The July meeting of the Frontenac Islands Township Council is upon us and I have told you nothing about the June 11th meeting. What follows is a summary of it.
First of all, in the absence of Mayor Doyle, Deputy Mayor Natalie Nossal was in the Chair at Howe Island’s Town Hall where a number of items related specifically to Howe Island came up.
1.Howe Island’s “Foot Ferry has been out of service for refurbishment and according Public Works Manager Dillabaugh is nearly complete including some additional work and is expected return right about now (July). Ramp work was underway.
2. The Kayak Dock at the public area by the Foot Ferry on Howe is complete . Council heard a suggestion that at the (foot) ferry parking lot overnight parking should be restricted to vehicles with Howe Island Ferry stickers. A further suggestion came later that the WI Boat Club be made aware of the Kayak ramp on Howe Island.
The spring Howe Island Hustle raised nearly $2,500 bringing total monies for Howe Island recreational development up to $6,100. Also a donation was received from Lindy Howlings for a bench. It is to be placed along the Howe Island Trail.
A successful H.I. Open House on HI’s Waste and Recycling Disposal was held June 9th. June 16th, was the 40th Anniversary of Howe Island Fire and Rescue. An event for all ages was held on this occasion.
3. In other business: The township will provide alternative voting methods for the up coming Municipal elections in October (electronic voting machines, voting by mail and paper ballots.) Moving on to
4. Areas in Public Works Manager Rob Dillabough’s report were questioned specifically weed spraying and the effects of pesticides with possible harm to cattle, deer, flora, fauna and especially, bees and wells. Dillabough said the company awarded the contract know how to apply of the herbicides being used against wild mushroom etc.)
The process involves two years of spraying, with spot spraying as maintenance after that. It was suggested that land owners could post a sign to indicate they did not wish the roadside in front of their property to be sprayed
(It should also be noted that a dedicated citizens group on Wolfe Island has been removing (by hand) the very aggressive Dog Strangling Vine that is attacking trees around St. Margaret’s Hall and area)
5. The Township has asked MTO to accommodate priority boarding to the successful contractor for the paving of WI Road 7051/Road 96. On the Kingston side, 3 triaxle dump trucks (asphalt paving) each run between 6:15am to 3:00pm and from 7:00pm to 2:00am (last run).
On Wolfe Island side a maximum of 3 triaxle paving trucks, each run between 9:00am to 1:20am (last run). Concern was expressed regarding the safe loading and unloading of vehicles during the process as it pertains to Marysville. If issues do arise during the paving process it may be necessary to move the ferry to Dawson Point
6. Manco Recycling Systems Inc. will supply bins and truck Wolfe Islands Household Waste off the island.
7. The University Hospitals Kingston Foundation is once again holding their LifeCYCLE 2018 Event on Wolfe Island bringing many many cyclists to the island. The date is August 18th 2018. MTO will be informed and provided with the details of the event. It will also be promoted on the Frontenac Islands website.
8. Councillor Higgs an active member of the Rotary Club updated council with regard to their association with the Municipality of Namobuddha, Municipality of the Republic of Nepal. It had been expected that Shree Krishna Dhital would be visiting, but he was unable to secure a visa. Previously Frontenac Islands council had indicated an interest in maintaining a non financial relationship with the municipality to share friendship and information and exchanges about their many similar concern, economy, agriculture tourism, education etc.. Council formalized their relationship with a formal agreement and a motion
8. Wolfe Island Medical Clinic requested the closure of the main street Marysville from 9:00 until approximately 10:00 am for the annual Wolfe Island Classic 5/10K road race. It is the WI Clinics primary fund raiser. Main Street /Rd.#96 will be closed from the General Wolfe Inn Patio to the Frontenac Islands Township Office .
Around Town Since that meeting: *The summer students have arrived to work with the ferry line ups. Wonderful Frost Walks are underway. The Wolfe Island Community Art Gallery is open. The Fish Tales Shop has reopened as has the WI Old House Museum. There is a big Sandy Bay Shuttle Service on weekend till late August. Business at the WIPP, WI Grill and General Wolfe Inn is good. Fargo’s busy as always More and more people and cyclists are walking on to the ferry to enjoy Wolfe Island. (by the 50’s hundreds maybe on week ends now that school is out.. The farmers fields are planted and growing well. Riverfront Golf is busy even in the heat. The WI Boat Club and swimming dock are busy places. Check out the book sale there. Events have happened and there are more to come.
The Annual Road Race is Sunday July 8th.
Wolfe Island Business owner Casey Fisher addressed council, with regard to the Octoberfest proposal he has for Wolfe Island and his Wolfe Island Spring Craft Brewery. Casey was seeking a Noise Bylaw exemption from the Township for Oktoberfest, a family inclusive event to be held at 1570 county Rd 96 (Metal/Kraft) that “ will showcase the unique culture of the region.”
Oktoberfest in September will be held outside, under tents at the grassy areas around the building Friday Sept. 28th - 4pm to 11pm; Sat. Sept 29th 11am-11pm; and Sun. Sept 30th 11am-5pm. The Wolfe Island Spring Craft Brewery is on the west side at the end of the building. Hulton’s Bus Service will transport attendees to and from the Marysville ferry dock and the festival. “Local craft breweries, a variety of food vendors from local restaurants, markets and farms and local merchants have been invited. Live music will be included to provide entertainment as an additional draw and to showcase of local talent,” Fisher said.
But to achieve all this Fisher noted that while they plan to stay within the hours of the township’s Noise Bylaw the festival will exceed the acceptable decibel level and will require an exemption by Council. To minimize the impact of the noise exemption Casey added that Octoberfest will budget to provide alternate accommodations to the festival site’s immediate neighbours,” should they choose to take us up on this offer.”
