LoW receives fire dept budget

Ruth Brett
Contributor

The Lake of the Woods Township Council’s November meeting was attended by Mayor Pizey, Councillors J. Moen, C. Fadden, B. Lundgren, Clerk P. Giles, Road Supt. Ed Pearson, visitors Dan McCormick, Fire Chief L. Nordin, and 7 community members.
Mr. McCormick, Health Services Manager for RRDSSAB, gave a presentation on the land ambulance services. He stated that LoW Twp. is a difficult area to serve due to the population density, which is 1.4 people per square kilometre. The Ontario average is 12.5 people per square kilometre. He discussed issues like wage rates, provincial funding and paramedic qualifications. Mr. McCormick gave high praise to Ed Pearson for the excellent job on putting in the Morson Heliport. Inspection has been done by the MOH and the helicopter pilots will be flying in to test the site. Once it is approved by the pilots, the Heliport will be operational.
Fire Chief Nordin presented Council with a budget for 2005 and a list of volunteer firefighters. Mr. Nordin also requested funds for CPR, First Aid and fire training for this fall and informed Council that instructors for these courses are in place. Council will support the communities efforts to revitalize the Fire Dept.and will allocate $1,000.00 for this fall’s training sessions. Council has received the proposed Fire Dept. budget request and will consider it within the overall Twp. budget for 2005.
Sheila Gate, community halls custodian, presented, in a letter, a list of minor repairs needed at the Bergland hall and asked Council who she should go to for approval for these repairs and for purchasing regular cleaning supplies. Council informed Gate that all repairs and purchases will be authorized by Ed Pearson within the approved budget. Council further stated that all revenues, that is rents and donations, etc are to be sent to Clerk/Treasurer Giles. Mayor Pizey added that Council will meet to discuss the chain of command and care of the Township’s recreation facilities at a date yet to be scheduled.
Clerk Pat Giles reported that the By-election is proceeding; he also informed Council of a rumour stating that a campaign letter of one of the candidates had been sent in with a mail-in ballot. Clerk Giles told Council that the rumour is unfounded since he had no access to the letters of either candidate and he has taken offense at the inference suggesting his involvement.
Bills for the month of October in the amount of $82,284.11 were approved for payment.
Council has agreed to endorse the resolution of the Township of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls and the Municipality of Red Lake requesting that the NWHU limit it’s budget increase to no more than 3% for 2005.
Jill Wilhite is appointed to represent LoW Twp. on the MNR Aulneau Wildlife Advisory Committee.
Council will accept written offers for the sale of the old plow truck; offers must be in before the December Council meeting. Road Supt. Pearson will provide Council with prices for a box for the new truck. Red Wing Road will receive gravel patching. The Fire/ambulance number sign-post for Duvalls will be moved back to it’s original location. Repairs have been completed on the Bergland pumper truck. Council received a letter from a rate payer, who was unable to attend the public meeting regarding hiring policies, suggesting that to avoid conflicts - restrictions should apply to immediate family living in the same household. Trees are being cut along Hwy. 621 as requested to the MNR by Clerk Giles.
Signatures from potential cell phone subscribers are being collected; at least 300 names are needed. If interested in supporting the cell phone tower for the Morson area, please contact Cindy Miller at 488-5942.
Clerk Giles is to obtain more information on a proposed Mutual Assistance Agreement between Fort Frances and area municipalities for emergency equipment to meet LoW Township requirements for enhanced level of emergency readiness. 911 dispatch will be moved from Riverside Health Care Facilities to the OPP.
Council has received a letter from Riverside HCF requesting support for amalgamation with Rainycrest Home for the Aged. Council will need more information on the benefits to the municipalities before acting on this request.
Morson Tourism Association has asked Council for written permission to use the Morson Government Dock area for the annual Bass tournament. Council has asked Clerk Giles to request from the MTA the complete proposal for the event before committing the use of the area.