Bergland hall issues top LoW council’s agenda

Ruth Brett
Bergland Correspondent

The first Lake of the Woods Council meeting of 2004 was held on Jan. 6th at the Bergland Council chambers with councillors Colleen Fadden, Ernie McCormack, Bill Lundgren, Alfred Gate, Mayor Pizey, Clerk- Treasurer Pat Giles and Road Supt. Ed Pearson present. Visitors were Asta Westberg, Karen Sepers, Sherry and Colin Harris, Shane White and Bergland correspondent, Ruth Brett.
Business arising from the minutes involved some confusion about rental fees for the community halls. Rent for the Morson Hall - $150.00; for the Bergland Hall - $300.00. If staff is required, that is bartenders or security (door workers), the renter pays them directly a fee of $200.00.
A delegation from the LOW (Bergland) Women’s Institute asked Council to have some repairs made to the weather stripping on the outside doors of the Bergland Hall. They also asked that Council hire or appoint a person, with a clear description of their duties, to manage the building so that there is consistency when dealing with any small problem that may arise. No discussion nor decision on this matter was made as Mayor Pizey said that it would be taken up in-camera.
Colin Harris is designing a web-page for Lake of the Woods Township and requested clear direction from Council. He also stated there had been no discussion regarding payment for this service. The site will be completed next month for Council’s perusal.
Clerk Pat Giles will post the minutes of each meeting on this web-site and those who don’t have a computer can view them on the Community Access computer at the Bergland Café. Since the printer is not working there, Council will see that the printer from the Morson hall, which is not being used, is brought to the Bergland Café.
Sherry, Colin and Shane expressed an interest in using the fitness work-out room at the hall but had some difficulty in organizing access to the hall. They asked Council for assistance and advice.
Mayor Pizey suggested that they form a club with rules and regulations. She stated that they could have a key to the hall. It was noted that most of the fitness equipment at the hall is privately owned and on loan. Councillor McCormack stated that it was better to have equipment that belonged to the hall or to the fitness club. Councillor Lundgren suggested that the municipality should help buy some equipment. Mayor Pizey suggested that the group start fundraising for their equipment. The rent for the group would be $20.00 per month. The young people were enthused and will be seeking those who are interested in working out.
Bills for the month of December in the amount of $55,299.64 were approved for payment.
Road Supt. Pearson reported that the plow truck needs a new engine. He suggested that the municipality buy another grader instead of a truck and keep it at the north end of the township. Discussion followed. Mayor Pizey suggested that the matter be researched; new plow truck vs. grader, costs and operators needed, etc. Council will look into the possibility of renting a grader for the rest of the winter.
Following a discussion regarding the charge for sanding, it was decided that $20.00 would be charged for short private driveways, the school and the Store and $50.00 for Big Island.
Council will call for proposals from local suppliers for a contract to supply fuel oil for the municipal buildings for next year.
Council authorized Clerk Giles to approach Fort Frances to discuss possibility of having a Regional Fire Chief.
Recreation: Councillor Lundgren asked the question “Who is responsible for getting things done at the hall, that is fixing small things or hiring someone to do it.” Mayor Pizey said that would be discussed in camera.
The municipality is still waiting for a reply from the Government regarding Morson dock repairs.
Notices have gone out to owners of properties which will be up for tax sales.
Community Reinvestment Funds have made adjustments in favour of the Municipality for $22,000.
Garbage: After discussion, a motion was passed that Harris Hill Resort shall pay the non-resident commercial fee of $200.00 per year for using the Bergland dump.
Hours at the Garbage Dumps are...Morson on Thursdays from 1pm to 6pm and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. Bergland on Wednesdays from 1pm to 6pm and Sundays from 10am to 3pm.
A motion was passed giving Clerk-Treasurer Pat Giles an increase in pay.
The Council will be having 2 meetings per month -on the first and third Tuesdays- until they take care of the back log of work. On Feb. 17th’s regular meeting at 7pm, a Public Meeting will be held at the Bergland Council Chambers to discuss the proposed extension of Erickson Road.
The Annual General Meeting of the Municipal Association will be attended by Councillors Fadden, McCormack, Gate and Mayor Pizey. This is Mayor Pizey’s last year as president of that Association.
The next Council meeting will be Jan.20th at 7pm at the Bergland Council Chambers.