Chief Building Official resigns

Ruth Brett
Contributor

The Lake of the Woods Township Council held their regular meeting at Morson on Aug. 1 with Mayor Pizey,Councillors C. Fadden, J. Moen, T. Sepers. and B. Lundgren, Clerk-Treasurer P. Giles, and Roads Supt. E. Pearson present.
Bills for the month of July in the total amount of $89,510.18 were accepted for payment.
During Roads Supt. Pearson’s report, a discussion was held about placing a sign for Pioneer Road on Hwy. 600 at the Tofte Road intersection. The Gas Tax project for the Township will be to upgrade Morrison Road.
Clerk Giles reported that he has supplied Fire Chief C. Pollard with copies of records, the by-law and policies for the Fire Protection Survey. There was some discussion about assigning a fire number to every residence on the islands in the Township and also creating a map of the islands and where the homes are situated on them. This would greatly assist the Fire Dept. should a call come from those areas.
The Fire Dept. has been asked by the Morson Bass International Committee to have some of the fire equipment on site for their event on Aug. 18 & 19.
Councillor Sepers reported on the Recreation Committee. With the help of several community members, skateboarding ramps have been transported from Kenora and are temporarily set up in the rink at the Bergland Hall. They are much enjoyed by the young skateboarders of the community. Council has asked the Rec. Committee to hold regular safety inspections of the skateboard and all playground equipment. They ask that the users, themselves, report any unsafe or damaged equipment. After a discussion on the best wording for it, Clerk Giles was authorized to order a notice sign for the Skateboard Park and playground. The Committee has held a walkathon and raised approximately $600 for the Skateboard Park. The Committee plans on running canteens at both Big Grassy and Big Island Powwows.
Clerk Giles reported that the navigation light at the mouth of the Little Grassy River has been adopted by the LoW Township. It is now the Township’s responsibility to maintain the light and to keep the brush cleared away from it.
A letter, with no particular action promised, has been received from MTO in answer to Council’s concern about the brush along Hwys 621 and 600.
Caretaker S. Gate has received a query regarding the cost of renting one of the community’s halls for a three day event. Council has advised that rents for a 2 or 3 day event shall be negotiated individually.
The high speed internet and cell towers are up in Morson and Bergland and construction continues.... the tentative word is that they may be ready for use in the late fall.
Clerk Giles will contact the MNR asking for a solution to the persistent breakdown of the cable system at Turtle Portage and suggesting that a roller system would be preferred.
The Clerk has advised Council that Chief Building Official F. Berg Has resigned.
The Clerk and some of Council will go out on the lake to take an inventory of properties and buildings. Meanwhile efforts are continuing to have MPAC do site inspections of the properties.
A letter on behalf of the Mayor was sent to the Canadian Border Services requesting more staffing at the Rainy River port on busy Saturdays in the summer.
RRFDC was sent a letter of support in their efforts to develop a community readiness report.
The Mayor was invited to open the Morson Bass International on Aug. 18 & 19. She and the Councillors were invited to participate in the festivities.
The Cemetery By-laws will be reviewed by the Committee and presented to Council for approval. The Clerk Gave Council a budget update.
The idea of a District - wide emergency measures committee was discussed and Council is willing to investigate the proposal.
Council authorized a $100.00 donation to the Big Island FN Pow Wow Committee.
Council agreed that the Group Insurance benefits through Jardine Lloyd Thompson be renewed for the next term despite a 5.6% increase in rates.
The municipal property on Oak Point Drive is up for sale and it is proposed that the funds be used for a waterfront park.
Council will consider two by-laws at the next meeting - a by-law to adopt “High Rock Road” in Juniper Shores Phase III and a by-law to adopt the fire boat dispatch policy.