What's New on Frontenac Islands

Its all about money!

The May meeting of Frontenac Islands council included a number of presentations, outlined in the May 22nd edition of The Heritage. One was with regard to the Wolfe Island Information Centre (now fully the responsibility of the township) included a request that it continue to be open and operational all summer with township funding and through donations

and the hiring of two students. The presentation was supported two business owners, who noted the importance of the Info Centre to the island because of it benefits to business through tourism. The discussion concluded with Mayor Doyle saying plans were underway to keep the Information Centre operating and a grant from Frontenac County through its sustainability funding sector would be requested for that purpose.

At the end of the meeting it came

up again when Mayor Doyle, as he usually does, called for any questions from public. A citizen asked that since residential and business tax rates are the same would it be out of order to ask island businesses if they might be willing to pay a slightly higher tax rate to help pay for the Info Centre and public washroom operation, a s they are the main beneficiaries identified in the presentation. Treasurer Carol Dwyre in response said that any change to the tax rate had to be made

at the county level and all the townships would have to agree. Or, she said, it would have to be a business improvement tax or a special levy, adding that the county had decided to hold the tax rates at the same level in order to encourage new business development. CAO Burns said that, to his knowledge, Frontenac County is the only county in Ontario that has the same rates for both residential and commercial properties.

Made Another point of interest was 613-

with regard to the Noise bylaw proposed for the Township (posted on the township we site) that will receive 3rd reading at the June 10th council meeting on Howe Island. Marysville resident Ken Keyes commended council for its efforts in this regard. One area of concern was that often times bylaws that affect Wolfe Island come up and are presented and passed at meetings on Howe Island and visa versa.

And finally , with little fanfare Council passed the Budget ……. Because the township is waiting for the final charges from Frontenac. County.. but initially for Wolfe (&Simcoe) the increase will be 2.81%, and for Howe ward, 2.02%. Here is some information regarding this year's (2013) use of Wind Power dollars. The year started with $262,000 in the Wind Reserve fund, plus $300,000 already invested. The township will receive a further $645,000 this year giving council a total of $907,000 to manage.

They will invest another $100,000, and set aside $220,000 for future costs that include fire and road department trucks, and a roof for the island's rink. They intend to use $81,000 for administration overheads, and $32,000 on culture & recreation (for instance $10,000 at the community hall, and money for the Historical Society, Early Years, and the Community Medical Clinic), and $270,000 generally to keep the tax rate down. At year end that will leave Wolfe Island with $204,000 in the Wind There's YOUR AD 613.546.3607 To Be in the Classifieds

Reserve fund, and $400,000 invested. Note that the funds set aside this year towards the rink roof and departmental vehicles will not cover their full costs.

FYI In 2012, $1.1 million was spent on roads on Wolfe Island (of which $344,000 was directly assigned from wind power money). This year $ 894,000 is budgeted for WI roads, without wind power $ assigned.

Around town: *Intense reconstruction continues at the Island Grill. (it will be a while yet.) * The Café Tenango , the WIPP, W.I. Bakery and the General Wolfe Hotel are open for the season. * Bicycle rental is available.. * WI welcomes back the summer students who work at keeping the ferry line moving. *The Community Garden is nicely taking shape.

Coming events: May 30 at 7 pm Osteoarthritis (speaker) WI Medical Clinic .*Rummage Sale WI. United Church June 1st 9am-2pm *Shell& Sails WI Boat House Sat. June 8th * WI Barrett Bay Regatta Sun. June 23rd.