South Frontenac Council - May 18/10

Wilma Kenny | May 20, 2010

Cataraqui Trail Success Story

Councilor Del Stowe and Pat McNamee made a brief presentation acknowledging the 10th anniversary of the 108 km Cataraqui Trail, which follows an abandoned CNR track from Strathcona (near Napanee) to Smiths Falls. They described the trail as a highly successful project. It is used year-round by hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, skiers and snowmobile riders. It has become a part of the Sydenham triathlon, and will be the site of a bike and hike event on September 25 and a cavalcade of colour wagon ride on October 14. There are plans to develop a rest area near Harrowsmith where the trail meets the K&P trail going north from Kingston. Del Stowe acknowledged the many contributions of volunteers, committees, clubs and municipalities in clearing brush, maintaining and repairing culverts and bridges, spreading gravel, and putting up signs and fences. He noted that 40% of the trail passes through South Frontenac, and thanked the township and its roads department for their ongoing support.

Septic Pollution Reduction Committee

Council agreed to accept the committee’s recommendation to run the septic re-inspection project for 2010 at a cost of $13,000 and at a target level of 100 to 200 inspections. This year’s subject lakes will be: Cronk Lake, Little John’s Sister Lake, Fourteen Island Lake, and the islands in Bob’s and Devil lakes.

Land for High School Expansion

Recently, the Limestone District School Board has approached the county to purchase the property at the corner of Mill Street and Rutledge Road, as part of the planned expansion of Sydenham High School. The county bought this land in 1975, but because it had not been intended for road widening, it was not transferred to the township at amalgamation along with the rest of the county roads system. The county will sell the property to the school board, but only with South Frontenac’s permission. Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth has met with the board officials, and reported that the building design is not completed, but the board has agreed to respect the township’s site plan control process in addition to the usual building permit requirements. Deputy Mayor Vandewal said he thought a site plan would be important, to ensure good sightlines were maintained at a dangerous corner.

Councilor Hicks suggested it should be more than a verbal agreement. Council added an amendment requiring a site plan agreement, then approved the sale.

Municipal Bridge Infrastructure Data Collection

Public Works Manager Segsworth recommended the township apply for the provincially available $5,000 matching funding to help finance the (provincially required) collection of data on the condition of municipal bridge structures. Council agreed.

CAO One-Year Performance Review

Deputy Mayor Vandewal said he was developing a small survey to collect input from staff, which would be taken into account when Council prepared the CAO’s performance review. Councilor Bill Robinson objected strenuously: “Why all this BS? This is a whole new procedure, we’ve never done it before… it brings in a lot of back and forth, and people who shouldn’t be in it.” Mayor Gary Davison defended the process, saying that the staff and department heads, who work daily with the CAO, are best equipped to comment on strengths and weaknesses. Council would still have the final say. Councilors Alan McPhail and David Hahn agreed. Councilor Robinson remained opposed to the change.

(Councilor Fillion was absent from the meeting.)