Latest / North Shore News / February 6th, 2026

Transcript

February 6th, 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. Greater Napanee Council ended its
0:28
30 -day review period for their 2026 budget at
0:30
a special meeting, therefore adopting the new
0:33
budget. Staffs report noted a 5 .8 % tax increase
0:36
for 2026, with the levy totaling just over $17
0:39
.3 million. As a part of the 2026 budget process,
0:44
staff were required to follow the new strong
0:46
mayor legislation. Under this legislation, the
0:48
mayor has a responsibility to introduce a proposed
0:50
budget to council and the community by February
0:53
1st. Council then has 30 days to review and make
0:56
changes. Council can shorten this period by resolution
0:59
if they're done making changes, and at the end
1:01
of the revision period, the budget is deemed
1:03
adopted and does not require a bylaw or resolution
1:06
to put it into effect. Treasurer of IT and Financial
1:09
Services with the Town, Ellen Hamill, spoke about
1:11
staff's work on the budget. Overall, given the
1:14
circumstances that the municipality had faced
1:15
throughout the budget year, we were quite pleased
1:18
with the ways that the budget had come together.
1:19
We think we've covered a lot of needs that the
1:21
municipality had in 2026, primarily in our capital,
1:25
our operation. operating is really just trying
1:27
to maintain status quo while incorporating the
1:31
overall budget pressures that come with that.
1:33
We're all seeing that in our day to day and our
1:34
costs just continue to rise. So operating was
1:37
really just status quo while capital saw some
1:41
good investment into our assets that were in
1:44
need of replacement. Mayor Terry Richardson spoke
1:47
about the budget and projects they were able
1:49
to fund. It was very easy to understand and we
1:52
covered a lot of ground in this budget. You know,
1:54
we've We've increased our heavy fleet is something
1:59
that we had to do. But in the same time, we've
2:01
also been able to do some fun stuff, which is
2:03
to redo a soccer pitch, which has been long overdue,
2:07
which we've talked about for the last two or
2:09
three years and haven't been able to do it. And
2:11
the other thing is, is in town trails. We're
2:14
going to create some in town trails, which we've
2:16
had a lot of conversations about. Hamill explained
2:18
the timeline of staff bringing the budget to
2:20
council. These presentations came after a lot
2:23
of collaboration and work between the finance
2:25
team, CLT, and the mayor, and there were a number
2:28
of pre -budget reports that were given to members
2:30
of council to help ease some of the discussions
2:33
that we had on those days. During those meetings
2:35
council was presented with the operating and
2:38
capital budgets along with the enhancements that
2:40
were both included in the proposed budget but
2:42
also those that we were not able to include in
2:44
the proposed budget while trying to keep in line
2:46
with the mayor's budget directive and also keeping
2:49
the tax rate increase at a level that we felt
2:51
council would become comfortable with giving
2:54
the significant pressures that we were facing
2:56
this year. So in that budget proposal we had
2:59
an overall tax levy of $17 .3 million. dollars,
3:03
which resulted in a 5 .8 % tax increase. It is
3:08
worth noting that a large portion of that was
3:11
directly related to the cost of the OPP, while
3:14
the remainder highlighted the needs of the municipality.
