News – Howe Island Ratepayers Association

HIRA Briefing Note – May 14, 2026

This is a brief note to HIRA members about the Township of Frontenac Islands regular Council Meeting on April 13, 2026. This note only deals with issues that are of interest to residents of Howe Island.

Planning and Economic Development: Council received a presentation by Mr. Gallivan, Director of Planning & Economic Development for the County of Frontenac regarding 2026-2027 work plan for the County.

Planning and Development: Council denied an application for a zoning by-law amendment that would have allowed: a) the construction of an accessory structure (marine facility/boathouse) before a principal use (dwelling) is constructed, and b) the construction of a marine facility (boathouse) to a height of 7.3 metres (24 feet) over one and a half storeys, whereas one storey or five metres (16.4 feet) is permitted.

General Fees and Rates: Council approved a 2% increase to various municipal fees and rates. This increase is in keeping with the Cost of Living Allowance. These changes apply to, but are not limited to, tax certificates, dog tags, etc.

As part of their review, Township staff analyzed recreational fee structures to ensure fairness across the Township. The review highlights that user fees are directly tied to the type of programs offered. Currently, the Howe Island Recreation Committee does not organize structured, fee-based programming (e.g., children’s soccer, organized pickleball leagues), and therefore, no user fees apply for casual use of Patrick Norris Park. Conversely, because structured programming is offered on Wolfe Island, those participants are charged fees to support that service. As no comparable programming is delivered on Howe Island, no program fees apply.

Naming & Civic Addressing: Council approved the amended Road Naming and Civic Addressing Policy. Council will have the opportunity to review the naming of roads.

Road Work and Gravel Tenders: For 2026, the road work contract has been awarded to Miller Paving Limited, and the gravel contract has been awarded to Temper-All Howe Island.

Recycling: Chief Quinn provided an overview of the recycling process. Emterra Environmental has two types of trucks — one has multiple compartments, the other looks like a garbage truck. While truck appearances may be different, all recyclables are processed at the Emterra facility. Residents should continue to sort recyclables with fibres in one bin and containers in another.

Additional details can be found at:

https://www.frontenacislands.ca/en/municipal-government/council-and-administration.aspx

HIRA Briefing Note – April 13, 2026

This is a brief note to HIRA members about the Township of Frontenac Islands regular Council Meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026. This note only deals with issues that are of interest to residents of Howe Island.

Planning and Development: Council approved an amendment to re-zone land at the northeast corner of 1190 Byrne Point Road. The zoning was changed from Rural and Wetland to Limited Service Residential.

CAO Report Highlights:

• Township received $38,000 under the Pothole Prevention & Repair Program

• Township is advertising for a new Treasurer to replace Jesse Collins

• Training of volunteer firefighters, to meet certification requirements, is underway.

• First Aid and CPR training is underway.

• Township Ferry gates will be replaced; current gates are difficult to manage and have caused damage to vehicles.

• On average, the Township Ferry made 4,502 one-way trips per month in 2025.

• The park and pickle ball courts will be opened when conditions permit; planning is underway to open the second washroom.

Finance Report: As of year-end 2026, the Township reports a surplus across all departments. This positive outcome was primarily driven by investment income that outperformed expectations.

Election Signs: Council has adopted a new by-law to clarify the rules for the placement and removal of election signs for federal, provincial, and municipal election campaigns.

Key points include:

• Election signs are permitted on private property with the consent of the owner or occupant of the property.

• Signs shall not be placed on properties owned or occupied by the Municipality unless expressly authorized.

Work Plan 2026: Vanessa Latimer, CAO, tabled a detailed report outlining planned activities and goals for the Township in 2026.

Public Works: Mike Quinn, Public Works Lead, stressed that every effort is being made to have the Transport Canada in-water inspection of the Township Ferry carried out when the County Ferry is operating.

Additional details can be found at:

https://www.frontenacislands.ca/en/municipal-government/council-and-administration.aspx

HIRA BRIEFING NOTE- March 10, 2026

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 9, 2026. This note only deals with issues that are of particular interest to residents of Howe Island.

