Latest / North Shore News / February 12th, 2026

Transcript

February 12th, 2026 · North Shore News

0:07
Welcome to North Shore News and Interviews on
0:10
Amherst Island Radio. Each week we keep you updated
0:14
on newsworthy events, happenings and conversations
0:17
that we've had with people in the local community
0:20
and beyond. Outreach and Stewardship Coordinator
0:39
with Quinty Conservation, Lindsay Nash, explains
0:41
what the organization is looking to do with the
0:43
funding. Quinty Conservation, alongside the Quinty
0:46
Urban Forest Network, is proposing to be the
0:50
lead applicant for the GMF fund. By doing this,
0:54
we are providing our 18 member municipalities
0:57
the option to leverage funding and staff support
1:02
for planting projects, both existing and proposed,
1:06
as long as the trees haven't been planted by
1:09
the time that we obtain the funds. So as lead,
1:14
Queenie Conservation will focus on planting a
1:16
diverse range of native tree and shrub species.
1:20
Nash spoke about what Queenie Conservation expects
1:22
from its partners. Queenie Conservation's expectations
1:25
in working with municipal partners and private
1:28
interest groups would include a letter of support
1:31
from council, a financial contribution of 50%,
1:34
a tree planting budget with the source of funding
1:36
identified, the identification of existing and
1:39
proposed programs so I can apply it to the grant.
1:43
And then identification of sites where an increase
1:47
in tree canopy would be beneficial, either on
1:50
private or public lands, and any data or current
1:53
tree canopy studies to support or identify the
1:56
need for trees. So in exchange, Queenie Conservation
1:59
will coordinate administrative and logistical
2:01
aspects of the application. We will assist with
2:04
leveraging additional funding where possible.
2:06
We'll act as a liaison between municipalities,
2:09
local interest groups, and the funders. and then
2:12
we will also submit the final reporting. Nash
2:15
explained the application timeline. My timeline
2:18
for this grant is right now I'm going to municipal
2:22
councils to obtain support to apply it as lead
2:25
applicant. This is important because I cannot
2:28
apply for this grant as lead without support
2:32
of council. We can partner with other private
2:35
interest groups like schools. Rotary, stewardship
2:40
councils, churches, those kinds of groups who
2:45
usually do tree planting projects regularly.
2:49
So by the end of March is when I'd be looking
2:51
for municipalities to respond to me with project
2:55
participation and a general project outline,
2:58
what they want to do and what they have going
3:00
on. And then by the end of April, I'm planning
3:03
on formally applying for the fund with a professionally
3:06
reviewed planting plan and an urban forestry
3:09
grant coach, which would be supplied by the GMF
3:13
fund. Nash went on to note when things would
3:15
move forward. So there's about a six to eight
3:18
month waiting period. after applying before hearing
3:22
back, which would put us at tree planting for
3:25
fall of 2026 or spring of 2027. Now we do have
3:30
a period of two years before to use up the grant.
3:33
So we do have a little bit of wiggle room in
3:35
that regard. And then for the following years,
3:38
we would maintain and monitor the planted trees.
3:41
Nash spoke about eligible initiatives under the
3:43
grant. Funding opportunities are for long term
3:47
and permanent tree tree planting and forestry
3:50
intention and it's actually a really wide range
3:54
of tree planting projects that would qualify
3:57
for this grant and that includes street tree
3:59
planting, urban planting, park tree planting,
4:03
riparian planting, forest restoration and reforestation
4:07
on both public and private lands. A maintenance
4:11
plan and a survival assessment report are required
4:14
following each project. So as long as they can
4:18
be assessed after planting, then that would make
4:21
it eligible. Nash noted why it makes sense to
4:24
work with a number of municipalities. So this
4:26
is a 50 % match cost share grant with a minimum
4:30
project cost of $50 ,000. Now, a lot of our municipalities
4:35
and private interest groups don't have $50 ,000
4:37
to put forth for tree planting, which is the
4:41
benefit of all grouping together for this grant.
4:45
So half of the budget would be covered by the
4:48
GMF fund, and the other half could come from
4:50
either municipal budget. Other funds could come
4:54
from private interest groups that may do fundraising.
4:58
And other grants, we can stack grants as long
5:01
as they're not funded by the Two Billion Trees
5:04
program or Trees Canada. Nash explained why tree
5:07
planting initiatives are good for the community.
