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HIRA Briefing Note-October 17^th 2019

This is a brief report to HIRA members and others on the Township of Frontenac Islands Council meeting held at the Township office on Howe Island October 15^th, 2019. Two of our Directors attended the meeting.

Only matters of particular reference to Howe Island or of general interest are highlighted here. Please review the attachments referenced in this note.

Cameras- The news that the cameras are up and operating at each Island side ferry terminal has been greeted with much enthusiasm by ferry users. HIRA acknowledges and thanks Mayor Doyle, Councilors Higgs and MacDougall and the rest of the Township Council and Council staff for their hard work in seeing the Island side of this project to its successful conclusion.

Delegations- Prior to the meeting date, HIRA made a request of Council for a delegation opportunity. It was accepted. This is the request that we sent to Council.

“HIRA intends to address Council on issues relating to:

• Ferry service including the state of the foot ferry maintenance backup parts – trailer hitch signs
• What is happening with the County’s plan to seek a new deal with MTO for Howe Island Ferry Operations;
• Plans to ensure that High and Low water issues on the St. Lawrence River do not impact our Ferries;
• Steps being taken by Township Council for new drive system for the County Ferry;
• Planning process in relation to ferry service;
• State of North Shore Road repairs;
• Lighting for the P for Park on Howe;
• Cameras Howe Island terminals.”

At the meeting, HIRA thanked Mayor Doyle, the other members of Council and their staff for the installation of the Cameras on the Howe Island ferry approaches. HIRA reported that our members have asked what the plans are for installation of cameras on the mainland.

HIRA thanked Rob Dillabough for the installation of the trailer hitch signs. This should reduce the safety issues on the ferry and help with ferry loading if we can get islanders to comply.

This is the link to Public Works Manager Rob Dillabough Report for Howe Island

Actions Pending Howe Island  Oct 15 2019

Frontenac County has announced plans to seek a new deal with MTO for Howe Island Ferry Operations. Paramedics are currently looking after the service 24/7.   That contract is currently under renegotiation and MTO has sent a request to Toronto for approval.  Next County of Frontenac meeting is October 17, 2019.

The request for high water preparation at small ferry – the adjustment of ramps for high water and the placement of steel plates on deck instead of using truck full of sand is still being looked into by MTO.

New Drive system for County ferry status has not changed as it still has to go to MTO engineering.  It appears we will see nothing done until Amherst Island ferry is available as a replacement boat for the big ferry.

HIRA asked if Council has any long term plans 1,2,or 5 year to handle ferry capacity. Darlene Plumley was asked to look into the previous study completed some time ago.

The road tour covered the North Shore road improvements. Nothing definitive to report. The light for the parking lot at large ferry is on a Bell pole but we are still waiting for Bell who owns the pole to give Hydro the ok to turn on.

HIRA indicated to Council that HIRA supported the application for government funding for improvements to the Recreation Park and would provide a letter of support as requested by Councilor Noreen MacDougall.

Council passed bylaws for one way road at Spithead and for an increase in annual ferry passes for next year of $5.00.

Council is looking at High Speed Internet through Cogeco.

Council is sending a letter to the International Joint Commission to lower the water in the fall to stop the flooding in spring with a copy going to MPP Katherine McKenna.

 

Howeisland.org- NOTE: If you are a member of HIRA, thank you for your support. If you are not a member, please join at $10/year or $100 for life.

 

 

HIRA Briefing Note-September 13, 2019

This is a brief report to HIRA members and others on the Township of Frontenac Islands Council meeting held at the Township Hall on Wolfe Island on September 9^th, 2019. Several of our Directors attended the meeting.

In our last Briefing Note dated August 14^th 2019, we suggested that for Council meetings on Howe Island, it was time Council conducted their meetings at the Parish Hall on Howe Island rather than at the Township Hall. The Township Hall has very limited space for residents who wish to attend. An essential element of a democracy is that the public be able to observe their elected officials in action. We reiterate and request that Council move their meetings on Howe to the Parish Hall.

Only matters of particular reference to Howe Island or of general interest are highlighted here.

