Town projects moving along well

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River's new sewage lagoon is getting close to being done.
At Monday evening's regular monthly meeting of town council, Public Works Chairman Gerry Marchuk reported to council that progress is going well. "We really lucked out with the weather," Marchuk said, referring to the nice September we had.
Marchuk said they are currently leveling off the berm.
Mayor Deb Ewald noted some cement work will be done yet this fall and some pipelines should be installed as well.
It was noted that the work in the new lift-station at the bottom of Sixth St. will likely be done in January. This is when the town's flows are at their lowest; the best time to do the work.
Other infrastructure projects
Councillor Gerry Marchuk said, "We are going to make sure the paving is done and street lights are up on the Little St. Project this fall. People over there are not happy and this has is going on two years."
Councillor Marchuk also asked if the renovations to the town garage and fire hall will include a new door for the fire hall.
Mayor Ewald said that it was not in the project's budget but said that if it needs to be replaced that future planning could incorporate it.
Councillor Gord Armstrong reported that the big dehumidifier for the arena will be arriving this week and should be running by weeks' end.
He also noted that the Recreation Board is working on rates and policies for a swipe card system for the exercise room at the Community Centre.
Armstrong added that the board is also working on installing some better lighting on their building.
O.P.P. Report
New Detachment Commander Inspector John Kendrick visited Rainy River Town Council to report on services in the community.
Kendrick said to date this year there has been 672 calls for service in Rainy River. He said in 2008 there were 738 and 666 in 2007.
Of those calls there were 12 violent crimes of which most were common assault and were all cleared up.
There were 71 property crimes with a 23.2% clearance rate, which Kendrick said is slightly above national averages.
He said there were 12 RIDE programs set up in Rainy River this year and two new officers have been directly assigned to Rainy River.
"Rainy River is a very safe community," said Kendrick citing a recent independently done survey. "99.2% of people said they feel safe and 91.2% of those said they are satisfied with (local) O.P.P. service."
Mayor Ewald said that the new officers have definitely made a difference. "Their presence is very noticeable."
Other business
•Council will be sending Corey Dyck to an AMCTO Lottery Licensing course in Thunder Bay.
•Council approved sending Econ. Dev. Officer Andrew Hartnell to Toronto for a Relay For Life Summit with his travel expenses to be covered by the Canadian Cancer Society and his wages by the town.
•Council approved sending Councillor Gord Armstrong and Eco. Dev. Off. Hartnell to a Northern Ontario Value Added Products workshop in Kenora.
•Council approved training for its staff concerning the water treatment plant.