North Frontenac Council - Aug. 16/11

Jeff Green | Aug 18, 2011

Expansion plans for Cloyne and District Museum

Ian Brummel and Marg Axford, of the Cloyne and District Historical Society, came to North Frontenac Council to talk about plans for the next phase of development of the society’s museum and archives, which is located on township property in Cloyne across from North Addington Education Centre and next to the Barrie Township Hall.

The plans include two new rooms, which would create about 1,200 feet of extra space and increase the museum's size by over 50%, creating more space for the ever-growing collection of artifacts and documents, and space to run educational programs.

In addition, they would like to construct a drive shed on the property to house machinery that is now exposed to the elements. They are also seeking to replace the current holding tank with a septic system so the museum can have a proper washroom.

As Marg Axford pointed out, “Our staff keeps getting younger and as they do they are becoming less tolerant of using an outhouse.”

“Essentially, we are asking for permission to build and put a septic system in, and for permission to use the water from the Barrie Hall and put in an underground water line from the hall to the museum,” said Ian Brummel. “The historical society will cover the costs with our own fund-raising. We are not asking for a donation from the township.”

“If council approves the request for water, it can be tied in to our own UV filter system, so the water testing we already do will apply to the museum,” said township Chief Administrative Officer Cheryl Robson.

A motion was read out granting permission for all the components of the project.

“Oh,” said Ian Brummel before the vote, “could you also waive the township portion of the building permit fees.”

“So you are asking for a donation from the township after all,” said Councilor Betty Hunter.

Council approved the motion, including the waiving of permit fees.

Shabomeka Road woes – Council received a letter from Dany Tymchuk about the road to the Shabomeka Lake boat launch and beach. As Cheryl Robson explained, the road includes sections that are township-owned and sections that are privately owned. The township-owned portions are not maintained by the township and are in a state of disrepair.

“We, as cottagers, have tried to maintain the road, but enough is enough; you have had a free ride for 35 years,” Mr. Tymchuk said in his letter.

He was also present at the council meeting and addressed council briefly, delivering a warning. “If you get an emergency or if somebody drowns because an ambulance or fire crew can't get in there, you're going to be liable,” he said.

Far from disagreeing with Dan Tymchuk, Mayor Clayton pointed out that because of liability laws, private individuals can no longer do any work on township roads unless they have $2 million in liability insurance.

“To sum it up, we make it extremely difficult for private people to work on those kinds of roads, and we won't work on them ourselves. It's something we are going to have to work on, but it will take time,” Clayton said.

Approval sought for waste site expansion – Council approved a proposal to apply to the province to expand the footprint of the Highway 506 waste site. The township has been dumping beyond the legal footprint in the current Certificate of Approval and Council is hoping the province will make that dumping legal by altering the certificate for the site.

“If we get the approval, fine; if not we will have to spend the money to move the waste and cover the area with fill,” said Mayor Clayton.

$500 for Vision Awards – Council rejected a request from the Land O'Lakes Tourist Association for a $1,000 donation to support the 2011 Vision Awards, but later approved a $500 donation. The township will be nominating a local business as well.

$100 for Slave Lake, Alberta – Council received a letter from the Township of Meaford, requesting that Ontario municipalities donate $100 to Slave Lake, Alberta, a town that was devastated by fire earlier this year. North Frontenac will be donating $100.

EFR vehicle write off? - On July 16, an emergency first response vehicle was involved in an accident with another vehicle on a narrow Crown Land road. There were no injuries and no charges were laid, but the vehicle suffered $7,000 - $10,000 in damages. The township’s insurance policy carries a $5,000 deductible, and the vehicle had an estimated value before the accident of $8,884. Council decided not to make an insurance claim and is considering writing off the vehicle.

Insurance, damage deposit from AAFNA – The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation’s planned Manoomin Keesis Festival on Labour Day weekend at the Clarendon Miller Hall and grounds came under scrutiny by Council.

The hall has not yet been booked and the township will require a $200 damage deposit and proof of insurance in order to allow the hall and grounds to be used for the event, and for trailer camping that takes place as well.