the problem is addressed.

According to a report from Recreation Coordinator Corey Klatt, when council members and staff met with members of the community for a work bee at the hall on May 1, they saw water running into the basement at several locations. The source of the water is a spring at the west side of the building. “Due to this spring along the seamy fractured rock the water is able to seep down the rock layer and under the building,” the report said.

The report goes on to say that staff is concerned that work intended to bring the library to a state where it can re-open will not succeed; the library could “still be damp and musty” because of the wet basement.

The proposed resolution includes purchasing and installing new soffits and fascia, and digging around the west side of the building, removing water and mud, and ditching to create an alternate route for the water from the spring to take. The cost of this project is to be covered by the ward 2 special park reserve fund, which has over $8,000 in it, with the balance being transferred from a township contingency fund.

Council approved the proposed course of action.

Letter re: moratorium on uranium exploration:Council received a letter from Mary Lynne Stewart Holtin and Jim Holtin asking if North Frontenac has received a response to its September 13 letter to Premier McGuinty. The letter petitioned the province to “enact a moratorium on uranium prospecting, exploration, and mining in eastern Ontario”

Township staff said that no reponse has been received. Council decided to send a second letter, along with a copy of the Holtin's letter, to the premier, asking why his response has been so slow in coming.

OMA does not get support:In a carry-over from comments by Mayor Maguire at a previous meeting, council considered whether to support the Ontario Medical Assocation, which is asking that nurses-only clinics not be supportred in the Province of Ontario. Mayor Maguire had made the comment that North Frontenac, which has no medical services offered within its borders and is served mainly by clinics in Northbrook and Sharbot Lake, “would take anything we can get,” and would not be averse to a nurses-only clinic.

Council decided not to heed a request for support from the Ontario Medical Association.

Feature Article - June 19, 2008

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Feature Article - June 19, 2008 Addington HighlandsCouncil - June 16/08by Jule Koch Brison

Tappins Bay dock

The public dock at Tappins Bay is the only access for waterbound properties on Mazinaw Lake. The dock is owned by North Frontenac Township and for years Mazinaw Lake property owners have been trying to get them to upgrade it.

Arndt Kruger of the Mazinaw Lake Property Owners Association attended Monday night’s council meeting to propose a solution to Addington Highlands Council.

He described some of the difficulties with the dock, saying, “Only two boats at most can approach it – with caution. People have had to wait for an hour or more to use it, sitting in their boats.” According to Kruger, “North Frontenac is not interested – they’d like to see it disintegrate and disappear.”

North Frontenac has proposed to the Mazinaw Lake Property Owners Association that the association buy the dock for $1, but Kruger told AH Council that was not a solution because of the difficulty of obtaining liability insurance.

He proposed that Addington Highlands lease the Tappins Bay dock from North Frontenac for $1 or $2/year, which would bring it under Addington Highlands’ insurance coverage, and the association would look after it. Kruger said that the association has already built a floating dock, which is presently sitting at Smarts Marina, that could be used to extend the Tappins Bay dock.

Deputy Reeve Helen Yanch asked if the Ministry of Natural Resources would approve the extension. Kruger replied that Mitch Closs of the MNR had told him that as long as it was not a navigational hazard they would approve it.

Council voted to look into leasing the Tappins Bay dock.

$1000 FOR AFAR: Larry Pealow of the economic development committee came to council wearing two hats. The first was for AFAR, the area’s proposed radio station, which needs $1000 to hire an engineer and register a business name. Pealow said the AFAR committee has planned fundraisers and will apply for a Trillium grant. Reeve Hogg then told Pealow that the township has probably used up its Trillium allotment for the year. “We’ll need it [the money from the township] even more then,” Pealow replied. Council agreed to AFAR’s request.

Land o’ lakes Garden Club: Pealow also asked council for $500 for the garden club, which has had 24 flower boxes built and placed them at businesses along the Hwy 41 corridor. Twenty-one for the boxes were built by NAEC students. The club will be building and planting more boxes. Council agreed to the request.

Denbigh Ambulance: At the request of the Denbigh Ambulance Committee, the township will draft a letter to the OPP, asking them to assess the significance of the Denbigh Ambulance Service.

