Howe Island Ratepayers Association

Archives for June 2018

Howe Islander Township Ferry Update

The following notice is posted on the Township of Frontenac Islands Web Site.

Howe Islander Township Ferry Update
June 22, 2018

We appreciate residents’ patience during this period when the Howe Islander is out of service being refurbished.  The contractor has been in close touch with the Township during this process, and they are working hard to return the vessel to Howe Island as soon as possible.

This project, which has been done in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, has involved extensive work, and has been monitored by Transport Canada.  The hull has been sectioned and fortified, and the new deck has been installed, with access hatches built for each of the three hull sections. New steel railings have been attached to the deck, and new gates have been designed.  A new emergency boat will be attached to the deck by a boat davit. Previously welded seams within the hull have been fortified, and the electrical system has been upgraded and improved.  Navigational lights have been added to the cabin roof.  Finally, the vessel will be painted white, grey and red.

Although we had hoped to have the vessel back by the end of June, additional aspects of the project have taken additional time.  At the present time, we expect the vessel to leave Quebec City in the first week of July, and then subsequently undergo final adjustments and testing locally.  When the vessel – the MV Howe Islander – returns to its home, we will welcome it back with some type of celebration.  We will keep Islanders informed of its expected return to service with updates to the Township website, so please check the website as this time nears.

Rob Dillabough, CRS-I
Public Works Manager
Township of Frontenac Islands

A HIRA Briefing Note-June 12, 2018

This is a brief report to HIRA members on the Township of Frontenac Islands Council meeting which took place June 11, 2018 at the Howe Island Township Offices. One of our directors attended the meeting. Only matters with particular reference to Howe Island or of general relevance are highlighted here.

  1. Alternative Voting Methods-Council passed a by-law which will permit alternative voting methods to be used at election time. These alternatives will include electronic voting machines, voting by mail and paper ballots.
  2. Return of the Foot Ferry-The current scheduled return date of the foot ferry is July 1, 2018. Council was informed by the Public Works Manager that the refurbishment is 75% complete, is on schedule and is being kept on schedule. Certain welds on the ferry have had to be brought up to standard (which was additional work). The ramp work is under way and is part of the work still to complete.
  3. Kayak Dock- The kayak launch dock is now situated at the foot ferry public area and can now be used. A suggestion from the public that overnight parking in the parking lot at the foot ferry be restricted to cars with Howe Island Ferry stickers, received a favourable response from the Council.
  4. Severance Fees- The fees to be paid by persons seeking severances was discussed and residents are reminded to refer to the appropriate by law which sets the fees. Some are 5% of the land value depending whether the land abuts the water.