Delegations-Prior to the meeting date, HIRA made a request of Council for a delegation opportunity. This request was denied initially on the basis that Council had reached the limit of delegations for the September 9th meeting. (As it turned out the limit was two!)  HIRA was invited to submit material in writing and that that material would be added to the meeting package which it was. At the meeting Council announced that one of the delegations had not showed up and invited HIRA to address Council as a delegation. HIRA Director Bill Worona spoke on behalf of HIRA.

The following is the material submitted to Council in writing by Bill Robertson on behalf of HIRA prior to the September 9^th meeting:

“Howe Island Ratepayers Association__________________________

Denis Doyle

Mayor, Township of Frontenac Islands               September 3, 2019

Dear Denis:

Earlier today September 3rd, I requested a delegation time slot for HIRA at your Council meeting on September 9. You responded by telling me that Council had the maximum delegations and that a number of the questions I had raised will be answered in the Public Works Manager Dillabough’s Actions Pending report. You said I should send correspondence reflecting my concerns and that it would be added to the agenda package. I would have thought that concerns with the ferry service would be high on Council’s agenda and while I am disappointed with Council limiting delegations, I do appreciate your adding this to the agenda package.

The issues I raised in my request were:

• Ferry issues including the state of the foot ferry;
• Cameras promised for the Howe island ferry terminals;
• Steps being taken by the Township for a new drive system;
• Planning process in relation to the ferry service;
• State of the North Shore Road repairs;
• Lighting for the P for Park; and
• State of progress on resolutions passed at the County Council Meeting on July 17.

HIRA will be looking for the answers in the up-coming PWM pending report. I would just say however, that Howe Islanders are more interested in actions taken and executed than in actions pending.

Ferry Issues—Yesterday September 2, a communication came out that as of 3:00 pm the foot ferry was out for mechanical issues. As I understand it, the engine packed it up and has been sent to Napanee for repairs. Some months ago this year, the engine was replaced with a new engine or at least a spare that I understand was stored on Howe. The foot ferry was completely overhauled two years ago at great expense to the Township and at great inconvenience to Howe Islanders. The state of the foot ferry and it’s unsuitability for providing reliable service, which has been more that evident in the past, is now more in question based on this latest breakdown.

Islanders and other ferry users want to know what the Council is doing in terms of ensuring the foot ferry stays relevant for ferry service. Your answer in the past has been mechanical breakdown happens so bear with us. That is completely unacceptable.

The ferry lineup this morning for the big ferry was back to North Shore Drive. The foot ferry being out of service still after 18 hours did not help.

More importantly there is a combination of factors at work when it comes to the big ferry. I suggest to you and your Council that the main factor in the lack of adequate ferry service is the complete lack of foresight when it comes to planning in relation to the increase in development on the Island and the provision of transportation to and from the Island.

 

 

Where is the one, three or five year transportation plan? None has been provided to Islanders. Is there one?  I suspect the answer is none and that has got to change.

Not having a ferry committee for the Island which would give Islanders a say and assist the Council in getting it right, was a grave mistake and should be corrected by the immediate appointment of a ferry committee.

It is high time that this Council, the County Council and the MTO get on track with a ‘look forward’ plan for the Howe Island ferry service. This must include both ferries , it must include a new drive system for the big ferry as an interim step, it must include a new and bigger County ferry and it must include funding. Band aid solutions are not the answer; we need a plan.

Cameras at the Howe Island Terminals—At the meeting of Council on Howe on August 12th, Council resolved to install real time cameras. There is is no evidence to date of cameras and more importantly no communication with ferry users of when they will be operational. A simple request is to tell us what’s going on.

New Drive System—- At the August 12^th meeting Council indicated that they met with MTO on August 7and were told by the MTO in effect that Howe Islanders are at the end of the line when it comes to an improved drive system. You told us that that MTO will get to Howe Island issues with the drive system when the new Amherst Island is in operation. At the meeting you said that would be the end of this year.

