May 7 council meeting update
by Brandon Mayer
A regularly scheduled meeting of council took place on May 7. The afternoon opened with a public meeting regarding a property at 13645 County Road 9 in Chesterville. The property owners are seeking a zoning amendment to allow an existing building on the property to be used for agricultural vehicle and equipment repairs, as well as doubling as a commercial garage for automotive repairs and safety inspections. Council heard during the presentation that an official plan amendment will need to be sought if the plan moves forward. No objections to the plan from members of the public or members of council were put forward.
Next on the agenda was a delegation from the Chesterville and District Historical Society, with representative Caroline Roberts providing an update on the annual general meeting which took place in February. The Chesterville Heritage Centre will be open on Saturdays during the summer from 10am to 2pm, beginning on June 7.
A second delegation came next, this one from a representative of the Rideau St. Lawrence Family Health Team (RSLFHT). The presentation began with a discussion of the benefits that RSLFHT brings to the community. The organization’s website states: “The RSLFHT is a not-for-profit organization offering a range of comprehensive primary health promotion/chronic disease management programs and services through an inter-professional care team. We currently collaborate with approx. 33 physicians and serve more than 46,000 patients.” Later in the meeting, council agreed, in principle, to allow the organization to continue leasing the space above the Winchester Library for free.
Another delegation, this one from House of Lazarus, came next. Following a brief background on the organization’s resources, executive director Cathy Ashby revealed that 232 residents of North Dundas are currently being fed by the House of Lazarus food bank. She also reported that 32% of the food bank’s users are going entire days without eating in each month, suggesting that other, more readily accessible programs may need to be added.
Besides numerous programs that support residents – including adults, seniors, and children – with food needs, Ashby also discussed the housing support programs offered by House of Lazarus. She reported that in the past few years, over 160 residents have been helped with emergency repairs and accessibility upgrades. The House of Lazarus has also opened a 3-bedroom rent geared to income housing unit in South Mountain. Following the presentation, members of council took turns discussing personal experiences with the House of Lazarus, and their views on why the organization is so important for the North Dundas community. Council moved to provide a $10,000 donation to the organization.
Next on the agenda was a motion to declare this year’s Dairyfest event – scheduled for August 9 – as an event of municipal significance. This common step is taken for locally significant events that will be serving alcohol. The motion was quickly passed. Council also quickly passed a subsequent motion to continue contracting the services of South Nation Conservation for private sewage system enforcement.
The recipients of this year’s United Counties of SD&G Regional Incentive Program awards were discussed next. The program is intended to encourage private sector investment in existing buildings and land. The Township submitted four applications to the United Counties on behalf of local businesses, three of which were approved. In Winchester, Dundas Machine Inc and a numbered company constructing a warehouse on Gypsy Lane were both approved for $25,000. In Chesterville, Video Game Mansion was approved for $3895.77. The denied application was for the Mountain Township Agricultural Society for $31,728. The three developments in question have invested nearly $4 million within the North Dundas community.
Council quickly passed a bylaw to adopt the tax rates for 2025, which was important so that tax bills could be sent out asap in anticipation of a potential Canada Post strike.
Next came a quarterly report from the North Dundas Fire Service. Council heard that the fire service has seen an unexplained increase in the need to use their automated external defibrillators, and are also responding to more medical calls in general. Firefighters have also recently undergone both routine and special training, and some discussion took place about community-oriented programs put on by local fire stations. As is tradition with area fire departments, Russell Township has asked that North Dundas be prepared to respond to calls over the summer in the area of a planned road closure in that Township. Council agreed that such reciprocal agreements are important.
In a bit of good news for residents, Council heard that sufficient funds exist to add two roads – Boundary Road in the Township’s west end, and a portion of Belanger Road east of Winchester – back into the paving plans for this year.
Council was next presented with a problem – the Township is yet to hear back regarding a provincial grant application to help with arena repairs, but must soon make the decision to commence the work or risk not being able to have ice ready in time for the upcoming season. Mayor Tony Fraser told the story of a similar situation when the province was impressed with a Township presentation regarding water and sewer infrastructure funding needs, only to disqualify the Township’s application upon learning that the work had already been started. Council agreed that more information was required before proceeding.
The Township’s recreation and culture plan – for which public consultation was sought earlier this year – was next considered and quickly approved. With similar efficiency, the decision on the location of two new crosswalks on County Road 1 in Hallville, currently proposed to be at the intersections of St. John Street and Kerr’s Ridge Road, was deferred. In addition, ice rental rate increases were approved for the upcoming season, following civil dialogue between the Township and ice surface user groups that happened after the rate increases were first proposed at a previous meeting.
In light of grant applications that are being made for improvements to local water and sewer infrastructure, council heard about different projects for which to apply for the grant money. The project for which the money is allotted can affect government decisions about whether to approve the funding. Council members agreed that time would be required to consider the options, especially since grant money would be very helpful for the Township. Also regarding water, council was asked to give permission for Township staff to approach the Municipality of South Dundas regarding the potential for a future partnership regarding water. “The obvious choice is to go to the St. Lawrence River,” said Deputy Mayor Theresa Bergeron, in agreeing with the proposal for dialogue. Councillor Gary Annable also agreed, saying “after listening for 40 years that we should have gone with the St. Lawrence, I’m glad to see there’s something on paper and some initiative taken”. Approving laughter could be heard from the audience during the comment.
Following reports from various committees, the May 7 meeting concluded after over 2 hours and 20 minutes. A special meeting of council took place on May 14 with only the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Councillor Annable in attendance. The purpose of the 6 minute meeting was to provide an extension to the nuisance bylaw exemption for the Dundas Manor construction project, allowing concrete pouring to happen into the overnight hours, since the process cannot be stopped once it starts. The motion was quickly passed, and the meeting adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on June 4.