South Frontenac Council - Feb. 22/11

Wilma Kenny | Feb 24, 2011

Water Treatment Plant Update

CAO Orr reported that the water treatment plant upgrade was on schedule to be completed this spring. A brochure is to be mailed to all Sydenham home and business owners, explaining the change from chlorination to chloramination. Copies will also be available at the township hall, the library and the post office. The date is not yet set for a public information meeting, which is to be held this spring before the plant opens.

Land O’ Lakes initiatives

The Land O‘ Lakes Tourist Association will be seeking funding to hire a community events festival coordinator, and they are also seeking some funding to be able to offer 40% rebates for community revitalization initiatives. Both services would be available to the nine townships in the association’s area. Council agreed that if these initiatives did not require any funding from the township beyond what goes into this year’s budget, they would be willing to participate.

Strategic Planning

Orr raised the issue of strategic planning by presenting Council with a definition and a seven-step approach. The process would address and prioritize the questions of what council wants to accomplish in the course of its term, and in the next 10 years. He emphasized that it could not be done in a regular meeting; it would require one or two days’ work, and might best be professionally facilitated.

Mayor Davison strongly endorsed the idea, and added that community feedback would be an important component. “It was an amazing experience!” commented John McDougall of his participation with strategic planning for the school board.

“How can we plan when the world’s changing, and government’s cutting back all the time?” asked Bill Robinson.

Councilor Larry York suggested that eight or nine years would be far enough to look ahead. Mark Tinlin supported the idea of an ‘outside’ facilitator. Councilor Naish agreed. (Councilors Stowe and Vandewal were not present.)

Wayne Orr summarized the process as a way of “getting our house in order,” and said he would set it up for May.

Quinte Conservation

Quinte Conservation Authority sent a letter reporting they have held their 2011 budget to a zero percent increase, although it is based on assessment, so the actual township draws may not be exactly the same as last year. Mayor Davison recommended that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the Cataraqui Conservation Authority (which has increased its levy to South Frontenac.)