Haliburton County development charges study underway

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August 4, 2022

The consultant hired to do a development charges background study for the County says councils may be in a position to pass bylaws in late November.

Peter Simcisko, managing partner of Watson and Associates, presented to council’s July 20 meeting.

They are also doing a community benefits charges feasibility study.

Simcisko explained that development charges are a discretionary tool available to municipalities to help recover the capital costs associated with residential and nonresidential growth within the municipality. Community benefits charges are similar but only apply to high-density residential development, to pay for the capital cost of facilities and services. He noted the charges are on top of what municipalities already expect for things such as internal roads, watermains, roads or sidewalks.

Simcisko said the study will determine, “services that can be included, and anticipated increase in need for service that would result from that anticipated growth.” As an example, looking at available water treatment or storage capacity and determining how much additional capacity would be required to accommodate the anticipated population and employment growth.

He said there would be public consultation with stakeholders, such as the Haliburton County Home Builders Association, followed by at least one public meeting.

“The purpose of that public meeting is to provide for a review of the development charges study, to receive public input on the proposed policies and charges. Anyone in attendance from the public can make representations regarding the proposed bylaw at that point in time,” he said. Simcisko anticipated a public meeting will be held in mid-to-late October.

Coun. Andrea Roberts said she didn’t think Watson and Associates should bother with a community benefits charges feasibility study since Dysart et al does not allow high-rises due to fire safety concerns, such as having no firetrucks with ladders.

She also asked how charges would be calculated. Simcisko said residential charges are determined by the number of units and non-residential by amount of gross floor area that’s being constructed. He added township building departments would determine rates.

Coun. Cec Ryall wanted clarification around residential development charges. He noted they have a lot of properties on private roads being either torn down and rebuilt or renovated. He wanted to know if development charges would apply to them.

Simcisko said it was up to councils to decide the specifics of their bylaw but charges would likely apply to new developments only.

“New developments could be eligible since they require service capacity in areas outside of that municipal road, such as parks and recreation, libraries … any service that’s included in development charges might have additional demands on those services.”

However, he noted that municipalities can choose to exempt a location, such as if they are wanting to promote downtown revitalization.

Coun. Carol Moffatt welcomed the study, noting Algonquin Highlands is having an influx of development and it is requiring more services.

“If somebody is a current property owner and they pay their annual taxes and then they move up, which we’re seeing at a tremendous rate now since COVID … we already have their tax dollars for the property but now they’re going to the landfill more, using the roads more, using the libraries more, using all of those services more and more.

“So, there’s already a great hue and cry about increases in taxes so there has to be some way by which to offset some of those increased usages. I’m glad to hear that there’s room for that to be discussed.”

Haliburton County Huskies return to action, exhibition series set

By

Mike Baker

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August 4, 2022

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Haliburton County Huskies vs Trenton Golden Hawks — TRENTON, ON - APRIL 10: Christian Stevens #17 of the Haliburton County Huskies pursues the play in the third period, at the Duncan McDonald Memorial Gardens on April 10, 2022 in Ontario, Canada (Andy Corneau / OJHL Images)

Jr. A hockey returns to Haliburton County this month as the hometown Haliburton County Huskies prepare for their sophomore season in the Highlands.

Head coach and general manager Ryan Ramsay said he’s excited about the 23-man roster he’s put together over the summer, which includes nine returning players and four other junior hockey veterans acquired via trade.

Winger Christian Stevens, who recorded 48 points in 45 games for the Dogs during their debut season, is coming back as captain, with defenceman Isaak Sooklal forming part of the Huskies’ leadership team.

Forwards Patrick Saini, Lucas Stevenson, Sam Solarino and Cameron Kosurko will also be back, as will blueliners Jack Staniland and Will Gourgouvelis. Goaltender Christian Linton is also returning.

That core will be bolstered by the addition of Alex Cunningham, a big-bodied forward who registered 29 points in 45 games playing with the Brantford 49ers last season.

Nineteen-year-old centre Nicholas Dowling has also signed with the Dogs after playing last year with the Brockville Braves of the Central Canada Hockey League. This will be a homecoming for Dowling, who grew up in nearby Bracebridge.

