Addington Highlands Council -March 17
Movement on Social Housing Project
The next phase of a Lennox and Addington County-led initiative to increase the stock of affordable housing throughout the county, involves securing land. Addington Highlands has a 3.9 acre triangular parcel on Highway 41, on the east side of the road, just south of Flinton Road. The township has agreed to sell the land to the county for $1. The county is making $75,000 available for planning and environmental studies that may be necessary to make the property “shovel-ready” for a planned four-plex development.
“If the project does not proceed, the land will revert back to the township,” said Deputy Clerk/Planning Coordinator Patricia Gray.
“This is a significant step forward, to identify and get land ready,” said Reeve Tony Fritsch. “Much thanks to the members of county council for their support for this project. Sometimes there is an expectation that a building will go up right away, but there are a lot of steps to something like this, and it takes years instead of months.”
“Creating more social housing is an ideal use for a property like this, I think. We see people in our communities living in trailers. It would be helpful to them,” said Councillor Maurice Leveille.
Fire Budget
In line with a request to North Frontenac, the Kaladar-Barrie Fire department submitted a request for an allocation of $250,000 to the reserve fund for the service, which is jointly operated by the two townships. That amount represented a $25,000 increase from 2025, which is necessary to ensure long term sustainability for the department, according to Fire Chief Casey Cuddy. The request was referred to Addington Highlands budget process, which gets underway on March 24, at the first budget meeting.
Cost of Family Health Team Facility
In her annual reporting requirement regarding township loans and capital costs, Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed outlined the state of loans for the various buildings that have been constructed or upgraded by the township in recent years, and have loans that are still on the books. These include the township office, and the Northbrook Fire Hall, both of which have lengthy loan terms attached to them.
The township also purchased the Northbrook Medical Facility in 2010, in order to facilitate the establishment of the Lakelands Family Health Team. A loan of $750,000 was taken out at the time, and will be repaid by 2030. The annual payment on the loan is $58,000. Lakelands makes payments to the township for use of the facility, but between the loan payment and maintenance and upkeep costs there is a shortfall, amounting to $37,000 in 2025.
“Are they aware at the Family Health Team, and is the public aware, that the residents of the township are providing that ongoing financial support for the service?” asked Deputy Reeve Ken Hook, rhetorically. “I think it is a good use of money, but it is part of the way healthcare is funded through municipal dollars, not just the province.”
Building Department Shortfall
The budget for the building department is designed to be covered by permit fees. But in 2025, as well as in 2024, building activity has dropped and this has created a $25,000 shortfall. It cost $150,000 to run the department in 2025, and the fees collected totaled $125,000.
“We put money aside in a reserve when the department generates a surplus, to address these kinds of fluctuations in building activity, and there is money in the fund, but I am flagging this because it is now two years in a row of shortfall. If this doesn't turn around, we may need to have to look at our fees,” said Christine Reed.
“There is a lot of construction that goes on without permits,” said Ken Hook, “I think we should look at enforcement before looking at increasing fees.”
“I agree,” said Reed, “we don't want building fees to discourage people from building here.”
Council Remuneration
Former Reeve Henry Hogg received $28,500 in salary and $1,000 in expenses from the township in 2025, before his passing in late October. Reeve Tony Fritsch received $23,000 for serving as Deputy Reeve for 10 months and Reeve for the last two months of the year. Other members of council received $17,000 in wages. Council members also received between $1,000 and $2,000 in travel costs. Tony Fritsch received an additional $1,000 in expense payments throughout the year.
The Reeve and Deputy Reeve both serve on Lennox and Addington County Council, and receive wage and expense payments from that body.
Tree Planting
In response to a Quinte Region Conservation tree planting proposal, Council at first indicated that the one thing that the township has in abundance is trees. But then, the idea of planting 6 or 7 year old hardwoods in township parks and the community garden, caught council’s fancy. The tree planting program accesses matching funding dollars for tree plantings, so Council decided to spend $1,000 in order to secure $2,000 worth of trees. At least one new tree will be planted at each of the locations.