5:09
Implementing a watershed -wide tree planting
5:12
initiative through different levels of partnership
5:14
creates capacity for the community to work together
5:17
while supporting climate resilience close to
5:20
home. There's many benefits to planting trees,
5:24
specifically climate resiliency through flood
5:27
retention, which is a big interest of Queenie
5:30
Conservation. But then trees also provide many
5:33
other benefits, including reducing carbon dioxide
5:36
from the air and producing oxygen, which is good
5:40
for physical health. Trees reduce heat island
5:43
effects in urban areas. They cool buildings in
5:45
the summer with shade and provide wind breaks
5:47
to buildings in the winter. Connecting with nature
5:50
and trees improves mental health. And planting
5:54
a diverse native tree species promotes healthy
5:57
soils. and habitats for a wide range of insects,
6:00
birds, and mammals that reside in the Quinty
6:04
area specifically. So this aligns really well
6:06
with Quinty Conservation's vision to advance
6:09
watershed knowledge and collective actions to
6:12
strengthen our natural ecosystems. For Amherst
6:15
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
6:18
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Greater
6:30
Napanee Council ended its 30 -day review period
6:33
for their 2026 budget at a special meeting, therefore
6:36
adopting the new budget. Staffs report noted
6:38
a 5 .8 % tax increase for 2026, with the levy
6:42
totaling just over $17 .3 million. As a part
6:45
of the 2026 budget process, staff were required
6:49
to follow the new strong mayor legislation. Under
6:51
this legislation, the mayor has a responsibility
6:53
to introduce a proposed budget to council and
6:56
the community by February 1st. Council then has
6:58
30 days to review and make changes. Council can
7:01
shorten this period by resolution if they're
7:03
done making changes, and at the end of the revision
7:05
period, the budget is deemed adopted and does
7:08
not require a bylaw or resolution to put it into
7:11
effect. Treasurer of IT and Financial Services
7:13
with the town, Ellen Hamill, spoke about staff's
7:16
work on the budget. Overall, given the circumstances
7:18
that the municipality had faced throughout the
7:20
budget year, we were quite pleased with the ways
7:22
that the budget had come together. We think we've
7:24
covered a lot of needs that the municipality
7:26
had in 2026, primarily in our capital. Our operating
7:30
is really just trying to maintain status quo
7:32
while incorporating the overall budget pressures
7:36
that come with that. We're all seeing that in
7:37
our day to day and our costs just continue to
7:39
rise. So operating. was really just status quo
7:42
while capital saw some good investment into our
7:47
assets that were in need of replacement. Mayor
7:50
Terry Richardson spoke about the budget and projects
7:52
they were able to fund. It was very easy to understand
7:55
and we covered a lot of ground in this budget.
8:00
We've increased our heavy fleet is something
8:03
that we had to do, but in the same time, we've
8:05
also been able to do some fun stuff, which is
8:07
to redo. a soccer pitch, which has been long
8:11
overdue, which we've talked about for the last
8:12
two or three years and haven't been able to do
8:14
it. And and the other thing is is in town trails.
8:18
We're going to create some in town trails, which
8:19
we've had a lot of conversations about. Hamill
8:22
explained the timeline of staff bringing the
8:24
budget to council. These presentations came after
8:26
a lot of collaboration and work between the finance
8:29
team, CLT and the mayor. And there are a number
8:32
of pre -budget reports that were given to members
8:34
of council to help ease some of the discussions
8:37
that we had on those days. During those meetings,
8:40
council was presented with the operating and
8:42
capital budgets along with the enhancements that
8:44
were both included in the proposed budget, but
8:46
also those that we were not able to include in
8:48
the proposed budget while trying to keep in line
8:50
with the mayor's budget directive and also keeping
8:53
the tax rate increase at a level that we felt
8:55
council would become comfortable with giving
8:58
the significant pressures that we were facing
9:00
this year. So in that budget proposal, we had
9:03
an overall tax levy of $17 .3 million. dollars,
9:07
which resulted in a 5 .8 % tax increase. It is
9:12
worth noting that a large portion of that was
9:15
directly related to the cost of the OPP, while
9:18
the remainder highlighted the needs of the municipality.
9:20
The town's portion of the operating budget was
9:22
largely focused on maintaining our existing services
9:25
while prioritizing health safety and our legal
9:28
requirements. The capital budget, on the other
9:30
hand, was funded The portion that was funded
9:33
through the levy saw significant investments
9:36
into fire services and replacements of our heavy
9:39
fleet and equipment, all which were well beyond
9:42
their useful life. Under the new strong mayor
9:44
legislation, staff worked closely with the mayor
9:47
to draft the 2026 proposed budget presented to
9:50
council in January. Hamill explained more of
9:52
this process. In addition to the capital levy,
9:55
the budget also included a number of projects
9:57
that didn't come directly from the taxpayer.
