LoW revamps user fees

Ruth Brett
Contributor

The Lake of the Woods Township Council held a Public Meeting on March 7, 2006 at 7pm at Bergland. This meeting to discuss and update user fees, planning applications and fees for the cemeteries. The Township will now be directly responsible for opening and closing graves; for this there will be a charge of $500.00 with an additional charge of $50.00 for locating the plot. There were no significant changes to hall rentals nor other fees. No members of the community attended. The Public Meeting closed at 8pm.
With Mayor Pizey, Councillors J. Moen, C. Fadden, B. Lundgren, and T. Sepers, Clerk-Treasurer P. Giles,and Road Supt. E. Pearson present, Council went on with regular business.
Bills for the month of February in the total amount of $104,956.60 were approved for payment.
Road Supt. Pearson in his report, suggested that Dawson’s grader (which LoW has been renting) may not be available for snow plowing next winter. He submitted several options for Council’s consideration - buy a grader, a plow truck or get a plow for the 1 ton.
Councillor Sepers reported on the activities of the LoW Recreation Committee. Council, having received a report that the rink shack is being used for mischief, has asked the Rec. Committee to monitor the rink grounds and make sure that the rink shack is locked when there is no skating.
Clerk Giles informed Council that a few owners had paid the taxes on some of the tax sale properties. He gave a report on council remunerations and capping options. The Clerk presented Council with a report from N. Cole regarding the planned expansion of Cole’s Mobile home park. Council awaits a formal application from Cole for OP & Zoning amendments and Site Plan Agreement. The Mayor informed Council about plans for a meeting to discuss the management of Rainycrest, the proposed LIHN (Local Integrated Health Networks) and other District matters. Council will consider a request from the RR Public Library for additional funding. The proposed new fishing regulations for 2007 have been circulated by the MNR. A report on LoW Twp. population of 320 was received from MPAC. The MOF has set the residential tax rates for 2006 at .246% (down from last year). Clerk Giles circulated information and feedback sheets on the proposed LIHN.
LoW Council will request MTO for 2006 surface treatment, a single application 6.1 metres wide, for 1.9 km on Vauthey Rd. and 1km on Lakewood Dr./ Dalseg Dr.
Human Resources Policy (24.0) Compensation and Benefits were updated as of March 1, 2006 to include CPI provisions and as amended.
Council received and reviewed the 2005 audited Financial Statements.
By-Laws No. 167, being the Supplemental Cost By-Law; No. 168, being the Tax Ratio By-Law; No. 169, being the 2006 Tax Capping By-Law; and No.170, being the Municipal Forest Fire Management Agreement By-Law were all enacted.
The next Council meeting will be held in Bergland on April 4, 2006