Staff Reports

Finance Report No FN-003-26, Amendment to Personnel Policy By-law #007-2025:

Township staff prepared the report as part of an annual review of the Township’s personnel policy. A number of minor wording changes were recommended by staff. The report was received by Council and the recommended changes will be considered as part of Council’s review of the report.

The full report can be accessed via a link provided in Section 4.2 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on Monday, February 9, 2026. The Agenda can be found on the Township website.

Finance Report No. FN-004-26, Pothole Repair & Prevention Grant Awarded:

A pothole repair and prevention program was introduced by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) in November 2025. The purpose of the program is to assist small municipalities (i.e. populations less than 10,000) with funding to assist with road maintenance and pothole repair.

The Township submitted a grant application in December 2025. The application was successful and the Township will receive the maximum amount available ($38,000) in 2026.

The total grant will be split between Wolfe Island (70%) – $26,600 and Howe Island (30%) – $11,400.

Administration Report No. AD-005-26, Municipal Election 2026-Restricted Acts (Lame Duck Council):

The report, prepared by Vanessa Latimer, CAO, was received by Council. The report sets out the provisions in the Municipal Act, 2001 which would restrict the authority of an outgoing council to take certain actions between Nomination Day (August 21, 2026) and the end of the outgoing Council’s term of service.

In the event the outgoing Council is determined to be in a “restricted” position, it delegates authority to the CAO to take action, where necessary, with respect to the restricted matters.

The full report can be accessed via a link contained in Section 4.4 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on February 9, 2026. The Agenda can be found on the Township website.

Administration Report No. AD-006-2026, Community Policing Services Board Contribution:

Council received the report from staff seeking Council approval to make the Township’s 2026 contribution of $2,500.00 to the Community Policing Services Board. Council approved the expenditure which was already included in the Township’s 2026 budget.

The full report can be accessed via a link provided in Section 4.5 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on February 9, 2026. The Agenda can be found on the Township website.

Administration Report No. AD-008-26, Amendment to the June 2026 Council Meeting Date:

The report requests Council change the date for the June 2026 regular meeting of Council from Monday June 8, 2026 to Monday June 1, 2026. The change was requested to allow Township staff to attend the AMCTO Annual Conference. Council approved the request.

Public Works Report No. PW/Fire-001-26, Howe Island Plan During County Ferry Closure:

Mike Quinn, Public Works Lead, tabled a report outlining the measures the Township has taken to ensure continued access to the 3-car (East) Township ferry during the extended service interruptions for the County (West) ferry scheduled in March and April.

The 3-car Township ferry has been staffed to provide service around-the-clock while the County ferry is out of service. In addition, the Township has made contingency plans to ensure essential services are maintained while the County ferry is out of service.

The full report can be accessed via a link contained in Section 4.8 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on February 9, 2026. The Agenda can be found on the Township website.

Action Required Items

Deputy Mayor Saunders – Council Support for Vanessa Latimer, CAO / Clerk:

The deputy mayor requested that Council formally acknowledge the leadership and dedication demonstrated by Vanessa Latimer, CAO / Clerk and by Township Staff throughout 2025. Council expressed its appreciation and support to the CAO /Clerk and all Township staff.

Councillor Ackley – Appreciation to Township Public Works Staff

Councillor Ackley expressed his appreciation and thanks to the public works staff for their winter maintenance efforts and to all ferry staff for going above and beyond during the challenging conditions we have seen this winter.

By-Laws

By-law No. 007-2026, Delegated Authority – Restricted Acts “Lame Duck”

Delegates authority to the CAO / Clerk, Vanessa Latimer, to take action where necessary where the outgoing Council is restricted in its authority due to “lame duck status” (see Administration Report No. Ad-005-26 above).

The by-law received three readings and was passed into law.

The By-law can be viewed, in its entirety, via a link contained in Section 10.1 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on Monday February 9, 2026.

The Agenda can be found on the Township website.