3:16
The town's portion of the operating budget was
3:18
largely focused on maintaining our existing services
3:21
while prioritizing health, safety, and our legal
3:24
requirements. The capital budget, on the other
3:26
hand, was funded The portion that was funded
3:29
through the levy saw significant investments
3:32
into fire services and replacements of our heavy
3:35
fleet and equipment, all which were well beyond
3:38
their useful life. Under the new strong mayor
3:40
legislation, staff worked closely with the mayor
3:43
to draft the 2026 proposed budget presented to
3:46
council in January. Hamill explained more of
3:48
this process. In addition to the capital levy,
3:51
the budget also included a number of projects
3:53
that didn't come directly from the taxpayer,
3:56
and that was requested. also come out of the
3:59
mayor's budget directive. So we looked at ways
4:01
to include investments that didn't hit the levy
4:04
and didn't hit the taxpayers directly. And some
4:06
of those included upgrades to the soccer field,
4:10
the in -town trail development, and revitalization
4:13
of Market Square. So those were funded through
4:15
things like non -tax revenues like DC's reserves,
4:20
dedicated parkland funds, and the sale of underutilized
4:23
lands and properties. Martin asked that the town
4:28
add $3 ,000 to the Waste Diversion Advisory Committee's
4:31
operating budget to enable the committee to engage
4:34
in waste diversion promotion, education and engagement
4:37
efforts. Martin explained his request. The reason
4:40
I asked to have this put back into the budget
4:42
is that our Waste Diversion Committee has various
4:46
projects in mind to try to get people into recycling
4:50
mode a little more and possibly a composting
4:53
situation. and also just to educate people on
4:57
the new recycling system and if we can get more
5:00
recycling out of garbage. Martin explained why
5:02
$3 ,000 would be worth it for the town. Basically,
5:05
what I'm what I'm saying is I'd appreciate if
5:08
council would look at this as a not as an expense
5:11
item, but as an investment in the community.
5:15
It doesn't affect the levy because I'm proposing
5:18
that it comes out of the stabilization reserve
5:21
fund. $3 ,000 is a small amount. And it's going
5:26
to show a return as far as I'm, I can almost
5:30
guarantee council that it's going to show a return
5:32
in the long run. I know our waste diversion committee
5:35
has spent hundreds and hundreds of hours researching,
5:40
making contacts with other communities. And if
5:43
we can get more out of garbage, more into recycling.
5:48
our bill at the end of e I'm not sure what we
5:52
get b more just because our weig So that's what
5:57
we've bee need the $3000 in the bu for educational
6:02
purposes. that to achieve our goals Mayor Terry
6:08
Richardson sho for the request, which wa The
6:12
timing on this is pro the recycling process that
6:19
we have, not just in this municipality, but in
6:21
the province as well. So any help that we can
6:24
get to try and get that message out, I think
6:26
is probably not a bad thing. After the town's
6:28
January budget meetings, a 2026 budget consultation
6:31
page on Let's Talk Greater Napanee was launched.
6:35
According to staff, there were no questions or
6:37
comments submitted by the public. For Amherst
6:39
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
6:42
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
6:54
Southeast Health Unit office in Napanee will
6:56
be continuing its lease in a smaller capacity
6:59
at a lesser rate. Originally, they were going
7:01
to close at the end of March. The health unit
7:03
has now agreed to reduce their footprint within
7:05
the building by approximately 75 percent. As
7:08
their lease agreement is based on square footage
7:09
occupied, this has reduced their rent from approximately
7:12
$1 ,825 to $430 for the final 20 months of the
7:17
agreement term. The town's clerk, Jessica Walters,
7:20
explains why staff believe this is in the best
7:22
interest for the commun - In short, the health
7:25
unit is now, they had initially given us a notice
7:27
of termination effective March 31st. The budget
7:31
was presented on the assumption that they would
7:33
no longer be in there after that date. They have
7:36
subsequently submitted a request to continue
7:39
their lease but on amended terms with reduced
7:41
footprint in the building and therefore reduced
7:43
cost. Staff believe this is in the best interest
7:47
of the community because it would let us maintain
7:49
the vaccine clinics and the fridge for well water
7:52
testing and any other services they might wish
7:56
to offer there through that office space. CAO
7:59
Matthew Grant explains the reduction in space
8:01
and why he supports them staying open. Myself,
8:04
Mr. Brown and Ms. Walters met with the public
8:08
health team. And so it does represent a significantly
8:11
reduced footprint within the building. It's essentially
8:16
a room to keep the vaccines as well as the the
8:20
front reception area. And as a building tenant,
8:24
it still allows them access to the large meeting
8:27
space to run vaccine clinics. So I'm quite supportive
8:33
of it. I do know that the the public health unit
8:36
has had some challenges to navigate since they've
8:41
merged the different units into one single unit.
8:45
And so as they're looking to reduce costs wherever
8:49
they can, this was a way they felt they could
8:51
do that while still maintaining service to the
8:55
community. And generally this results in people
8:58
not having to travel to Kingston for vaccines.
