admin – Howe Island Ratepayers Association

HIRA BRIEFING NOTE- April 24, 2025

This is a brief note to HIRA members and other residents of Howe Island about the Township of Frontenac Islands regular council meeting held on Monday March 10, 2025. This note deals with Council business that is of particular interest to residents of Howe Island.

Staff Reports

FN Report No. FN-001-25: Q4 2024 Financial Reports:

A report tabled by Township treasurer, Jesse Collins, provided a high-level year-to-date summary of the financial position of the municipality Reports were prepared for the Township in general, with separate reports for Wolfe Island and for Howe Island.

The report indicates the Township, overall, realized a 2024 budget surplus of $328,544. As a municipality, 2024 revenue was higher than expected and expenses were lower than amounts budgeted.

Howe Island departments were able to generate a 2024 budget surplus of

$76,520. Expenses for all Howe Island departments (e.g. Fire, ferry, roads and waste/recycling) came in under budget.

The complete report can be accessed via a link found in Section 5.1 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on March 10, 2025. The Agenda is located on the Township website.

The report was approved and received by Council for information.

Administration Report No. AD-003-25 : 2025 Departmental Work Plan:

A report prepared by Township CAO, Vanessa Latimer, provides an overview of planned activities for 2025 and timelines for same for each Township department.

The major public works initiatives planned for Howe Island include plans to resurface sections of Howe Island Drive (9.4 km in total), Spithead Road (1.2 km), Base Line Road (1.4 km) and Lighthouse Lane (0.1 km).

Plans also call for construction of a second washroom for Pat Norris Park as well as tilling the soil and removing weeds from the ball diamond infield.

The complete report can be accessed via a link provided in Section 5.2 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on March 10, 2025.

The Agenda is located on the Township website.

By-Laws Enacted

By-law #039-2024 – General Fees & Rates:

The by-law, intended to establish general fees and charges for a range of various services provided by the municipality (e.g. animal control, waste disposal, burn permits etc.) received first and second reading at the February 10, 2025 regular meeting of Council. The by-law received third reading and was enacted March 10, 2025

For those who wish to review a copy of the proposed by-law, it can be accessed via Section 11.1 of the agenda for the regular meeting of Council March 10, 2025. The agenda can be found on the Township web site.

By-law #006-2025 to appoint a Building Inspector:

The by-law was enacted on March 10, 2025 to appoint Ashley Osmar to the position of Building Inspector/Provincial Offences Officer. We understand that the appointment is intended to provide support to the Township when the full-time building inspector is not available.

Full content of the by-law can be accessed via a link provided in Section 11.2 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on March 10, 2025. The Agenda is located on the Township’s website.

By-law #007-2025: Adoption of Personnel Policy:

The Township has adopted a formal, written personnel policy to govern relations between the Township and its employees. This by-law gives legal force to that policy.

Full content of to the Policy Manual can be accessed via a link found in Section 11.3 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on March 10, 2025. The Agenda is located on the Township website.

By-law #008-2025: Appointment of Deputy Clerk:

The by-law was enacted to appoint Angelique Cardinal to the vacant Deputy Clerk position with the Township. Angelique has extensive experience in municipal administration, most recently with the County of Frontenac.

Content of the by-law can be accessed via a link provided in Section 11.4 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on March 10, 2025. The Agenda is located on the Township website.

END of COUNCIL BUSINESS

Other Items:

Township offers Spring Clean-Up Wood Chipping Service:

In response to the recent ice-storm, The Township will be offering a wood chipping service to Howe Island residents on the following dates:

Thursday April 24

Friday April 25

Saturday April 26

The service is being offered by appointment only. To book an appointment please contact Mike Quinn:

Email: mquinn@frontenacislands.ca

Tel: (613) 531-1250

The service is restricted to brush material only and diameter cannot exceed 8 inches at the stub end. Further detail can be found on the Township website on the New & Notices page.

END OF BRIEFING NOTE

HIRA BRIEFING NOTE- March 16, 2025

HIRA BRIEFING NOTE- March 16, 2025

This is a brief note to HIRA members and other residents of Howe Island about the Township of Frontenac Islands regular council meeting held on Monday February 10, 2025. This note deals with Council business that is of particular interest to residents of Howe Island.

Staff Reports

Public Works Report No. PW-0001-25 – Additional Maintenance Times Township operated 3-car (East) ferry:

Howe Island Public Works lead hand, Mike Quinn, reported that Transport Canada will be conducting an “in-water” safety inspection of the Township’s 3-car ferry later this spring. To prepare for the inspection, the Township will:

Replace navigational lights on the vessel.

Complete needed repairs to the bilge pump.

The anticipated cost of this maintenance has already been provided for in the 2025 Township budget. However, the vessel will have to be taken out of service temporarily to complete the maintenance (a matter of a few hours). This work cannot be completed in conjunction with the normal bi-weekly maintenance schedule.

The date and time for the required repairs/upgrades has yet to be set.

Mike Quinn advised that residents will be given ample advance notice of the service interruption to allow residents to make alternate travel arrangements.