There’s excitement surrounding the addition of skilled winger Myles Perry, who recently won an OJHL championship with the Pickering Panthers. Acquired in a trade that saw popular forward Nicholas Athanasakos move to Pickering, Perry will be looking to make an impact during his final year of junior hockey.

The team this week announced the signing of Chase Lefebvre out of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. He put up 66 points in 46 games with the French River Rapids last season, finishing second in league scoring.

“I think our team is better on paper right now than it was this time last year,” Ramsay said.

The players will be reporting for practice Aug. 18. An intra-squad scrimmage has been organized for Aug. 21 at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena (1 p.m. puck drop, free admission), with three exhibition games lined up against OJHL rivals the following week.

The Stouffville Spirit will visit Aug. 28 (2 p.m. puck drop, $5 admission) before a double header with the Pickering Panthers Sept. 2 (7:30 p.m. puck drop, $5 admission) and Sept. 4 (2 p.m. puck drop, $5 admission).

The new OJHL season kicks off Sept. 10 with a home tilt against the Cobourg Cougars.

After guiding the Huskies to the division finals last season, Ramsay said he’s anticipating another strong showing in 2022/23.

“You’re always trying to win. It usually takes about 10 games to see where you’re at, how you stack up with other teams and to make a decision if you’re going to go for it. We have a good core coming back and I expect we’re going to be really competitive again,” Ramsay said.

Gord Peteran debuts new work at Haliburton Sculpture Forest

By

Sam Gillett

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August 4, 2022

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The Haliburton Sculpture Forest’s newest addition was installed last spring, but won’t be finished for about 30 years.

At a ribbon-cutting and artist talk July 26, sculptor Gord Peteran said his wooden constructions, which make up Passage, are designed to merge with the forest that surrounds them.

“These works are out of my hands. It’s your obligation to finish them,” he said, referring both to the physical decay of the wooden creations, but also to the way visitors will interpret the enigmatic sculpture, installed in the spring of 2021.

A set of oars are affixed to a high wooden table. On each side of the table, two wooden door frames book-end the work, which is nestled in a small glade of trees.

“Tables represent gathering … the dining table is the core of the family,” Peteran said.

The artist, also responsible for crafting the iconic red doors at the Haliburton School of Art + Design (HSAD), said he delights in challenging how people view objects. The oars, for instance, could infer the table could be in motion.

“Is a table kind of like a vessel?” Peteran asked.

Passage, like most of Peteran’s work, is about humans; how and why we build and use objects.

“I look at historical craft as evidence of human behaviour,” he said, later at a talk in the great hall of the HSAD. It’s a study, he said, of “what does the human tend to do?”

Perhaps it’s a form of art that emerged from his childhood on Mountain Lake.

“What I do comes right out of that lake,” Peteran mused.

He said at lakes and cottages “something happens in the mind. The brain has a chance to explode.”

Whether his grandmother’s rolling pin or carving tools gathered from settler’s tree clearing operations in the north, Peteran grew fascinated with the objects people build.

He’s spent years constructing iconic halfmoon end tables, exploiting their shape and forming them with odds and ends from his workshop, or even driftwood and twine. “They’re basically junk,” he said. Peteran seemed bemused by how the shapes could resonate with people even if the tables weren’t functional.

Our perception of common household fixtures change, he said, if he “takes the familiar and intervenes in some tiny way.”

Peteran’s sculpture was funded by Barb Bolin, a chair of the sculpture forest.

“Every sculpture brings its own story to the sculpture forest, and connects with other stories and sculptures in such intriguing ways,” said board member Annette Blady Van Mil.

“We want to thank you, Gord, for making the stories continue.”

For more information on the Haliburton Sculpture Forest visit haliburtonsculptureforest.ca.

A peaceful tradition continues at Shalom

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 4, 2022

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When patriarch Joe Kegel passed away, his son-inlaw Chris Lawson felt a calling to take on the family business.

Despite originally not wanting to own Shalom By The Lake, Chris and wife, Darlene, answered the call.

They’ve been joined by their daughter, Tara Schroeder and her husband, Andrew, in forming “the dream team” as Darlene calls it at the historic resort on the shores of Halls Lake in Algonquin Highlands.

