LoW Twp. to support locum housing project in RR

Submitted by
Ruth Brett

Here are some highlights of Lake of the Woods Township Council’s first meeting of 2011 on Jan. 4th. Present were Mayor Pizey, Councillors G. Anderson, C. Fadden, J. Moen, and B. Lundgren, Clerk-Treasurer P. Giles and Road Supt. E. Pearson.
Bills in the total amount of $38,942.41 were approved for payment.
Roads: Councillor Anderson expressed concern that the one ton truck was being used to plow snow rather than the grader, which means that the grader also, then, must go behind to widen out the road. Road Supt. Pearson reassured Council - that happened only one time due to a breakdown. Council requested a work plan from the Road Patrol for the year 2011. Clerk Giles is to contact Larry Gouliquer to request a quote for the work which has to be done at the Morson Hall.
The Clerk will provide Councillors Lundgren and Anderson with a copy of Frank Sheppard’s report on the proposal to amalgamate Rainy River, Dawson and Lake of the Woods Fire Departments.
LoW Council will support the concept to obtain housing in Rainy River for doctor locums and medical students and will consider financial support once the requirements are more concrete.
Council will support the resolution of the town of Fort Frances requesting the Province to amend the OMPF formula to cover all increased costs of the recently negotiated OPP contract for all northern and rural municipalities.
Their next regular meeting was held on Feb. 1st in Bergland with mayor, all councillors and Clerk-Treasurer present. The Road Supt. was not able to attend nor was there representation from the Fire Dept.
Bills in the total amount of $122,804.25 for the month of January were approved for payment.
Mayor Pizey reported on the annual RRDSSAB meeting and Councillor Moen reported on the progress of the large animal Veterinarian relocating to the district.
Clerk Pat Giles reminded Councillors that they must file election reports and expenses by March 31, 2011. He advised Council that various contracts are up for renewal; some of those being garbage, halls, cemeteries. Council will need to review the contract requirements and issue requests for bids.
There was a lengthy discussion on the possibility of hiring or contracting a person(s) for grass mowing/grounds maintenance in the Township. With the addition of Oscar‘s Bay Park, there is much more grounds work to be done. Mayor Pizey has asked that Clerk Giles and Road Supt. Pearson provide Council with a job description and the number of hours required for ground maintenance.
Clerk Giles updated Council on the many reports he filed for 2010, gave the 2010 audit report and the budget report. He advised Council that the OPP 2011 cost estimate is at $47,437 down from $48,420. He reminded Council that the Recreation Committee needs to be appointed and also that the employee compensation and benefit policies should be reviewed regarding upper limit on vacation days entitlement.
Councillor Lundgren and Clerk Giles are on the RR Doctor Housing Subcomittee, which will suggest and review floor plans at the next meeting on Feb. 15th.
A motion appointing Gerry Armstrong Fire Chief effective Feb. 15th was decided by a recorded vote - Councillors Lundgren and Anderson against; Councillors Fadden and Moen for; Mayor Pizey for. The services of S. McNally are terminated as of Feb. 15th.
Council authorized an application for a Drainage Superintendent allocation for 2011 in the amount of $1000.00.
Val Pizey, having completed 25 years of service as a council member,will be nominated to receive the long standing service recognition by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Council acknowledges that the CPI adjustment for Dec. 2009-2010 being 3.3% and therefore pursuant to our HR policies, wages and salaries be adjusted by Jan. 1st, 2011 by 3.3%.
Council authorizes payment of a .50 per capita levy to the Safe Committee Rainy River District and Council increase the funding for the RR Public Library by $100.00 to a total of $3,600.00.
The LoW Township has received the Canadian Flag which was flown at Parliment Hill on Dec. 8th, 2010. Marvellous! There was a short discussion on whether we should fly it (and where) or just keep it somewhere and look at it once in awhile.