Howe Island Ratepayers Association

Archives for November 2008

News Alert: Township ferry will remain open year-round

NEWS ALERT: The Council of the Township of Frontenac Islands held a special meeting on November 26 to review the subsidy for the continued operation of the Township ferry (council minutes follow) throughout the year. We’re delighted with Council’s decision to keep the ‘little’ ferry open and we thank them for their considerations. All islanders will be pleased. Also, some islanders might have been aware of a mechanical problem with the Township ferry recently; however, the inconvenience was minimal. Again, thank you to the Township Council for ensuring the appropriate inventory of parts is being kept on the island in order to keep any such down-time at a minimum. Terry Botten

Township of Frontenac Islands

Minutes

November 26, 2008

A Special Meeting of the Council of the Township of Frontenac Islands was held on Wednesday November 26, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Howe Island Municipal Office.

The following members were present: Mayor Jim Vanden Hoek, Deputy Mayor Pat Norris and Councillors Denis Doyle, Matt Fiene and Wayne Grant.

Staff present: Terry O’Shea, Clerk/CAO and Carol Dwyre, Treasurer/ Planning Coordinator.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the Ministry of Transportation subsidy for the Township operated Howe Island Ferry.

RESOLUTION # 1 by D.J. Doyle and Wayne Grant that the agenda for the November 26, 2008, Special Meeting of the Council of the Township of Frontenac Islands be adopted as circulated. CARRIED.

RESOLUTION # 2 by Pat Norris and Matt Fiene that the Ministry of Transportation be advised that the Township of Frontenac Islands will continue to operate the Howe Island Ferry on a 12 month basis due to the fact that the new County operated Howe Island Ferry does not provide the level of service that was committed to in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry, the County of Frontenac and the Township of Frontenac Islands dated July 14, 2003, and that the Township expects the Ministry to subsidize the operation for the full 12 months. CARRIED.

RESOLUTION # 3 by D.J. Doyle and Wayne Grant that the November 26, 2008, Special Meeting of the Council of the Township of Frontenac Islands adjourn at 6:34 p.m. CARRIED.

Jim Vanden Hoek, Mayor
Terry O’Shea, Clerk/CAO

Life-saving event held on Howe Island

Saturday morning, Howe Island Fire and Rescue HIFR) hosted a CPR-AED event offered by The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario in their new firehall.

The session was led by Jeff Burgess and Alison Shorey (shown in photo) who are full time paramedics with the County of Frontenac Paramedic Services. Jeff and Alison are shown with the new ‘Mini Anne’ CPR Learning Manikin. Attendees were shown the latest CPR techniques, and had the opportunity to practice using their own manikin. Kits containing the manikin, CPR-AED student book and DVD were provided free for each attendee by the Foundation.

This was a timely event because every year we hear of a few unfortunate people who fall victim to heart attacks from shoveling snow or other strenuous activities. The goal of this program is to increase the chances of someone who knows CPR to be nearby to assist a victim in the critical first 5 minutes following a heart attack until emergency crews arrive with AED’s (Automated External Defibrillators). HIFR and the County Paramedic Services are both equipped with AED’s and personnel trained in their use. They can be easily contacted by dialing 911 in an emergency.”

Municipal Property Assessment Open House

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) will hold two public information sessions to review and explain the recently released 2009-2012 property assessments.

WOLFE ISLAND TOWN HALL
1191 Road 96, Wolfe Island
MONDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2008
7:00 p.m.

and

ST. PHILOMENA’S PARISH HALL
1739 Howe Island Drive
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Everyone welcome to attend either or both sessions.

For further information you may call the Wolfe Island Office at 613-385-2216 or the Howe Island Office at 613-544-6348.

WRAFT Annual AGM and Assessment Town Hall Meeting

A Town Hall Meeting will be held immediately following this year’s WRAFT AGM. All are welcome. Most of us have now received our 2008 assessment and as expected it has again shifted a greater share of assessment onto waterfront. This increased share will result in higher taxes for the large majority of cottagers in each of the next four years. Taxes will also rise to the extent that municipalities increase spending.

HIRA requested and received the following information from the Township. The increases in 2006 were 13% in the province, 22% in the County, 20% in Frontenac Islands and 34% on Howe Island.

At the Town Hall Meeting, senior elected representatives for the three major Ontario political parties will present their views on the need for reform or otherwise to the property tax system. A waterfront and urban perspective will also be presented. This will be followed by a full question and answer period. Media is being invited. Bob Topp Chairman CAPTR 416 929 9885. www.captr.org www.wraft.com.

The meetings will be held Saturday, November 22, 2008 starting at 3.00 p.m. at the Sheraton Parkway North Hotel, Richmond Hill (Highways 404 and 7).

WRAFT NOTICE of AGM Nov 22 2008.pdf WRAFT Town Hall Meeting Nov 22 2008 re Assessments.pdf

County invites islanders to November 26 public meeting

The County of Frontenac is spearheading the development of the first plan to create a more sustainable place to live, work and play. The values, concerns and beliefs of all residents and stakeholders are important and valuable inputs. The County Sustainability Coordinator, Graham Halsal has approached HIRA to request our participation. Please join us in a public meeting to be held November 26, 7:00-9:00pm at the St. Philomena Parish Hall right here on Howe Isand. All full and part-time residents of the County of Frontenac are encouraged to come to their local meeting. See you there! Click here to read more about the County Sustainability project and participate in their online survey.