Although Octoberfest will be held outside, efforts will be made to provide for accessibility including accessible toilets. The dates are Friday Sept. 28th - 4pm to 11pm; Sat. Sept 29th 11am-11pm; and Sun. Sept 30th 11am-5pm. Casey is looking for volunteers and of course your participation.
Whoever says township council meetings are boring is wrong. The Township of Frontenac Islands regular monthly meeting Monday May 14th was anything but dull. What follows is a very late update about some of the issues and information that came up.
At the out set a planning issue delay caused much grief to Howe Island resident Bill Mahoney who was anticipating approval for a variance that would allow him to begin construction of a new home on Howe island immediately with the construction firm already to begin. But important approvals for the application had not been received from the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority and the variance was not on the agenda. However a special meeting date was set to help deal with the issue as quickly as possible.
Do you remember the long bit of news about the naming and renaming of highways, private roads streets etc. within the township a number of months ago? At that time there was a request to rename a road that had already been renamed Earle’s Way to Evergreen Way West and it was based on the information on hand. At the May meeting an understanding had been reached with the two parties involved and the road has once again been renamed Earle’s Way.
There were five delegations that evening. Bill Robertson Howe Island Ratepayers association was there to plead with the township to make real time cameras a priority at both of Howe Island’s ferry docks as they had on three prior occasions since August 2017 (Jan. April 2018) with no success. “I want to persuade you to lessen difficulties for ferry users particularly with small foot ferry out of service. We are asking once again that you make this a priority request. We also are asking for ferry maintenance periods be moved the evening particularly with only one ferry.” He requested additional crew for loading and unloading and loading lines as on Wolfe Island.
With regard to an extra crew Deputy Mayor Nossal noted that an additional crew has already been assigned, and a request to change ferry maintenance periods to evenings has been made to MTO, also a portable toilet was to be installed in the parking lot.
Roger Ellerton addressed council about the proposed H.I.’s Spithead (one way) Road Reconstruction increasing his travel distance, decreasing property values and changing the nature of the rural road. He proposed spot repairs on the road and continued drainage maintenance instead.
Joe deMora also addressed council in support of the proposed Spit Head Road Reconstruction and the ongoing discussion over a 3 year period. He acknowledged that the one way solution may not please every one but the road as is, is not wide enough or safe. He thanked the township for their effort.
WI resident Marjorie Bousfield was invited to explain her concerns about health and safety regarding to LED lighting, it’s intensity and wattage in certain areas in Marysville including, the Seniors Apartments, Community Centre Grounds, Transfer Site, Fire Hall Helipad and the light located at the Community Hall affecting a number of residents directly. The township agreed to look into the matter. Ms Bousfield had previously sent a file of material regarding LED lighting to members of council.
Other business: * A proposed name update for the Howe Island and the Simcoe Island Ferry Services to Marine Services Division was approved;* Power Marine Centre will supply and install a new Floating Kayak Dock and Launch on Howe Island; * Public Works Manager Dillabough’s third anniversary with the Township was acknowledged. * Council received report from Howe Island Fire & Rescue about the donation of a Fire Pump upgrade on their Marine Unit. *The township has asked MTO to consider that the Wolfe Island ferry operate from the Dawson Point dock during the repaving of Road #96 from the 7th line to the Marysville dock and that it return to the summer dock as quickly as possible.. *A similar scheduled system of Priority Boarding for the WI Roundup booking times for trailer access, as in the past is being set up for the weekend of Friday June 29th all day and Sun. July 1st with 2 trailers each trip off the island. ** It is time to begin thinking about Municipal Elections….
Frontenac County- and it's “In Frontenac” team has established a web site that includes Wolfe Island and is well worth looking at/promoting to friends and visitors.
It outlines the features of Marysville and encourages “Walk On” Visitors to the island, even suggesting parking facilities in Kingston where to leave the car behind. 'Ferry by Foot' is the best way to avoid long line up's to go home. If you are on route to the US via Horne's Ferry Of course you require a vehicle (and a passport). Also if you are travelling to Big Sandy Bay during the week.
However when it comes to Big Sandy Bay a bus service will be available every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday during July and August, visitors are invited to leave their cars in Kingston, walk on the ferry, and ride the “Big Sandy” shuttle bus to Big Sandy Bay Conservation Area. Catch the bus at the Town Hall, a short walk from the ferry dock. You are reminded that there IS an entry fee to Big Sandy Bay. Welcome to Wolfe Island… Let's hope it is sunny and warm.
Visit the this website:www.visitwolfeisland.ca
Congratulations to Judy Greenwood Speers and her team, for organizing a debate opportunity on Wolfe Island for the five candidates running to represent Kingston and the Islands in the imminent Ontario Provincial election..
The debate between the five candidates offered them the opportunity to answer every question (written in advance) posed by islanders. The questions included everything from changing agriculture, tourism, business, schools,, and of course transportation and ferries. The candidates included Liberal incumbent Sophie Kiwala, NDP candidate Ian Arthur, Robert Kiley Green Party, PC Party Gary Bennet, Trillium Party Andre Imbeault. Each candidate was given the same amount of time to offer opening and closing remarks and to answer the questions. All were well versed on the topics.
It was obvious throughout this event that the candidates had, over a short period of time come to know and respect one another. That sentiment was expressed by both MPP Kiwala and Robert Kiley. At the same time, there was no heckling from the audience that filled the beautiful dining room at the island’s General Wolfe Inn.
The debate provided a perfect opportunity for all in attendance to consider the platforms of the individual candidates and their interest in the local issues facing constituents in advance of Voting Day June 7th.