9:01
And I think that's where the win is for residents.
9:04
Councillor Bill Martin expressed a concern he
9:06
had about neighbouring communities using the
9:08
service. I think we have to do it just to maintain
9:11
the services to our residents. But it concerns
9:14
me that we're always asked to pay for a service
9:17
for other communities because this is going to
9:20
be used by more than just Napanee residents.
9:23
It's gonna be, you know, it's Kingston, Frontenac,
9:26
L &A, Prince Edward County. You know, so I'm
9:30
concerned about that part of it actually that
9:32
we're paying, our taxpayers are paying for a
9:36
service for other communities. But like I said,
9:38
I don't want our residents to lose any services
9:41
either. Grant noted the benefits and said they
9:43
wouldn't be paying for other municipalities.
9:46
I don't know that we're necessarily... paying
9:48
us for other municipalities. I think the benefit
9:51
is maintenance of vaccine clinics here, which
9:54
will primarily be for our residents. I would
9:56
say the only benefit other municipalities may
9:59
be getting is that the vaccine supply chain in
10:04
this immediate area of 41 and the like will come
10:07
through Napanee. But I don't anticipate that
10:11
other municipalities will be getting a direct
10:13
benefit from the use of our space other than
10:16
that. Mayor Terry Richardson showed his support
10:18
for the health unit staying open, but noted a
10:20
concern as well. I'm hopeful that our staff aren't
10:23
going to do any more than what they're doing
10:25
now. Obviously, the concern is if it's not staff
10:29
five days a week, there's a possibility there.
10:31
But I'm sure Mr. Grant and the senior leadership
10:34
team will be monitoring that fairly closely.
10:36
And it's a little bit refreshing in the fact
10:38
that the health unit has now realized that. It's
10:41
important to have a brick and mortar type of
10:44
facility within our community that you just cannot
10:46
do it remotely. For Amherst Island Radio and
10:49
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
10:53
This is North Shore News. This February, the
11:04
Lenox and Addington County General Hospital Foundation
11:07
invites the community to express their gratitude
11:09
and celebrate the care provided by health care
11:11
professionals in the area through the Grateful
11:13
Patient Program. This program is a way to honor
11:16
nurses, doctors, technicians and staff who make
11:18
a difference in patients' lives every day. All
11:20
throughout February, caregivers and teams that
11:23
are chosen to be recognized will have their name
11:24
proudly displayed on a heart on the Foundation
11:27
office window. Donations through the Grateful
11:29
Patient program directly support critical hospital
11:31
needs, such as new equipment and patient -focused
11:34
improvements. Past contributions have made a
11:36
significant difference, including upgrades to
11:38
emergency department monitors and enhancements
11:41
to diagnostic imaging services. Donations can
11:44
be made online at www .lachfoundation .com or
11:51
by contacting the foundation office at 613 -354
11:56
-3301, extension 4400. Stories about caregivers
12:01
or a team who went above and beyond can be shared
12:03
by visiting lacghfoundation .com slash stories.
12:07
Participants in the Grateful Patient program
12:09
not only recognize the care they've received,
12:11
but also help ensure that the Lennox and Addington
12:13
County General Hospital continues to provide
12:15
top quality healthcare for everyone in the community.
12:18
This news story comes from the Beaver for Amherst
12:21
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative.
12:24
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore news. Nominations
12:36
are open for Loyalist Township Civic Awards until
12:39
Monday, March 9th, 2026. Residents are encouraged
12:42
to nominate a person or organization that deserves
12:45
to be celebrated for their meaningful contributions
12:47
to Loyalist Township. That includes community
12:49
champions or groups who have volunteered their
12:51
time and made a positive impact in the community
12:53
through projects, initiatives, events, or goodwill
12:56
service. The Township celebrates the impact of
12:59
volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and dedicated
13:01
individuals who shaped the heart of the community.
