News from Frontenac Islands
The Township of Frontenac islands heeded the advice heard by Mayor Denis Doyle at the ROMA conference, that a “Lame Duck” resolution should be passed well in advance of the coming MUNICIPAL election. (Oct.22nd) The resolution council passed, at their regular meeting in March, delegates authority to the township’s CAO Darlene Plumley through a possible lame duck period (which may occur between July 28th of this year until the new council take office in December 2018 following the election.

In politics, A lame duck is an elected official, such as mayor or member of council whose successors are already elected. The official is often seen as having less credibility or influence with other politicians due to limited time left in office due to planned retirement or electoral loss. “On the other hand, a lame duck may make decisions that could have serious consequences. And without such a resolution a township could end up in chaos,” Mayor Doyle said.

At the same meeting, a team of Public Health Inspectors from the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Public Health Unit were present to outline the many areas of public health under their jurisdiction. Mayor Doyle (Frontenac County’s Deputy Warden) is a county representative to the KFLA Health Unit. He serves as president of the KFLA Health Board. The Mayor welcomed Andrew Girouard presently Manager of Environmental Health, Gary Brasnell and Dave Mitchell, both Public Health Inspectors. (also including septic systems inspections and approval).

Andrew Girouard , outlined KFLA’s major areas of community health promotion and concerns and the many roles of inspectors. “The best way to describe what we do is to describe it under the new Public Health Standards: Food Safety, Safe Water, Healthy Environments, Infectious and Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control, as well as Emergency Management as a Foundational Standard,” he said

“The Health promotion Act includes safe drinking water and all that entails. We inspect small AV water systems, beaches, water trucks, spas, pools, indoor out, wading pool and splash pads, etc. We deal with Health hazards,( land lord tenant issues, injury prevention pest control, drugs). We inspect for carbon monoxide, radon, mold, magnetic fields climate change and Rabies, Lyme disease(mosquitos, bat, ticks, livestock bites).There are inspections of personal service settings, funeral homes, summer camps and childcare facilities, and safe shelter. We also waste disposal also including septic systems,” he concluded.

Gordon Mitchell an inspector with the powers and duties of a CBO, Chief Building Inspector for Part 8 of the building code, (sewage systems: design, construction, operation) followed. “We have a contract with Frontenac Islands and 9 other municipalities for this part of the Building code, respecting a number of new regulations,” he said. “We are called upon to review new construction and renovations.” He showed pictures of sewage systems including a new system approved in January that replaces the need for sand and gravel and uses pipes called infiltrators. With new regulations requiring Health Unit review of any new construction and renovations, he recommends that homeowners review building/renovation plans with the Health Unit in advance of any construction to determine, if they affect an existing sewage system, avoiding surprise or disappointment later. This important presentation was followed by a Q.& A.

In other business it was noted that work cannot begin on Howe Island’s North Shore and Spit roads until the work is budget approved and half-loads limits are lifted. Further to Howe Island, the “Foot Ferry” at the east end of the island will be out of service for at least 3 months for extensive deck work and other repairs at Tom Wroe Boat Building Ltd. at a property on Wolfe Island.

Further delegations included Frontenac County Economic Development Manager Richard Allen there to present an overview of the “Foot to Ferry Initiative” a very successful Frontenac County Brand Ambassador Program highlighting in Frontenac.

Council also entered into an agreement with Wolfe Island Music Fest organisers for the rental of the W.I. community centre grounds for the event Aug.10-11. This year the Music Fest will celebrate its 20th year on the island.

Around Town; * Notice to Howe Island Residents Frontenac Islands Howe Islander (Township Ferry) will be out of service from Monday April 16th, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. for Vessel Rehabilitation and Inspection for approximately 10 weeks..** The next Frontenac Islands Meeting of Council will be held Mon. April 9th @ 6:30 pm at the Howe Island Township Office to pass a by-law to adopt the 2018 budget.***Now that the ferry Wolfe Islander 3 is operating from Marysville at Wolfe Island, the village is anticipating a busy season as shops and restaurants reopen and event planning is underway.
The ice is out of the bay but it is still cold.Brrr