Little St. rail crossing to close

Ken Johnston

Rainy River’s newly elected town council voted unanimously Monday evening to close the Little St. railway crossing.
After months of the issue being dealt with by the previous council, the decision was tabled by them to be dealt with by the new council; Mayor Deb Ewald, and councillors Gerry Marchuk, Gord Armstrong, Marilyn McAlister and Brent Anderson.
Councillor Brent Anderson, who sat on the previous council said, “I can’t justify paying $3,500 per year (maintenance) to keep it open. It is a crossing of convenience.”
Councillor Gerry Marchuk, who also sat on the previous council echoed Anderson’s comments saying, “How many places in Canada have two crossings within a half a block of each other?”
Newcomer to council Gord Armstrong said he has no beefs with Transport Canada (TC) asking for council’s direction on the matter, but with CN he is leery. “We have had many verbal promises from them and nothing delivered. I would have a lot ot say to CN if it was them (pushing us on this).”
Last year CN sent a representative to a public meeting at which they told the council and taxpayers that if they opted to close Little St. there would be no cost to the town.
If all goes well council will in fact get Government Road upgraded with crossing arms and the area will be revitalized and a sidewalk across the tracks be paid for by CN and TC.
“We will walk away with $20,000 to do what we want to with,” said councillors Anderson and Marchuk.
“It is not something I want to vote on but we have to,” said Anderson referring to the fact that CN has said they would go ahead and upgrade both crossings and it would cost the town about $63,000 plus the annual $3,500 maintenance fee per crossing.
After council passed the motion they said they would not close Little St. until CN is ready to proceed with construction.
Other business
•Council will be meeting with the local dentist to address concerns he has about the rent he is paying the town and any other concerns he might have.
•Council gave first reading to a bylaw updating the mutual aid fire protection agreement with Baudette. They opted to table it until they can find out if their insurance covers them over there and about I.D. concerns for firemen crossing the border.
•Council agreed to buy a sand spreader for sidewalks at a cost of $3, 152.25.
•Council gave all town staff an extra day off with pay between Dec. 15-Mar. 31/07 as a Christmas bonus.
•Council gave the Rec. and Library bds. $150 each to have a Christmas party.
•Council agreed to support Chapple Twps. efforts to rectify the condemnation of beef in the district.