Latest / North Shore News / April 10th, 2026

Transcript

April 10th, 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. Loyalist Township Council approved
0:29
additional funding to complete the construction
0:31
of the W .J. Henderson Community Centre renewal
0:33
project. Staff's report presented an updated
0:36
business case for the construction and operation
0:38
of the center. The report reflected a variance
0:40
of over half a million dollars since staff's
0:43
first estimates were presented to council in
0:45
November 2023. Engineering and environment manager
0:48
with the township Luke McDonald talks about the
0:50
original business case staff presented in 2023.
0:54
Back in November 2023, staff brought forward
0:57
the validation report which outlined the scope
1:00
of the WJ project as well as the business case
1:04
which presented the financing. and operational
1:09
costs for the project and future operations of
1:13
the facility included in that business case where
1:15
a number of assumptions made about both expenses
1:18
that would be incurred as well as uh, funding
1:21
that would be secured or not. Treasurer and director
1:24
of finance with the township, David Claze breaks
1:27
down the remaining costs and how it may affect
1:29
the township's tax rate in the future. Since
1:31
the validation report was done, councils received
1:35
the township's asset management plan. The revised
1:38
amount for yearly amount or impact to the operating
1:42
budget is 737 ,000. The good news is that Of
1:49
that 737 ,000, we actually built in 479 ,000
1:55
of that in the 2026 operating budget. So we started
2:00
to build in some of the amount for the debt repayment,
2:03
and we also built in a fair -sized chunk of the
2:07
staffing costs because we've already budgeted
2:09
for at least a half a year of operations. for
2:14
the facility. So there is a significant portion
2:17
of that already built in. In addition, we'll
2:20
have the $180 ,000 of revenue on top of that
2:23
coming in for the sponsorship revenue. So that
2:27
really only leaves about $78 ,000, $79 ,000 left
2:30
to build in. potentially build into the tax rate
2:33
in 27, which results in about a third of a percent
2:37
tax increase. Manager of Recreation, Parks and
2:39
Facilities with the Township, Matthew Sobolsky
2:41
explains one of the larger variances in the report.
2:44
Total staffing is projected in the revised report
2:47
for 2027 compared to the previous report outlining
2:50
an increase to our staffing model at $535 ,000.
2:55
Where that increase does show up is $12 ,000
2:59
for our administrative capacities and areas versus
3:02
2026 validation. For arena capacities and areas,
3:07
there is a variance or an increase of $223 ,000
3:11
versus 2026 validation. And in our aquatics,
3:14
we do have a variance of $299 ,000 for current
3:19
projections versus validation. Cebulski went
3:21
on to detail new staffing requirements in the
3:24
Aquatics Center. Aquatics does drive most of
3:26
this variance. So our updated 2027 operating
3:29
model does reflect some staffing needs that are
3:33
required to safely run a two pool aquatic center.
3:37
Majority of these needs are based in lifeguard
3:40
and instructor coverage, supervision across two
3:43
pools for simultaneous programs, as well as operational
3:46
backfill for training and stat holiday dates.
3:49
McDonald's speaks about one of the positive variances
3:51
in the report. The community sport and recreation
3:55
infrastructure fund provided by the province
3:57
of Ontario was not initially projected in the
4:01
original validation report, but the staff has
4:03
secured the nine point. approximately 9 .2 million
4:08
dollars that is included there. So obviously
4:12
that's a large change for the better to the township.
4:16
So that was excellent news. McDonald noted the
4:19
future of the centre. At the end of the day the
4:21
facility is going to be a beautiful facility.
4:24
I think everyone is very proud of what's being
4:27
done and it should be reflected in the final
4:31
project outcomes. Councillor Paul Broderick spoke
4:33
about the importance of the variances. We've
4:35
all had housework done and you find the surprise
4:37
behind the drywall. And when you do a project
4:39
like this, it's a little bigger than a little
4:41
surprise behind the drywall. But I know staff
4:44
work to keep that as low as possible. Councillor
4:46
Mike Buderick showed his support for the project.
4:49
Travelling around to different communities to
4:51
see facilities that other municipalities have.
4:54
And this is one to be proud of considering its
4:56
age and the work that has gone into it to to
5:00
keep it what it is. Mayor Jim Hagedorn spoke
5:03
about the future of the W .J. Henderson Community
5:05
Center. We are taking on a significant project
5:08
for a township this size. We are succeeding.
