North Frontenac to Assist Seniors Though Community Agencies

Craig Bakay | Jul 10, 2024

North Frontenac Council passed a bylaw at its regular meeting June 27 in Plevna authorizing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Rural Frontenac Community Services (RFCS) and Land O’Lakes Community Services (LOLCS) to provide services for residents over the age of 60 and those with physical disabilities.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Township will provide up to $10,000 per agency annually for the Seniors Home Support Program 2024-27, to offer North Frontenac senior (over age 60) and residents with physical disabilities a subsidy of up to $6 per hour from the Township for assistance with interior and exterior maintenance of the homes; up to $3 per meal for the Meals on Wheels program and up to 10 Cents per kilometre (maximum of $25 per trip, whichever is less) for transportation costs within each agency’s transportation program.

RFCS will continue to provide interior services in Wards 2 and 3 in North Frontenac Township and will consider offering outdoor services throughout 2024-27 and also assist with directing clients to the LOLCS for clients requiring outdoor services.

LOLCS will continue to provide interior service in Ward 1 in North Frontenac as well as assistance with exterior maintenance for residents in Ward 2 and 3 throughout 2024-27.

Interior services available to clients via this program include but are not limited to sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, decluttering, cleaning furniture, cleaning walls, interior windows and deep cleaning.

Exterior service available to client will include but are not limited to snow shovelling/removal, cutting grass, washing outside windows, yard maintenance and piling wood.

In a report to Council, CAO Corey Klatt and Treasurer/CAO Back-up Kelly Watkins said this report came from a June 9, 2023 report/resolution entitled Update re: Seniors Funding.

“Uptake for the program got off to a very slow start,” the report said. “We are seeing some interest at this time (all indoor work) in Wards 2 and 3 from RFCS, (As of June 4, 2024), the Township has been invoiced $375for services in 2023, $748.96 for advertising in the Frontenac News and $502 for services in 2024.

“On June 12, the CAO and Treasure were invited by RFCS to attend the Community Café at the Ompah Community Hall to present our resident information about the Home Support Program. Our goal was to both recruit member of the community who wish to assist with providing services to those in need within the program and to ensure our community is aware of the available services.

“The presentation was well attended and well received.”

The report speculated that by increasing the subsidy for indoor and outdoor assistance by $1 per hour for each agency would increase the cost by about $500 based on current usage.

The report said that currently, both agencies provide a total of about 30 meals per week which would cost the Township about $4,700 per year and that the 10 Cents per km subsidy would cost the Township about $5,000 per year.

“I’m good with this,” said Coun. Stephanie Regent. “I think it’s a great thing, a good step.”

“I’m still concerned that $10,000 may be too much,” said Mayor Gerry Lichty. “So I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens.”

Watershed signage

In a 4-2 vote, Council approved a sign on Mountain Road delineating the split between the Madawaska and Mississippi Watersheds for a cost of about $200.

“I don’t think we should be putting up signs like this in remote areas,” said Coun. Fred Fowler. “It’s not so much the cost but I don’t think it’s going to do any good and if we do it in this spot we’ll have to do it someplace else too.”

Coun. Wayne Good said he agreed with Coun. Fowler, pointing out three other spots with similar characteristics.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Mayor Gerry Lichty. “I do a lot of travelling across Canada and I see it everywhere — watersheds, mountain ranges.

“I think it’s a unique thing that we have and I think we should identify it when we have the chance.”

Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule said that he thought with cottages, campsites, and a few lodges in the area, there would be plenty of people who would find it interesting.

“There’s a lot of history to the area too, with Mountain Road being the main access to the northern part of the Township for logging,” he said. “Perhaps some historical group might be interested in adding some information to this signage as they do in other areas.”