Work on replacing town sewer system to begin next Monday

Ken Johnston

Economic Development topped Rainy River Town Council’s agenda Tuesday night at their regular monthly meeting.
Councillor Glen Armstrong reported that Jan Verhoef of Globeco emailed him recently to inform him that he is in Yemen attempting to drum up business to get the panelized housing plant up and running in Rainy River.
“He will be returning to Rainy River on November 12th at which time he would like to meet with council and the chamber of commerce,” said Armstrong.
Armstrong also reported that the Rainy River Walleye Tournament had a very successful year and that many groups benefitted from it. The fire department raised $5,400 from the boat raffle and the Rec. Bd. made some money off the dinner and the canteen.
He noted that the committee has opted to move the tournament a week later next year in efforts to bring the number of fish caught up and the number of big fish caught up as well.
He also said that the town is working on a proposal to acquire some of CNR’s land along Hwy. 11 in hopes of creating a industrial park.
CNR has also agreed to allow council to sublet the old station out should they choose to vacate it.
Change to a four pack
Rainy River town council began discussing the possibility of reducing town council from six at present to four in the future. Council has to inform the government by the end of this year of its intention to do so if it so deems fit. Then a public meeting would have to be held and if found favourable to change it, the change could take effect next November when the next municipal elections are slated.
Councillor Larry Armstrong said that he feels all of council should offer input on the issue noting that he can’t say he supports it either way. “If we reduce to four and more regional governments require more council representation, will we have the bodies to give proper representation?”
Mayor Gordon Prost said that the other side of that coin is, “If there are more regional decisions being made, will we need as many councillors at the local level?”
Outdoor wood stoves
Council gave first reading to bylaw 1408-02 which would ban the use of outdoor wood stoves used to heat a building within the town limits.
Town clerk Deb Bowman said that as far as she knows there are three in use in Rainy River.
Councillor Glen Armstrong asked what would happen to them.
Mayor Gordon Prost suggested that they might be grandfathered in with the proviso that when they wear out they could not be replaced.
The bylaw was referred back to committee to work on some more.
House searching coming
Council agreed to put a notice to ratepayers in Rainy River in the next water bills, November 1st, that the town crew will be inspecting all homes in Rainy River to look at problems such as drainage into the sewer system of rain water.
The hope is to have initial inspections begin in December.
Library week
Council proclaimed Oct. 21-27th Ontario Public Library Week.
Councillor Brent Anderson said that the library is hosting an open house next Wednesday from Noon to 5 p.m. The theme for the week is Safe Use of the Internet.
The library has also received its software for automating the signing out of books and other materials.
The library will also begin loaning out DVDs in December.
Rec. Board
The board held elections in September with Wes Blight taking over as chair from Lisa Armstrong who will remain on the board. Stephanie Ivall left the board after serving a two year term and Jason Wilson joined it.
Councillor Anderson reported that all the flood damage is nearly repaired, the ice is in and a boiler donated by the legion to minor hockey is now in place to make ice with.
Other business
•DSSAB will be meeting with the Ministry of Health to try and convince them to fund a greater portion of ambulance service in the district.
•Council awarded the contract to Makkinga Contracting of Murillo, Ont. to replace the sewer system on the middle blocks of Rainy River. Work will begin next Monday and crews will work 10 hour days.