Frontenac Heritage Festival to return in February

Craig Bakay | Dec 21, 2022

The Frontenac Heritage Festival is returning in February after a covid-induced hiatus and Central Frontenac Council ponied up $1,000 to get it going at its regular meeting Dec. 13 in Sharbot Lake.

“It will be somewhat watered down,” said co-organizer Mike Proctor. “Some events were not well attended and will be dropped.”

“But the variety night is on, with its regular ‘Frontenac’s Got Talent’ theme,” said co-organizer Rob Moore.

Moore said the variety night will be held at a new venue this year — Oso Hall.

“I know the people who own it and they’ll give us a good deal,” he said.

Proctor said another returning event will be the winter camping sleep out but all 10 spots are spoken for.

“We’re also open to a polar bear plunge (where people jump in the frozen lake for charity) but nobody has stepped up yet to host/organize it,” he said.

Coun. Craig Middleton said there are plans in the works for a three-on-three hockey tournament at the new Sharbot Lake rink.

Coun. Lynn Klages said she understood that the Kennebec Lake Association was planning something and that the Matson family was planning on recreating the logging camp feature in Arden.

“Sounds like you need a committee meeting,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

$85,000 for Quinte

Council approved Quinte Conservation Authority’s request for $85,000 as part of a grant application (total cost $194,000) to fund the Salmon River Upper Lakes Floodplain Mapping Study.

QCA water resources manager Christine Phillibert told Council that the Authority’s main mandate is “to protect people from flood damage, There were flooding issues in 2014 and 2017, and some due to beaver dam issues.”

The area to be studied runs from Crotch Lake to upper Kennebec Lake. Central will pay its share from reserves and/or the 2023 budget process.

“The value of this mapping is so people know the risks if they want to build,” said Mayor Smith.

CP not popular with either Smith

Dep. Mayor Phillip Smith questioned the paying of a $235,303.19 bill from Canadian Pacific Railway regarding repairs to the crossing at Tichborne.

“Did we not agree with them that we would defer that?”

“We requested . . . but I received no communication but the bill,” said Treasurer Michael McGovern.

“Just like we had no communication about doing it,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “It was called ‘done.’”

“So how do we express our displeasure with the invoice when the rep from CP said that was doable?” said Phillip Smith.

“I don’t know if Michael wants to send them a letter,” said the Mayor.

“I don’t think Michael has much influence,” said McGovern. “I’d rather see a letter sent from Madame Mayor.

“We can send a letter,” said CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn.

“It is so rough, it’s basically dip down and dip up,” said the Mayor. “they’ll fix it but we’ll just have to pay.

“But we may be dipping a long time.”

Dead Root Revival and Brock Zeman at Oso Hall on Jan. 13.

Council gave its approval to a group seeking to organize a music/dance party Jan. 13 at Oso Hall so that the organizers can obtain a liquor licence.

The Dead Root Revival Winterlude Meltdown will feature the bands Dead Root Revival and Brock Zeman as well as food by Frenchies and beer by the Kick & Push Brewery.

Council’s approval is required as the Township owns the facility.

The organizers hope to sell about 100 tickets.

Transfer Station

Council gave its approval to have the Oso Waste Site continue as a transfer station after it is officially closed in 2026.

Singe axle plow truck required

Council approved Public Works Manager Tyson Myers’ request to bypass the normal tender process to replace a used plow truck which he has determined prohibitive to repair and instead procure a used single axle plow truck through another municipality, private sale or public auction to a maximum of $90,000.

Myers said that the existing vehicle was purchased when it became evident that private contractors wouldn’t be available to plow certain routes and now its box/spreader is rusted and rotted beyond repair. He said that they can probably find a used vehicle cheaper than any repair and certainly a lot faster than trying to obtain new parts.

He said the new-used truck can be financed from reserves which would then be replaced by the sale of nine vehicles declared surplus.

He said he was concerned that not replacing the truck would make it difficult to maintain current minimum standards.