Body: Environmental Task Force
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Committee Meeting
Date: March 25, 2025
Collection: Committees and Task Forces
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Document Text
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes March 25, 2025
Environmental Task Force Minutes 9:00 AM - Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Council Chambers
Present:
Councillor Roy Huetl (Chair); Deputy Mayor John Inglis; Councillor Fred
Fowler; Paul Asselin; Ange Defosse; Marlene Spruyt; Mike Ward; Katie
Surra; and Pat McCarron.
Absent with Regret:
Bruce Moore; Darwyn Sproule, Public Works Manager, P. Eng.
Also Present:
Tara Mieske, Clerk/Planning Manager, Dipl.M.A. Dipl.M.M.
Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.
Traditional Land Acknowledgement We begin this gathering by acknowledging and celebrating these traditional lands as a gathering place of the first peoples and their ancestors who are entrusted to care for Mother Earth since time immemorial. We do so respecting both the land and the Indigenous People who continue to walk with us through this world. Today, the Township of North Frontenac is committed to working with Indigenous Peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof None declared.
Environmental Task Force Notes
a) Notes of the Environmental Task Force Meeting dated February 25, 2025, as approved via email and received for information at the March 14, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council.
Business Arising
a) Work Plan Update
- Battery Storage Opportunities - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt Deputy Mayor Inglis advised there hasn’t been a lot of progress since the last Task Force Meeting. He noted the one company is interested in providing an information session and he would like to include the Mayor and CAO when this is arranged.
It was noted a resolution of Council is not required prior to a project being considered. If a Page 1 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes March 25, 2025
company would like to pursue a project in North Frontenac they would prepare a presentation to Council.
Deputy Mayor Inglis is going to work with the Sub-Committee and prepare an information report to Council on battery storage projects including opportunities, benefits and risks.
Net Metering - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt Deputy Mayor Inglis advised he has received some preliminary information from one of the companies he contacted about installing solar panels to cover all electricity use at the Township office/Ward 2 garage complex. He will provide further information to the Task Force at an upcoming meeting.
Invasive Species - Roy Huetl, Fred Fowler and Mike Ward Councillor Huetl advised he is still waiting for a date for the meeting with Addington Highlands, Mazinaw Lake Association and federal and provincial representatives. He noted he spoke with a biologist from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters who advised Eurasian Milfoil is near the bottom of the list for invasive species in the Province. He noted there may not be value in expending a lot of resources as new and worse species are spreading and a natural equilibrium will occur.
Septic Inspection Programs - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Roy Huetl and Fred Fowler Councillor Huetl advised there was a meeting of the sub-committee and it was decided to recommend to Council a mandatory septic inspection for all properties which were recently sold. There could be some exceptions for properties which have septic systems that are less than 10 years old or have been inspected in the last 3 years. The inspector will need to have a valid BCIN number and be qualified to complete inspections. Information on the mandatory inspection requirements can be provided by local real estate agents, Township staff if contacted during the sale process (zoning compliance, tax certificates, etc.), or through Township communication channels. Councillor Huetl will prepare a report to Council recommending staff complete a Mandatory Septic Inspection By-law to implement inspections when a property is transferred. The sub-committee also discussed requiring septic inspections for short-term rentals and suggested the sub- committee for short-term rentals consider this.
The sub-committee also discussed opportunities to educate the public on septic system health. The next Quarterly Newsletter will focus on healthy septic systems and make residents aware of the voluntary septic inspection program. Information will be provided to Defosse to assist with creating the newsletter. The newsletter will be circulated to Lake Associations, local businesses, added to the Township’s social media and the website and posted at Township facilities.
The North Frontenac Lake Association Alliance (NFLAA) is going to set-up an information table at Summerfest and invite Eric Kohlsmith to attend to provide education on septic system health. The NFLAA is also going to encourage residents to participate in the Page 2 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes March 25, 2025
voluntary septic program this summer to try and increase participation.
Carrying Capacity of Lakes - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Ange Defosse and Mike Ward No updates.
Short-term Rentals - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Ange Defosse and John Inglis Deputy Mayor Inglis is currently trying to coordinate a meeting with the sub-committee.
b) Quarterly Newsletter -Received Council Approval - March 14, 2025
The first newsletter was well received by Council and they approved the Task Force completing quarterly newsletters on environmental themes. The first newsletter is set to be circulated on April 1st. The Task Force will need to consider future topics they wish to include in upcoming newsletters. As previously discussed the summer newsletter will focus on septic system health.
c) Expansion of the Community Improvement Program (CIP)
The Task Force discussed adding an additional program to the CIP for environmental improvements (i.e. local businesses adding solar panels). Councillor Huetl advised he would bring this forward during the 2026 budget discussions which will be held in the fall of 2025.
d) 2025 Invasive Species Forum: Detecting and Controlling Phragmites - Update from Public Works Manager
Deferred to the next Task Force Meeting.
New Business
a) Ardoch Waste Site
The Task Force recommended this topic be added to the next agenda for discussion. The Public Works Manager will provide an update on the potential re-opening of the site.
b) Recycling Programs for Wind Turbines or Solar Panels
It was noted the wind turbine and solar panel industries who have expertise on these materials are working out details on the recycling of materials from these.
Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 10:28 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for April 29, 2025 at 9:00 am.
Recommendations Page 3 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes March 25, 2025
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Minutes of a Meeting of the Environmental Task Force dated March 25, 2025.
Councillor Roy Huetl, Chair, Environmental Task Force
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