5:12
We have run into a few extras, but we're going
5:16
to complete it. We're going to be able to enjoy
5:17
it. And I'm thankful that the next generation
5:21
will be able to enjoy it just like we have when
5:24
our forefathers originally built the project.
5:27
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
5:29
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
5:33
News. Michael turns his attention to Eastern
6:01
Ontario in his new work drawing on extensive
6:03
research along the Highway 401 corridor and incorporating
6:07
elements inspired by real criminal cases. The
6:10
novel also features a unique cultural dimension
6:13
with references to the tragically hip and a contribution
6:16
from the hip's guitarist Rob Baker. 401 to Kingston
6:22
features Falcon Claw Sluice and historian Candice
6:26
Weatherby and former Philly detective John Bones
6:29
Sullivan. The new story takes the pair down the
6:32
401 to Kingston, where the brutal school murder
6:35
pulls them into a dark investigation filled with
6:37
secrets, trauma, and the ghosts of the past.
6:40
If you're a fan of gripping crime fiction with
6:44
psychological depth, today's guest and has a
6:47
story that will pull you in and refuse to let
6:49
go. Michael Cook is here to talk about his brand
6:53
new book, the seventh installment, 401 to Kingston.
6:58
And first of all, Michael, on behalf of Amherst
7:00
Island Radio, welcome to our station. Thanks
7:03
for doing this. Well, I'm so excited to be here.
7:05
And it's funny you started the show with The
7:08
Last American Exit because I mentioned that in
7:11
my book. I also took the last American exit as
7:15
I headed up north from Watertown to the shores
7:20
of the mighty St. Lawrence and then crossed over
7:23
a thousand islands and then took my left on the
7:26
401 heading west to Kingston. I just want to
7:30
talk about the book and obviously you're going
7:31
to be joining us in Kingston on April 14th for
7:36
an exclusive book signing. that's going to take
7:40
place at Novel Idea 156 Princess Street Suite
7:45
201. That's going to be at 7 p .m. on April the
7:49
14th. Let's talk about the book. I know this
7:52
is the seventh in the series. This is a psychological
7:55
thriller. It's not pure fiction, though. It is
7:57
fiction, but I do work in some historical figures
8:01
such as serial killers, and I kind of take interest
8:05
in what would it be like if my fictional serial
8:08
killer You know, rub shoulders with a real serial
8:11
killer. What conversations might they have? 401
8:14
to Kingston, the seventh installment. What inspires
8:19
you to keep writing this series in particular?
8:23
I fell in love with my characters and, you know,
8:26
my books take me up to the mean streets of North
8:28
Philadelphia, which is a rough and tumble part
8:31
of Philly. Philadelphians don't call North Philly
8:35
Philly. They call it North Philly because it's
8:38
a beast of its own. Then yeah, my book eventually
8:42
took me up to Montreal with some Montreal characters
8:46
that joined in with my Philly characters. Then
8:48
it just came down to, okay, I want to explore
8:51
more of Canada because I have an affinity for
8:54
Canada growing up near Lake Erie. I'm one of
8:58
the children of the Great Lakes states. As a
9:01
child, we would always go up to Canada, been
9:03
to Toronto. Probably 20 times in my life Montreal
9:08
six times. I think I'm up to and when I come
9:11
up to Kingston It'll be my third one week stay
9:17
in the last six months. So I'm pretty excited
9:19
about that You know, I just want to talk a little
9:21
bit about Your characters the main characters
9:24
Candice Wetherby and John Bones Sullivan Like
9:28
are they based on any real cops that you know
9:31
of or they completely made up or a bit of both?
9:35
amalgamations of people I've met before. I compile
9:39
a dreamcast for my books before I start writing
9:44
the books, because I already have the characters
9:47
kind of in my head of what they look like. And
9:50
then I'll look for movie stars, actors, people
9:54
I've known in the past that they remind me of,
9:58
and I'll compile that dreamcast and I'll keep
10:00
it nearby. You mentioned this will be your third
10:03
time to Kingston. What is it about here that
10:07
not only keeps bringing you back, but, you know,
10:10
you felt compelled to write about it? I know
10:12
when I moved away and came back after 25 years,
10:15
one of the first things I did was go to Morrison's
10:17
because it felt like home. It never changed.
