Mike Hage To Join North Frontenac Council

(Editors note - There is a photo caption error in the print edition of this article - It says the photo is one of Stephanie Regent. who was replaced on council by Mike Hage, who is pictured in the photo - the News regrest the error)

Mike Hage will take up one of the Ward 1 (Barrie) council positions, at the next meeting of North Frontenac Council, on February 27th.

At their meeting on Friday, February 6, North Frontenac Council formally declared that the Ward 1 council seat that had been filled since the 2022 municipal election by Stephanie Regent, was vacant. The township delivered written notice to Regent on January 27 to that effect, on the grounds that she had not been present at any of the council meetings over a three-month period, without explanation. Her council position was offered to Mike Hage, who was the highest vote getter in Ward 1 (Barrie) in that 2022 general municipal election, who did not get elected.

Four days later, on Tuesday, February 10, Hage informed the township that he will take up the position, and will swear the oath of office and take up his seat, at the next regular meeting.

Hage told the News that his decision to accept the offer is based on his intention to run for the position in the upcoming municipal election.

“I see no point in taking it on just for a few months. I intend to run for the position and seek the confidence of my fellow residents, in Ward 1” he said.

In his letter to township staff informing them of his decision, Hage wrote that “the most crucial factor was the overwhelming endorsement I got from neighbours and residents of NF, within Ward 1 and beyond, offering their support and encouragement, reminding me why I ran in the first place, 4 years ago.”

Hage has been serving as a constituent representative on the Frontenac County Economic Development Advisory Committee and on the Board of the Ontario Highlands Tourism Organisation (OHTO). He will be resigning from both positions, because both positions are to be filled by community members, and not politicians.

With his wife Nawar, Hage is the owner/operator of Myers Cave Resort on Road 506, where Marble Lake flows into Kashwakamak Lake.

Presentations from two Ottawa-based trail user groups to North Frontenac Council, were influenced by the Tweed-based Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance (EOTA) at North Frontenac Council, last week.

Lisa Thompson, from the Bytown Motorcycle Association, and Jon Wilson from the Ottawa Valley ATV club, both came to Council to talk about how members of their associations use the crown land trail network in North Frontenac, and to come to terms on compensation for trail maintenance costs related to that use.

Both groups paid more in the years immediately following the pandemic than they paid in 2025, as the post pandemic boom in their finances has abated somewhat.

Lisa Thompson said that the Motorcycle Association, which uses a limited number of trails in the northeastern corner of the township near Calabogie, has seen a decrease in membership. The club offered to pay $3,000 to the township in 2026, in exchange for their trail passes being accepted on the North Frontenac trail network.

She said that membership has declined for the club and that is why they have less ability to pay.

For the three years preceding, (2023-2025) they have paid $6,500.

“I think they should be paying the true cost of maintenance,” said Councillor Fred Fowler.

When asked, township staff said it is hard to quantify the added maintenance costs related to the use of a limited number of the network, by motorcycles.

In a recorded vote, the council agreed to accept the offer of $3,000. The vote was 4-1 in favour, with Fowler casting the dissenting vote.

When making his presentation, Jon Wilson from the Ottawa Valley ATV club. As a founding member of the Ontario Federation of ATV clubs, the Ottawa Valley club negotiates with North Frontenac for trail permits from clubs in the federation to be accepted on the North Frontenac Trail Network.

The club paid the township $20,000 per year from 2022 to 2024, an amount that they offered in order to help the township with improved trail maintenance, and then reverted to $6,500 in 2025, and Wilson proposed a $6,500 payment in 2026.

Wilson said, and demonstrated through his slide show, that the cash payment from his group is enhanced with a significant amount of volunteer work, removing trees and brush on the trails, that is worth an estimated $80,000 per year.

Fred Fowler pointed out that another group, ie the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance, has paid over $25,000 in gravel and other materials, every year for 20 years, as well as volunteer work as well.

“Volunteer work is just that, volunteer work. It is not fair to then claim a monetary value for it,” Fowler said.

Fowler also asked if it would be better for the township financially to negotiate with the Ontario Association of ATV clubs.

Wilson responded, saying that it is always the local clubs that negotiate for the entire association.

Once again, Fred Fowler asked for a recorded vote on the motion to accept the offer of $6,500 in exchange for accepting the Federation of ATV Trail clubs (OFATV) passes on the crown land trail network, and once again the vote was 4-1 in favour of the motion, with Fowler voting against it.

Fred Fowler is the North Frontenac Council representative to the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance (EOTA) Board.

EOTA and OFATV have been involved in negotiations to develop a single trail pass for ATV's in Ontario. Those negotiations have not yet resulted in an arrangement.

Septic Reinspection

Eric Kohlsmith, from the Mississippi Rideau Septic Systems Office, delivered his annual report on the North Frontenac Septic Reinspection Program to Council. With support from local lake associates, 53 inspections took place last year, at properties on 9 different lakes. With 15 inspections, Shabomeka, Lake was the most visited, with Buckshot Lake being close behind at 14.

Kohlsmith said that 66% of the property owners were on hand for the inspections, which he said is very beneficial as it allows property owners to learn more about how their systems operate, and what the maintenance issues are.

In just under half of the systems that were inspected, 48% had no concerns. Another 44% had minor issues that could be dealt with rather easily, and 4 systems, 2%, required major work or replacement. None of those 4 were full scale septic systems, however. They were grey water systems, designed to handle wash water.

The program had a budget of $5,000 for 2025, but ended up going over budget, costing just over $6,000. In approving it for 2026, Mayor Lichty suggested that some extra be budgeted for, in case the number of inspections is higher than anticipated.

Financial Information Return

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs provided North Frontenac with their annual snapshot of the township's financial health, the “Municipal Financial Profile”. In line with many other municipalities, North Frontenac faces a “moderate” risk from unpaid taxes, something that Treasurer Kelly Watkins attributed to financial struggles faced by Ontario residents, in the current economy.

But in terms of debt to cash ratio, debt servicing, cash on hand and reserves, the township is in a low risk position, the best on the scale, in terms of sustainability indicators.

“So, we are doing well,” said Mayor Lichty to Watkins.

Building Activity Drops in 2025

The total number of building permits was up in 2025 compared to the two previous years, mainly because of an increase in septic permits, and the number of new homes being built was also steady, at 25. But he total value of construction was well down, about 25%. The total for 2025 was $8.9 million and it was just about $12 million in each of the previous years.

Permit revenue was also down, at $189,000. It was $225,000 in 2024.