North Frontenac still searching for suitable seniors housing project

Craig Bakay | Feb 08, 2022

“I got a call from a senior and he’s homeless through no fault of his own,” Coun. Fred Fowler told North Frontenac Council at its regular (online) meeting Feb. 4. “A lot of people don’t have money to buy into the market and a there’s not a lot to rent.

“We need to help these people.”

“We’re supposed to provide 30 per cent affordable housing,” said Mayor Ron Higgins.

“I agree with Fred, there’s a bit of a crisis developing,” said Coun. John Inglis. “We’ve been dicking around and if we keep on, we won’t get anything built in 2022.”

North Frontenac does have some funds to work with including $337,500 from Frontenac County $100,000 more budgeted for.

Initially, North Frontenac wanted to use the County funds for some sort of live at home project but the County said no to that proposal.

Then the Township came up with the idea of building a five-unit project in Cloyne or Plevna with the builders acting as administrators but after an RFP was issued, there were no takers. Ken Foulds, of Re/fact Consulting who had written the RFP, had said there were a couple of interested parties but not with the parameters the Township had set.

Then, a little as last month, it looked like North might join Central Frontenac in its seniors housing project on the old Sharbot Lake Public School grounds, kicking in funds in return a guarantee of several units dedicated to North Frontenac residents.

But interest in that project seems to have faded, especially if transferring money from NF to CF would require County approval and, as Higgins said: “I would think if we do this, it would have to be split between the three Townships, versus CF getting it all.”

“I don’t see how Central can guarantee us a number of spots,” said Inglis. “(And) any option with a number of townships is a nightmare.

All sorts of ideas were discussed.

“One option, for the interim, might be tiny homes on wheels,” said Inglis.

“There’s also Park Model Homes, although I don’t agree with the Township operating a trailer park,” said Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin.

“I happen to own a Park style home and they’re designated as three-season only,” said Coun. Vern Hermer.

“I think a combination might be suitable,” said Fowler. “I think we need to find a property that would accommodate this as well as a communal system.”

“I think we’re going to become a landlord in one form or another,” said Inglis.

“It sounds like there’s some objections to short-term solutions,” said Higgins. “We’re starting to get a bit antsy and we’ve been dilly-dallying enough.

“I my opinion, I’d like to enhance the RFP for here in nf.

“I don’t think things have settled as much as we had hoped,” said Foulds. “(But) we can create more financial incentive including cash, fees, reduced property tax for two years.

“(And) Township ownership reduces risk for bidders.”

Council directed Foulds to meet with treasurer Kelly Watkins to discuss options and report back.

Commemorative Garden

Rosemary Teed, along with Nancy Strachan and Lynn Osborn of the Land O’Lakes Garden Club presented the club’s proposal for an Indigenous Commemorative & Healing Garden on the museum grounds in Cloyne.

“The mission came about after reading the Truth and Reconciliation Report,” Teed said. “(But) We are not activists in any way.

“We are gardeners.”

The club, who also does the gardening for Pine Meadows and various halls would install and maintain a medicine wheel style garden containing the four sacred herbs — tobacco, sage, sweetgrass and cedar.

She said they are asking the Township for $3,000 and the right to use the land. They have already received support from Addington Highlands, the North Addington Education Centre and three indigenous groups.

Council passed a motion that the matter be deferred until the Feb. 25 meeting.

Firefighter Honoured

The meeting began with a moment of silence to honour Ompah firefighter Scott Shepperdson.

Boat Wrap

Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule reported there is a dearth of options for recycling boat shrink wrap and agricultural bale wrap and twine.

“For the quantities we get, it wouldn’t be justifiable on our end,” he said.

Hydro Maintenance

Council passed a resolution instructing the Clerk to prepare a letter to be signed by the Mayor to Hydro One Networks and Bon Echo Provincial Park to request they promptly implement solutions to avoid any more power outages like the 89 hours some residents experienced from the Dec.11. 2021 windstorms