South Frontenac Council To Mark 25th Anniversary

Wilma Kenny | May 10, 2023

On January 1, 1998 the Townships of Bedford, Loughborough, Portland and Storrington amalgamated to form the Township of South Frontenac: 2023 is the 25th anniversary of this event. Bedford Historical Society, along with Councillors Godfrey and Pegrum and the South Frontenac Museum, have been coordinating the recognition of this anniversary, and are preparing a portable display of artifacts, photos and posters to be featured at various community events throughout the summer and autumn. Council approved the proposed motto “Stronger Together” and logos to be used in promotional material and regular communications channels.

Municipal Modernization Fund Reallocation

In 2019 the Township received a one-time payment of over $500,000 from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to support small and rural municipalities efforts to become more efficient and reduce expenditure growth in the longer term. Since then, the Township has applied the funding towards various. One of those projects, a Roads Needs Study, came in under budget by $100,000. Council agreed with staff’s recommendation that these funds be reallocated towards two projects which are consistent with the funding objectives: Planning Records Digitization and an updated Fuel Management System for the Storrington Yard.

Noise Exemption By-law: Desert Lake Campground

In what has become an annual ritual, Council approved a Noise By-law Exemption Request from Desert Lake Campground for four summer weekend musical events: May 21, July 1, Aug 6, and September 3.

Environmentally Responsible Surface Treatment Program

Council accepted a bid of $1.14 million from Miller Paving Ltd for the 2023 surface treatment program. Prices for this year’s program have increased approximately 20 to 21% over the 2022 prices. These increases are consistent with what is being seen in other municipalities.

Approximately 27 km of hard surface roads will receive a single surface treatment known as a ‘chip seal’. A chip seal is a roadway surface treatment that consists of a layer of asphalt binder (hot or emulsion) with a layer of embedded aggregate. Chip seals provide a new skid resistant wear surface, stop ravelling, seal minor cracks and slow further deterioration of the existing roadway.

They also extend the life of roadways up to 5 to 7 years, and are considered to be a cost effective and environmentally responsible tool, by reducing greenhouse gases by 51%, energy use by 51%, and raw materials by 49% or more.

Bulk Water Rates Established

During the summer of 2020 many users were observed trying to fill the 1,000L totes at local boat launches. At that time, Council approved purchase of a new water filling station to be installed at the water tower site in Sydenham. The staff report prepared at that time identified that there was not enough capacity to fill up large water hauler trucks, but the new station would be available for filling smaller totes (typically 1,000L cages), sufficient for replenishing cisterns, and also for individual 20L jugs. The new water filling station is almost ready to go: Council agreed to charge a rate of $2.25 per cubic metre (1,000 Litres), a figure reflective of local market conditions.

America’s Cup Stocksport Tournament Comes to Harrowsmith

During the period July 21-27, Stocksport players will be coming from North, Central, and South America to compete in the event at Centennial Park as a qualifier for the international tournament typically hosted in Europe later in the year. The local club asked permission for overnight camping at Centennial Park for some of the participants. (An estimated maximum of three camper trailers would be involved)

The Stocksport Club has been working closely with Township Recreation and Facilities Services staff to ensure that all rules, regulations, and laws are followed for the tournament: Spectators will not be permitted to camp; - The Club must provide their own means of wastewater disposal; No dumping grey or black water at the park; The Club must provide their own water and power utility; The Club must provide their own solid waste removal; The Township’s noise bylaw will be enforced.

All other park bylaws will be enforced (i.e. no camp fires) . After a brief discussion, Council agreed with the request.

Canada Day Event in Centennial Park

As part of the annual Canada Day celebrations at Centennial Park, the hosting Harrowsmith S&A Club is planning a small charity beer garden in the new multi-purpose pad area. The beer garden will run from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. Funds raised from the sale of alcohol will be used to promote and support local youth sports groups in South Frontenac. After a lengthy discussion about liability and security, Council agreed to grant the designation.

Interim Fire Chief Appointed

The following motion was passed without comment: “Staff are recommending that Council approve By-law 2023-41 and By-law 2023-42 in order to appoint Alex Bennett as Interim Director of Emergency Services & Fire Chief and James Thompson as Community Emergency Management Coordinator.”