Addington Highlands Council – Nov 3/26
Two of the five members of council, Councillor Moe Leveille and Reeve Tony Fritsch, were attending their final Addington Highlands meeting that took place a week after the municipal election on October 26. They hey both made statements as the meeting was winding down.
Before that, there was a full agenda to attend to, including a decision about a grant application to the provincial government's ‘Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund’, a $500 million program designed to foster active communities in Ontario, through sport and recreation.
The fund includes two streams, one to repair and upgrade existing facilities and another to build new facilities or transform existing ones.
The grant covers 50% of project costs, so by submitting an application, this council would be making a commitment to spend money on projects that the new council would be obligated to follow through on.
The program deadline is December 22, so no final decision needed to be made at this meeting. Council was tasked with providing instructions to Staff, to bring information to the new council for a final decision.
The matter came to Council on October 20, at which time Staff was requested to provide Council with the estimated costs for the replacement of the rink boards at the Flinton Rink, and the replacement of the lights at the Flinton Ball Diamond, as well as options for the construction of a roof over the Denbigh Outdoor Rink.
In the report to Council, Staff provided an estimated cost for the Flinton part of the project. The rink boards cost are estimated at $72,500, and the lighting at $44,000. With HST and potential shipping costs factored in, the total is $140,000 for the project.
The Denbigh roof project, which was looked at in 2024, was estimated at $793,000 at the time, for a metal structure. But the staff report pointed out that North Frontenac just completed a similar project in Plevna, installing a wooden roof and change room, for $493,000+HST.
It will be necessary to move the rink 10 feet to the north, to accommodate a roof, and the Denbigh rink's boards are also in need of replacement.
Deputy Reeve Ken Hook said that he is concerned about committing hundreds of thousands in taxpayer dollars for a roof over the Denbigh rink.
“We were lucky enough to get the roof over the Flinton rink at no cost to the township. I'm not comfortable with this cost.”
The Denbigh Recreation Committee was approached to see if they are in a position to make a commitment of funds towards the roof rink project, and Reeve Fritsch, who attended a meeting of Denbigh Rec Committee the night before the council meeting, reported that the committee did not make a funding commitment toward the project.
However, the rink boards in Denbigh are also in need of replacement, and Council decided to ask Staff to look at the cost of extra asphalt and new boards so the Denbigh rink can be improved and moved into position for a roof, should a better grant opportunity be found in the future.
“This will help with the thinking that everything goes to Flinton,” said Councillor Leveille.
Staff will prepare a report on the cost commitment the township will be faced with if they receive grants for the new rink boards in both Flinton and Denbigh, the cost to move the rink in Denbigh, and lights for the ballfield in Flinton. The new council can then decide on the application by the December 22 deadline.
Bridge Street Culvert Repair
Manager of Roads and Waste Brett Reavie reported that thanks to some dry weather in late October, the long delayed Bridge Street culvert was installed on November 1st, and the street was expected to be completely open to two lane traffic for the first time since the culvert failed, last fall.
The idea of restricting traffic on Bridge Street to save wear and tear from large transport trucks travelling along Highways 41 and 28, which meet at Denbigh, will be considered by Staff.
“We should hold a public meeting if we want to make that change,” said Deputy Reeve Hook, “to see what they think about it at Glaeser's Store. Maybe trucks stop there, and they would not appreciate losing the business.”
Building and Facilities Report
Chief Building Official, Dave Twiddy, reported that there has been steady building permit uptake for accessory buildings within the township, but that “single family homes and seasonal cottages have shown soft interest” in 2026.
He said that there has been interest from developers in “a number of multi-residential projects” for which detailed discussions are ongoing.
He also talked about the power request from the Flinton Community Garden committee. A new plan, to provide a single outlet to the shed in the garden to power a water hose and a small amplifier for public events, can be done for $1897.22 by Lemke Electric, a much lower cost than previous exploration of the project had indicated. There is only $1,500 in the budget for the project, but Council approved the $1897 cost nonetheless.
Santa Claus Parades
The township will participate in the Northbrook and Denbigh iterations of the Santa Claus parade later this month.
Exit Remarks
Councillor Leveille and Reeve Fritsch have had different experiences on council, one serving for 9 months on an appointment basis, and one serving 16 years and 4 election cycles.
Councillor Leveille thanked staff for their support, and said he enjoyed his time on council and appreciated all that he learned as a new member, coming in with an established group. He said he had hoped to continue, but that was not the will of the voters in Ward 1, and wished the new council all the best.
Reeve Fritsch read out a written statement, outlining the accomplishment of the last 16 years, when he served as councillor, deputy reeve, and reeve over the last year since the death of Henry Hogg (his remarks are re-printed on page 7)
