North Frontenac to start paying for Norcan Lake roads, in 2021

Craig Bakay | Nov 27, 2019

After emerging from a closed session in which one of the listed items was “advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege . . . more specifically an update with respect to road maintenance,” Council rose and reported to pass the following resolution:

“Based on financial impact and potential other requests, Council denies the request for a grant for Norcan Lake Lane winter maintenance services in 2019/2020.

“And that Council approve providing winter maintenance services in the future years commencing Nov. 15, 2020, subject to the Township being able to find a qualified service provider.

“And that the Mayor approach the Mayor of Greater Madawaska about providing winter road maintenance.”

The measure passed 5-2 in a recorded vote with Coun. Vernon Hermer and Wayne Good voting against. Last Friday’s regular North Frontenac Township Council meeting in Plevna was a busy one, to say the least.

Zoning bylaw amendmend for boat storage site

Council looked at a proposal to rezone a property on Skootamatta Lake Road to rezone the lands from Rural to Commercial Exception Zone that would allow Smart’s Marina to store boats on the property.

In a planning report, Megan Rueckwald, manager of community planning, County of Frontenac, recommended “defer passing an amending bylaw for the subject property until the comments received to date have been addressed by a qualified professional to the satisfaction of the township including the completion of a stormwater management brief and drainage plan.”

In the conclusion/recommendation section of the planning report, she said: “Planning staff and Township staff met with the property owners Nov. 6 to evaluate the site and provide an overview of the comments received to date.

“At the meeting, planning staff advised the applicants that planning staff cannot advocate on their behalf (and) also spoke about the recommendation to Council that a stormwater brief be prepared by a qualified professional and reiterated that this is a decision of Council. Due to the volume of comments (65) received and complexity of the application, the applicants were advised that there are private planning consultants who may be able to assist the applicants in this process.”

Steve Smart asked if an engineering report would really be necessary given it would cost $5,000-$10,000 and suggested they could work with municipal staff on drainage.

However, Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule said he felt strongly that any such report would have to be done by a professional engineer for liability reasons.

Mayor Ron Higgins said that the issue under discussion this day was “simply a request to make a Zoning Bylaw amendment.

“From a Council standpoint, I see no risk.”

Higgins recommended any studies come at the site plan stage.

“We make someone who tries to do everything right jump through hoops,” he said.

“This is a generationally successful business wanting to expand,” said Coun. Vernon Hermer. “I know of no reason (why they shouldn’t).”

Council passed a resolution approving a bylaw amendment.

Kaladar-Barrie Fire department beig reconsidered?

A report from The Loomis Group on the level of Fire Service in Ward 1 compared to Wards 2 and 3 recommended that North Frontenac Council review and consider different service level options.

Currently, Wards 2 and 3 receive fire services from North Frontenac while Ward 1 receives services from the joint Kaladar/Barrie department which is run by a committee made up of officials from both North Frontenac and Addington Highlands Townships.

The report, written by consultant Terry Gervais, concluded that the level of service being provided is similar in the way they respond, the training standards established, the challenges of recruitment and retention, infrastructure, and daily operations.

The difference, the report said, is in how the departments and processes are being managed as well as differences in public education, fire prevention and inspections.

The report presented five service level options for Council to consider.

• Remain status quo
• Ward 1 fire protection managed solely by North Frontenac
• Purchase fire protection from Addington Highlands for Ward 1
• Kaladar-Barrie fire department manages only emergency responses
• Amalgamated fire department.

“I like the status quo,” said Dep. Mayor Fred Perry. “I think we’re working well together and I don’t think we have a building to house our share of the equipment.

“They may need a few more resources.”

“You have your opinion and I have a different opinion,” said Mayor Ron Higgins.

Council passed a resolution to meet with Addington Highlands Council to decide how to proceed.