South Frontenac Council - Oct. 2/12

Wilma Kenny | Oct 04, 2012

Posthumus Award

Linda Young accepted a Fire Services Long Service medal awarded to her late husband, Brian Young. Presenting the honour, Fire Chief Chesbrough spoke warmly of Young’s 25 years of dedication to the fire service and to his community. Mayor Davison recalled that Young once saved a man’s life by pulling him from a burning truck. Ironically, although Young had always been especially dedicated to safety, he conducted the rescue with no safety gear that night, for the burning truck had crashed just outside his home.

Reversed Decision

Council agreed, with a 7-2 majority, to reconsider their previous decision to refuse a fourth severance on the Asselstine property on Boyce Road in Hartington.

The township's Official Plan prescribes that only three severances can be granted on a single property, and that is why the initial application was refused.

Councilor Del Stowe, in asking to bring the motion back, said he had not realized that the severance, which is to be zoned commercial to accommodate a solar panel, cannot be converted to residential without further Council approval.

For that reason, he said that the severance could be granted in this case, because the intent of the Official Plan was to limit severances for new building lots to three per property, so granting the lot in this case remains consistent with the intent of the Official Plan.

Mayor Davison expressed concern that this was setting a bad precedent, but the severance was granted over his objection.

Vacation Policy

The township has accrued a growing liability (presently valued at $51,063) by allowing non-union staff to accumulate unused vacation entitlement. Funds have to be set aside each year to offset this future expense. CAO Wayne Orr brought forward a draft vacation policy that would clear up the accrued value and prevent it re-establishing: the cash value of carried-over vacation will be frozen at its Dec 2012 value, and any not used as vacation by the end of December 2014 will be paid out. In future, part-time employees will be able to carry a maximum of 10 days into the next year, and these cannot be further banked. The policy was accepted.

Perth Road Village Road Reconstruction Tendered

Out of ten submissions, Council approved Morven Construction’s bid of $932,317, for work that will include storm sewer, curb, sidewalk, and breaking of rock for ditches and road structure through Perth Road Village. Work will begin this fall, and carry over into spring 2013.

Portland Waste Disposal Site Plan

Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth reported that further study has indicated that a multi-faceted approach is necessary in order to effectively address the environmental challenges at the Portland Waste Site.

He recommends water level management, partial capping of filled areas, and an improved operational plan.

“The Quinte Conservation Authority has been very helpful in developing a better understanding of the hydrology of the area, with the result that some drainage blockages have been removed,” Segsworth told Council.

A partial capping plan is being developed, which will enable permanent capping of filled locations, thus preventing surface erosion.

Segsworth added, “Public input has been useful in working toward the development of an improved operational plan, which will be put in place before the end of 2012.”

Segsworth said that, if approved by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), the action plan will be monitored and analyzed over the next 2-3 years, to determine its effectiveness.

His report will be now be submitted to the MOE for approval.

Grass Drag Issue Resurfaces

Councilor John McDougall asked about the status of the grass drags recently advertised by Bill Day of Harrowsmith. Vandewal said, “He’s trying to stretch the envelope.” Mayor Davison said Council had agreed to one event only, as a memorial to Bill Day Sr., and asked that a registered letter be sent to Mr. Day, reminding him that if further events were arranged, the by-law officer would be notified.