Group raises concerns about transfer of wind plant ownership
Posted Jan 21, 2010 By Margaret Knott
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Members of Wolfe Island Residents for the Environment (WIRE) attended the Frontenac Islands January council meeting to hear answers to their questions concerning possible implications to the island resulting from the sale of Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. to Trans Alta Corporation.
WIRE's Gail Kenney, speaking on behalf of the community group, explained that she was looking for clarification to answers she had received from the township regarding the possibility of any further expansion by TransAlta, road reclamation and the health and safety of Wolfe Island residents in regards to the complaint protocol.
"All legitimate concerns within the community," she said. "Your reply said you were not aware of any expansion plans with TransAlta and my question is: has there been any discussion or correspondence with the company saying there will or will not be any expansion?"
In reply, Frontenac Islands Mayor Jim Vanden Hoek said there had been no correspondence and invited Kenney to attend the public open house with TransAlta representatives to hear from them.
Kenney continued to have concerns about the work required to repair the damage done to the island's roads as a result of the wind plant development, particularly those roads that were widened and cleared ("encroaching on sensitive wetlands, hedge rows, bird habitat,") to allow access (Road 2, Baseline).
"Has Canadian Hydro lived up to its agreement? Who will rebuild and plant trees?" she asked.
Mayor Vanden Hoek said that the road work will be quite challenging with the three programs it will try to weave together.
"We have the normal budget process which always includes road work. We have the money from Canadian Hydro, and their commitment to it, and we also have the ISF (Infrastructure Stimulus Fund) award ($476,000) for a drainage program," he said. "I can tell you we are doing work on haul roads. We are cleaning out ditches, cutting out grass and brush, all a normal township responsibility, but I'm just not seeing the township planting trees on the side of the road."
Although Kenney was not happy with the answer about roads, the idea of planting trees as a community project somewhere was well received.
Another concern was related to the distribution of information. Council agreed to make the TransAlta information about the wind plant, telephone numbers and notification available in print at the town hall for anyone to pick up. The mayor will take Kenney's request that when TransAlta visits next, that there be an evening meeting with the public.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
*Council passed a zoning bylaw to remove certain properties that had been identified for the wind plant and are no longer required and, further, identified a piece of property within that original rezoning and set it aside solely for a meteorological tower.
*The contract for snow removal on roads designated as improved township roads on Simcoe Island has been awarded to Don Eves.
*There were some questions about some of the items on the payment voucher, but in the end it was approved for payment.
*A bylaw was passed that requires deficits or surpluses at year end remain area rated into the next year. Howe Island received $50,000 from Frontenac County for the county ferry/roads.
*Council supported two applications to Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation by the Wolfe Island Historical Society for funding to purchase and install directional signage for the "Old House" and the Wolfe Island Business and Tourism Association to purchase and install "historical plaques" in Marysville and to develop a related brochure.
COUNCIL MEMBERS' CONCERNS
*Mayor Vanden Hoek talked about the importance of public participation in the upcoming meeting to look at how the amenities agreement monies could and/or should be allocated.
"I believe this may require more than one meeting," he said.
A further concern is the future of the salt dome that is in need of repair. This item will be discussed up at upcoming budget meetings.
*Deputy Mayor Matt Fiene has concerns about cars and trucks left in the Howe parking lot at the County Ferry dock and will seek further information.
*Coun. Wayne Grant wants to find ways of dealing with hard plastics at the Wolfe Island landfill site.
*Coun. Dennis Doyle is looking into Canada/Ontario awards programs.
*Council meets next on Howe Island Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
AROUND TOWN
*As part of the Wolfe Island transportation study, a voluntary travel survey will be administered to passengers on the Wolfe Islander III ferry during a week in each of the winter, spring and summer months of 2010. The data collected will assist in identifying current and future access needs.
*Barbara Larocque, author of Wolfe Island - Legacy in Stone, has a new website www.wolfeislandhistory.com.
*Jan. 14 marked the 60th anniversary of Captain Sisty's wild adventure in 1950 when the Wolfe Islander was 'missing and believed to be lost' in that wild, January wind and carried downriver. This reminder came from the Wolfe Islander III ferry Capt. Brian Johnson.
"But looking back to Dec. 10 of 2009, I guess we are still at the mercy of Mother Nature's many moods!" he said.
*Public skating hours for Wolfe Island's beautiful outdoor rink are posted on the wolfeisland.com website.
COMING EVENTS
Frontenac Islands amenities agreement public consultation facilitated by Robert Wood, CEO/president of 8020Info, will be held at Sacred Heart School Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
*Wolfe Island Business and Tourism Association AGM is at the Wolfe Island United Church Feb. 1 at 7p.m. with guest speaker Rebecca LeHeup, executive director of the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance. There will be a discussion by Wolfe Island food growers about what is being produced on the island and how we can produce more of our food locally. Watch for a flyer.