10:21
Even though the city of Kingston obviously changed
10:24
in the 25 years I was away. I met at one of the
10:27
meetings I had with Chief Scott Fraser. He's
10:30
the outgoing chief. He just left at the end of
10:33
December at the Kingston Police Department. Well,
10:35
we decided that we, instead of at the police
10:37
department where I'd met him several times before
10:39
and chatted with him, along with many, many other
10:43
personnel over at the KPD, we decided that we
10:46
were going to go to Morrison's right as they
10:49
were closing. Scott knows the owners as I do
10:52
now. They are in the book. They are stars in
10:55
the book. And Scott and I sat in one of the back
10:59
booths, way in the back there. And we just had
11:02
the whole place to ourselves. And it was really,
11:04
really cool. And I'm glad Scott took me there.
11:08
Otherwise, I had heard about Morrison's, but
11:11
I'm glad that I went there because I did. And
11:14
it's part of the fabric of Kingston. I had to
11:18
include it in the book. So in the book, Scott
11:21
got mad, Chief Fraser. I replaced his... his
11:26
persona with somebody else from the KPD. And
11:29
in the book, John Bone Sullivan sits in the back
11:32
of Morrison's with one inspector, Lillian Murdoch,
11:37
inspector at the KPD. So that's my little Morrison's
11:40
story. Very cool. And it's a 401 to Kingston
11:44
where the brutal murder of a beloved school janitor
11:47
pulls them into a mystery that's darker, more
11:50
personal and more psychological than anything
11:53
they've ever faced before. author Michael Cooke
11:57
with his new book 401 to Kingston the new thriller
12:01
for fans of crime fiction and the tragically
12:04
hip and of course you can meet Michael on Tuesday
12:07
April the 14th from 7 to 9 p .m. at novel idea
12:12
bookstore 156 Princess Street Kingston where
12:16
you can not only meet Michael but pick up a signed
12:19
copy of his brand new book and you will get a
12:23
chance to read My City, which is a personal piece
12:29
penned by the tragically -hipped Rob Baker. And
12:32
if you want to learn more about 401 to Kingston,
12:36
Michael will be joining me on Colin's Sunday
12:38
Night Show at 7 p .m. on Sunday, April 12th.
12:44
For CJAI 101 .3 FM, I'm Colin Sunday Night and
12:49
you're listening to North Shore News. Join Loyalist
13:00
Township in celebrating Earth Week with three
13:02
community events happening from April 18th to
13:05
25th. April 18th is the community electronic
13:08
waste, battery, food, and textile recycling drive.
13:11
From 9 a .m. to 1 p .m. at the Amherst View fire
13:14
station located at 363 Amherst Drive. Township
13:17
staff will be on site at the back of the fire
13:19
station parking lot to help residents unload
13:21
their vehicles and to safely handle electronic
13:23
waste and batteries. For more information about
13:26
accepted electronic waste and safe battery storage
13:28
tips, visit loyalist .ca. Registration for the
13:32
community cleanup takes place Tuesday, April
13:34
7th to Saturday, The cleanup period will take
13:37
place during Earth Week, Sunday, April 19th to
13:40
Saturday, April 25th. For more information on
13:42
the 2026 Community Cleanup, visit Loyalist .ca.
13:46
And the next Curbside Giveaway in Loyalist is
13:48
Saturday, April 25th. To participate and be part
13:51
of the Township's Giveaway Day map, visit Loyalist
13:54
.ca. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
13:58
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
14:01
News. Topsy Farms on Amherst Island is inviting
14:14
the community to join them for their shearing
14:16
weekend. April 18th from 9 a .m. to 5 p .m. and
14:19
April 19th from 9 a .m. to 3 p .m. the Topsy
14:22
crew and community will gather for the shearing
14:24
of the main flock of sheep. This is a family
14:26
-friendly event held upstairs in the barn. While
14:29
the event is free donations are accepted and
14:31
spots must be reserved online by participants.
14:34
For more information and to register visit TopsyFarms
14:37
.com For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
14:41
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
14:44
News. Loyalist Township Council approved an amendment
14:56
to a zoning bylaw that will permit the Windsor
14:59
in Amherstview to house an alternative health
15:01
facility and add additional site -specific provisions,
15:04
including more parking. This matter has come
15:06
back to Council multiple times and has now been
15:08
approved. Kingston Health Sciences Centre also
15:11
made a presentation about the facility at the
15:13
meeting. Executive Director for Patient Care
15:15
and Deputy Chief Nursing Executive with Kingston
15:17
Health Sciences Centre, Tom Hart, spoke about
15:20
the feedback they received and the work they've
15:22
done since. Of course we take our role very seriously
15:25
and after the council meetings and public feedback
15:27
we had a KHSC senior leadership debrief on the
15:30
feedback from both the public and the council
15:32
and we were already taking action to try and
15:34
alleviate some of those concerns so we have engaged
15:36
a real estate agent to try and look for parking
15:39
options. We've worked with the owner of the home
15:42
to try and arrange a saddle shuttle for employees
15:45
to alleviate some of the parking congestion.