Administration Report No. AD-002-25 – Draft Personnel Policy:

A draft personnel policy prepared by Township staff and approved by the

Township’s legal counsel was received by Council. The policy is intended to govern the relationship between the Township and its employees. The policy deals with a wide range of topics (e.g. wage administration, vacation and leave policies, performance appraisal processes, disciplinary policies etc.)

Council is expected to adopt an amended version of the policy, in by-law form, at the March 10, 2025 Council meeting.

For residents who are interested in reviewing a copy of the draft policy, it can be accessed via a link contained in Section 5.3 of the agenda for the February 10, 2025 regular Council meeting. The agenda can be located on the Township web site.

Action Required Items

Council Supports Construction of a Cenotaph on Howe Island:

The Howe Island Cenotaph Committee, chaired by Island resident Joe Forsythe, requested support from Council for the construction of a permanent Cenotaph to be erected on Howe Island to honour Island residents who served Canada in the two World Wars and all other past, present and future military veterans.

The Township provided the support requested and agreed to contribute a 12 ft. x 12 ft. plot of land to house the cenotaph at the municipal offices located At 50 Baseline Road. The cenotaph is to be located between the municipal office building and the Howe Island firehall.

The project will be financed entirely from private sources.

Anonymous Howe Island residents will contribute the Armour Stone required for the base of the cenotaph The same property owners have offered to donate poppy seeds from Flanders Fields to create a flower bed.

A local artist and welder has volunteered to construct a steel topper for the Cenotaph at no cost.

A stonemason, who specializes in limestone work, has been secured to build the base of the cenotaph. Cost is yet to be determined.

The Township will provide staff and equipment needed to deliver the Armour Stone to the site and to excavate the foundation for the cenotaph.

The Howe Island Ratepayers Association (HIRA) has donated $1,500 towards the cost of the project (proceeds from a Pancake Breakfast hosted by HIRA in 2019).

A five-person committee of Howe Island residents is in place to manage design, logistics and any fundraising that may be needed.

HIRA extends appreciation and thanks to all who are contributing to this very worthwhile project.

Council Recognizes Howe Island Resident Stephen Sorensen:

Howe Island resident Stephen Sorensen recently made a monumentally generous donation of $500,000 to Kingston Health Sciences Centre. The funds are to be used to purchase a new MRI machine for the centre’s diagnostic unit.

By-Laws Enacted

By-law #039-2025 – General Fees & Rates:

The by-law, intended to establish general fees and charges for a range of various services provided by the municipality (e.g. animal control, waste disposal, burn permits etc.) received first and second reading at the February 10, 2025 regular meeting of Council. It is expected the by-law will receive third and final reading at the next regular meeting of Council scheduled for March 10, 2025.

For those who wish to review a copy of the proposed by-law, it can be accessed via Section 11 of the agenda for the regular meeting of Council February 10, 2025. The agenda can be found on the Township web site.

END of COUNCIL BUSINESS

END OF BRIEFING NOTE

HIRA BRIEFING NOTE- February 11, 2025

HIRA BRIEFING NOTE- February 11, 2025

This is a brief note to HIRA members and other residents of Howe Island about the Township of Frontenac Islands regular council meeting held on Monday January 13, 2025. The bulk of the meeting was taken up with issues of interest to residents of Wolfe Island The few items that were of particular interest to residents of Howe Island are discussed below:

Staff Reports

Fire Department Report no. FD-001-25 Fire Protection Grant:

Howe Island Fire Chief, Mike Quinn, reported that the Township has been approved for a Fire Protection Grant from the provincial government.

The township is to receive $16,460.90 under the grant.

Chief Quinn reports the funds will be used to upgrade the ability to clean the protective turn-out gear worn by the firefighters, to purchase an industrial grade extractor (Jaws of Life?) and to provide replacement gloves and Nomex protective hoods for the active firefighters.

By-Laws Enacted

By-law #001-2025 Temporary Borrowing By-law:

The by-law was passed to allow the Township to borrow funds temporarily to meet current expenditures until 2025 tax revenues and other fees are collected. The by-law places a cap on the amount that can be borrowed in the year:

From January 1 to September 30 in the year – 50% of the total estimated revenues as set out in the approved 2025 budget.

From October 1 to December 31 in the year – 25% of the total estimated revenues as set out in the approved 2025 budget.

Content of By-law #001-2025 can be accessed via Section 12.1 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on January 13, 2025.

The Agenda is available on the Township website.

The By-law received three readings and came into effect on January 13, 2025.

By-Law #002-2025, Interim Tax Levy By-law:

The by-law was passed to allow the Township to make interim property tax assessments for 2025 and to identify when interim amounts are due:

2025 interim tax levies are calculated at 50% of total 2024 property taxes levied. The first instalment on the 2025 interim tax levy is due on March 31, 2025. The first instalment is calculated at 50% of the 2025 interim levy.

The balance of the 2025 interim tax levy is due June 30, 2025.

Tax arrears shall be subject to interest at the rate of 1.25% per month, applied on the unpaid balance outstanding at the beginning of each month.

Content of By-law #002-2025 can be accessed via Section 12.2 of the Agenda for the regular council meeting held January 13, 2025. The Agenda is available on the Township website.

The By-law and came into effect on January 13, 2025.

END of COUNCIL BUSINESS

END OF BRIEFING NOTE