Council to review way dog catcher is paid

Ken Johnston

Rainy River Town Council held its regular monthly meeting this past Monday and first order of business was to swear in new councillor Dean Wiersema.
Wiersema will serve the remainder of Larry Armstrong’s term, who resigned earlier this year.
After the agenda was approved council heard from the new animal control officer Sabine Drackert.
She reported that the job is going well. “So far I have had only good feedback.”
She has issued numerous warnings and nearly impounded one dog. The owner said the animal got loose and came running up to the van. Drackert let her off with a warning and noted that the animal was licensed.
Councillor Deb Ewald asked if Drackert will only make money if she catches dogs?
Acting clerk Jean Klosowicz noted that Drackert has been dedicating a lot of time and resources to the job and said that it will go back to committee to determine some sort of compensation outside of that paid when an animal is caught.
Councillor Ed Tymkin said the bylaw committee would be open to looking at options.
Councillor Gerry Marchuk commended Drackert on a job well done. “I have only heard good things about her doing the job.”
Later in the meeting council passed a motion making hiring Drackert official for three months with the option of extending it.
Klosowicz said that since Drackert started, there has been a noted spike in dog licences being purchased.
Councillor Ewald issued her support for Drackert but said she would hate to see her quit because she is not making any money.
Other business
•Councillor Gerry Marchuk noted that all the corner curbs have been cut and reconstructed on Main St.
•Councillor Ewald commended the summer students who cleaned up the park.
•Council passed a motion to split the cost of advertising Rainy River three ways with the Chamber of Commerce and the Walleye Committee in a Border Waters guide. The cost to the town would be about $292.
•The library board has received a grant for one more year of CAP. That is a program that allows the public to access the internet at the library.
•The library’s application for a trillium grant is still moving forward. Klosowicz and Librarian Penny Shumaker have had to work on supplying more information to the Trillium Foundation.
•Councillor Brent Anderson reported that the Recreation Board is looking for a new maintenance person. He noted that they are replacing Walter Wagner who has decided to retire. “The board will miss his work. He was an excellent employee.”
•Council received a letter from the Superintendent of Rainy River’s Customs facility, Cathy Wilcott regarding traffic delays at the border.
In the letter Wilcott said, “Unfortunately, based on historical traffic volumes at the port of Rainy River, only one of our lanes is equipped with a Primary Automated Lookout System.” That is the electronic system that reads license plates on every vehicle crossing.
She said they are doing the best they can to alleviate traffic at peak times.
•Council passed a motion to send Klosowicz to a CEMC course in Sault Ste. Marie in September with all expenses paid.
•Council went in camera at 7:50 p.m. to discuss personnel issues.