South Frontenac Council - May 10/11

Wilma Kenny | May 12, 2011

Backyard chickens rejected in South Frontenac

Lindsay Mills, Planning Coordinator, presented a list of issues that could be considered should council wish to develop a by-law permitting rural residents living on two-acre lots to raise a small number of chickens (10). Presently, although 100 chickens would be permitted on a three-acre hobby farm, none are allowed on a two-acre rural residential lot.

Mills’ report included a definition of hens (domesticated female chickens), and dealt, among other things, with disposal of deceased hens, and storage and disposal of manure. It cautioned that “no hen shall become a public nuisance through its persistent clucking,” and stated that “no hen shall be permitted to be at large in the community.” After some discussion, Council arrived at a general agreement that there was not sufficient community interest to warrant passing such a by-law.

Councilor Bill Robinson called the bylaw “ridiculous!” and Councilor Larry York called it “a waste of time!”

Objection to racing

Maureen Birdsell came as a delegate to protest a proposed zone change that would permit vehicle racing on the Bill Day property on Harrowsmith Road. She cited noise, dust, garbage and a past history of disruptive behaviour related to grass drags on the property.

Waste site report

On behalf of AECOM Consulting, engineer Guy LaPorte gave his annual review of the township’s waste sites. Groundwater, surface water and methane emissions are all tested each year. LaPorte said there are concerns at the Loughborough waste site with groundwater, and at the Portland site with surface water. Both are being closely monitored. Burridge and Massassauga sites in Bedford are both slated for closure this year.

Guy LaPorte and Public Works Manager Segsworth agreed that the only way to get an accurate measurement of the quantities of waste going into the landfills is to have regular access to weigh scales. This would make it possible to realistically predict the lifespan of township landfills.

Strategic planning day planned

Deputy Mayor Mark Tinlin, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Davison, suggested that now the budget was out of the way it was time to set a day aside for strategic planning. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs will provide two facilitators for the process. It was generally agreed that this discussion would include council and staff, but not community members, in order to have a more efficient-sized working group.