Darlene moved to the property in the spring of 2021 and the others joined her in September 2021.

Now just shy of a year for all of them, Tara recalled how between September of last year and June this year, they renovated cottages, maintained the grounds, and developed a business model more in keeping with 2022.

“With that comes our online booking system, actually having a workable website and also just promoting this place and sharing with our community that we are here,” Tara said.

Because they worked so hard preparing for this summer season, the mother and daughter said there is time to sit on the porch and reflect in between turnovers.

Darlene’s parents, Joe and Suzette Kegel, bought Shalom By The Lake in 1989. They took three younger sons with them while the five remaining siblings had already married and lived elsewhere. She said that when her folks arrived, they could not move into the wooden and stone cottage since animals had taken up abode. They instead moved into one of the resort cabins and for the next 10 years or so, tore down a few cottages, built and renovated others, and constructed a retreat centre.

Darlene married Chris the summer her parents moved to the County but said, “my kids would spend the summers here. We would pack up every summer and come up here and clean and play and help.”

So, with Joe’s passing, she said they all wanted to keep it in the family but she and Chris didn’t know how it would all pan out since they had a farm in Woodville “and we really weren’t set on coming up here at all.”

“But as it happened, about a year ago, my husband had just in his brain thought this was something he wanted to talk to my dad about, to come and take over the business and, so, long story short, that’s why we’re here.”

Then Tara, who had been working in administration at a summer camp, and Andrew, a camp cook, decided to join them.

Darlene said they each bring a skillset. Chris came from a construction background, Tara camp admin, Andrew, a chef. As for her mom, Tara said, “she kind of brings us all together – a lot of skills.”

With 80 per cent returning summer clientele, some for 30 years, the dream team said they don’t have to work hard at getting summer visitors to their self-contained cottages, retreat centre, tuck shop and beach. That said, they spend time socializing with the families.

“We sit at the beach with them and talk to them. They want to talk to us. Some have been here for the last 30 years.” Next generations are taking on family bookings.

However, they do want to increase winter patronage, in which people can ice fish, snowmobile or just watch the snow fall from inside one of five winterized cottages. They said they had more people in winter 2021-22 than ever before, thanks in part to a social media presence.

They also built an ice rink on the lake that was popular with the locals, too.

Darlene said, “that is one of our goals for continuing into the future, is to have this place for our community, not just for the people that pay to come here.”

Since starting out as the Ackerman farm, Darlene said it has always been a community place.

Shalom is a Hebrew word with many meanings, but one of them is peaceful.

Darlene said that is a legacy they want to continue.

“We hear that all the time. A week doesn’t go by where people have come up here and said just walking through this place is just so peaceful. So, it is definitely living up to its name.”

Shalom By The Lake is at 1570 Little Hawk Lake Road. 289-969-5893, shalombythelake.ca

They’re having a family fun day Sunday, Aug. 7 from noon to 4 p.m. with games, food and sweet treats. $6 contribution for the barbecue but children under three eat for free.

Delays, cost stall Scotch Line Transfer Station revamp

By

Sam Gillett

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August 4, 2022

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Construction at Minden Hills’ Scotch Line transfer station will be delayed until 2024 and could cost more than double what was budgeted.

At a July 28 meeting, council approved a preliminary agreement with WSP Global for a detailed design plan of the site set to cost just under $400,000.

According to manager of waste facilities, Nikki Payne, WSP, the only company to bid on the project, estimated it could cost $8 million to build, or $2 million to construct a “scaled down” version of the site, but did not submit an official price tag.

“Given the current construction cost uncertainty, not only in the design details but with regards to inflation rates, escalating and unpredictable changes to fuel costs, supply chain, and potential material delivery delays, we cannot commit to firm construction pricing in this submission,” WSP reported.

It only provided pricing for the design phase, which will determine construction costs.

Minden Hills budgeted $1.477 million for the project’s construction in its 2022 budget. After funding the design phase, there is $1,024,757 left to fund construction.

With plans not expected to be finalized until late 2022, it’s likely council will have to allocate additional money to finance construction in its 2023 budget, Payne said.

She added, “this would not commit the township to working with [WSP] on the construction of the facility.”

