The Tiny Cottager Online

REPORT ON COUNCIL
March 14, 2011
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 am – to 12:15 pm, 12:50 pm to 2:48 pm
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 pm – 7:34 pm
Mayor Millar, Deputy Mayor Lawrence and Councilors Claire, Warren and Wishart present

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 2:48 pm to 3:36 pm

CANADA POST – PROPOSED CHANGES An official from Canada Post presented a proposal to change all civic addresses in the township to use “Tiny” as the designation.  This provides flexibility when adjusting postal routes.  If individuals wish to continue to use the existing hamlet names, the mail will be properly delivered as long as the postal code is correct. This change will probably result in new postal codes for a significant portion of households, which means that many individuals will have to send out change of address cards. The time estimated for the conversion is 6 to 8 months.

2011 BUDGETThe treasurer presented the finalized operating and capital budgets.  Due to a change in accounting rules, certain expenditures which used to be capitalized must now be treated as operating expenditures.  As a result, the 2011 operating budget increased by 10.9% over 2010.  The budget change is really a decrease of 1% apart from the accounting changes. The capital budget has decreased very significantly with a reduction of 68% on a gross basis and a decrease of 37% on a net basis. Operating expenses are budgeted to be $6,825,376 and the capital budget is $3,214,102. Complete details are available on the township web site.

LAFONTAINE BEACH MASTER PLAN The master plan was presented in considerable detail.  The options include establishing a community use area with a playground and a sheltered section.  Mature trees and natural vegetation would be preserved and vegetation along the beachfront would be encouraged to regenerate and dune grass would be planted. There has been much discussion about removing the groynes but right now they provide the only easy way for swimmers to reach useable water.  No decisions were made regarding any of the areas but Council members noted that any development is contingent on the actual waterfront situation. The complete presentation is available on the township web site under the Agenda “Quick Link” tab on the left side of the home page.

2011 SEPTIC RE-INSPECTION PROGRAM This year the re-inspection program will focus on shoreline areas between the 5th and 8th concessions and the 11th and 14th concessions. If that does not result in 1000 inspections, inland areas from the 1st concession north will be inspected to make up the shortfall.
In 2010 1104 inspections were completed over the summer. Of that total, 165 lots were found to be deficient as follows:
• 53 lots had root intrusions into the leaching bed area.
• 32 lots had fire pits dug into the surface of the leaching bed.
• 19 lots had indications of vehicles parking or driving on the septic tank or leaching bed.
• 16 lots had structures supported by the septic tank.
• 12 lots had a structure on top of the leaching bed.
• 11 lots had a patio on the surface of the leaching bed.
• 8 lots had steel septic tanks that were severely deteriorated and required replacement.
• 4 lots required information on the location of the sewage systems from the resident.
• 4 lots had a driveway over the septic tank.
• 2 lots had outhouses that were in disrepair.
• 2 lots had root intrusions into grey water systems.
• 1 lot had sewage effluent breakout on the surface of the ground.
• 1 lot had a damaged sewage pipe between the house and tank.
When this area was inspected in 2004 the follow-up rate was 31% and that rate dropped to 15% in 2010, indicating the value and success of the program.The Province has announced that a mandatory inspection program will be introduced in the near future in all areas having septic facilities.