LoW council looks at buying plow rather than renting graders

Ruth Brett
Contributor

The Lake of the Woods Township Council held their regular meeting on Feb.7 with Mayor Pizey, Councillors J. Moen, C. Fadden, B. Lundgren and T. Sepers, Clerk-Treasurer P. Giles and Road Supt. E. Pearson present.They met at 6pm for an in-camera session to discuss personnel and financial matters. The meeting was open at 6:55pm.
During Road Supt.’s report, road sanding was discussed. Sanding is to be done on sharp corners, at intersections and at stop signs on school bus routes. Other sanding will be done at the Road Supt.’s discretion. Supt. Pearson suggested that Council consider getting a plow for the 1 ton truck rather than using rented graders for the winter plowing. He will bring information regarding same to the next meeting. He informed Council that there are approximately 8 tandem loads of contaminated soil from Big Grassy First Nation that needs to be moved. This soil may be disposed of at the Bergland dump for the Township’s regular commercial fee per load. Hydro One is brushing under it’s lines on Hwy 621 from Sleeman to Morson. This includes hand cutting, machine brushing, machine grubbing and/or Garlon spraying. If community members do not want spraying done on their property, they should notify Hydro One.
Council has asked Clerk Giles to serve notice of a Public Meeting on March 7 at 7pm in Bergland. This meeting to review the user fee by-law and other council matters. The Clerk submitted a revised budget report, based on audited information, which included reserves and trust balances. Tax sale proceedings will begin on properties now up for tax sales. Council reviewed the new 911 service map. They reviewed the 2006 Ontario Municipal Partnership Funding and it is proposed that there be no restriction to the increases in funding from the year 2009 onward, meaning that upwards of $70,000.00 extra in funding for LoW Township. The Bergland Friends of Recreation have requested Council’s support for their application for renewal of Provincial license for the “toonie pot” and for application for a new license for selling Nevada tickets. Council has no objection to either application and has authorized Clerk Giles to write the letter of support.
Councillor Sepers reported on the Rec. Committee; there is good ice and the rink is being used; a “50 Plus” club has been formed and is meeting twice a month; a film club and darts are being developed; a winter family day is planned for March 4. Council has authorized an increase in the petty cash float for the Rec. Committee.
A new stove is being purchased for the Bergland hall kitchen, the matter having been discussed and passed at a meeting of Council and community groups on Jan. 16. There was a brief discussion about that meeting and it seems that most questions had been answered regarding the halls and the responsibilities of the people who use them. Lists of those responsibilities are being made by the custodians and will be posted in the respective halls. Supt. Pearson brought up the matter of building shelves in a storage room, which is being shared by several groups, at the Bergland hall. Mayor Pizey suggested that the cost and labour of the shelf building should be left up to the groups involved. Regarding the matter of lending/renting tables and chairs from the halls, Council has stipulated that the new furniture is not to be removed from the halls at all, and a fee will be set for a deposit on the older ones. S. Gate, custodian, has reported a cracked window in the “Tower” at the Bergland hall. A concern was expressed about youngsters driving snowmobiles around in the parking lot, in the skating rink and over the septic field at the Bergland hall during an event. This appeared to have been a one-time occurrence and hopefully Council will not have to take further steps to prevent potentially damaging and dangerous situations.

There is widespread alarm about packs of dogs running at large in the north end of the Township. It was reported that they are chasing wildlife. Since LoW Twp. has no By-law Enforcement, Clerk Giles has been asked to refer concerned citizens to the MNR regarding the wildlife issue. Council plans to invite discussions with community members and the 2 First Nations in order to help find a solution to the problem.
Council will be requesting 4 more “butt out” containers from the Youth Action Alliance ( NWHU ) in preparation for the upcoming May 31 province wide “Smoke Free” workplace. LoW Township and the MNR fire agreement is up for renewal and Clerk Giles will present a draft of a new agreement to Council at the next meeting. Council has entered into a fire agreement with both Big Grassy and Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing First Nations. Correspondence has been received from MTO that there are new regulations for the Handicapped Accessible Parking Permit program. Council has authorized payment of the RRFDC levy of $2534.00. RRFDC has invited communities to submit a list of their events so they may be displayed on the leader board at the border crossing at Fort Frances. Mayor Pizey and Councillor Fadden reported on the Riverside’s update on the management of Rainycrest and a proposal by RRDSSAB to manage Rainycrest is being reviewed by Councillor Fadden. The motion, that Human Resources Policy #24 Compensation and Benefits be updated as of Feb.1, 2006 to include CPI provisions, was defeated.
The next LoW Twp. Council meeting will be a public meeting on March 7 at 7pm in Bergland. This meeting to discuss user fees and other matters.