13:03
These champions lead the way whether it's be
13:05
by organizing events that bring neighbors together,
13:08
mentoring youth to reach their full potential,
13:10
or driving environmental initiatives that protect
13:12
our natural spaces for future generations. Through
13:14
their passion and commitment, the township thrives
13:16
as a vibrant, welcoming, and resilient place
13:19
to live, work, and grow. Nominees must be a resident
13:22
of, business owner within, or directly serve
13:24
Loyalist Township. The same individual group
13:26
or nonprofit organization can be nominated for
13:29
multiple categories, but will only receive recognition
13:32
for one award per year. Award categories Nominations
13:34
are Citizen of the Year, Junior Citizen of the
13:37
Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Organization
13:39
of the Year, and Resilient Community Award. Nominations
13:42
can be submitted online and applicants are encouraged
13:45
to provide thoughtful submissions that highlight
13:47
achievements and contributions. Eligibility requirements,
13:51
category criteria, and nomination forms are available
13:54
at www .loyalist .ca slash civic awards. This
13:59
news story comes from the Napanee Beaver. For
14:01
Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
14:04
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
14:07
News. The Farmers Market at Market Square in
14:18
Napanee will have a covering thanks to the Rotary
14:21
Club of Napanee. The structure comes as a gift
14:23
from the club to the town. Director of Parks,
14:26
Recreation and Culture with the Town of Greater
14:28
Napanee, Chris Brown, spoke about the Rotary
14:31
Club's plans and the timeline for the project.
14:33
They are seeking to work with Town Council and
14:35
staff as well as the Market Square Advisory Committee
14:37
to develop plans and fundraise for a structure
14:40
to be erected outside at the back of Town Hall.
14:43
on the portion of the property off Center Street
14:45
to provide a cover slash roof over the section
14:48
that is earmarked for the farmer's market and
14:50
other activities. Town staff have met with the
14:52
Rotary Club on multiple occasions, bounced some
14:55
feedback back and forth. This covered roof would
14:58
be the Rotary Club's gift to the Town to underscore
15:02
their club's centennial year in 2026. Rotary
15:06
Club intends to contribute a minimum of 125 ,000
15:10
over the course of five years, which is very
15:14
exciting. The next step, so both parties agree
15:17
to aim for a construction start date in late
15:20
2026 following consultation. We're hopeful that
15:23
we can get a lot of the design work completed
15:26
this year with a completion as soon as reasonably
15:29
practical. Brown detailed how the process will
15:31
take place. Once approved, the MOU will influence
15:35
design work, which will be undertaken simultaneously
15:38
with the Town Hall's interior renovation project.
15:42
As part of the design process, many stakeholders,
15:45
including the Market Square Advisory Committee,
15:47
the Heritage Committee, Rotary Club of Napanee,
15:50
and the LNA Chamber of Commerce, will collaborate
15:53
to bring a final recommendation to Council for
15:56
approval. When the design and costing have been
15:59
determined, the town and the Rotary Club of Napanee
16:02
will enter into a contribution agreement that
16:05
will finalize some of these terms and conditions.
16:08
Mayor Terry Richardson showed his support for
16:10
the project. This is an exciting time when we
16:12
started talking about the revitalization of the
16:15
market square. You know we weren't sure where
16:18
we were going with this but now all of a sudden
16:20
all the pieces are starting to fall into place
16:22
here so I think this would be a great addition
16:25
to the back of of Town Hall and it's going to
16:28
complement our market which is hit the road running
16:32
this year and only going to get better. For Amherst
16:35
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
16:38
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
16:51
Township Council approved another $20 ,000 in
16:53
funding for their family physician recruitment
16:55
incentive program as they welcome more new doctors
16:58
to the area. According to staff, discussions
17:01
are underway with three new family physicians
17:03
interested in setting up their practices in Loyalist
17:06
under the incentive program. The Township would
17:08
see two new doctors in Bath and one in Amherst
17:11
View. The Township's operating budget in 2026
17:14
approved an additional $40 ,000 on the basis
17:17
that two new physicians could be expected to
17:19
join the program. But as interest exceeded staff
17:22
expectations, the extra $20 ,000 was needed.
