North Frontenac To Look At Possible Post Office Locations

Craig Bakay | Aug 28, 2024

North Frontenac Council directed staff to look for possible locations to house a Post Office in the Township at its regular meeting Aug. 22 in Plevna.

The request comes after Anders Carson, vice president of the Ontario Branch of the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association gave a presentation at the previous Council meeting July 22 where he outlined what would be required.

The Arden postmaster retired recently and the Post Office there closed.

In a resolution authored in part by Mayor Gerry Lichty, the Township acknowledged that while it supports Canada Post’s endeavour to replace the Ardoch Post Office, said endeavours have yet to be successful with the potential for the Ardoch Post Office to close permanently requiring residents to travel to outside North Frontenac for mail services.

The resolution further stated: “Be it resolved that the Township of North Frontenac continues to support Canada Post in this search

“And that Council instructs the Manager of Community Development to investigate and provide a report back to Council regarding the following options:

“• Converting an existing Township facility or portion thereof, suitable for use as a Post Office, at the Township’s expense; or

“ • Acquiring a specific facility such as a ‘portable’ or a ‘trailer’ suitable for use as a Post Office, to be located on Township property, and charge Canada Post their going leaser rate for use of this facility.”

“I’d like to add that we could possibly lease a property up to $1,000 per month and get back the $800 per month Canada Post pays,” said Lichty. “Otherwise the closest Post Office would be Northbrook or Sharbot Lake.”

However, while the resolution passed, not everybody on Council was thrilled with the proposal.

“I agree with this resolution and I understand the need for a Post Office but this is a federal responsibility we’d be paying for,” said Coun. Roy Huetl. “We’re already paying $15,000 a year for a physician, and that’s a provincial responsibility.

“Where does it end?”

“We get enough compulsory downloads, why volunteer for one?” said Coun. Vernon Hermer.

Coun. Wayne Good pointed out there would likely be costs for heat, hydro, well and/or septic involved.

“Doing nothing is not the answer,” said Coun. Stephanie Regent.

“We’re asking staff to look at what’s available and what would the cost be,” said Lichty.

Doctor Recruitment

Council approved a bylaw that would pay $15,000 per year as an incentive to a new physician at Lakelands Family Health team.

There will be an official signing ceremony Sept. 16 at the medical centre.

The Economic Development Task Force meeting had to be changed to Sept. 23 to allow all of Council to attend the ceremony.

Yard Waste

Council turned down a request to waive brush disposal fees citing grinding costs for the materials accepted.

“I’m not in favour of taking more yard waste at sites,” said Dep. Mayor John Inglis. “The sites are filling up fast.”

“I can’t believe how much construction waste we’re getting,” said Mayor Gerry Lichty.

When it was suggested that perhaps yard waste could be burned, Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule said: “we did that until about five years ago and it turned into complaints.

“And it burns forever.”

“I’m concerned about forest fires,” said Coun. Stephanie Regent. “And we’re always being told to clean up our properties.

“We need a cleaner system.”

Rental Suites

Council instructed planning staff to initiate the process of amending the Township Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw to address the issue of additional residential units per property in accordance with direction from the province.

Coun. Roy Huetl asked if lakeshore properties would be excluded from this.

Planner Dimitri Kurylovich said that they would be excluded due to concerns about nutrient loading on lakes and the fact that such units would likely be used for short-term rentals.

He said South Frontenac already has a similar process and they look to have North Frontenac’s plan in place for the 2025 building season.

Wellness Checks

Council deferred a motion asking for the implementation of Wellness Checks (primarily for seniors), which will probably be discussed at the joint Councils meeting with Addington Highlands Sept. 9. Several aspects of such checks would have to be worked out such as who would actually do them (firefighters were suggested but North Frontenac shares a fire department with Addington Highlands for Ward) and how this would mesh with existing wellness checks done by paramedics.