Lion's Toll: The Land o’ Lakes Lions will be holding their annual voluntary road toll from June 26 to 28 in the village of Northbrook.

Fearnley Davies, animal control officer, notified council of an increase in the hourly rate to $15 per hour and a raise in the mileage rate to $0.47 per kilometre. Council agreed to the new hourly rate, but voted to continue paying Davies the township’s regular rate of $0.45 per kilometre

Rink Windows: At a request from the Denbigh Recreation Committee, council agreed to replace three windows in the rink building, for a cost of about $1500. The windows are made of plexiglass, and have deteriorated. The new windows will also be of plexiglass, but of a heavier gauge.

Council received for information a letter from the Lake Weslemkoon Conservation Association setting forth several issues, including garbage and recycling.

Feature Article - June 26, 2008

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Feature Article - June 26, 2008 South Frontenac CouncilBy Jeff Green

New library for Sydenham clears one hurdle

In a library capacity study prepared by the Kingston Frontenac Public Library in 2004, one of the priorities identified was an expansion of the Sydenham library from 1,800 to 5-6,000 square feet.

The library board has little control over decisions about new facilities in Frontenac County however, because while the board runs the library operations in Kingston and Frontenac County, facilities are entirely paid for by the local municipalities where the branches are located, and the municipalities can upgrade facilities or not at their own discretion.

Late last year, South Frontenac CAO Gord Burns broached the idea to council that it would be preferable if all township administrative staff were located in one building. Currently some staff are housed at the Keeley Road garage and the rest at the township office, which shares the building with the library.

If, Burns said, the library space was turned into administrative space and a new library built, as the library board would like, it would solve two problems.

Council agreed, and an architect, Ray Zabac was hired to look at potential ways of using the existing office space and adjacent lands to make a larger office and library complex.

On Ray Zabac’s recommendation, the township purchased the building west of the current office, and at a Committeee of the Whole meeting on June 25 this week, Ray Zabac presented several possible configurations of library and office space for council’s consideration as several library board members and KFPL CEO Deborah Defoe looked on from the audience.

Zabac provided several options, but there were two main categories: proposals to build onto the existing complex and maintain a multi-use building, and proposals to incorporate the existing library space into office space and build a stand-alone library on the property.

Ray Zabac said that building a stand-alone 6,000 square foot library “has lots of advantages which far outweigh the disadvantages”.

Gord Burns pointed out that the township has a “minimal amount of money in our library reserve fund. The original thought was that we were going to put an extension on the building and we do have over $1 million in our renovation fund.”

Councilor Ron Vandewal said, “It will cost $2 million, probably $2 million to build a library.”

Councilor Larry York said, “A new building is cheaper than tying buildings together. It makes a lot more sense to me to do it that way.”

“Are we planning on proceeding with this in our term?” asked Councilor Del Stowe.

“My perception is that we are going to go forward in a timely fashion,” said Mayor Gary Davison.

“If we move forward are we going to have to borrow?” asked Stowe.

“We’ll have to borrow from ourselves,” said Gord Burns.

It was proposed that an advisory committee be struck to narrow down the options and make a proposal to council within a six month time frame.

An advisory committee, consisting of four members of council, one from each district, and three members of the public, along with senior township and library staff as non-voting members, will be struck within the next few weeks. The township will advertise for public participation.

While some on council would like to see a building project proceed within the next year or two, at least one councilor would like to see the issue brought before the electorate in the 2010 municipal election.

“I thought the consensus was we would be putting the breaks on building during this term,” said Councilor John Filion.

“The advisory committee is not going to run forward; it will take some time, then council will have a decision to make. Arguably it might come in the last year and council might decide to leave it for an election issue,” said Councilor Alan Mcphail.

How long did it take to deal with Calvin Park?” asked Gord Burns, referring to the leaky-roofed library branch in Kingston that is now being rebuilt after many years of debate at Kingston City Council.

Fire agreement with Rideau Lakes maintained

In a 5-4 vote, South Frontenac Council decided not to go ahead with a controversial plan to put an end to an agreement with the Township of Rideau Lakes to provide fire service for residents of Bedford District who live near Westport.

