This is a brief note to HIRA members and others on the Township of Frontenac Islands Council meeting held on Monday, November 9, 2020 on Wolfe Island. The public was provided with a Zoom call-in number to provide an opportunity to listen to the meeting. A number of our HIRA directors called into the meeting. Only matters of particular reference to Howe Island are highlighted here.
BY-LAW NO. 2020 – 29
By-law to Regulate and Govern the Use of the Lands known as the Howe Island Trail. The by-law was given first and second readings. There was a change made to the by-law to allow the use of handicap motorized chairs. Howe Islanders will have the opportunity to express their opinion on the by-law at the next council meeting on Howe. Councillor Higgs stated that the by-law was necessary as a few individuals were damaging the trail making it unsafe for others to use the Trail. Here is a link to the by-law.
Taxes
The residents in tax arears has increased to 13% the province recommends that this number should not exceed 10%.
Public works
Howe Island Drive – Township Marine Terminal dock and Shoreline protection project is proceeding on schedule. The work on the shore well and septic system at the foot ferry will be completed as part of the overall project. Council also authorized the purchase of a trailer to replace the shed at the foot. The trailer will be kept at the municipal building.
North Shore Road – Proposed construction for 2020 on section from Lower Side road to Howe Island Drive. Agreement has not been reached with the land owner to allow for a watercourse to the river to alleviate drainage issues. The plan is to do some ditching this year. No surface treatment will take place on North Shore Road or Spithead road until next year.
Garbage tags – there was some issues with residents saying they did not get their tags. A new process will be developed for 2021 to ensure that every address with a resident house will receive a tag and that no duplicate tags will be issued.
Building inspector will be taking over approval of new septic systems for new home construction from the Health Unit.
Howe Island Flu Clinic
Twelve volunteer Howe Island residents worked collaboratively to offer an influenza clinic on Saturday at the Parish Hall. Each volunteer, with a specific job from COVID-19 screening, parking, registration, immunization, providing beverages and monitoring residents after their immunization we made sure everyone was safe, well, and kept socially distanced. Thank you to everyone who made sure we had a smooth safe event. This clinic was not organized by HIRA but we did assist with communications.
COVID 19—– If you are looking for the latest update on the local state of affairs regarding COVID19, go to kflaph.ca which is the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Health site. Please be a mask wearer where required and practice social distancing. Stay safe Howe Islanders!
howeisland.org PLEASE NOTE: If you are a member of HIRA, thank you for your support. If you are not a member, please consider joining at $10 per year and $100 for life. Yearly membership dues are due on January 1 of each year. If you have paid, thank you. If you have not paid, please send or deliver a cheque payable to HIRA to one of our Directors or place a cheque into the HIRA mailbox at the roadside at the Township Office