Pilot Project to combat invasive species on Kennebec Lake Accepted

Craig Bakay | Aug 14, 2024

Central Frontenac Council gave its blessings to a pilot project to combat invasive species on Kennebec Lake at its regular meeting Aug. 13 in Sharbot Lake.

Kennebec Lake Association Chair Bill Wong told Council they have partnered with Quinte Conservation to have a boat washing station at the boat launch.

“It’s something to stop the spread of invasive species,” said Kennebec Lake Association’s Terry Kennedy. “It’s not a washing station, it’s more of a vacuuming apparatus.

“There’s no cost to the Township.”

The apparatus is a CD3 Wayside Solar Trailer equipped with the tools for boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats, thus reducing the transfer of aquatic invasive species when moving from one water body to another.

“It’s also a method of communication and education to get invasive species in the front of minds of boaters in the area,” Kennedy said.

Wong said they also plan to have volunteers at the station, usually at peak times like mornings and evenings to assist boaters and point out the facility.

He said they’re hoping to start the service Aug. 19.

Little Theatre Thanks The Township

North Frontenac Little Theatre Past President Art Holloway was at Council “to thank you for giving us this venue (Soldiers Memorial Hall) to perform in.

“It came at the darkest period of our history (during Covid in 2020/21) and our spirit is a lot better since we came here.”

The theatre group had been giving its performances at Granite Ridge Education Centre, even having installed lights it acquired with a grant in the school but a disagreement over usage fees left the troupe looking for a new home when the Township came to the rescue.

“We’ve just finished a production of Oliver!,” Holloway said. “It featured more than 45 people with cast and crew.

“All of the shows were sold out and we had online ticket sales for the first time.”

He said they’ve even partnered with Belong Restaurant for dinner/theatre packages.

“We were really down for awhile there and with no productions, we were existing off a legacy bequeathed by Marge Fossey, one of our founders,” he said. “But we’re in good shape now.”

He said they plan to continue with youth theatre camps and a relationship with The Treasure Trunk who loans them props and clothing for their productions.

He said they’ll be celebrating 50 years in 2029 and their next production will be Dracula, with auditions Sept. 4-5.

Council also gave the troupe permission to look into grants for some additional seating for the Hall as a recent dinner theatre production done ‘in the round’ faced sight line issues they’d like to address.

Coun. Duncan McGregor suggested they look at a production at the outdoor rink in Sharbot Lake.

“That venue has been popular with vendor groups and I understand someone is looking into bringing wrestling there,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

But mostly Holloway said he was there to thank the Township for its support and the use of the Hall.

“Our bank account is sound and that’s because of this place here,” Holloway said.

Building Report

“It looks like you’re very busy these days,” Mayor Frances Smith told Chief Building Official Andy Dillon during his report.

“We’re just taking them one at a time,” he said.

Smith noted that while the number of permits has remained about the same (20 in July of 22 and 21 in July of 24) the construction value ($8,855,900 in 2022 vs. $11,431,500 in 2024) is much higher.

“Things are getting more expensive,” she said.

Coun. Duncan McGregor asked about feedback concerning septic inspections and Dillon responded it’s been “mixed.”

“It’s going to be challenging to meet Building Code setbacks of 15 metres, especially on islands,” Dillon said. “Some of the islands aren’t 30 metres across.”

Smith said that there are a lot of things that were allowed years ago that they’re having to deal with now.

“And it’s something we’ll be dealing with for years to come,” she said.

Fire Master Plan

Fire Chief Greg McDonough said he expects to present the Fire Master Plan in September but doesn’t anticipate a long meeting.

“Many of the items have already been implemented,” he said.

Budget update

Treasurer Michael McGovern said the Township is in good shape financially in terms of budget to actuals with this year’s expenditures being $1.5 million lower than the same point last year.

“But that will be eaten up with things like insurance and gravel,” he said.

Meanwhile, Council approved $225,000 for a new culvert on Fifth Lake Road.

Special Events and Vehicle Policies

Council had its first look at a special events policy as well as a vehicle policy.

CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn said they plan to circulate the special events policy to groups who put on such things for feedback and the vehicle policy to the lawyers to have a look at liability for employees that use their own vehicles for Township business.