Howe Islanders are sick of being at the end of the line and it is this Council’s responsibility to change that and get the attention of the Province so that Howe Island gets a place in the line at least equal to the other Islands.

It must be kept in mind that this Council is the Council for both Wolfe and Howe.

 

 

North Shore Road Repairs—–During July, the North Shore Road was patched, some places by throwing down scoops of asphalt and in some others by laying down strips of what appears to be the same material. Well it hasn’t held up and North Shore Road is now in need of another major repair job. Is Council aware of this situation and what is Council going to do to correct it.

Street Light for P for Park—-When this was suggested at the August 12 meeting Council seemed to appreciate the need for lighting simplyfrom a safety and risk point of view. What progress on this issue?

Resolutions Passed at the County Council Meeting July 17—- Following the Friday Fiasco in July when the big ferry was down for 12 hours after an operator failed to show up for work, the County passed a resolution that County staff be requested to investigate options to ensure ferry staffing at all times including a) obtaining Union agreement to allow Township operators to operate the big ferry, b) pay a ferry operator to be on standby, c)request the MTO to support the hiring of additional ferry staff, and d) approve the ferry supervisor to back fill operator positions on an emergency basis.

I raised this at the Township Council meeting on August 12 and you said that the County Council did not meet in August so you had no information on the status.

My question is this? Isn’t providing sufficient staff for the ferry important enough that you would see fit as the senior representative for Howe Island on the County Council, to explore how negotiations are going and be available to assist if necessary to ensure that another shutdown like the one in July does not occur.

Regards

Bill

Bill Robertson, Chair, Howe Island Ratepayers Association”

 

On the various matters raised in HIRA’s letter, Bill Worona spoke to Council and these matters are summarized as follows:

Foot Ferry Breakdown on September 2—-Council explained that the outage occurred because the engine was allowed to idle too low causing the engine to shake which in turn caused the engine mounts to fail with a resulting loss of oil and engine failure. Another new engine has been installed. Mounts will be repaired and an oil warning system will be installed. Better cooling fans will be provided.

Cameras—-The cameras have been delivered. Council is waiting for Rogers to install wireless modems. These cameras will be installed at the Howe Island side terminals of both the Foot Ferry and the Big Ferry.

New Drive System—-At a meeting held with MTO, County representatives, the Mayor and Councilor Higgs, MTO indicated they are working on engineering for the new drive system with detailed drawings that can be used when tendering for the new system. No time frame for implementation was provided. A replacement ferry will be required while the big ferry is being outfitted for the new drive system and none may be available until next year. MTO agrees that that is an issue to be addressed.

Service Level Agreement—-Council talked about a service level agreement to be negotiated with the County but there was nothing definitive provided at the meeting.

North Shore Road—-Patching of the Road is scheduled for October depending on the weather and when patching on Wolfe is completed.

Lighting at P for Park—-The light been ordered. Council is waiting for Hydro’s permission to install on their pole to save expense.

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Resolutions passed at July 17^th County Meeting—-Mayor Doyle had no information on negotiations with the Union but said a report would be coming from Gale Chevalier, Chief Emergency and Transportation Services, County of Frontenac.

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Howeisland.org- NOTE: If you are a member of HIRA, thank you for your support. If you are not a member, please join at $10/year or $100 for life.

HIRA invites all Howe Islanders to attend St Philomena’s Parish Hall on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 7:00pm for a

“DOC TALK”

Dr Kieran Moore will speak on immunizations, Lyme disease and other rural health issues from a public health perspective.

Dr Moore is currently director of the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Program at Queens. He specializes in Public Health and Preventative Medicine and is a Professor of Emergency and Family Medicine at Queens.

There will be a question and answer session following Dr Moore’s remarks.

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After a brief intermission, HIRA’s Annual General Meeting will be held.  HIRA will review this past year’s activities and provide an outline of proposed activities for the year ahead.

howeisland.org  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 or $100 for life.

