North Frontenac Council – March 14/25

Jeff Green | Mar 19, 2025

Two presentations were features of last week's council meeting. The first was the work plan presentation from Frontenac County Director of Planning and Economic Development Joe Gallivan. The department provides county level planning services, and is also the contract planner for North Frontenac. Much of what Gallivan went over was similar to what he said earlier in the week in Central Frontenac (see report in this issue). 

He said that there has been very little activity in North Frontenac in regard to new subdivisions, but sees a possibility that small scale private developers will come into the township in the next couple of years. The Frontenac County Communal Servicing Corporation, which has been set up after several years of preparation, may have an impact on development in North Frontenac going forward, Gallivan said.

The next part of that process for North Frontenac will be to pass an amendment to the township's official plan, to permit communal servicing in specific locations within the municipality.

“We have scheduled a public information session in the North about communal servicing for May 9th” Gallivan said.

“I'm going to get calls about why we aren't having it when the cottagers are here,” said Councillor Roy Huetl. “Can that be scheduled later in the season, maybe on a Saturday morning.”

Mayor Gerry Lichty agreed. 

“I think sometime in June might be better,” he said.

Gallivan said he will work with township staff on an alternate date for the session.

Waste Management

The annual report on the township's active and closed waste sites was presented by Michael Pion from Cambium. He said that an attempt is being made to re-open the suspended Ardoch site, which has significant capacity remaining, for township use only, to deposit waste from transfer stations across the township. The process will take some time, as the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the approval authority for waste management, sets out the approval process.

The township has 59 years of active dump life remaining in its sites. 

“I know it seems like a long way off, but what is our plan after that?” asked Deputy Mayor Inglis.

The province is 10 years away from reaching its capacity at the large facilities that they use for municipal waste, Pion said, putting the North Frontenac case into perspective. 

Also, the capacity is based on current rates of dumping, which have already decreased due to more reuse and recycling.

“We have no idea what technology will come in over the next ten years to affect that 59 year estimate,” Pion said.

Kaladar Barrie Fire Department Annual Report

Casey Cuddy, the long serving fire chief who oversees the Kaladar-Barrie Fire Department, which serves residents in both Ward 1 (Barrie) of North Frontenac and Ward 2 (Kaladar) in Addington Highlands, presented his annual report to Council.

The breakdown of service calls, that was part of the report, showed that 37% of calls for the department were in the Cloyne area, and 36% in Northbrook/Harlowe. As well, 10% of the calls were for fires (vehicle, wildland and structure) 36% were medical calls, 18% were motor vehicle collisions.

The Equipment replacement cost for the department is $526,000 per year, funded by both townships, along with operational costs.

Councillor Huetl asked Cuddy if the amount he has budgeted for equipment replacement costs is sufficient.

“I'd rather make sure you were properly funded, than deal with shortfalls in the future or put operations at risk.”

Cuddy said the budget request from the department reflected the needs.

Seniors of the Year – The North Frontenac Senior of the Year will be Betty Hunter, based on a long list of volunteer activities, dating back decades. Not only is she a driving force behind the North Frontenac Observatory, and its events throughout the year, she is also involved in craft shows and the Clar-Mil Hall. She was also a council member in North Frontenac for two terms, and a member of the North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force for many years. She also has a regional focus, serving on the Board of Frontenac Business Services, and on the Frontenac County Economic Development Advisory Committee.

Hunter was chosen over another worthy nominee, Lois Emond. Council also decided to nominate a previous senior of the year in North Frontenac, Barb Sproule, for a provincial senior of the year award.

Updated Outdoor Solid Fuel Bylaw

On the recommendation of the township's solicitor, the bylaw regulating outdoor wood furnaces, first adopted in 2020, has been changed to add more defined penalties, and clarify some language. The solicitor pointed out that the existing bylaw would not stand up to scrutiny in court.

Mayor Lichty said he does not know how the new bylaw could be enforced, but Chief Administrative Officer Cory Klatt said that the bylaw is focused on some extreme cases, where smoke is impacting neighbouring property owners throughout the burning season.

“We need to have something we can enforce in serious, ongoing cases,” said Klatt.

“I agree with Cory,” said Councillor Vernon (Micky) Hermer, “I've been there, I've smelled that.”

Council approved the updated bylaw.

Cemetery plots

Under a new price list, cemetery plots will be sold to township residents for $500, and cremation lots for $250. The prices are higher for non-residents. The township will also buy back plots, and lots, that residents have purchased in the past and are not going to use, at the current price. Residents can also sell plots and lots privately.

“Is it now possible to speculate on plots, like real estate speculation,” said Deputy Mayor John Inglis.

“The price can't be higher than the township price of $500,” said Tara Mieske, who put together the new price list.

“Can we enforce that?” asked Inglis.

“Well, it is enforced because why would someone pay more than $500, when they can purchase a plot from the township for $500.”

“It's getting more expensive to die,” said Councillor Hermer.