15:48
We've asked that the owner of the home commit
15:50
to having a stop sign prior to the sidewalk,
15:54
which they have committed to do. Hart noted the
15:56
type of activities that go on in the building
15:58
and how their partnership with Loyalist Township
16:00
can move forward. All activity within the building
16:03
is regulated, supervised and aligned with provincial
16:05
health policy and the Public Hospitals Act. We
16:09
have a robust governance, safety and operational
16:11
controls in place. And of course, they're subject
16:14
to continuous monitoring and improvement. Our
16:17
commitment to the community and council, KHSC,
16:19
we have a very long history and proud history
16:22
of collaboration with our municipal partners
16:23
and we are very committed to transparency and
16:27
ongoing dialogue and we respect for the local
16:30
concerns along with our regional health obligations.
16:34
We are certainly open to input on additional
16:36
safeguards and operational adjustments and very
16:39
willing to work with council and the public to
16:41
strengthen. assurances and comfort level. Residents
16:44
came forward again with concerns about on -street
16:46
parking and public safety. It's just kind of
16:49
a concern of being bullied. I don't feel as a
16:53
member of this street that they are equal neighbours
16:58
to us and their initial plea to amend the Residential
17:04
Uses Act and have themselves considered residences
17:09
when it's primarily a temporary facility is I
17:14
think a bad form and bad taste. This small infill
17:20
subdivision of ours has gone through a lot. We
17:23
finally had our developer finish the work and
17:27
there's a lot of problems with that developer.
17:29
Now we have this Windsor thing, we have the school
17:31
ongoing. It's 250 meters of road but it seems
17:35
a lot of the development and a lot of the problems
17:38
are in this one area. And as residents, you're
17:41
constantly being bombarded by this. The Windsor
17:44
had already been housing the alternative health
17:46
facility before they received official approval
17:48
from Council. They will now provide 64 on -site
17:51
parking spaces, an increase of 13 spaces from
17:54
what was initially proposed, and an increase
17:56
of 30 spaces from what exists today. Councillor
17:59
Paul Proderick noted residents' concerns. We've
18:01
had lots of presentations. I think the views
18:05
of the populace along Park are fairly clear.
18:08
The parking issue, the school construction, all
18:13
these different things. It's like the residents
18:18
have been bombarded for X number of years. And
18:22
I'm hoping that we can develop a parking through
18:26
the staff, some kind of parking zoning commitment
18:29
to whatever that alleviates some of that stress.
18:33
and that further down the road when the building
18:36
across the street is finished we might look at
18:39
a more permanent a permanent solution to some
18:44
of the stresses on Park Street because we all
18:46
know when it was built the entrance to the old
18:49
church was there but certainly it was a different
18:51
once a week type thing and having been a member
18:55
of that parish we didn't fill the parking lot
18:57
very often so I can appreciate what the residents
18:59
have said Our hands are tied in terms of legislation,
19:04
Ontario Land Tribunal, and this is the best result
19:09
for the residents, a situation that is challenging
19:14
at best. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townand assured
19:16
residents they're doing all that they can. We
19:18
want the public on part to know that we've heard
19:22
them. and that we are doing what we can within
19:25
the limited tool set that we have to try and
19:28
address those concerns meaningfully. Councillor
19:32
Mike Buderich showed his confidence in staff
19:34
coming up with a viable solution. We will have
19:36
an adequate solution proposed by staff, I can
19:41
guarantee that. For Amherst Island Radio and
19:43
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
19:47
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township will
19:59
be running a programming pilot through the spring
20:00
and summer as they look to transition the use
20:03
of the Leisure and Activity Center to the W .J.