The two Bedford District representatives to council both argued that the Burridge Fire Department, which was to take the place of the Rideau Lakes Department, is short staffed currently and cannot provide the same level of service.

Mayor Gary Davison cast the deciding vote, and he apologized to Fire Chief Rick Cheseborough, who recommended ending the agreement, even as he was voting.

Cheseborough did not speak during the debate that preceded the vote, but afterwards he said he agreed with the decision that council had taken.

Feature Article - June 26, 2008

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Feature Article - June 26, 2008 Central Frontenac Council -Jun 24/08By Jeff Green

Road capital improvement plan presented in Central Frontenac

Consultant Hans Munz, who was part of a team that did an organizational review for Central Frontenac Council earlier this year, presented a draft capital plan for the township’s roads at this week’s council meeting.

According to Munz, the key to the draft plan, which was prepared in conjunction with township staff, “is the classification of the roads. Rather than considering every road for itself, we’ve fit them into classes and set out thresholds for the condition we would like to see the roads in each class reach”.

The draft plan defines Road 38 as a Class “A” arterial road, and defines 13 roads as Class “B” collector roads. Smaller roads are defined as Class “C” and Class “C2”, and back roads are classed as “D” and “D2” roads.

“We’ve gone though the township road system and labeled each road with its most appropriate class. We then evaluated if each road lives up to the threshold established for that class,” Hans Munz said.

The two main categories for condition thresholds are “geometrics” and “ride”. “Geometrics” includes the width, hilliness and sight lines of each road, and “ride” includes the surface type and the roughness of the road.

Any road that scored 3 on any of the categories is slated for improvement, according to the road plan. The total cost to bring all of the roads up to the threshold level would be over $11 million.

“We have included three options for addressing this. The first, which we call basic, would be something the township could do within the funding that is currently spent on roads, or not too much more. It would cost over $5 million over 5 years,” said Munz.

The other two options, nicknamed “sustaining” and “improving” are costed out at $8.6 million and $13.1 million respectively over 5 years.

The draft plan includes a schedule for road improvements under each of the three options.

Public Works Manager John Simcock said, “The exciting part of this project was when we got all together and brainstormed for the reclassification of these roads. It’s astonishing how it is spread out geographically, with each area having about the same number of Class B and Class C roads. This proves you can serve all areas within the township equally. It better directs the way the roads will be done, and the best thing is you are no longer looking at one year at a time.”

Mayor Janet Gutowski said, “It is important that we communicate this plan to our public; since roads are the most expensive part of our budget we need to go to the public with this.”

“Can we go over the format of the public meeting?” asked Councilor Frances Smith. “Maybe we should get some information to the public and have the meeting later. People might just show up with grievances about their own roads otherwise.”

Council agreed. The draft Road Capital Investment Plan will be posted on the township website, and a meeting will be set for August.

Resident unhappy about road service – Archie Meeks, a resident of McLean Road (off Long Lake Road), appeared before council saying that “the last time we saw a grader was April 9.”

After making calls over several weeks to the public works department, Meeks said his wife received a call on a Friday from the public works manager, saying his road was being graded. “The grader stopped 200 yards from our place” Meeks told council.

Public Works Manager John Simcock said, “I did address your road problem. We have instituted a work order program and we are using a prioritising system.”

Mayor Gutowski said “I put over 100 kms on my car yesterday driving on the roads, including the Babcock Road. I’m very pleased with the roads department.”

“I’m glad you are, because I’m not,” said Archie Meeks.

“I’ve known Archie for years’,” said Councilor Bill Snyder, and he’s like me, he uses common sense.”

“With all due respect, Mr Snyder,” Gutowski responded, “we do not have a magic wand to deal with these things. We do have a plan, and you will have the opportunity as well to contribute in a positive way in the future.”

Construction remains strong – The longer than normal winter and talk of an economic slowdown have had minimal impact on the amount of building being planned for Central Frontenac this year. As of the end of May, 65 building permits have been issued, as compared to 54 at this point last year. The total value of construction is lower, however, at $2.46 million compared to $2.78 million in 2007. At the end of May in 2006, the total was $2.2 million.

