South Frontenac looks to tighten rules on private lane subsidies

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Craig Bakay

EMC News Providing some financial assistance so that private lanes could be 'upgraded' to Township standards in South Frontenac seemed like a good idea at the time, but as the policy plays out it appears that a definition of what qualifies as 'upgrading' will have to be worked out.

At the Committee of the Whole meeting last week in Sydenham, Stephen Monty of Osbourne Lane argued that adding gravel should qualify.

"We did the bulldozing, now we needed gravel to crown and level it," he said.

However, since adding gravel to a road (and the subsequent grading required) is often considered part of routine maintenance of a road (for pothole control if nothing else), the Lane Association's request for assistance was originally denied.

However, Monty disagrees that their need for gravel was simply maintenance and he wasn't alone.

"I've looked at it and concluded it is upgrading," said Coun. Cam Naish.

Even Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth, who originally came up with the program, conceded the Osbourne Lane situation might warrant further discussion but he was cautious, not wanting to provide gravel for all the private lanes in the Township.

"I have some sympathies for Mr. Monty's organization," Segsworth said. "But it's lessons learned, we need clearer rules."

The program was originally designed so that private lanes could be brought up to Township standards in terms of width, base, and vegetation, primarily to provide proper access for emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and rescue vehicles. It is not designed to fix potholes, Segsworth said.

In an email dated June 17, Monty said the upgrades they were planning included widening the road where necessary, flattening it out side-to-side in one spot and doing a lot of ditching. They were only looking for assistance with 10 loads of gravel for crowning.

"Mark will look at the rules and all of the lanes and will try to apply consistency," said Clerk/CAO Wayne Orr.

"And everybody will be happy in the end," said Mayor Gary Davison.