20:05
Henderson Community Center. Council approved
20:07
a staff recommendation to formally close the
20:09
Leisure and Activity Center as a direct programming
20:11
space on August 1, 2026. Staff's report noted
20:15
the programming pilot will help ensure service
20:17
continuity while improving operational efficiency
20:20
and optimizing the use of township recreation
20:22
assets. With leisure programming, fitness amenities,
20:26
aquatics, library services, and select municipal
20:29
payment services under one roof, staff says it
20:31
offers residents a more convenient, connected,
20:33
and accessible experience. They also noted increased
20:36
public transit access at the W .J. Henderson
20:38
Community Center. The Leisure and Activity Center
20:41
has served as a secondary municipal programming
20:43
space for many years. However, staff's report
20:45
noted its condition, accessibility limitations,
20:48
and operational inefficiencies have increasingly
20:50
challenged its long -term viability. Recent reviews
20:53
and facility condition assessments have identified
20:55
significant capital needs, including HVAC modernization,
20:59
accessibility retrofits, and lifecycle renewal.
21:02
Projected annual operating savings from the service
21:04
consolidation are estimated to be between $55
21:07
,900 and $92 ,000. $2 ,600 in recurring cashi
21:12
as 28 to 32 hours per wee manager of recreation
21:17
par with the township Matthew the recommendation.
21:21
We did and the asset replacement items that are
21:26
included as we're nearing some fur financial
21:30
pressures that within the wreck FM divi that
21:35
for the best course moving forward to remove
21:40
that pressure from our sustainable services moving
21:43
forward is to not segment our services and try
21:47
to move towards additional savings that would
21:50
be associated with. let's say, delaying potential
21:54
capital projects. Sabolsky spoke about the evaluation
21:57
process for the programming pilot. We do have
22:00
three pivot periods that are built into the trial
22:03
plan that outline if we're not necessarily meeting
22:06
milestones that are anticipated, we will have
22:08
a review period at that point. The goal is to
22:11
have our residents participate that are over
22:13
at the LAC as users participating in the pilot
22:16
program over at the WJH. And then there will
22:18
be a pilot evaluation framework that will be
22:21
asking users, instructors, as well as staff to
22:23
all complete. Councillor Paul Broderick noted
22:25
his concerns with the programming pilot and staff
22:27
recommendation. My concern is that when you put
22:30
a hard date on something and do a trial run before
22:35
that, it almost looks like the decision is made
22:37
before the trial run. And honestly, I'm having
22:39
trouble seeing a class in that community room,
22:44
given my experience with the facility. Residents
22:47
who use the Leisure and Activity Center regularly
22:49
brought concerns to council, including the size
22:52
of the space, privacy, and the costs associated.
22:55
The committee room at the Henderson Center is
22:58
quite small. I don't personally understand how
23:01
you could fit 16 people in there, given the size
23:04
of the exercise requirements. Right now, the
23:07
Henderson Center does not have, in my opinion,
23:10
appropriate facilities to run exercise programming.
23:14
There's a bigger picture here and it's not just
23:16
about dollars and cents. Right now, the community
23:20
that participates in the Leisure Center, we're
23:22
anxious because to put an August 1st date and
23:26
then do trial runs through this spring. We've
23:30
all taken a hike over to the W .J. Henderson
23:33
to see what facilities will be available. And
23:37
it doesn't suit what we're providing. And I understand
23:42
the idea of making everything in one building.
23:45
But it looks like there was no consideration
23:48
done to build a leisure facility with fitness
23:53
components to it. We're talking dollars and cents
23:56
or something that we need. You close it down,
24:00
the building is still going to be there. Why
24:02
are they thinking of forcing us into that little
24:06
room which takes 16 people? It just doesn't make
24:09
sense. There's a time for dollars and cents,
24:13
and this is not the time for dollars and cents.
24:16
We're a senior center. This is the only thing
24:18
that we have in this area. And it should be kept
24:21
going. I understand the concerns raised by residents,
24:28
but it's more than simply dollars and cents.
24:33
The dollars and cents are that this township's
24:35
invested nearly $50 million in a recreation facility
24:39
that is part of a recreation master plan to consolidate.
