North Frontenac Council

Jeff Green | Mar 12, 2014

North Frontenac to build new township office

A report, which was commissioned and completed before a heating oil leak caused the North Frontenac office to be vacated a few weeks ago, was received by North Frontenac Council this week. The engineering group Greer Galloway prepared the report, which noted many deficiencies in the building, including a number of health and safety issues for the office staff.

In the conclusion, the report said, “In its current state, it is our opinion that the building should only be used as a storage garage, as there are concerns of fire safety and the building envelope construction”. The estimated cost to bring the building up to an acceptable standard was pegged at $400,000.

An alternative plan, constructing a new office building and council chamber, was given a rough cost estimate, excluding land and water/septic costs, of $1.9 million.

Faced with the two options, council opted to move towards putting up a new building instead of retrofitting the existing space.

CAO Cheryl Robson said that the remediation of the present building in response to the oil leak will proceed regardless of the report by Greer Galloway and Council's response to it. “The environmental factors need to be dealt with, and even if we go in a new direction we will need a building to work in until then,” she said.

Ompah fire hall renovation woes continue

New tenders for the long awaited renovation of the Ompah fire hall came in this week. The lowest bid was $364,000.

Although a financial report from township staff shows that there is over $250,000 in reserve for the project, and the Ompah Community Volunteers Association made a commitment of $97,000 towards the project on March 3, a council directive has put a $180,000 ceiling on the project's costs.

According to Rose Boivin, president of the association, “The council can complete this project without having to find any added funds from the budget.”

The matter has been put over until April, when it will return to the council table.

Budget discussion

A rough draft of the 2014 township budget was presented this week. It calls for a 3.016% increase in the overall levy to ratepayers. Two percent of that increase is dedicated to putting money aside for long-term infrastructure replacement needs as was recommended by an asset management plan that was accepted by Council late last year. The remaining 1% increase was attributed by CAO Robson to fixed cost increases such as fuel and utility costs, as well as a lower budgetary surplus in 2013 than 2012.

Council will look further at the budget in early April.

Allocations made

In advance of the budget, council approved a number of allocations. They agreed to spend $15,000 a year for five years to recruit a doctor for the Lakelands Family Health Team. A previous campaign, which was a joint initiative with Addington Highlands Council, resulted in the recruitment of Dr. Anne Wilson, who is working at the clinic. The new campaign is aimed at finding a new doctor in the face of pending retirements.

Land O'Lakes Community Services will receive $19,000 from North Frontenac this year, up from $15,000 last year. The money will be used to help subsidize the delivery of Meals on Wheels, the Adult Drop In, and transportation and homemaking services for the 1,500 residents who live in Barrie ward.

Council also approved a $2,000 donation to the Outdoor Centre at North Addington Education Centre for the purchase of equipment.