Wilma Kenny | Nov 12, 2009


A New Littering By-law Proposed

Paul Fodden, on behalf of South Frontenac Natural Environment Committee, made a brief presentation to council, recommending council consider developing a stand-alone littering by-law. Although as several councilors pointed out, littering is already illegal in the township, Fodden suggested that it was buried in the legislation, and a separate by-law would gain more attention. He provided an example of such a document, and noted that it would have to be supported by other means of lessening litter, such as more waste bins in public places, and continuation of the annual pitch-in program. Del Stowe showed examples of anti-littering signs, which could be posted at entrances to the township.

Mayor Davison suggested that once they got further information on how such a by-law would differ from the present legislation, both in content and effect, the issue should come back to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion.

Inspection of Private Sewage Systems

The KFL&A Health Unit has advised the township that they intend to withdraw from their contract to assume responsibility for the inspection and approval of private sewage systems under the Building Code Act. The

municipality will need alternate plans for inspection in time for the spring building season. The Health Unit has offered to help with training and orientation.

This inspection program is self-funded through the fees charged, and would require a full-time staff person for at least eight months of the year.

The township has several alternatives, including assuming the responsibility, or contracting the service out to another agency or to a private firm. There was some discussion as to the degree of liability the township might be assuming: (Stowe said there would be liability, Fillion disagreed.) The township’s CAO Wayne Orr was directed to prepare a full background report, for discussion at a future COW.

2010 Budget Cycle

A report from CAO Orr noted that 2010 was a milestone budget, as it will be South Frontenac's first fully amalgamated budget. Some of the challenges council faces include: rising pension and benefit costs, rising costs of salt and fuel, lower interest revenues, higher proposed Conservation levies, and expectations of a continued high level of roads work. These will lead either to higher taxes, or reduction of construction, maintenance and service levels across all districts and departments. Council agreed with the proposed schedule of budget deliberations at Committee of the Whole meetings in the new year, with the goal of achieving budget approval in mid-March. They also agreed that these deliberations would not be postponed due to the absence of individual councillors, though the full council will need to be present for the final acceptance of the budget.

Water Treatment Plant Update:

Councilors received a summary of Technical Memo #1, presented by XCG Engineering, which has been peer reviewed. The full 50-page report is available at the township office. It speaks to the process of evaluating and monitoring the baseline of raw water quality, and outlines potential solutions and the testing used to support the preferred solution. XCG recommends using a combination of Ultraviolet and Chloramination to treat the water. Because of the rather long lead time for the manufacturing of the specialized ultraviolet equipment, it will need to be ordered as soon as possible. XCG has gone to five vendors who have expertise in the specified equipment, and will assess the responses both technically and in terms of delivery and cost. A recommendation will come to Council on December 15, to proceed with the ordering of the UV equipment (cost estimated to be $50,000,) prior to the rest of the project going to tender, so it will be available when needed. 

 

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