17:25
The program began in 2023 with an incentive of
17:28
$100 ,000. paid over five years in return for
17:31
five years of practice in Loyalist with a roster
17:33
of at least 1 ,200 patients. Since then, four
17:36
physicians have joined the Loyalist family health
17:38
team in Amherstview under the program. The latest
17:41
of the four to join, Dr. Jamil was recently approved
17:44
by the province to join the Loyalist family health
17:46
team and will be taking over provision of services
17:48
to Dr. Goldstein's patients. Staff's report noted
17:51
the payment is due once physicians obtain the
17:53
roster of 1 ,200 patients. This is expected to
17:56
happen quickly, but could still take... until
17:58
later this year to be confirmed. Mayor Jim Hagedorn
18:01
spoke about the importance of new physicians
18:03
in the area. I've had very positive feedback.
18:06
It's great to see the residents really happy
18:09
that they finally have a doctor. There's opportunities
18:12
there for them. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townand noted
18:14
the work of staff and the Township's CAO. I know
18:17
she's worked very hard on this. This has been
18:19
a priority of council from the beginning of our
18:22
term and it's... So nice to see it continue to
18:24
go from success to success. CAO Rebecca Murphy
18:27
noted how the program has benefited the area.
18:30
One of the doctors that's in Bath now was going
18:32
to go to Kingston but Kingston, their money had
18:35
run out and so they didn't have the incentive
18:37
available this year and so they came to us and
18:40
that's really great. But the even better news
18:44
is that he feels that they're looking at expanding
18:46
and doing renovations in Amherst and in Bath
18:49
to add more and more physicians. And I've begun
18:52
talks with Kingston and neighbouring municipalities
18:54
for them to pay the incentive. So the doctor
18:57
does set up here, but doesn't fully roster loyalist
19:00
residents and sort of shares in that that we
19:02
can benefit as a region to through this model.
19:05
Murphy also spoke about a company looking to
19:07
bring doctors to the area under their own model,
19:09
partnered with the township's incentive. program.
19:11
This is a interesting model where a company is
19:17
interested in essentially helping pharmacies
19:19
with their business by setting up clinics within
19:22
a pharmacy and then they work on recruiting physicians
19:25
here. The model is where the pharmacist manages
19:28
the head lease and then the physician and the
19:31
clinic only pay overhead to this company to sort
19:34
of manage the clinics. The company doing this
19:36
is Verismo Health and they have 33 clinics throughout
19:40
Ontario and ran out of spaces for these kind
19:43
of functions in the GTA and looked to Loyalist
19:46
Township because of our incentive. For Amherst
19:48
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
19:51
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. BGC
20:04
Southeast's first round of STEM field trips were
20:06
a success, according to the organization. Between
20:09
September and December 2025, over 500 students
20:13
from schools in Loyalist Township visited BGC's
20:16
STEM and Robotics Center. Students from grades
20:18
five through 12 were able to take part in free
20:21
field trips funded by a community grant from
20:23
Loyalist Township. Associate Director of STEM
20:26
and Strategic Initiatives at BGC Southeast, Bruno
20:29
Guarino Marais, explained how the Loyalist Township
20:32
Community Grant helped them organize the field
20:35
trips. We got a Loyalist Township, the Community
20:39
Grant, which is how we were able to do this project.
20:44
So yeah, we had never, never done it before,
20:46
but I would say that normally we don't get 500
20:50
kids in field trips, but yeah, it was, it was
20:52
very successful. I think having the Loyalist
20:54
Community Grant be able to fund this, we were
20:58
able to offer everything for free to all the
21:01
schools. So we had the BGC bus, so we had transportation,
21:05
we had all the staffing materials. So we arranged
21:08
everything for the school. So everyone that we
21:10
reached out to was really willing to and excited
21:13
to come. We really wanted to reach everyone.
21:15
So that was really nice that we were able to
21:17
get a classroom at Merced Island. So they took
21:20
the ferry and our bus met them at the ferry.