24:44
And change is difficult, but this is the direction
24:46
that we, as a council, have chosen. um and and
24:51
I think we need to follow through with that said
24:54
I think there needs to be very careful attention
24:57
paid to the impact of that change on the residents
25:01
who have spoken and and provision for council
25:04
to be able to keep touch with them um and and
25:07
address those concerns um how we may following
25:10
following the pilot. Sabolsky spoke about how
25:13
staff are addressing concerns as well. We have
25:15
taken some considerations for some assessments
25:18
regarding privacy requirements at the WJH community
25:21
room. So some of those considerations are for
25:25
privacy screenings, as well as spatial needs
25:27
for the space or for the for the area and the
25:29
layout. There is a capacity of that community
25:32
room of around 60 participants to be in that
25:35
space for general meeting purposes. And we have
25:38
used a formulaic approach to outline our capacities
25:41
that for certain classes would be 12 to 16 in
25:43
capacity, 16 to 20 in other areas, depending
25:46
on programming and specific needs. outside of
25:50
the privacy assessment that would be implemented
25:53
to, let's say, upgrade the features of that community
25:56
space to be utilized for a direct programming
25:58
facet. We have looked at a scheduling matrix
26:02
and paradigm regarding additional outlets for
26:05
access. So this would include additional programming
26:08
schedules for early morning programs, afternoon
26:12
programs, evening programs. After staff and council
26:15
weighed in, it was a close three to two vote
26:17
in favor of the recommendation. For Amherst Island
26:20
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
26:23
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The town
26:35
of Greater Napanee and Lennox and Addington County
26:37
will be going ahead with the reconstruction of
26:39
Center Street and Isabella Street in Napanee.
26:42
As part of a successful joint application this
26:44
year, the town and county received funding under
26:47
the municipal housing infrastructure program
26:49
health and safety water stream. The town expects
26:51
to receive funding covering up to 73 % of the
26:54
project's estimated total cost of just over $10
26:56
.5 million. As part of this project, staff plan
27:00
to replace all water infrastructure on Center
27:02
Street and Isabella Street. The project will
27:04
also include new asphalt, curbs, sidewalks and
27:07
traffic lights as required. This includes installing
27:10
approximately 600 meters of trunk water main,
27:13
along with valves, fire hydrants, and services
27:15
on Center Street between Dundas Street and Isabella
27:17
Street, as well as 250 meters of similar works
27:20
on Isabella Street between Center Street and
27:22
West Street. The project will also replace 600
27:25
meters of wastewater main and associated maintenance
27:28
holes and services on Center Street, as well
27:30
as 175 meters on Isabella Street. 690 meters
27:34
of stormwater main, maintenance holes, and catch
27:36
basins will be replaced on Center Street between
27:38
Dundas Street and Isabella Street as well. Engineering
27:41
work is expected to be completed in 2026 with
27:44
the intent of releasing the project for contractor
27:46
bidding later this year. Construction is anticipated
27:48
to occur over two construction seasons beginning
27:50
in early 2027. Additional project information
27:54
will be presented to Council later this year
27:55
providing Council with the opportunity to consider
27:58
the proposed approach and budget and then later
28:00
to make a decision on the construction contract
28:02
award. Christy Kelly, Director of Environmental
28:05
Services, Growth and Infrastructure Services
28:07
with the Town of Greater Napanee, speaks about
28:09
the project's timeline. With this, we're hoping
28:12
to move forward as part of the town and utilities
28:16
budgets for 2026 with engineering and hoping
28:21
to break ground in 2027. Likely will be a phased
28:25
project over two years, but we'll work with the
28:28
engineers and the contractors when we get to
28:31
that time to determine the phasing and rerouting
28:34
and that sort of thing. Kelly, explain some of
28:36
the work staff has done and what they'll be doing
28:38
moving forward. We have just started some engineering
28:41
work. There was a little bit prior to the funding
28:43
application, but this year's budget allowed us
28:46
to, the 2026 budget will allow us to move forward
28:48
and complete the engineering for the project.
28:51
And with most of our procurement processes, this
28:55
will be a public tender allowing. applicants
28:58
to determine the successful contractor for the
29:01
project. Michael Nobz, General Manager of Growth
29:04
and Expansion with the Town of Greater Napanee,
29:06
talks about the county's plans for new traffic
29:08
lights. The county has confirmed with us that
29:10
their intention is to build in traffic lights.
29:15
where the pedestrian crossing is currently, replace
29:17
that, that's an interim measure and the lights
29:19
would be installed as a permanent fixture through
29:22
this project specifically. Councillor Michael
29:24
Shank noted his concerns about the disruption
29:26
of traffic on Centre Street. I have a hard enough
29:28
time, you know, you have a little bit of a rush
29:30
hour now and when you start tearing up Centre
29:32
Street, how are you going to bypass the volume
29:36
of traffic to get south? All I'm saying is how
29:40
does the average Joe go down Center Street when
29:43
Center Street is no longer there for a year or
29:45
two years. I can see Center Street in 15 or 20
29:49
years time, it's going to be backed up immensely.
