Senior rues the pending loss of transportation services

Wilma Kenny | Jan 22, 2020

Sydenham area resident Ann Barlow came as a delegate to explain, from her perspective as a senior citizen without a driver’s license, the importance of the Frontenac Transportation Service.. This service provides access for grocery shopping, transport to Kingston for medical and other appointments, and in Barlow’s case (she is a watercolour artist, specializing in local scenes and subjects), has made it possible for her to develop a small business marketing fine art cards featuring local fauna, flora and landscapes. Because she has outlets in Kingston, Sunbury, Sydenham and Keplar, Barlow hires RFTS so she can visit the outlets monthly to maintain her displays. The County’s decision to not include funding support to RFTS after 2020 means her monthly business travel costs will increased by nearly 50% next year, which threatens the viability of an already low-profit enterprise.

Barlow concluded: “Although the County receives Provincial and Federal cash for ‘use of roads’, you seek to gain an additional $48,000 by adding to the financial stress…of the 223 low-income ‘unique individuals’ who depend on the drive service. When you made your decision to cut funding we were not consulted and our needs were not considered. Surely there are better ways to achieve your economic goals than by hurting vulnerable seniors in the community.”

Barlow was frustrated by Mayor Vandewal’s reply that her request would have to go to the County early next fall, when the 2021 budget is being planned.

Until last year, Frontenac Transportation Services has been run by Rural Frontenac Community Services, which is based in Sharbot Lake, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Southern Frontenac Community Services, which is based in Sydenham. It received $96,000 in Frontenac County funding. The MoU fell apart last year, and the two agencies requested $48,000 each from Frontenac County for 2020, and the county granted the money but said it was the last year for funding and the two agencies should look elsewhere for support next year.

Mayor Vandewal told Barlow that the county has asked both Rural Frontenac Community Services and South Frontenac Social Services for their statistics and business plans related to transportation services, but to date the two agencies appear not to be working in cooperation on this issue. Vandewal said there have already been many complaints from residents about this lack of County support for transportation services. Deputy Mayor Sutherland suggested that if the two agencies could not work together, perhaps the County needs to assume full responsibility for this essential program.

Councillor Revill complimented Barlow on the clarity of her letter, and he and Mayor Vandewal assured her that they would bring it to County Council’s attention.

At this point, CAO Carbone shut down the discussion, saying this meeting’s purpose was to receive delegations, not to debate topics that were not on the agenda.

2019-2022 Strategic Activities Draft Report

CAO Carbone presented the final draft of the Township’s Strategic Plan for the remainder of this term: it is an ambitious and detailed report, available in full (draft) form in the agenda notes online for the Jan 21 COW meeting. One interesting suggestion among many was to review the possibility of relying less on the standing committees (which sometimes cancel meetings for lack of agenda items) and more on the Committee of the Whole.

Overhead Wires a Hazard for Birds

Eliza Murphy of Sydenham came as a delegate to Council to address her concern about the hazards presented to birds, specifically herons, flying from Sydenham Lake across George St at or near the bridge to fish in the creek. While living nearby, Murphy has seen two dead herons and a dead osprey on or near the bridge.

She has spoken to both Ontario Hydro and Bell Canada, and each have agreed to ‘investigate a solution for the problem of the wires crossing the George St bridge’. She listed references to several possible solutions including coloured (but not reflective or metallic) tab-markers to make the wires more visible. Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth agreed to follow up with Hydro and Bell.

Murphy also asked whether the township could consider constructing an animal underpass each side of the bridge when the roadway across the bridge is reconstructed (originally planned for two years ago, now postponed to at least 2021.) Turtles crossing in the spring continue to be killed in spite of many rescues by drivers and villagers, and this is also a foot-crossing area for numerous other animals; otters, beavers, muskrats, ducks and geese.

Senior Planner Position to be Created

During budget discussions in December of 2019, staff recommended the creation of a new Senior Planner position to accommodate the growing workload within the Development Services department. Council approved the funds for this new position in the 2020 operating budget; however, Council requested further information about the intent/role of the position prior to proceeding.

CAO Carbone’s report provided this information, and asked Council’s support to move ahead in advertising the position, with an anticipated start date of April. Councillor Sleeth asked whether a head-hunter would be necessary, and Planning/Building Director Claire Dodds replied that this hiring would be done in-house: positions for both Senior Planner and Planner will be advertised at the same time, and a good selection of applicants is anticipated.

“Where will we put them?” asked Councillor Revill.

Carbone said that the 2020 budget has provisions for non-structural renovations to the downstairs area, which will make better use of the space.