LoW council discusses landfill usage by First Nations/

Ruth Brett
Contributor

The Lake of the Woods Township Council met on March 8th at Bergland. Present were Mayor Pizey, Councillors J. Moen, C. Fadden, T. Sepers and B. Lundgren, Clerk-Treasurer P. Giles and 13 visitors.
Staff Sergeant H. Dennis updated Council on property crime statistics in the Township. He also spoke about the Township’s letter of complaint regarding the many break and enters reported in early winter. He stated that OPP members are continuing to work at solving these crimes. He suggested it may help to decrease the number of break-ins if the owners installed security cameras or had someone do regular checks on empty cabins. He informed Council that he will be retiring at the end of June.
Adrian Versluis spoke on behalf of a group of people requesting the reestablishment of a Recreation Committee under Council. After an interesting general discussion, Mayor Pizey suggested that the group present a plan of programs and funding before Council would commit to their proposal.
Terry Gill gave an update on the plans for the Morson Bass International and repeated the organization’s request for a funding commitment from Council. The Mayor again stated that funding commitments cannot be made now but will be considered in a few months, after the budget is finalized.
Sheila Gate updated Council on the state of affairs between the Bergland Friends of Recreation and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. It is expected that a letter will be received soon from Toronto stating that the BFR will be eligible for gaming licenses again. The BFR asked Council for a special rental rate for the Morson Hall for a children’s program.
Bills for the month of February in the amount of $159,701.76 were approved for payment.
Clerk Giles has been authorized to draft contracts for the people who have the positions of cemetery maintenance and hall custodians with an expiry date of March 31, 2007.
Council authorized a charge of $100.00 for rent of the Morson Hall by the Bergland Friends of Recreation for children’s activities during March break.
By-law #142, being the Criminal Background Check Policy Adoption By-law, was enacted.
By-law #143, being the Council Remuneration By-law, was enacted.
The majority of members agreed to give themselves a raise, bringing their pay for each regular meeting to $130.00 with $160.00 for the mayor. Councillor Sepers had asked the members to take a cut rather than an increase.
By-law #144, being the Tax Ratio By-law, was enacted.
By-law #145, being the 2005 Tax Capping By-law, was enacted.
By-law #146, being the 2004 Heliport Maintenance and Repair By-law, was enacted.
Council authorized the installation of a high speed internet service at the Municipal office. The cost is to be shared with the Township of Dawson.
Council supports the amendment to the Building Official contract that would allow for annual cost of living increases. Councillor Sepers was appointed to the Association of Municipal Building Inspection Services Committee.
Council passed a resolution that Rainycrest Board of Management make application to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (under section 30:12 of the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act) to have Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. be appointed operator and manager of Rainycrest on an interim basis. This resolution will be sent to Rainycrest Home for the Aged and Riverside Health Care Facilities.
Mayor Pizey declared conflict and Councillor Lundgren chaired while Council discussed garbage dump usage for Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing and Big Grassy First Nations. Councillor Sepers reported on his meeting with Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing regarding the issue and suggested the dump(s) be open again to the First Nations. The other members of Council are not willing to make any changes without an agreement to address long term issues of financing for the Township’s dumps.
Councillor Sepers advised Council of the several phone calls and letter that he received complaining about the cigarette smoke in the Morson Hall during the dinner meal at the February Fish Derby. It was reported that S. Gate had asked for no smoking but the request was ignored. He requested that Council consider passing a “No Smoking” policy for both community halls.
Clerk Giles provided a document “Closed Meetings of Municipal Council” for Council to read. Among other things, it will have information on what does constitute an in-camera (closed) meeting and what does not. The information was provided by R. Anderson from MMAH.
Drainage program grants have been reinstated under new name/ new program but basically the same grants are available. Council has discussed and will pass amendments to the user fees at the next meeting. Councillors J. Moen and C. Fadden along with Clerk Giles attended a meeting of municipalities and Riverside Health Care Facilities regarding Rainycrest management. Rainycrest levy increased from $27,665 in 2004 to $66,365 in 2005.