Plenty Of Party Time Scheduled For Central Frontenac Summer

Craig Bakay | Jul 03, 2024

“There are going to be lots of beer tents all over the place this summer,” said Mayor Frances Smith at Central Frontenac Council’s regular meeting June 25 in Sharbot Lake.

Council authorized CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn to sign documentation of support required from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission Ontario to allow beer tents at three events over the summer.

The first of such events is with the Local Brewery to have a beer tent for the Lions Club Beach Concert to be held July 7 at Sharbot Lake Beach.

The second is for the third annual Country Music Association of Ontario’s BBQ Beach Bash scheduled for July 27 at Sharbot Lake Beach.

Event spokesperson Lesley Merrigan told Council that while this year’s offering will be similar to the previous two with about half the beach closed along with a section of Medical Centre Road between Road 38 and Matthew Street from about 3pm to midnight, they are expecting a somewhat larger crowd this year.

“Medical Centre Road will still be open to local traffic and K & P Trail users,” Merrigan said. “We are printing 400 tickets with Kingston artist Alexa Goldie performing and the headliners are The Abrams (brothers James and John).”

The third such request was for a beer tent at the Parham Fair to be held Aug. 16 and 17.

Off road vehicles and speed

Council was addressed by resident Ian Whillans on the issue of off-road vehicles speeding on Township roads.

Whillans, who lives on Clarendon Road, said ATVers and other off-road vehicles leave the trail using Clarendon Road to access Hwy 7 crossings. He said they create unsafe conditions by not slowing down as well as kicking up dust and creating excessive noise.

While a Township bylaw allows access to Township roads, it also restricts their speed to 20 kph.

“This bylaw has turned Clarendon Road into part of the trail because ATVs are supposed to be going 20 kph but there are no signs telling them that so they’re ignoring it,” Whilens said.

Coun. Nicki Gowdy suggested putting up a sign diverting ATVers from Clarendon Road.

“I wasn’t aware until re-reading our bylaw that it includes a speed reduction,” said Coun. Phillip Smith. “Maybe some public education on our social media is appropriate.”

Whillans said he has reported behaviour to the OPP but didn’t find much relief.

“The OPP have indicated to me that they can’t do much,” he said.

“Maybe they can’t do much but it is their responsibility to do it,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “We’ll take this under consideration and maybe we need to have a discussion with the OPP. Even though they’re stretched, they have a job to do and we may need to ask them to step up especially during the season right now.”

Development Charges

During a summary of changes to the Provincial Policy Statement and to the Planning Act and Development Charges Act, Mayor Frances Smith had this to say: “With the housing that is happening in our community putting pressure on all of our departments to service all of these new housing developments, if we can get some money to help pay for that we should take a look at it.”

Bylaw enforcement

During a report on bylaw enforcement, Coun. Nicki Gowdy asked if an increase in reports was simply due to the busy season resuming or if it was somehow related to short-term rentals.

“I haven’t had a call on short-term rentals in the last couple of years,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “So maybe they’re settling down a little bit.

“Or maybe things are getting so expensive that nobody can afford to go.”

Draft Vehicle Policy

Council received a new Draft Township Vehicle Policy to provide feedback to be brought back to the July 9 meeting.

Bereavement Policy

Council also received a draft of a revised Bereavement Policy for feedback. The policy establishes appropriate bereavement leave for the loss of a full-time employee’s relative without loss of pay.