Milfoil major topic at joint North Frontenac-Addington Highlands Council meeting

Craig Bakay | Sep 11, 2024

North Frontenac Council hosted Addington Highlands Council in a joint Councils meeting Sept. 9 in Plevna with 12 items on the agenda.

As is often the case with such endeavours, not much of substance came from this but there were a few clarifications and exchange of ideas that may hold consequences for the future.

One such item regarding the Mazinaw Property Owners Association’s request that the joint Townships issue Official Tax Receipts to residents wishing to donate to applying ProcellaCOR FX in the lake to combat the influx of Eurasian Milfoil.

While it is unclear if such a thing is even allowable for a municipality to do, North Frontenac Coun. Stephanie Regent, in her capacity as Township liaison with the MPOA said: “If we could take a couple of steps back, I think the request for tax receipts was a little premature.”

She said after negative feedback on social media, the MPOA cancelled delegations to Addington Highlands Council and North Frontenac Council.

At issue seemed to be the potential long-term effects of ProcellaCOR FX and/or its potential to mitigate the milfoil problem.

“They would like joint acknowledgement that milfoil is a problem,” Regent said. “They’re also looking at getting some letters of support that they can take back to the Province.

“Perhaps we could recommend how they could proceed. They’d like a meeting with Reeve Henry Hogg, Mayor Gerry Lichty and the two MPPs.

“There is some government funding they can apply for but can we have some support.”

“There is concern about chemicals going into the water,” Lichty said. “But one of the biggest concentrations is right in front of the park.

“Perhaps that could be a pilot project.”

“They will not be the only group looking for help with this,” Regent said. “They are just in the spotlight.”

“No government organization wants to spearhead this project because of the potential liability,” said Addington Highlands Coun. Ken Hook.

The Councils agreed that Regent should communicate their desire to have representatives of the MPOA come to a Council meeting and make a presentation, which Regent said she would do.

While the assemblage of Council members was generally cordial and agreeable, there was one issue that for a short time threatened to be controversy.

North Frontenac Coun. Vernon Hermer expressed his displeasure that Addington Highlands had not backed his suggestion that the two Townships approach the Province to be reimbursed for money spent to recruit a doctor to the area.

“I don’t believe that was our expectation,” responded Addington Highlands Reeve Henry Hogg.

“This is not a made-in-Addington Highlands or North Frontenac problem,” said North Frontenac Mayor Gerry Lichty. “It’s (doctor shortages in rural municipalities) right across the province and in the Maritimes, it’s brutal.”

Another potential point of contention occurred during the discussion on the joint Kaladar/Barrie Fire Department. North Frontenac Coun. Fred Fowler said: “I see problems with buying equipment and how that equipment would be used.

“I think North Frontenac should have its own equipment.”

North Frontenac Coun. Wayne Good said that initially the joint fire department had problems but it seems to be working out well now.

Lichty said his beef with the process was communication and being informed of what equipment the department needs.

He said they get meeting minutes but he questioned how much information there is in them.

Once again, Good defended the department.

“If you want more information, you could attend the meetings yourself,” he said.

Addington Highlands Coun. Helen Yanch suggested that both fire chiefs should attend Council meetings once per month but that didn’t really go anywhere.

“There is a resolution on the books for Chief (Casey, joint department chief) Cuddy to attend a North Frontenac Council meeting around budget time,” said North Frontenac CAO Corey Klatt.

A few other notable moments from the meeting:

• Reeve Henry Hogg suggested maybe it was time for the two Townships to look at some form of joint bylaw enforcement
• Regent invited “someone from the other side of the highway” to join North Frontenac’s committee looking at affordable housing and economic development initiatives. Hook accepted the invitation.
• Both Councils agreed that “Do Not Litter” signs were desirable and left the details to waste management supervisors
• On affordable housing, Addington Highlands CBO David Twiddy said most of the questions he gets on the matter relate to tiny homes.
• Both Councils agreed that they haven’t had many complaints about short-term rentals. “I have not had one complaint this year,” said Klatt.