South Frontenac Council looks at the Mill Projects

Wilma Kenny | Apr 23, 2025

A public meeting was convened, to discuss the two Mills projects (Petworth and Bellrock). Both are sites of once active mills which ground grain, sawed lumber and constructed cheese boxes out of veneer. (Next week: an article about the production of cheese in the South Frontenac area). Currently, little remains of the original mills: Petworth has partial stone walls, one containing the sluiceway arches; Bellrock’s frame mill has been removed because it had become dangerous to enter, and too fragile to be restored. The remaining pieces of machinery from Bellrock (a number of years ago, much of the remaining mill equipment had been auctioned off) have been removed into storage by the Township.

Kyle Bolton, Director of Public Services, reported that the Township’s current plan is to preserve the remaining walls and ensure the sites can be safely opened to the public, creating welcoming spaces for people to enjoy while learning about the history of the mills, both of which played important roles in the relatively recent history of the area. The intent is to develop safe, accessible ‘parkettes’ displaying artifacts and historical information. 

The landscape architectural firm of Lashley and Associates was engaged to provide concept plans reflecting community feedback, building codes and reviews of past history. The community feedback indicates strong interest in both projects.

Current funding includes $30K for concept design plans, $200K for Petworth stone wall repairs and capping, and $11,000 in community donations. To date, funding for Bellrock has yet to be announced. The sluiceway remains, and has been fenced off for safety, awaiting restoration of the site with parking, picnic sites, etc. A March 2025 stakeholder meeting had 17 attendees, and a good amount of feedback on both mill projects.

Zoning Application for SE corner: Rutledge and Sydenham Roads

A public meeting was held on behalf of an application by John Willes (The Boulevard Group) to amend the zoning by-law on the property on the southwest corner of Sydenham and Rutledge Roads. The owners wish to sever a 4-acre piece from the 65-acre property in order to accommodate a single storey building for warehousing and distribution of a shipping pallet safety system product, with the potential of adding a manufacturing component in the future.

Currently, a Hydrogeological Assessment is being reviewed by a third-party consultant on behalf of the Township, a traffic brief is being reviewed by Public Services, and a detailed policy analysis will be forthcoming. There were no comments from the public at this meeting.

2025 Final Tax Rates

In Dec/24, SF Council approved 2025 Capital and Operating budgets requiring $23,753,588 to be raised by taxation. 50% of the tax bill will be due on Monday June 30,2025, with the balance due Monday Sept 29. Actual amounts will be based on property assessments.

SFFR Pumper and Tanker Purchases

In January, a Fire Dept pumper and a tanker failed safety inspection due to deterioration. Council agreed to authorize the purchase of a new pumper with an upset limit of $725,000 and a new tanker with an upset limit of $690,000 for a total of $1,415,000. These purchases are to be funded from the Fire Equipment Reserve in the amount of $300,000 with the remaining amount of $1,115,000 to be borrowed from the Asset Investment Reserve with repayment taking place in 2026 ($739,500) and 2027 ($375,500). Apparently, the building at Station 7, where the trucks were housed, has what is described as “significant moisture”.