North Frontenac Council September 18

Jeff Green | Sep 24, 2025

EV Charging Update

The township has been receiving higher than anticipate hydro delivery charges for the EV charging station that was installed at the township office early this year. The cost of the station was  90% covered by federal and provincial grants but operating costs are the responsibility of North Frontenac.

As reported at the previous council meeting, the delivery charge for the stations is based on the capacity of the stations rather than their projected or actual use, and as a result the township is looking at a large cost to run these stations for the five-year mandated period agreed to under the grant.

Council asked staff to look at upping the use fee for residents and visitors who charge up their Electric Vehicles at the station. In a report to council, Manager of Community Development Brooke Ross said that the going rate for EV charging in Quebec and Ontario is 45 to 55 cents per kilowatt hour, but given the remoteness of North Frontenac a rate of between 75 cents per kilowatt hour can be implemented, and that was her recommendation.

Even at that higher rate, the township would be looking at a loss of over $1,100 per month, based on the usage in July of this year. The net loss from operating the EV station since it opened at the start of the year is approaching $10,000.

Ross had some good news for council, however, potentially. She said that she received some further information about a new EV charging rate that could be announced in January, which could bring the bill to the township by 50%.

Between the higher user rate being charged, a 13% rebate that has already been implemented by Hydro One, and the potential new lower rate, “hopefully we’ll be in a better position” she said.

Council approved raising the charging rate.

Tiny Homes

Local resident Rob Lesperance presented what he called an “An Idea for North Frontenac Township to be a Pioneer,” a local township that invests in a tiny home development.

He began by saying that the growth model based on 1,500 to 2,000 square foot home is not working, because of affordability reasons.

He said that the township would be able to use township owned land to lower the initial property costs faced by anyone else. Esperance said that he suggests building anywhere between 500 and 900 square foot homes, using factory-built homes.

“The benefit to a factory-built home, is in the title. They are built in a heated, controlled environment. You don’t have to try to frame something at 40 below. They are more concerned about profit margin themselves. They built things efficiently, with a lot less waste, and timelines form order, to ship, to move in, is substantially shorter.” 

He said, based on his research into current costs of well and septic and construction, the pricing is between $100,000 to $150,000 per unit, and for a rent or least to own cost of about $1,500 per month is viable.

“In a 10-unit model, with each unit on its own lot, well, and septic, the township would be looking at about a 100% return on investment over 20 years. Using communal servicing instead of individual septic systems, the return on investment is about 133% over 20 years,” he said.

These calculations are based on the township assuming an ownership role over that time and being responsible for maintenance on the properties.

He also said that the calculations he has used are based on there being no grant support available from any other branch of government. The up-front investment for the township would be around $1.8 million

“There’s are probably lots of holes in what I’ve presented to day, but that’s ok, that’s why I brought it here. But if we are able to do this and we are successful, what’s to say we can’t start with 10, and then go to 50, then 100.”

“The big question for me, is that municipality would be an entrepreneur, and that is not something we normally do,” said Deputy Mayor John Inglis.

“When I looked at this myself, I was looking at 2-3 houses as a pilot, something smaller,” Inglis added.

Lesperance said that he started with one, and the numbers did not really work.

“I went to 4 and 5, but it was when I got to 10 that the numbers jumped and it looked like it could be done at a profit,” said Lesperance

“I wish you had brought this to our housing task force first,” said Mayor Lichty, “but you brought it here and that’s great.”

The presentation was received by council.

Request for Support from Sand Lake Swim Program.

Council received a request from the Sand Lake Swim Program for an increase in township support from $1,500 to $2,000 so the program will be able to continue to ensure that any child who wants to take lessons is able to, regardless of their families ability to pay the full program fees.

Council was supportive, and the increase will be included in the draft 2026 budget,

Voting Method

Council decided to conduct the 2026 municipal election using an internet/telephone voting system, as has been in place since 2008.

Grant Application For Fire Department

Based on the size of the provincial allocation for fire stations, a granting program for 2025/2026 is anticipated to allocate $16,000 per station. With three stations, that comes to $48,000 for North Frontenac.

The recommendation from fire chief Sam Robinson was to submit an application for the purchase of new fire gear and flash hoods for firefighters based in each station. The cost of the gear would be covered by the $48,000 grant, if it comes through.

Council approved the grant application.

New Float Trailer

Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule recommended the purchase of a float trailer from Gincor at a cost of $63,730. Gincor’s bid was the lowest of those that complied with the required specifications.