HIRA Briefing Note-August 14, 2019

This is a brief report to HIRA members and others on the Township of Frontenac Islands Council meeting held at the Township office on Howe Island on August 14, 2019. Several of our Directors attended the meeting. There was an overflow crowd also attending. It’s time for the Council to conduct it’s meetings at the Parish Hall where there is plenty of room for residents of the Island to observe Council in session.

Only matters of particular reference to Howe Island or of general interest are highlighted here.

Delegations-There was one delegation relating to drainage issues on Wolfe Island and another delivered by Bill Robertson on behalf of HIRA regarding ferry issues on Howe Island. Bill’s remarks are as follows:

“I wish to address Council on the subjects of

• The county communications system
• High water
• Trailer hitches
• Maintenance periods
• Cameras at the ferry terminals, and
• New drive system

Communications

I asked our Board of directors if in the recent past they had experienced a delay in receiving emails from the county on announcements on the status of the ferries; that is a delay between when the announcement is dispatched by the County and when it is received. Each said that they had experienced a delay and that the delay varied from a few hours to a full day.

The delay in communication illustrates clearly a Howe Island issue; Howe needs an island wide high speed fiber network. Individuals can complain to Bell and other carriers that the Island needs a network, but if the Township were to resolve now to persist with Bell, on Bell’s setting up a network for the benefit of all Islanders, the Township might have more sway

Howe Islanders assume the ferry is running unless notified otherwise. It is essential therefore that the announcement is clear on the status change, gives the effective date and time of the change, identifies the reason for the change, if known and gives the estimated time the ferry will resume service, if known. We need more detail not less and we need it promptly.

High Water

The experience of high water in 2017 and again in 2019 illustrates clearly that the Township, the County and the MTO must take immediate steps now to make provision for high water whenever it occurs in relation to the operation of the ferries.

The solution to high water is not found in cutting vehicle capacity of each ferry by placing concrete blocks on one ferry and a truck loaded with sand on another.

Sinking these ferries lower in the water so the ramps are usable could have been accomplished by using temporary large gage steel plate on the ferry decks. That would have been a temporary fix and had no adverse  effect on capacity. Adjusting the ramp cables on the big ferry could have been done with no adverse effect on capacity.

 

 

We do not want another high water year to affect vehicle capacity on our ferries.  We do not want the “high water” excuse used again when there are fairly simple solutions available to avoid a spring like the one we have just had.

Trailer Hitches

Trailer hitches on the back of vehicles make it more difficult for ferry users behind those vehicles to load the ferries promptly. Obviously they are wary of bumping these hitches which are unforgiving. We are asking Council to erect signs at each ferry terminal simply asking owners as a cutesy to other ferry users, to remove the hitches before boarding if the hitches are not in use.

Maintenance Periods

Each of our ferries is well used and the need for maintenance is clearly understandable. What is not understandable is the need for maintenance being conducted during the day, a busy time for the ferries. We have previously asked that maintenance be conducted late at night when ferry use is way down. The excuse given for not doing it at night is it cost too much. For the Wolfe Island ferry I’m informed that regular maintenance is done between 2:00 am and 5:30 am; so for Wolfe it’s alright to have extra costs but for Howe apparently it’s not. We need this Council ….all members….to make strong representation on behalf of all Howe Islanders to the MTO to get the maintenance period changed.

Cameras

Since 2016 HIRA has been requesting real time cameras at the four ferry terminals. I see in the material before this meeting information on cameras at the Howe Island terminals of both the foot ferry and the big ferry. There is no information on cameras at the mainland terminals and no explanation as to why not. We strongly urge Council to resist slow walking this camera project any longer and instead move quickly on getting cameras in place at all four terminals.

 

 

New Drive System

We all know the drive system on the big ferry was poorly designed and is in need of being replaced with a system which will result in a speedier crossing and less cable replacement. This Council is quick to point out that the responsibility for replacing the drive system is either the MTO or the County. That may be true. But the responsibility of this Council….and I mean all members….. is to speak with a load and unrelenting voice to those other entities to get them to move on a new drive system.

Street Light at the P for Park

The Township has a designated parking spot near the big ferry terminal on Howe Island. More ferry users are utilizing this parking space. I would have thought for safety and liability reasons, a street lamp should be erected lighting the space.