CAO Trisha McKibbin said the detailed plans are required due to waste management regulations and more accurate construction costs would be available once the plans were complete.

“We will get some solid numbers, come back and have a discussion with council so we’re prepared for 2023,” she said.

McKibbin added that difficulty finding companies to bid on municipal projects is a trend across Ontario and Canada.

“We are having challenges with a number of responses and the costs being submitted,” she said.

The final Scotch Line transfer station is set to include new retaining walls and bunkers to house bins, inbound and outbound scales, a new household hazardous waste building and a reuse building and equipment shed. Minden has been working to expand the site’s capacity.

It was found in non-compliance of provincial regulations in 2017, when regulators discovered hazardous waste storage methods and leachate seeps (contaminated water from landfills).

“The new facility will be essential in managing the growing population in the township, as well as the increasing traffic and demand on the Scotch Line landfill site,” according to a written report.

Tackling leachate and wood chipping

Minden Hills will spend $30,000 from its reserves to stop contaminated water from seeping from its closed Lochlin landfill site.

The township backfilled the site and excavated the affected area, but the leachate seep persisted.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks is reviewing previously proposed recommendations for a fix, which will determine what methods staff pursue.

The township is also set to fund woodchipping efforts at the Ingoldsby and Iron Mine disposal sites.

The work has been awarded to National Grinding at $30,849.

While only $15,000 was allocated for brush chipping at the site in Minden Hills’ 2022 budget, councillors voted to fund the shortfall through reserves.

“Why put this off,” said Coun. Bob Carter. “You already have to defer a whole bunch of work into next year…I think we should get this done.”

He and other councillors said leaving brush unchipped could lead to increased fire risk.

Godfathers Pizza Minden closes doors temporarily, citing staffing shortages

By

Mike Baker

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August 4, 2022

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Family pizza night in Minden is going on an enforced sabbatical after the community’s lone pizzeria last week announced it would be temporarily closing its doors.

Godfathers Pizza announced via social media that, due to staffing shortages, it was closing July 29. As of press time, the restaurant remains closed with no indication of when it will be reopening.

“We are currently hiring for all positions in the hopes to be operating as usual in the near future. If you are looking for employment, please feel free to visit our website for job postings, or call us,” a post on Facebook reads.

The business has been advertising for new staff on its social media channels for months. Located in Heritage Plaza along Hwy. 35, Godfathers Pizza has been a staple of the Minden community for more than 20 years.

It’s just the latest local business to fall victim to a growing labour shortage problem in the Highlands. Maple Avenue Tap and Grill was forced to reduce its hours last year, with owner Andy Oh continuously telling media in recent times how difficult it is to find, and keep, staff. The restaurant has since returned to its regular hours five-days per week, open from Tuesday through Saturday, though Oh has said he’d like to be open seven days if he had the staff to support it.

According to manager Kristy Goodearle, new business Rockcliffe Moore Falls also had trouble securing staff in the lead up to their opening in July.

Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development told CBC last week that there are more than 378,000 jobs currently available in Ontario, with three sectors leading the way when it comes to worker shortages: skilled trade, health care and retail/customer service.

New Minden Hills fire chief takes pride in service

By

Sam Gillett

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August 4, 2022

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When Shain Duda was a kid, he knew he wanted to be a police officer or firefighter.

Both jobs, he said, were focused on helping people.

When he got older, he chose firefighting, and now more than two decades later, he’s reached a new career milestone, being appointed Minden Hills’ fire chief.

“I’m excited to be in this position,” he said. “I look forward to expanding my knowledge and seeing where my career can go.”

He has been working in Minden for eight years, including two years as deputy chief under Nelson Johnson, who is now fire chief in Yellowknife.

Duda started as a volunteer, before becoming a volunteer captain.

He said the best part of the role is the pride that comes with serving the community.

“It’s been nothing but positive feedback. Every time we go out and run a call or at public education, we get gratitude.

” Throughout his time in Minden so far, Duda said the opening of the township’s new fire hall was a turning point.

“It shows we want to take pride and honour in our community and fire department,” he said.

“Morale came back up, we had more applications from people wanting to be firefighters in Minden.”

