Report to Ratepayers and Residents - March 2020

Good afternoon, all:

The end of winter and the coming of spring usually herald some relief. Not so much this time around.

COVID-19

We are going through some events that we’ve not seen in a little over a century, and the stress of the unknown is likely taking its toll.

With regard to coronavirus, I don’t have anything official to say at the moment. If - and when - that changes, and information is presented, I will be posting it here.

In the meantime, I urge you to follow what we know to be best practices – washing your hands thoroughly and frequently, using hand sanitizer if available, and being prudent when it comes to public gatherings. If you feel ill, seek medical attention and limit your contact with others. Also, we need to look out for one another. It’s at times like these that people can be at their most vulnerable. If you know of someone who is alone, give them a phone call to see how they’re doing.

Above all, we need to function on reliable information and not rumours. For that, the KFL&A Public Health Unit is the single best reliable local source for advice. Their COVID-19 webpage is: https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/novel-coronavirus.aspx

Sharbot Lake Re-construction and revitalization

As you know, the Township was approved for infrastructure grants to embark on a long-overdue reconstruction of streets, storm drains and sidewalks in the village core. Further to that, the Township has partnered with the County in applying for a grant that would see a ‘revitalization project’ that would occur at the same time. That second phase will involve significant input and guidance from our Economic Development Committee, which I am proud to serve as Chair.

While we can all agree that the work is badly needed, there are concerns about what some people have interpreted as a prioritization of one area over another. I would like to speak to those concerns.

First, the projects are mostly funded through infrastructure grants made available through our federal and provincial partners. Given our population and assessment base, it is difficult to imagine such projects being 100 percent funded through the Township. But the commitment of that money comes with conditions. We are given the grants for a specific purpose, and do not have the latitude to use it at our discretion. In our public works budget, we determine multiple projects, and specific funds are set aside for each stand-alone project. For those reasons, it is not an either-or proposition.

Second, regardless of where money is raised, our budget is township-wide and township-focused. Increasing economic activity in one area means more revenue – money that can be spent on priorities anywhere within Central Frontenac.

Lastly, the ‘revitalization’ aspect of the project has use beyond Sharbot Lake. Any data, information, plans and blueprints that come from this project belong to the Township – and can be used again and again. For example, hamlets like Arden, Mountain Grove, Parham, Tichborne, and Godfrey / Piccadilly can benefit from the work we do. Less money for planning and consulting means more money for the actual project. Along with the rest of our committee, I see this work as a template we can use to spur development in as many places as possible – and for the greatest good in every district.

Oso waste site closure

At our last Council meeting, we talked about the site off Crow Lake Road, and the plans that would have to be made for its eventual closure. The word ‘eventual’ is important because sites do not close on short notice. Typically, you start the process years in advance, well before the site reaches full capacity.

The discussion had was whether or not the site would remain open as a ‘transfer station’ or be fully shuttered.

Along with others on Council, I supported keeping Oso open as a transfer station when it fills. I also supported Councillor Macdonald’s suggestion of possibly adjusting the hours of operation in order to extend the lifespan further.

When this happens, it will result in one ‘full service’ waste site in operation in the township – the one located near Mountain Grove. We are lucky that its capacity is large enough to sustain us for many years. Having said that, getting to and from waste sites is an issue, and every full closure equals an added travel distance for people. Right now, a good portion of Hinchinbrooke District has an enormous amount of travel to get to a waste site – especially the western area that would have used the old Wilkinson site in years past.

My hope is that we can have a bigger discussion on waste management – both in the overall capacity, and in the way we make the service accessible to our community.

Day of the Pig

The annual Seed to Sausage celebration – the Day of the Pig – will be moving to the Parham Fairgrounds this year (May 16thfrom 10 am to 5 pm). It is great news that this popular event is moving into Parham. Together with the Parham Fair and the ongoing activities of the District 4 Rec Committee, I hope we can make the village a centre for even more activity in the future!

Chinese Dinner and Quarter Auction

Last weekend’s Chinese Dinner and Quarter Auction was once again a sold-out affair – and a very good time. Many thanks to the District 4 Rec Committee and the volunteers who made it all happen. Also, thanks to the many donors who contributed items for the auction. This money supports the work of a very dedicated group of people in our community who contribute generously of their time, talent and effort to improve life in our area.

In closing, I can only offer my best wishes and thoughts to you and yours. These are stressful times, but we are lucky to live where we do and have the friends and neighbours we have. When you have those things, you have a lot. There is so much that feels out of our control - and that’s very overwhelming. There are things we can do to keep ourselves and others well and at ease. If we all resolve to do what we can, where we can, we can help make things a bit easier to handle.

In the meantime, I’m just an email, phone call or text or message away.

Take care.

Brent