Council Update - June 2019

Good morning, everyone

After a few miscues, it’s safe to say that we are finally in summer mode. It’s a good time to check in on happenings at Council and around the Township over the past month or so.

Roads:

This spring was particularly rough on our roads – damp and prolonged. Not only does it tear up the roads, it prevents you from getting in quickly. I know that some roads have been hit hard, and it has been very difficult for some traveling to and from home. We know that we have work to do, and we appreciate the patience people have showed. Roads are our biggest budget item and our biggest responsibility, so we want to do what’s needed to get it all on track.

We have been making progress on the Township’s draft ‘Roads Needs Survey’. This document combines information on the condition of roads with traffic data, the number of people who depend on those roads, and other factors in order to set better priorities for work each year. I am glad to see that Westport Road is ranked high on the list. Given the area / traffic it serves and the wear and tear it’s under, it should be a priority. The recent culvert work where Westport Road meets 38 moves us in the right direction.

This, of course, is beyond the work that Council has prioritized in the budget for this year – including Echo Lake Road. Crow Lake Road (which anyone who has gone to the Wemp Road waste site is familiar with) has already been put out for tender. In early 2018, we were unsuccessful in getting provincial support on that project, but it cannot wait. It will be resurfaced this year.

Waste Management:

We have also made a change for hazardous waste day, which was replaced in favour of ongoing access to waste disposal sites run by South Frontenac and the City of Kingston. Rather than one day a year, you can – for example – go to the Keeley Road site in Sydenham every Thursday. Cost and convenience were big drivers for the change, although the Township does reserve the right to return to the Hazardous Waste Day program in the future. If you plan on using that service, please remember to stop at the Municipal Office in Sharbot Lake to pick up a ‘ticket.’ If you don’t, their staff will levy a charge.

Meetings:

The summer remains a busy time, with committee meetings (Economic Development, District Recreation, Frontenac Community Arena), as well as recent meetings for the Property Associations at Elbow and Long Lakes. Both Eagle Lake and my own neighbours from Cole Lake will be getting together in the coming days.

Canada Day:

This past Monday, we had our Canada Day celebrations at Sharbot Lake beach. A big thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and township staff who helped make it a success. Also, thank you to our firefighters for hosting a pancake breakfast from the Wagner Road station. I understand that it was a bigger than usual crowd, but nothing they couldn’t handle!

Official Plan:

The new Official Plan for the Township is still being revised and refined. A series of public meetings are scheduled for Oso Hall, starting at 6 pm, for the following themes:

· July 31 – Waterfront properties / zoning

· August 7 – Settlement area properties / zoning

· August 14 – Rural area properties / zoning

All are welcome to attend. The feedback from these meetings will be incorporated into an updated draft. The plan is to have another public meeting for that draft before we move to a Council discussion and vote.

Parham Fair:

This year’s instalment of the Parham Fair runs the weekend of August 17th. It is always the highlight of the local calendar and a chance to celebrate rural life. And yes – the demolition derby is back again this year.

I suspect I will be spending a lot of time at the Fair, so if you want to say hello or have a chat, there’s no better place.

Senior of the Year:

This past Council meeting, we had the opportunity to honour Heather Fox for her years of service to the community – as a tireless volunteer, township administrator, and member of Council. Nicki Gowdy gave a heartfelt introduction to a very worthy recipient who has been a presence in many of our lives. It is hard to think of anyone more deserving.

Congratulations, Heather!

Closing Thoughts:

Central Frontenac – and Hinchinbrooke District in particular – is a great place to call home. The job of Council is to make it better. That comes with challenges. It might surprise people to know that sometimes we get frustrated too. Balancing changes from federal and provincial governments, new demands and existing priorities is just a normal part of the job.

But Council is no different than any other job. You have good days and bad, but you keep plugging at it because you are committed to seeing it through. Along the way, you get to work with some good people – whether it be colleagues around the table or neighbours down the road. If, at the end of the day, you can feel like you’ve made progress, it makes it worthwhile.

In closing, thank you for the privilege of being your councillor. I want to wish all of you a safe and happy summer, and hope you get the chance to take a moment to enjoy time with family, friends and neighbours.

Stay well.

Cheers,

Brent