21:22
and brought them to BGC and then dropped them
21:24
off at the at the ferry again. So yeah, we were
21:27
able to reach all the schools in Loyalist Township,
21:30
which was just really, really nice to see. Guarino
21:33
Marais talks about what the students experience
21:35
on the field trips. It obviously varies a little
21:38
bit, depending on their age range. But really,
21:42
we were doing like hands on workshops in robotics,
21:47
coding, and 3d design and fabrication. So they
21:50
varied a little bit. But most of them, they were
21:54
using, well, they're these like Lego spike prime
21:58
robotics kits. So they get to build robots and
22:01
then they also get to do like coding to program
22:04
the robot. And then they also got to do a CAD
22:08
design session where they were designing their
22:11
own key chains, for example. And then we were
22:13
printing them off in our 3D printer and they
22:17
got to go home with it as well, which was nice.
22:20
And then just getting a tour as well of the STEM
22:23
Center because a lot of the kids had never been
22:25
here before. And even though, of course, it's
22:28
a little bit far for Loyalist residents, it's
22:31
still really nice that they know that they have
22:34
this resource available. Guarino Marais went
22:36
on to note the interest from students and teachers.
22:39
Afterwards we had some teachers reaching out
22:41
wanting to book more field trips or you know
22:44
then they learned that we have our after school
22:46
evening STEM and robotics programs and so a lot
22:49
of the kids wanted to know more about that and
22:51
some of them even signed up so it was just really
22:54
nice for them to learn about this resource in
22:56
the community. Teachers were sending us like
22:58
emails after the sessions like completely unprompted
23:01
like odd. the kids were like singing on the bus
23:04
back to school and things like that. So that
23:07
was just really, really heartfelt when, you know,
23:10
we don't, we're not asking for testimonials.
23:12
They're just kind of thanking us and giving us
23:14
some praise. So it just, you know, it helps us
23:16
keep going. Guarino Marais talks about the importance
23:18
of funding going forward. The constraint is really
23:21
just, just the funding. We would love to do it
23:23
for free, but finding that sustainable source
23:26
of funding is important. I think with the Loyalist
23:29
Township Grant. We definitely are looking forward
23:32
to applying for it again at least next year but
23:35
in the time being like we saw how successful
23:37
this was and how much the kids enjoyed it and
23:39
learned from it so we're looking at other opportunities.
23:42
I mean we obviously can't offer the we do like
23:45
field trips for a small cost where parents can
23:48
pay a little bit for their kids to come but we
23:51
then it obviously becomes a bit of an obstacle
23:53
but that is always an option until we find more
23:57
grants to support this. For Amherst Island Radio
24:00
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
24:03
Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township
24:15
is reminding residents as winter sets in, stormwater
24:18
ponds are not safe for any type of winter recreation.
24:21
These ponds have constant water movement, incoming
24:23
runoff and fluctuating water levels that prevent
24:26
ice from forming evenly or safely. Ice may look
24:29
solid but can be extremely thin in hidden areas.
24:32
Snow can cover weak or unstable spots and winter
24:35
salt applications entering the ponds can weaken
24:37
ice and speed up melting, even during very cold
24:40
temperatures. The township reminds parents and
24:42
guardians to take a moment to speak with your
24:44
children about the dangers of walking, playing,
24:46
or skating on stormwater ponds. Loyalist Township
24:49
does not permit recreational activities on or
24:52
near stormwater ponds at any time of year. These
24:54
facilities are designed for water management,
24:57
not recreation, and can be hazardous, especially
24:59
in winter. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
25:02
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
25:06
North Shore News. A seasonal overnight parking
25:17
reminder for Loyalist Township. From December
25:19
1st until March 31st, 2026, parking is prohibited
25:23
on any road or street in Loyalist Township between
25:26
1 a .m. and 7 a .m. This restriction is in effect
25:29
regardless of weather conditions. Vehicles in
25:31
violation of this by -law will be ticketed. For
25:34
more information, visit Loyalist .ca. For Amherst
25:37
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
25:40
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. This
25:46
has been North Shore News and Interviews. If
25:49
you have an idea for a story or want to create
25:52
stories for the show, consider joining our volunteer
25:56
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.