29:52
So there's got to be an alternative route because
29:54
the only reason why, because you look at the
29:55
city of Kingston, if I want to get to the other
29:58
side, you know what I mean, that are past RMC,
30:01
and thank goodness they put the bridge in when
30:03
they did because what it's done. But I can see
30:06
that same problem happening here. Nobz noted
30:10
that traffic planning is a high priority for
30:12
staff. That is the ultimate question on our minds
30:14
at this moment in time, but there's going to
30:16
need to be very careful traffic planning to go
30:19
along with that. We have a substantial amount
30:21
of time to plan that out, but that is the number
30:23
one question on our minds right now and with
30:25
the county too is how are we going to accommodate
30:27
that traffic flow and lessen the burden as much
30:30
as possible on residential areas east and west.
30:33
out of center street. Nob that upcoming county
30:36
pla the future of roadways in where future collector
30:45
order roads are planned, that are going to be
30:46
under the jurisdiction of the county. But the
30:48
county is also very soon going to be presenting,
30:52
county staff will be presenting to county council
30:54
the county transportation master plan update,
30:59
which will look into considerations such as that.
31:03
Noebs noted the possibility of widening the area
31:05
beside the street. There's no intention on Center
31:08
Street to expand the limits of the road right
31:11
of way, the ownership, because it's almost building
31:13
wall to building wall, there's really no room
31:15
there. But there is the opportunity to look at
31:19
overall lane widths and therefore that would
31:21
open up more room for sidewalk width. We would
31:23
need to consider existing utilities that are
31:26
in there and relocating them to get them out
31:28
of the way of the sidewalk. There's a lot that
31:29
would need to go into it, but both vehicular
31:31
and pedestrian movement is going to be top of
31:33
mind in the design efforts that would be underway
31:36
very shortly. For Amherst Island Radio and the
31:39
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
31:42
is North Shore News. Loyalist Township is reminding
31:55
residents that spring brush pickup will begin
31:57
on Monday, April 13th for mainland residents.
32:00
Brush is to be at the curb by 7 a .m. on April
32:02
13th. Leaf and yard waste is not included in
32:05
this collection and is scheduled for May. For
32:08
more information, visit Loyalist .ca. For Amherst
32:11
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
32:14
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
32:26
Bath Museum and Visitor Center are welcoming
32:28
the community back this spring for another season
32:30
of Culture Talks, a speaker series celebrating
32:32
history, heritage, and storytelling. Hosted at
32:34
the museum, the series brings together local
32:37
historians, musicians, and researchers who share
32:39
unique perspectives on the region's history.
32:41
Held on the third Monday of the month from 6
32:43
to 7 p .m., culture talks offer an opportunity
32:46
to explore fascinating cultural topics in an
32:48
intimate setting. Tickets are $5 per person and
32:51
seating is limited. April 27th, lifelong collector
32:54
and local historian Michael McKinnon will present
32:56
highlights from his personal collection of historic
32:58
artifacts, sharing the stories behind objects
33:01
that reflect daily work, family life, and baths
33:03
early years. May 25th, singer -songwriter David
33:06
Archibald brings the maritime history of the
33:08
Great Lakes to life through original music from
33:10
his acclaimed collection, Spirit of the Inland
33:13
Sea. Through storytelling and songs, audiences
33:15
will hear tales of shipwrecks, heroic voyages,
33:18
legendary figures, and the lonely lives of lighthouse
33:21
keepers. Archibald's work has been featured in
33:23
parks across Ontario and frequently aired on
33:25
CBC Radio. June 22nd, local historian Lloyd Tarion
33:28
will deliver an illustrated talk examining the
33:31
opening years of the War of 1812. Tarrion explores
33:34
the Alliance's personalities and decisions that
33:36
shaped the conflict's early course. His presentation
33:39
provides insight into how British, Canadian militia
33:41
and First Nations forces defended Upper Canada
33:44
during a pivotal period. Culture talks take place
33:46
at the Bath Museum located at 434 Main Street
33:49
in Bath. Tickets for each talk can be purchased
33:52
online. For more information about culture talks
33:54
and other upcoming programs, visit Loyalist .ca.
33:58
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
34:01
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
34:04
News. This has been North Shore News and Interviews.
34:10
If you have an idea for a story or want to create
34:13
stories for the show, consider joining our volunteer
34:17
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.