The total number of new residential units stood at 12 at the end of May this year, compared to 17 in 2007 and 11 in 2006.

Feature Article - June 26, 2008

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Feature Article - June 26, 2008 auditor Happy With County: North Frontenac mayor Not So MuchBy Jeff GreenThe annual visit from the county auditor, Vicki Leakey from KPMG, was filled with numbers and talk about reserve reserve funds (there is such a thing), but mostly Leakey came to sing the praises of the county finance department.

“There is nothing in the audit that is of any concern to us,” Leakey said, “it was a clean audit”.

County council did not get much time to bask in the glory of their audit, however, earning the scorn of one of their own over a seemingly innocuous housekeeping resolution. The resolution was necessary for the county to receive $38,500 from a provincial fund to help finance a community consultation process as part of the development of a county-wide Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP).

Faced with a resolution “... the County of Frontenac confirms its commitment to develop a community sustainability plan which will include a sustainable community vision and sustainability targets”, North Frontenac Mayor Ron Maguire proposed an amendment which would have added the clause, “in consultation with local First Nations” after “County of Frontenac”.

Maguire, who is a retired federal bureaucrat with the Federal Indian and Northern Affairs department, and the mayor of a township that has been mired in a year-long dispute between First Nations and a uranium mining exploration company, said, “This is the kind of consultation that is necessary today; you don't come up with something and then present it for comment by First Nations after the fact.”

Mayor Janet Gutowski said, “First Nations are included in the consultation plan, they will be part of the process. I don't think they need to be part of this resolution, which is only about applying for a grant.”

“First Nations are not just another group; they are equal partners,” Maguire said.

When asked by County Chief Administrative Officer Liz Savill to comment on Maguire's amendment, Dianna Bratina, the Manager for Economic Development, said, “It would be a little too narrow to add only First Nations to the motion; it should probably say in consultation with the four constituent municipalities as well.”

The amendment was defeated, and Maguire voted against the resolution when it was passed in a 3-1 recorded vote a few minutes later.

There was no reference during the relatively short council meeting to the fact that, upon Maguire's urging, North Frontenac Council has decided to explore the feasibility of leaving Frontenac County.

Perhaps as a further sign of his disenchantment with the county and the three fellow mayors on the council, Maguire did not vote to support County Warden Jim Vanden Hoek in his quest to be appointed as a member of the Board of the Ontario Municipal Association when a motion to that effect was proposed near the end of the meeting.

The motion carried in a 3-1 vote.

Feature Article - June 5, 2008

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Feature Article - June 5, 2008 South Frontenac TownshipBy Wilma Kenny

Zoning in Harrowsmith

Stephen Bowes came before council regarding the zoning of his property on Road 38 in Harrowsmith. In 2005, a by-law had been passed at his request, which changed the property zoning from Urban Industrial to Special Urban Commercial in order to permit selling, servicing and repairs of autos. He returned in March 2007, requesting the zoning be changed again to also allow "all the other uses that were listed in the previous Urban Industrial zone." Specifically, Mr Bowes wants to do auto body work on the property, noting that for many years, the lot had housed an auto body shop. However, neither of the above-named zones mentions auto body work as a permitted use on a small lot, and township planner Lindsay Mills said that records showed the property had housed a canvas-works business since the ‘80s.

Several councillors mentioned that the township wants to encourage small business, and as long as there was no threat to neighbouring properties, indicated they would not be opposed to returning the property to its earlier use, as long as an appropriate zoning could be found. Council deferred a decision, pending further information.

Noise By-law Exemption

Council granted a four-day exemption from the noise by-law in order to permit a four-day outdoor guitar festival on a 41-acre property which runs between Sydenham Road and Loughborough Lake. They had granted a similar exemption last year, and there had been no complaints from the neighbours. Planning Coordinator Mills noted that overall, the site seemed to be able to accommodate the proposed event. This year’s festival will run July 17-20.

Parkland fees for lot additions

Council turned down a request from two Buck Lake residents, Terry Leclair and Robert Bronson, who had asked to be exempt from paying $100 each for two lot additions. These additions were the result of a property exchange to clean up existing property lines: there was no intent to alter the use of the two lots. Council agreed that there was no reason to offer an exemption: this is the set minimum fee for a property addition. The park fees exist to help maintain public recreation areas, on the general assumption that most severances lead to new residences and resulting greater demands on public land. Councillor Hahn commented that perhaps the township policy should at some time be changed, to exempt small additions to properties that had existing residences on them.

