Town to rework Official Plan at a price tag of $61,274

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River Town Council held their regular monthly meeting eight days later than normal when they gathered last Tuesday to conduct business.
Council had two major money items on the agenda.
The first was a borrowing bylaw authorizing the borrowing of monies, not to exceed $300,000.00, to cover operating expenses of the town until taxes are collected. The bylaw was passed unanimously with the money being borrowed from the local CIBC bank.
The other item committed the taxpayers to a major expenditure of $61,274.00 to hire a consulting firm. The firm of Hyde, Paul Planning will develop a new Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw for the Town of Rainy River. Town Clerk Veldron Vogan said that the plan has not been revisited for many years and was developed before she even worked at the town office. “It is supposed to be reviewed and updated as needed every five years. Something that has not happened,” said Vogan.
Council also passed a motion to ensure that the new plan is a “sustainable community vision.” That, hopes the town, will allow the town to access the full cost of the new official plan through applying to the Green Municipal Fund.
Building Inspector Issues
AMBIS (Building Inspector) Committee representative for Rainy River, Councillor Larry Armstrong, informed council that Lake of the Woods Township is withdrawing from AMBIS in June of this year. Dawson Township has already withdrawn. Initially AMBIS was formed with several communities sharing the cost of a provincially mandated need for a building inspector.
Armstrong said that council will now have to look at its participation in AMBIS and the agreement with the current building inspector.
Staff changes
•Council passed a motion to hire Lisa (nee Wood) Mosher as Administrative Assistant/Deputy Clerk of the Town of Rainy River.
•After emerging from an in camera session to discuss the promotion of town crewman Dan Godin, council agreed to promote him to Sub-foreman of the Town of Rainy River.
Spring cleaning and flood
preparations
Public Works Chairman Larry Armstrong reported that the town crew has been busily cleaning ditches in preparation for spring.
He also noted that planning is underway in the event the community experiences any flooding. “There are thousands of sand bags ready to be used if need be.”
Other business
•Economic Development Committee Chairman Gord Armstrong reported that the town’s pole banners may be able to be paid for through Local Improvement grants.
•Fire Dept. Committee Chair Ashley Stamler reported that the efforts to amalgamate area fire departments is moving ahead and noted that the next shared services meeting will be April 12, 2011 at the Bergland Hall.
•Council passed a motion to send Town Clerk Vogan and Councillor Gord Armstrong to the Northern Ontario Municipal Assoc. annual meeting in Thunder Bay Apr. 27-29, 2011 with expenses paid.
•There was no new information on the proposal for area communities to build housing for locum doctors, but Mayor Deb Ewald said they are meeting and moving forward.
•Councillor Gord Armstrong asked if anyone had reviewed the Trillium report on the town’s arena and curling rink. He urged everyone to have a look at it and see what needs to be done to those facilities. He did note that a recent fire inspection at the Rec. Centre was not good.
Councillor Stamler said the Rec. Board is looking at solutions to the fire inspection problems. Stamler is council’s rep. on the Rec. Bd.
•Mayor Ewald reported that the Library Board has hired a new head Librarian. Michael Dawber was promoted from assist. librarian after Librarian Sheila McIntosh resigned.
•Council agreed to send Mayor Ewald to a Town Hall Session with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in Thunder Bay, April 27-29, 2011 with expenses paid.
•A monthly financial report was tabled as Clerk Vogan was off on bereavement leave.
•Council agreed to pay the expenses of Councillor Brent Anderson for his attendance of a Stewardship Meeting in Emo on March 5, 2011.
•Council granted the Northern Lights Credit Union a 2010 Vacancy Rebate of Property Taxes.
•Council went in camera to discuss personnel, property and legal matters. After emerging the only motion that was passed was to promote Dan Godin to Sub-foreman.