Hydro cash is in the bank

Ken Johnston
Editor

Monday evening Rainy River Town Council held one of its shortest regular meetings on record.
Breezing through the agenda in only 30 minutes council managed to pass several key items without much fanfare.
Money is in the Bank
Councillor Gerry Marchuk asked if the money has been received from Hydro One for the purchase of the Town's Electric Utility which became official in May.
Town Administrator Deb Bowman said that the money is in the bank. Councillor Lance Lindal asked if all $510,000 is there and Bowman said that some of it has been held back pending final audit of the utility.
No discussion was held on what will be done with the money.
Roof Contract Awarded
Tenders for repairs to the roof on the Town Hall (former CNR station) were reviewed. After an in camera session that lasted about five minutes, council unanimously voted to hire O&K Construction of Rainy River for a cost of $20,422.20 tax, materials and labour inclusive.
Dogs Beware
Council approved a contract with Lisa Marchuk of Rainy River to be the town's official Animal Enforcement Officer. Now that the town has ratified the contract, all that is left is for Marchuk to ink it and the town will be able to pick up stray dogs.
Cleaners Rehired
Council passed a motion to renew its contract at the same cost as last year with B & B Cleaners for town buildings.
Other Business
*Council passed a motion to make the final buyout on the lease for the fire department's pagers at a cost of $991.99.
*Council approved a Rec. Board Request to hold community festivals on June 23-24, July 19-21, Aug. 18-19 and Sept. 1-3, 2001.
*Council received approval from the Ontario Heritage Foundation for a grant to aid in the exterior restoration of the Town Hall.
*Council approved a motion to give the contract for operation of the Hannam Park Marina to the Rainy River Recreation Board for the summer of 2001.
*Mayor Gord Prost reported to council about the lack of clerical staffing at the Rainy River O.P.P. detachment. Prost noted that he will endeavor to set up a meeting,with Staff Sgt. Hugh Dennis and representatives from Rainy River and surrounding municipalities, who are serviced by the detachment to discuss the situation.
*Council granted permission to the 4008 Committee to install a compressor at the town garage to run a old train whistle. Originally they had hoped to put it on top of the old CNR Station, but the compressor is much too large to be put on the upper part of the building.
*Council approved sending Administrator Bowman to a Tax Assessment meeting in Thunder Bay on July 5th and Mayor Prost to a Lake of the Woods Water Control Board meeting in Kenora June 13, 2001.