10:00
And that was a request that also come out of
10:02
the mayor's budget directive. So we looked at
10:05
ways to include investments that didn't hit the
10:08
levy and didn't hit the taxpayers directly. And
10:10
some of those included... upgrades to the soccer
10:13
field, the in -town trail development and revitalization
10:17
of Market Square. So those were funded through
10:19
things like non -tax revenues like DC's reserves,
10:24
dedicated parkland funds and the sale of underutilized
10:27
lands and properties. As an amendment to the
10:29
proposed budget, Councillor Bill Martin asked
10:31
that the town add $3 ,000 to the Waste Diversion
10:34
Advisory Committee's operating budget to enable
10:37
the committee to engage in waste diversion promotion,
10:39
education and engagement efforts. Martin explained
10:42
his request. The reason I asked to have this
10:45
put back into the budget is that our Waste Diversion
10:48
Committee has various projects in mind to try
10:52
to get people into recycling mode a little more
10:55
and possibly a composting situation and also
10:59
just to educate people on the new recycling system
11:02
and if we can get more recycling out of garbage.
11:05
Martin explained why $3 ,000 would be worth it
11:08
for the town. Basically, what I'm saying is,
11:11
I'd appreciate it if council would look at this
11:13
not as an expense item, but as an investment
11:18
in the community. It doesn't affect the levy
11:21
because I'm proposing that it comes out of the
11:23
stabilization reserve fund. $3 ,000 is a small
11:27
amount and it's going to show a return as far
11:32
as I'm... I can almost guarantee council that
11:35
it's going to show a return in the long run.
11:37
I know our waste diversion committee has spent
11:39
hundreds and hundreds of hours researching, making
11:44
contacts with other communities. And if we can
11:48
get more out of garbage, more into recycling,
11:52
our bill at the end of each quarter or each month,
11:55
I'm not sure what we get billed at, but would
11:58
be more just because our weights are going to
12:00
decrease. That's what we've been working on.
12:03
We need the three thousand dollars in the budget,
12:05
like I say, for educational purposes. We need
12:08
to need that to achieve our goals of waste diversion.
12:12
Mayor Terry Richardson showed his support for
12:14
the request, which was ultimately approved. The
12:16
timing on this is probably probably very good
12:19
with the change in the recycling process that
12:23
we have, not just in this municipality, but in
12:25
the province as well. So many. help that we can
12:28
get to to try and get that message out. I think
12:30
this is probably not a bad thing. After the town's
12:32
January budget meetings, a 2026 budget consultation
12:35
page on Let's Talk Greater Napanee was launched.
12:39
According to staff, there were no questions or
12:41
comments submitted by the public. For Amherst
12:43
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
12:46
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
12:58
Southeast Health Unit office in Napanee will
13:00
be continuing its lease in a smaller capacity
13:03
at a lesser rate. Originally, they were going
13:05
to close at the end of March. The health unit
13:07
has now agreed to reduce their footprint within
13:09
the building by approximately 75%. As their lease
13:12
agreement is based on square footage occupied,
13:14
this has reduced their rent from approximately
13:16
$1 ,825 to $430 for the final 20 months of the
13:21
agreement term. The town's clerk, Jessica Walters,
13:24
explains why staff believe this is in the best
13:26
interest for the commun - In short, the health
13:29
unit is now, they had initially given us a notice
13:31
of termination effective March 31st. The budget
13:35
was presented on the assumption that they would
13:37
no longer be in there after that date. They have
13:40
subsequently submitted a request to continue
13:43
their lease but on amended terms with a reduced
13:45
footprint in the building and therefore reduced
13:47
cost. Staff believe this is in the best interest
13:51
of the community because it would let us maintain
13:53
the vaccine clinics and the fridge for well water
13:56
testing and any other services they might wish
14:00
to offer there through that office space. CAO
14:03
Matthew Grant explains the reduction in space
14:05
and why he supports them staying open. Myself,
14:08
Mr. Brown and Ms. Walters met with the public
14:12
health team. And so it does represent a significantly
14:15
reduced footprint within the building. It's essentially
14:20
a room to keep the vaccines as well as the the
14:24
front reception area. And as a building tenant,
14:28
it still allows them access to the large meeting
14:31
space to run vaccine clinics. So I'm quite supportive
14:37
of it. I do know that the the public health unit
14:40
has had some challenges to navigate since they've
14:45
merged the different units into one single unit.