Operating in a rural township comes with unique challenges, such as navigating the four seasons and large distances crews must travel to calls.

“We don’t have that full-time crew like the bigger cities. We’ve been able to handle and manage our volunteers and respond quickly to emergencies,” he said.

He noted one goal is increasing cooperation with other municipalities’ fire departments. The County’s fire chiefs meet monthly to discuss Haliburton County firefighting.

Duda said he tries to get out to chat with the public and educate them on fire safety.

“We’re here for the public. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call,” he said.

The core of his role, Duda says, is helping people.

“Whatever the case may be, I’m there to help the public. That’s what I strive to do.”

The department is hosting a community open house Aug. 8 from 6-9 p.m. where residents can chat with firefighters, check out equipment and find out about becoming a volunteer firefighter.

For non-emergency inquiries, Minden Hills fire department can be reached at 705-286-1202.

Consider running for council in Haliburton County

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 4, 2022

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Aug. 19 is nomination day in Haliburton County. Candidates for the Oct. 24 election must file their paperwork by 2 p.m. that day. In other words, there are just 12 business days left to get on the ballot.

Checking the unofficial list of candidates Aug. 1, there are still some wards in which no one has put their name forward. Many others have only one nominee, which opens the door to multiple acclamations.

That does not bode well for local democracy.

To date, the most robust township is Minden Hills. Eight people have so far filed for seven seats. That being said, there is still no candidate for ward three. Further, if the election were to be held today, Bob Carter would be acclaimed as mayor and Lisa Schell as deputy mayor. Pam Sayne would get a free ride in ward two. The only races are for councillor-at-large with Tammy McKelvey and Trevor Chaulk having filed. Ward one will also be contested, with Jennifer Hughey, Ivan Ingram and Shirley Johannessen all vying for two seats.

Elsewhere, the only other contested seat is in Algonquin Highlands, where Liz Danielsen has been joined by Mike Lang in trying to win Carol Moffatt’s former seat. Incumbents Julia Shortreed, in ward one, Lisa Barry, in ward two, and Jennifer Dailloux, in ward three, remain uncontested with another ward two candidate still needed.

Dysart is also one candidate shy, with no one so far running for ward five. Otherwise, it remains an uncontested race with Murray Fearrey running for mayor, Walt McKechnie for deputy mayor, Rob McCaig for ward one, Daniel Roberts for ward two, Tammy Donaldson for ward three and Rod Dobson for ward four.

Highlands East is struggling to field candidates. So far, only mayor Dave Burton, deputy mayor Cec Ryall and Ruth Strong in ward four have filed.

Perhaps some prospective candidates want to see the summer out before putting their names forward and beginning to campaign.

However, we would argue there are many other reasons that people do not want to run. One is the pay. While levels of pay vary widely across the province, the majority of councillors and heads of council in Ontario are paid less than $40,000 per year.

During and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, there also seems to be a new, unfiltered anger, that has seen unprecedented social media attacks on councillors and the work they are doing.

Factor in that some prospective candidates simply could not meet during the day due to other work commitments and it becomes largely a playing field for the retired and semi-retired.

This dearth of candidates comes at a critical time in Haliburton County, when visionary leaders are needed to navigate our changing times. The Highlands require people who can manage our population growth and a myriad of issues, from a lack of affordable housing, to a shortage of workers, and environmental worries sparking shoreline preservation and short-term rental regulation talks.

We know there are more good people out there who love our communities and have a lot to offer.

And so, we urge anyone sitting on the fence to get off of it. Our future depends on it.

More funds needed for Haliburton’s Head Lake playground

By

Mike Baker

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August 4, 2022

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MB-HeadLakePlayground — Photo courtesy of Dysart et al

Sometimes it takes a village, and Dysart et al council is relying on exactly that as it looks to replace playground equipment at Head Lake Park.

Council agreed to commit up to $300,000 towards the purchase of a new jungle gym following a discussion July 26, although CAO Tamara Wilbee said that only covers a fraction of the cost. “What we’ve heard so far is it can go anywhere from $250,000 to well over $1 million for a similar-sized structure for what we’re looking to replace,” Wilbee said.

