South Frontenac Council - Oct 9/12

Wilma Kenny | Oct 11, 2012

David Townsend, Director of Southern Frontenac Community Services, presented Council with an annual report on the agency. He described the upgrading of the current facilities at Grace Centre (formerly Grace United Church), and outlined plans for future expansion that would see a variety of local social services and community resources located under one roof.

Many of the current services and programs offered for seniors are aimed at helping seniors remain comfortably in their own homes as long as possible. Family services assist township residents with housing (including fuel, rent, and repairs), food, tax returns and referral services. Council members thanked Townsend and his board chair, Joan Cameron, for their work.

Amendments to Burning By-law

Fire Chief Chesebrough addressed some recommended changes to the current burning by-law. Burning permits will no longer be issued, as the process only creates confusion. Instead, the details of defining and regulating open air burning will be clarified by the proposed updated by-law.

Chesebrough recommended including over-the-counter fireworks in the level one fire ban and total fire bans, with the township retaining the right to authorize commercial fireworks displays on special occasions. Mayor Davison questioned the township’s ability to enforce a fireworks ban, asking, “How many fires have been started, in recent years, by fireworks?” “None.” was the reply by Cheseborough.

The proposed by-law lists a variety of factors that are to be taken into account in the decision to declare a Total Fire Ban, including weather conditions and information from the MNR, Frontenac Park and the Fire Marshall.

Councilor Mark Tinlin asked why fire ban signs were not being used. Chesebrough said that after a review in 2008, all signs were removed and replaced with information on the website and a 24-hour phone info line.

Harrowsmith Post Office

Council received a long report from CAO Wayne Orr summarizing the major themes and points raised at a recent meeting in Harrowsmith concerning the placement of post office boxes. Mayor Davison said that this is not a Council issue, but the responsibility of Canada Post, which has agreed to maintain communication with Harrowsmith residents, in trying to reach a more satisfactory resolution for the community.

2013 Budget Direction Requested

CAO Orr outlined the process for developing the 2013 budget: capital budgets will be presented at Committee of the Whole meetings, and a full Saturday session will be set aside to discuss the operating budget, with the goal of setting the 2013 budget prior to year end (using estimates for some revenues and expenses such as ministry and County funding and Conservation and OPP costing). Orr asked Council to establish a 2013 budget direction.

Construction Activity

The third quarter report from the Building Department shows construction activity is down this year as compared to the last two years.

Mayor Davison said they are presently interviewing candidates for new Chief Building Inspector.

Township Fire Numbers in Chaos

Fire Chief Chesebrough reported that the township's civic address numbering system has not been well maintained, with the result that there is a lack of consistency between the property identifiers used by MPAC, the township, and Bell canada. This is complicated by the township having five Boundary Roads, and between five and ten different Mill Streets and Church Streets. In his 2013 budget submission, Chesebrough will be addressing a plan to get the system brought up to date and coordinated.