Seniors’ Month

June has been proclaimed Seniors’ month. The intent, throughout Ontario, is to recognize and celebrate seniors in our communities.

Feature Article - June 12, 2008

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Feature Article - June 12, 2008 North Frontenac CouncilBy Jeff Green

North Frontenac to explore secession from Frontenac County

Dissatisfaction with Frontenac County is almost a tradition in North Frontenac, and last week it boiled over for Mayor Ron Maguire.

“I was on the losing end of a number of resolutions at the county meeting last week [May 25]”, Maguire told council. “I'm increasingly frustrated with the attitudes of some of my colleagues, the fact that a couple of them openly admit that they don't even read the reports. It makes my blood boil that after spending a lot of time preparing, I get defeated on major things.”

The particular issues that irked Maguire at the May 25 county meeting were a report on planning that he wanted to see rejected out of hand, and an economic development report.

But, as he explained to his council, his feelings about the county have been developing over time.

“This was building while I was warden. I noted that I sensed a growing north/south divide. I told the new warden about that. By the way things have transpired last year I think my warning went unheeded. The latest meeting reinforced some of my feelings. Frontenac County was created out of four larger townships. While it may have been useful at the time, in the ensuing years a lot of problems have arisen and the county has become unworkable. I find it difficult going to county council and being outvoted on every issue that is of concern to the north.”

In particular Maguire talked about a provincially initiated rural broadband project that Frontenac County did not receive funding for (neigbhbouring Lanark County did), and Maguire said the fact that Frontenac “did not attach any financial commitment to its application meant that it was not taken seriously by the province. The upshot is there will be broadband right up to our eastern border, and it will stop there,” he said.

Other flashpoints for Maguire were the county’s refusal to support the Pine Meadow Nursing Home, and the ongoing county debate over supporting the Rural Routes Transportation service, which serves North and Central Frontenac.

All of these factors led Maguire to advocate unilateral action on the part of North Frontenac, and he told council that he had met with senior township staff and Deputy Mayor Beam to discuss the situation.

“As a first step I suggested to staff that we could perhaps do a feasibility study. We could hire a consultant and look at the prospects of going on our own and becoming a single-tier municipality. We could even look to the east and west to see if there is any support there.”

Maguire said he was not willing to proceed with this unless he received unanimous support from his council.

One by one the five other councilors in attendance (Councilor Lonnie Watkins was not at the meeting) expressed complete agreement with the mayor.

Deputy Mayor Beam said “I’ve been attending county meetings with the mayor and I agree with him. When you look at broadband, at the fact that the county ambulance service report that was supposed to be out last year has been delayed; when you look at everything, you see the county is not working for us.”

Councilor Wayne Cole said, “I would echo those comments. I'm on the transportation collaborative that the county set up to look at Rural Routes. I'm the only municipal representative that shows up.”

“I don't think we'll get to first base with the warden that we have now; I don't like him. I will certainly back you, Ron, on everything you try to do here,” said Councilor Bob Olmstead.

“I've been on council for four years and we still haven't made any headway with the county. It seems to me they are empire building. Everything we propose is an issue that gets voted out,” said Councilor Fred Perry. “I think it's time we did something about it.”

Mayor Maguire proposed a motion authorising township staff to set out the terms for a consultant who can complete a feasibility study for the establishment of North Frontenac Township as a stand-alone municipality, outside of Frontenac County.

“I think it is time to go ahead and break the tie with the county if the feasiblity study shows we can do it,” said Councilor Wayne Good.

“We have so much potential in North Frontenac, in our people and our resources. I look at us like Canada, with the haves and the have nots switching places. I can see that very well happening in this part of Ontario. Crown Land tourism could really take off and the other townships could be looking at us with green eyes,” Maguire said. “We've got a resolution on the floor.”

“Did you say resolution or revolution?” asked Councilor Perry.

In a recorded vote, the motion was unanimously adopted.