The township’s recreation coordinator, Andrea Mueller, asked for $200,000 in her report, but that number was upped after councillors Walt McKechnie and Nancy Wood-Roberts spoke of the importance of “making sure the project is done right.”

The balance of the funds, Mueller noted, will have to come from other sources.

The township has, thus far, been unsuccessful in getting any grants. Mayor Andrea Roberts said there has been interest from some area residents to contribute, and that staff should investigate a broader community fundraising campaign.

“We want to do something that’s going to last for many, many years. This is an important piece of equipment for our community and our visitors… We are going to be looking for members of the public to support this,” Roberts said.

The old playground equipment was removed in June due to safety concerns, with it no longer meeting CSA standards.

Mueller noted it was used by up to 100 children daily during the spring, summer and fall. A replacement won’t be installed until spring 2023 at the earliest. Mueller said most companies are indicating it will take 12 to 14 weeks minimum to manufacture a structure once purchased.

It won’t be a like-for-like substitute, with staff and council favouring a more naturalbased playground, designed with wood rather than metal and plastic.

“The idea is it may encourage more imaginative play and it also fits in really well with the environment given the history of Haliburton and how there were many saw mills here. The idea of using trees… is appealing,” Mueller said. “These are playgrounds that can progress [and be used] by children from [the age of] two to 12 years old and up.”

Mueller said these natural structures require more upfront maintenance – increasing the initial cost – but last longer.

“Some natural playgrounds have up to a 25-year lifespan,” Mueller said. “With plastic and metal equipment, there’s a lot more wear and tear. Pieces are harder to replace. We ran into that issue with the old playground – it was only 10 to 15 years old, but it had to be removed because we couldn’t find the parts to fix it.”

Anyone interested in contributing to the project should contact Mueller at amueller@ dysartetal.ca.

Petition calls for return of paper ballot voting

By

Mike Baker

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August 4, 2022

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Local resident Val Jarvis fears many eligible voters across the Highlands will be left unable to cast their ballot in October’s municipal election after three of the County’s four lower-tier townships elected to scrap paper tally voting in favour of phone and internet voting.

A retired OPP officer, Jarvis said she has dedicated her life to upholding citizen rights.

She recently submitted a petition to Dysart et al, containing signatures from 403 County residents, calling on the municipality to reinstate in-person paper ballot voting.

The same petition was sent to Minden Hills, Algonquin Highlands and Highlands East.

All four townships made the decision last spring to embrace technology and transition to a new way of voting. Minden Hills, while offering phone and internet voting, also elected to maintain paper ballot voting for October’s election.

“Using computer and telephone technology will not only make future voting confusing and possibly out of reach for most folks, but, just as important, it will eliminate the checks and balances that we have come to trust,” Jarvis said. “I, and many others, would like to see a return to a paper ballot.”

The petition was received by Dysart et al council July 26.

It was noted the deadline to make any changes to the election process, including how votes are to be conducted, passed in May. Dysart clerk Mallory Bishop outlined the process, stating voters would receive an information package with a unique personal numeric passcode.

When logging on to the website, they enter their PIN and answer a security question.

They can then vote, review and confirm. With telephone voting, people call a toll-free number, enter their PIN, and follow a touch-tone menu to cast their ballot. In her report to council April 27, 2021, Bishop said this new system would bring many benefits to voters and the township, including increased accessibility for persons with disabilities, seniors and seasonal residents; a lengthier voting window; better privacy; a reduction in election costs; less chance for errors or spoiled ballots; immediate results and improved engagement with young voters.

Jarvis felt many of those perceived benefits could also be seen as negatives.

She feels older residents who don’t use a computer or have poor cell reception will be left without an option to vote, while noting past issues with the voter list and distribution of voting packages could lead to some residents not receiving their unique PIN numbers.

She also suggested it would be much easier to manipulate votes via the phone and internet system.

While she realizes it’s too late to make any change for October’s vote, she hopes this petition will have an impact on future decisions in Haliburton County.

“If we have to have phone and internet voting, then so be it, but I think it’s important we reinstate paper ballot voting,” Jarvis said. “It’s a system that’s worked for many, many years. There are lots of people who just don’t do technology… They need to have an option too.”

With files from Lisa Gervais.