South Frontenac Council - May 30/13

Wilma Kenny | May 29, 2013

Naming of New Roads and Lanes

Council reviewed and approved a process that is designed to streamline the (admittedly infrequent) task of choosing names for new roads and lanes. Planner Lindsay Mills noted problems with names that are in some way amusing or trendy, leading to recurring theft of road signs.

Mills proposed that a generic list of names be drawn up, to be chosen from in the future. The names in the list should be clear and distinctive, to facilitate emergency response, and should not duplicate names in neighboring municipalities within the 911 service area. They should not connote any topic that might invite sign theft, or be named after a living person.

Council would retain the right to choose a name not on the list in the case of an unusual situation, such as an historical name in a particular area. A public meeting would still be required before naming a private lane.

Communications Allowance for Councillors: Currently there is an inconsistency in the level of support councillors receive for their telephone/fax/e-mail expenses. Last year five out of the eight claimed expenses for an average of $45 per month. Council accepted the Corporate Services Committee’s recommendation that a fixed rate of $50 per month be paid to each councillor, to go toward the cost of maintaining the communication preference of their choice.

Lake Association Meeting: Late last August, Council and staff met with representatives from ten of the local lake associations. It was agreed that this had been a beneficial exchange of information. A similar meeting will be arranged for this summer.

Policing Costs: As agreed last week, Mayor Davison has sent a letter to the province-wide Mayors Coalition for Affordable Sustainable Accountable Policing, stating South Frontenac’s support, and their strong opposition to “the unilateral and unrealistic expectations and costs of the Ontario Provincial Police.”

Cataraqui Conservation Authority Report: Alan McPhail, Chair of the CCA Board, drew Council’s attention to a three-page list of 2012 accomplishments in watershed management, education, public area management and programs, and stewardship.

All You Ever Wanted to Know...

Council got a sneak peek at an information brochure that will be enclosed in the next tax mail-out. It is full of information about the township’s current solid waste management program. It begins with the unsettling information that South Frontenac residents toss 6,000 tonnes of waste a year into our rapidly-filling landfills. The township’s goal is to help make it as easy as possible to divert several of those tonnes into recycling and compost, and this brochure is meant as a step in that direction.