North Frontenac Waste Sites In Good Shape

Craig Bakay | Mar 22, 2023

“You’re in good shape and managing them (your waste sites) well,” David Bucholtz, director of environmental services with Cambium Inc. told North Frontenac Council at its regular meeting March 17 in Plevna.

“You’re in very comfortable shape compared to your neighbours,” he said.

In his report, Bucholtz noted that training was completed in May 2022, including health and safety training. In terms of aesthetics, transfer stations and closed sites were well maintained.

“Extra litter clean-up time in 2023 should focus on active waste sites in the peripheral areas (tree lines, watercourses),” he said.

There are “a couple of minor repairs” for monitoring well security/compliance to be completed in 2023.

“There are no complaints, minimal incidents, some theft/trespassing,” he said.

In terms of remaining capacity, the township as a whole has 49 years left, with Kashwakamak having the most (87 years) and Plevna the least (32 years).

Ardoch, although technically closed, could be reopened if desire and has 38 years of capacity left.

When it comes to waste diversion (recycling), the amounts are decreasing having gone from 304.1 tonnes in 2020 to 287.47 tonnes in 2021 to 235 tonnes in 2022.

As for individual sites, he said Plevna “has a bit of a bear problem but you’ve taken measures to address this” and Cloyne “has a fair amount of water around (but) the ministry is aware of it and the Township is taking action.” He said beavers seem to be the problem around Cloyne.

Taxes up 3.85%

Council passed a bylaw to adopt tax rates for 2023, with a 3.85 per cent increase to the levy.

Septic re-inspections

The Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office conducted 11 inspections in North Frontenac in 2022 (9 on Big Gull Lake, 1 on Sunday Lake and 1 on Millers Lake), Inspector Eric Kohlsmith told Council.

The inspections were voluntary.

“We sent out more than 300 invitations,” he said. “I think we did 278 out of 300 invitations in Central Frontenac but their program is mandatory,” he said.

Of the 11 systems, 4 were identified as having no concerns, 4 required some remedial work and 3 required replacement, he said. Seventy-three per cent of waterfront property owners were on-site during inspections to receive information regarding the maintenance and operation of their sewage system.

Mayor Gerry Lichty and Dep. Mayor John Inglis are setting up a meeting with the North Frontenac Lake Association Alliance to discuss a mandatory inspection program for 2024.

Parks reserve needs new parking space

As part of the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23), funds in the special parks reserve fund are subject to a 60 per cent of the monies in that special account shall be spent or allocated at the beginning of the year.

North Frontenac had been putting funds from the Park Levy into that account as well as funds collected from the sale of land (primarily shore road allowances).

Treasurer Kelly Watkins recommended $14,000 be put into the Special Parks Reserve Fund and $332,497.45 be transferred to the Community Hall Reserve Fund to avoid the 60 per cent rule.

In a recorded vote, only Ward 1 Coun. Wayne Good voted against the proposal, concerned that since Ward 1 contributes more than the other two wards combined, it might be subsidizing work in those other two wards.

Council meetings at 5pm

Council voted to hold the July 21 and Aug. 10 meetings at 5 p.m. at the Plevna offices in the hopes that it might entice more citizens to attend.

Coun. Wayne Good said that has been tried in the past and unless there has been a very contentious issue on the agenda, nobody shows up.

Plus, Good said, evening meetings tend to go on longer and “I will not sit here until midnight.”

Council Remuneration in 2022

Including renumeration, mileage, conference expenses and office expenses, former Mayor Ron Higgins cost the Township the most in 2022, receiving $27,241,39. Then Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin received $22,727.03. Coun. Fred Fowler received $21,072.28, Coun. John Inglis received $19,667.85 and Wayne Good $18.975.58. Coun. Vern Hermer received $17,313.35 and Coun. Fred Perry $10,684.21.

New Mayor Gerry Lichty received $5,480.68 and Coun. Stephanie Regent and Coun. Roy Heutl each received $1,769.50.

Committee of Adjustment/Planning Advisory Committee members Barb Sproule, Carl Tooley and Gary Wood received $2.365.81, $3,583.42 and $1911.06 respectively.