14:49
And so as they're looking to reduce costs wherever
14:53
they can, this was a way they felt they could
14:55
do that while still maintaining service to the
14:59
community. and generally this results in people
15:02
not having to travel to Kingston for vaccines
15:05
and I think that's where the win is for residents.
15:08
Councillor Bill Martin expressed a concern he
15:10
had about neighbouring communities using the
15:12
service. I think we have to do it just to maintain
15:15
the services to our residents but it concerns
15:18
me that we're always asked to pay for a service
15:21
for other communities because this is going to
15:24
be used by more than just Napanee residents.
15:28
It's going to be, you know, it's Kingston, Frontenac,
15:30
LNA, Prince Edward County, you know, so I'm concerned
15:34
about that part of it actually that we're paying,
15:37
our taxpayers are paying for a service for other
15:40
communities. But like I said, I don't want our
15:43
residents to lose any services either. Grant
15:46
noted the benefits and said they wouldn't be
15:48
paying for other municipalities. I don't know
15:50
that we're necessarily paying us for other municipalities.
15:54
I think the benefit is maintenance of vaccine
15:57
clinics here, which will primarily be for our
15:59
residents. I would say the only benefit other
16:02
municipalities may be getting is that the vaccine
16:07
supply chain in this immediate area of 41 and
16:11
the like will come through Napanee. But I don't
16:14
anticipate that other municipalities will be
16:16
getting a direct benefit from the use of our
16:19
space other than that. Mayor Terry Richardson
16:21
showed his support for the health unit staying
16:23
open, but noted a concern as well. I'm hopeful
16:26
that our staff aren't going to do any more than
16:28
what they're doing now. Obviously, the concern
16:32
is if it's not staff five days a week, there's
16:34
a possibility there. But I'm sure Mr. Grant and
16:37
the senior leadership team will be monitoring
16:39
that fairly closely. And it's a little bit refreshing
16:42
in the fact that the Health Unit has now realized
16:44
that it's important to have a brick and mortar
16:47
type of facility within our community that you
16:49
just cannot do it remotely. For Amherst Island
16:52
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
16:55
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. This February,
17:08
the Lenox and Addington County General Hospital
17:10
Foundation invites the community to express their
17:12
gratitude and celebrate the care provided by
17:15
health care professionals in the area through
17:16
the Grateful Patient Program. This program is
17:19
a way to honor nurses, doctors, technicians and
17:21
staff who make a difference in patients' lives
17:23
every day. All throughout February, caregivers
17:26
and teams that are chosen to be recognized will
17:28
have their name proudly displayed on a heart
17:30
on the Foundation office window. Donations through
17:32
the Grateful Patient Program directly support
17:34
critical hospital needs, such as new equipment
17:37
and patient -focused improvements. Past contributions
17:40
have made a significant difference, including
17:42
upgrades to emergency department monitors and
17:44
enhancements to diagnostic imaging services.
17:47
Donations can be made online at www .lachfoundation
17:52
.com slash donate or by contacting the foundation
17:57
office at 613 -354 -3301, extension 4400. Stories
18:04
about caregivers or a team who went above and
18:06
beyond can be shared by visiting lacghfoundation
18:09
.com slash stories. Participants in the Grateful
18:12
Patient program not only recognize the care they've
18:15
received, but also help ensure that the Lennox
18:16
and Addington County General Hospital continues
18:19
to provide top quality healthcare for everyone
18:21
in the community. This news story comes from
18:23
the Napany Beaver for Amherst Nominations are
18:40
open for Loyalist Township Civic Awards until
18:43
Monday, March 9th, 2026. Residents are encouraged
18:46
to nominate a person or organization that deserves
18:49
to be celebrated for their meaningful contributions
18:51
to Loyalist Township. That includes community
18:53
champions or groups who have volunteered their
18:55
time and made a positive impact in the community
18:57
through projects, initiatives, events, or goodwill
19:00
service. The Township celebrates the impact of
19:03
volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and dedicated
19:05
individuals who shaped the heart of the community.
