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 10, 2022 as well as a special council meeting held on January 13, 2022 to continue with the township’s 2022 budget process . In light of Covid-19 restrictions, the meeting was virtual. The public was provided with Zoom access to the meetings. A couple of our HIRA directors called into each meeting. Only matters of particular interest to Howe Island residents are highlighted here.
- Winter Parking Restrictions:
Council passed a by-law to impose winter parking restrictions on all municipal streets, roads and municipally-owned parking lots. Parking is not allowed between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7 a.m. during the period December 21 and March 31 in order to allow for winter snow clearing.
Interference with the removal of snow or road maintenance may cause your vehicle to be towed and impounded at the expense of the vehicle’s owner.
- Howe Island Garden Buds Funding 2022:
Council has approved a request for increased funding for 2022 submitted by the Howe Island Garden Buds. Funding from the township will be increased to $1,500.00 in 2022, an increase of $500.00 from 2021. Given the fine work performed each year by the Howe Island Garden Buds, the increased funding represents money
well spent.
- Norris Park Upgrades:
Site plan has been completed.
Playground equipment has been ordered and will be installed in the spring of this year.
Fencing work has been completed.
Requests for Quote have been issued for the tennis/pickleball court, the basketball court and the pavilion.
Accessible washrooms are expected to be completed in the spring of 2022.
Items identified as 2022 budget priorities for Howe Island include:
North Shore Road project: complete surface treatment
Lower Side Road: application of 2” of gravel to stabilize surface
Lower Side Road: cutting brush back from road
Howe Island Recreation Trail: application of stone
New marine building: at the township ferry landing
Estimated Property Tax Increase 2022: Preliminary estimates of property tax increase arising from the 2022 budget process called for an increase of approximately 2.7% for Howe Island property owners.
We understand that Council is considering a proposal to provide for a larger road reserve for Howe Island. If adopted this would result in a final 2022 tax increase of approximately 3.0% for Howe Islanders. A final determination is expected to be made at the next regular council meeting scheduled for February 14, 2022. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
END of COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
Other Items of Interest:
2022 FARE SCHEDULE FOR HOWE ISLAND FERRY OPERATION:
As we reported in last in our October 2021 briefing note, Council passed Bylaw No 2021-25 at their October 12, 2021 meeting to set fees and fares that will apply in 2022 for the Howe Island ferry operation. It is our understanding there are no changes in store for 2022. Fees & fares will be the same as those that were in place for 2021.
Howe Island County Ferry Out of service:
Frontenac County Marine Services has advised the county ferry will be out of service on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to allow staff to replace the main engine on the vessel. If you will be using the township ferry during those hours it would be advisable to allow yourself extra time to complete the trip.
END of BRIEFING NOTE