Resolutions at the July 17th County Meeting

Mayor Doyle initiated resolutions at the July 17^th County meeting with the intent that the Twelve Hour Shut Down Friday Fiasco would not occur again. Those resolutions covered obtaining union agreement to allow Township operators to work the big ferry, pay for a standby operator, hiring additional staff and allowing the ferry supervisor to operate the ferry if needed. My question for the Mayor is…what progress has been made?”

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Council Comments-

At the conclusion of Bill’s remarks Council indicated they would write to Bell asking for upgrades to the system serving Howe Island to try to address the delays outlined in Bill’s remarks.

Council noted the remarks regarding high water and agreed something must be done without being specific.

On trailer hitches, Council agreed to erect signs at the four ferry terminals asking ferry users to remove hitches as a courtesy to other ferry users.

On maintenance periods being moved to late at night, Council indicated that the Wolfe Island ferry has maintenance done during the day and that no maintenance is done during the night. They indicated MTO has been asked previously to move maintenance to the night time but has refused.

On Cameras being installed, later on in the meeting Council agreed to move to install cameras at the Howe Island terminals for the foot and the big ferry.

On a New Drive System, Council indicated that they met with MTO on August 7 2019 during which the MTO said that they are putting out a tender to repair shoreline flood damage around the big ferry docks. Bottom line appears to be that the MTO is busy with the Wolfe Island and Amherst Island transportation needs and will not get to the Howe Island drive system rebuild until the Amherst ferry is in operation, said by Council to be by this year end.

On a street light at the P for Park, Council agreed a light should be installed-timing not specified.

On the subject of the resolutions passed at the County Council meeting on July 17 and where they stand, Mayor Doyle had no information except to say that the County does not meet in August.

Other Items-

Terry Fox run is on September 15^th. Everyone is encouraged to get out and run, walk, bike on the various courses on the Island. Check out the HIRA web page where details are posted. Allison Hinton and Rosa Hession are the key organizers.

Council received correspondence from Rory Chamberlain regarding upgrades to the Patrick Norris Community Park. Council asked

 

Councilor Macdougall to meet with Rory’s group and others interested in upgrades to the Park and bring a plan to the September Council meeting as a delegation.

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Howeisland.org   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 or $100 for life.

Terry Fox Run 2019 – Howe Island

September 15th

9:30am Registration
10:30am One Start

Howe Island Library
40 Baseline Road, Howe Island (Baseline Rd & Howe Island Ferry Rd)

Park on mainland, walk across ferry, free shuttle to and from ferry to start point

Water Stations, BBQ & Bake Sale

Route Options: 5km, 8km or 10km – run, walk or bike

 A HIRA Briefing Note-August 4, 2019

Upcoming Council Meeting — This is a brief report to HIRA members and others on an upcoming Township of Frontenac Islands Council meeting to be held on Monday August 12, 2019 at the Howe Island Township Hall on Baseline Road at 6:30 pm.

Council has granted HIRA’s request for a delegation to speak to Council regarding the Howe Island Ferry Service.

HIRA’s delegation’s remarks will cover the County communications system, high water, trailer hitches and the effect they have on loading operations, maintenance periods, cameras at the ferry terminals and what, if any,  progress has been made by Council with the MTO on a new drive system for the big ferry.

If you are concerned with the Ferry Service, please come to the meeting to demonstrate your concern and to support HIRA’s continuing efforts to seek action and improvements.

New HIRA Directors — HIRA is very pleased to announce the appointment to the Board of Directors of HIRA, of Sue Byrne and Jennifer Medves. Sue and Jennifer were welcomed to the Board at its recent meeting on August 1^st. Board members are volunteers dedicated to carrying out HIRA’s mission, to build community by sharing information, promoting activities and fostering civic involvement, all with a view to the preservation and improvement of the Howe Island quality of life and quality of public services.

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howeisland.org   NOTE: If you are a member of HIRA thank you for supporting your community association. Please join if you are not a member, at $10 per year or $100 for life.