[New] North Frontenac Council Pays Tribute to Gerry Martin

By Craig Bakay

The Dec. 16 regular North Frontenac Council meeting began on a sad note, with Mayor Gerry Lichty asking for 30 seconds of silence in memory of Councillor Gerry Martin, who died of cancer the day before Former Coun. Vernon Hermer will be sworn in at the Jan. 13 meeting to replace Martin. Hermer came in third in the Ward 2 Municipal election in October behind Martin and Roy Huetl.

Martin wasn’t present at Council’s inaugural meeting Nov. 21 because of illness, but at that time, the severity of his condition wasn’t known and he still entertained the idea of serving a full term. He had also expressed an interest in the Deputy Mayor’s position and as such, Council deferred selection so that Martin could plead his case.

But that wasn’t to be and so Council asked for nominees for the one-year Deputy Mayor position. John Inglis was first to put in his name and cited his years of service (since 2010) and 50 years as a Township resident as credentials. Councillor Roy Huetl also submitted his name, and although this was his first assignment on a municipal council, he did tell of his experience in water management and similar endeavours. Inglis won the vote 3-2.

Huetl was named as Council’s representative on the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, which had also been held in abeyance for Martin.

Councillor Stephanie Regent was named to the Lakeland Family Health Team. Councillors Wayne Good and Huetl were named to the Joint Fire Committee with Coun. Fred Fowler named as alternate.

Employee long Service recognition Council also recognized several long-time service employees and volunteer firefighters including building support clerk Judy Tooley (40 years) and casual employee Jane Young (15 years).

From the North Frontenac Fire Department, Randy Schonauer was recognized for 30 years of service, Ken Gould for 20 years and George Ross for 15 years.

From the Kaladar Barrie Fire Department, Mike Snider was recognized for 20 years of service, Bill Irving for 15 years and Chris Stapley for 15 years.

COlA at 2.5%

Council opted to provide employees with a 2.5 per cent cost of living increase, even though the Consumer Price Index for August was 7.6 per cent.

Treasurer Kelly Watkins said in her report that “I have reached out to our neighbouring municipalities (Addington Highlands, South Frontenac, Frontenac Islands and the County of Frontenac) and they are providing a 2 per cent cost of living increase.

Central Frontenac approved a 3.25 per cent increase at its Dec. 13 meeting. This is consistent with what I am seeing with many other rural municipalities.”

Dep. Mayor John Inglis suggested a 3 per cent increase might be more appropriate but Roy Huetl said: “I can’t support 3 per cent.”

Watkins said that in 2021, “we contracted Gallagher Benefit Services to complete a pay equity and compensation review.

“In that review, it was determined that ‘on aggregate, the Township is significantly below the median of the comparator market.’

“Therefore, Council approved a new salary grid to better align the municipality with the comparator market (and) to remain comparable, it is recommended that we also provide North Frontenac employees/council/ committees/volunteer firefighters 2 per cent increase for 2023 and then revisit cost of living adjustment for 2024 in late 2023.

“At that time, we could establish a recurring policy or Council can continue to evaluate on an annual basis.”

Day for Bulgaria and romania

With the Day of Bulgaria and Romania set for Jan. 28 at Clar-Mill Hall in Plevna, it appears that the Republic of Bulgaria is handling all the arrangements other than asking for some help with local advertising and asking the Mayor to speak.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Dep. Mayor John Inglis. “People are always asking how Plevna got its name.”

Which caused Mayor Gerry Lichty to quip: “I know how Snow Road got its name.”

Parking area nixed

A request to use a municipal road allowance on Shabomeka Lake as a parking area with a cart path and floating dock was defeated 3-2.

Climate Change task Force

Dep. Mayor John Inglis’s plan to create a task force to create a Township Statement of Intention Regarding Climate Change didn’t