19:07
These champions lead the way whether it's by
19:09
organizing events that bring neighbors together,
19:12
mentoring youth to reach their full potential,
19:13
or driving environmental initiatives that protect
19:16
our natural spaces for future generations. Through
19:18
their passion and commitment, the township thrives
19:20
as a vibrant, welcoming and resilient place to
19:23
live, work and grow. Nominees must be a resident
19:25
of, business owner within, or directly serve
19:28
Loyalist Township. The same individual group
19:30
or non -profit organization can be nominated
19:33
for multiple categories, but will only receive
19:35
recognition for one award per year. Award categories
19:38
are Citizen of the Year, Junior Citizen of the
19:41
Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Organization
19:43
of the Year, and Resilient Community Award. Nominations
19:46
can be submitted online and applicants are encouraged
19:49
to provide thoughtful submissions that highlight
19:51
achievements and contributions. Eligibility requirements,
19:55
category criteria, and nomination forms are available
19:58
at www .loyalist .ca slash civic awards. This
20:03
news story comes from the Napanee Beaver. for
20:05
Amherst Island radio initiative. I'm Ted Evans
20:20
The Farmers Market at Market Square in Napanee
20:23
will have a covering thanks to the Rotary Club
20:25
of Napanee. The structure comes as a gift from
20:28
the club to the town. Director of Parks, Recreation
20:30
and Culture with the Town of Greater Napanee,
20:33
Chris Brown, spoke about the Rotary Club's plans
20:35
and the timeline for the project. They are seeking
20:38
to work with Town Council and staff as well as
20:40
the Market Square Advisory Committee to develop
20:42
plans and fundraise for a structure to be erected
20:45
outside at the back of Town Hall. on the portion
20:47
of the property off Centre Street to provide
20:49
a cover slash roof over the section that is earmarked
20:52
for the farmers market and other activities.
20:55
Town staff have met with the Rotary Club on multiple
20:57
occasions, bounced some feedback back and forth.
21:01
This covered roof would be the Rotary Club's
21:04
gift to the town to underscore their club's centennial
21:08
year in 2026. Rotary Club intends to contribute
21:12
a minimum of $125 ,000 over the course of five
21:16
years, which is very exciting. The next step,
21:20
so both parties agree to aim for a construction
21:23
start date in late 2026 following consultation.
21:27
We're hopeful that we can get a lot of the design
21:29
work completed this year with a completion as
21:32
soon as reasonably practical. Brown detailed
21:34
how the process will take place. Once approved,
21:38
the MOU will influence design work, which will
21:41
be undertaken simultaneously with the Town Hall's
21:44
interior renovation project. As part of the design
21:47
process, many stakeholders, including the Market
21:50
Square Advisory Committee, the Heritage Committee,
21:53
Rotary Club of Napanee and the LNA Chamber of
21:56
Commerce will collaborate to bring a final recommendation
21:59
to council for approval. When the design and
22:02
costing have been determined the town and the
22:05
Rotary Club of Napanee will enter into a contribution
22:07
agreement that will finalize some of these terms
22:11
and conditions. Mayor Terry Richardson showed
22:13
his support for the project. This is an exciting
22:16
time when we started talking about the revitalization
22:19
of the market square. We weren't sure where we
22:23
were going with this but now all of a sudden
22:24
all the pieces are starting to fall into place
22:26
here so I think this would be a great addition
22:29
to the back of Town Hall and it's going to complement
22:32
our market which has hit the road running this
22:36
year and only going to get better. For Amherst
22:39
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
22:42
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
22:54
Township is reminding residents as winter sets
22:56
in, stormwater ponds are not safe for any type
22:59
of winter recreation. These ponds have constant
23:02
water movement, incoming runoff and fluctuating
23:04
water levels that prevent ice from forming evenly
23:07
or safely. Ice may look solid but can be extremely
23:10
thin in hidden areas. Snow can cover weak or
23:13
unstable spots and winter salt applications entering
23:16
the ponds can weaken ice and speed up melting,
23:18
even during very cold temperatures. The township
23:21
reminds parents and guardians to take a moment
23:23
to speak with your children about the dangers
23:25
of walking, playing, or skating on stormwater
23:27
ponds. Loyalist Township does not permit recreational
23:30
activities on or near stormwater ponds at any
23:33
time of year. These facilities are designed for
23:35
water management, not recreation, and can be
23:38
hazardous, especially in winter. For Amherst
23:40
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
23:43
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. A seasonal
23:56
overnight parking reminder for Loyalist Township.
23:59
From December 1st until March 31st, 2026, parking
24:02
is prohibited on any road or street in Loyalist
24:05
Township between 1 a .m. and 7 a .m. This restriction
24:08
is in effect regardless of weather conditions.
24:10
Vehicles in violation of this bylaw will be ticketed.
24:13
For more information, visit Loyalist .ca. For
24:16
Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
24:19
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
24:22
News. This has been North Shore News and Interviews.
24:29
If you have an idea for a story or want to create
24:32
stories for the show, consider joining our volunteer
24:35
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.