North Frontenac Council - Jan. 20/09

Jeff Green | Jan 22, 2009

Historical society has plans for Cloyne’s 150th.

Carolyn McCulloch and Marg Axford brought three issues to North Frontenac Council last week, to warm response.

The first was what they have dubbed the “Viking Lodge” project. It concerns a historic log cabin, located on Big Gull Lake on the property of Bob and Lori Cuddy. “It's a near-perfect example of the homes that were built in the 1860s” said Marg Axford, “the logs, which are up to 24 inches wide, are in quite good condition.”

The historical society would like to move it to the site of the museum in Cloyne so it can become, in itself, a display, and it can also house some of the artifacts currently housed in the museum and outdoors. “We have someone who is willing to do the move and the reassembly. We are asking for permission from Council to move this building, and if you can find it in your hearts to waive the fees that would be much appreciated”, said Axford.

The second item is the 150th anniversary of Cloyne and a plan to hold a birthday party for the village in conjunction with the Cloyne Showcase artisans’ show at North Addington Education Centre from August 7-9.

Cloyne was founded in 1859 and named after the village of Cloyne in Ireland. The moderate temperatures and rich farmland of Cloyne, Ireland have never been a feature of Cloyne, Ontario, but the village has prospered for 150 years nonetheless, and the anniversary promises to be a fitting celebration.

“We are planning to celebrate by having non-stop music and displays,” said Carolyn McCulloch.

Preliminary plans include renting a large tent to be located between the museum and the Barrie Hall. The committee would like to have township staff member Cory Klatt on their committee, and asked for a $2,000 donation from the township as well. Council agreed, subject to budget deliberations, which should wrap up later this month.

Finally, Marg Axford addressed Tappin's Bay.

“I know you are all sick of hearing about Tappin's Bay,” she said. Council has been debating traffic at the Tappin's Bay dock on Mazinaw Lake for several years but the historical society’s interest in the bay is less controversial. Records show that it was named after the Tapping family, and was misnamed Tappin's Bay. The historical society suggested that the name be changed to Tapping's Bay. “It will not solve all your problems, but it will be more accurate,” Axford said. Council agreed.

Long Service Awards – Certificates were handed out at the start of the meeting to long-serving township staff & volunteers. 25 Years of Service: Judy Tooley – Employee, Barbara Sproule – Committee Member, Leo Ladouceur – Fire Volunteer,Ruby Smith – Committee Member, and Stan Seitz – Fire Volunteer 15 Years of Service: Colonial St. Pierre – Fire Volunteer, George Clement – Fire Volunteer, John Ibey – Employee, Kevin Wheeler – Fire Volunteer, Randy Schonauer – Fire Volunteer, Scott Gemmill – Fire Volunteer, Tom Olmstead – Employee, and Dale Gemmill – Fire Volunteer 10 Years of Service: Linda Flieler – Fire Volunteer RonJones – Committee Member Steve Hermer – Employee, Christine McMurdock – Fire Volunteer, Gregg Wise – Employee, Norm O’Brien – Employee Roger Millar – Fire Volunteer, Tamara Vladimorova - Employee, and William Hermer – Employee.

Plevna Library – Council has authorized Cory Klatt to make the required arrangements for a portable classroom, currently located at the Glenburnie School in the City of Kingston, to be donated to the township. $26,000 will be set aside, pending budget deliberations, to be spent moving and outfitting the portable for use as a library. The proposed location is the former MNR site, located near Plevna on the Buckshot Lake Road. “I just wanted to ensure that the school board keeps it for us” said Klatt, noting that the building cannot be moved until a concrete pad is built for it, which cannot take place until after the frost is gone.

New roads task force – Councilors Olmstead, Watkins and Perry will serve on a roads task force. Council defeated a proposal to hire a consultant to complete “a cost benefit analysis re: road classification and maintenance levels”, opting for a councilor-led initiative instead. Members of the public will be invited to join the task force.

Helipad agreement cancelled, new one to be built.

An agreement with Tomvale Air Services, on Road 506, which has enabled the township to use the Tomvale Airport as a helipad for air ambulance, has been cancelled at the request of the airport's owner, Claudio Valentini. The helipad will still be available to the township through the winter months, and Council pre-approved a $25,000 expenditure in their 2009 budget to construct a new helipad on land they have purchased in the Ardoch area.

Broadband Application – An application for a major grant towards the establishment of wireless broadband service in the vast unserved areas of the township will be submitted in early February. The project will have a total value in excess of $1 million, with 1/3 of the money coming from municipal sources. Frontenac County is committed to paying the lion’s share of the municipal portion of this money.

An application for funding to cover broadband gaps in Central and South Frontenac and the Frontenac Islands that was submitted last fall was successful.