Council awards $17,500 in tenders

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River Town Council had a March Break type of meeting Monday evening, where business was light and one councillor was away.
However, they did pass several motions pertaining to town business including:
•A motion to notify the Town of Fort Frances that Rainy River supports in principal the concept of a regional municipal airport there. However, at this time Rainy River can not afford to make any financial contribution.
With rising costs Fort Frances has reached out the district communities requesting support in principal and financially to operate the airport there as a regional port.
•Council awarded a tender to Dan DeGagne of Sunset Protection Systems in the amount of $4,220 plus tax to upgrade the fire alarm system at the Rainy River Rec. Centre.
•A tender was awarded to Carr-Mclean for new library shelving in the amount of $13,345.30. This amount is 100% funded by an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant.
•Council authorized the application for a five year membership in Metasoft Systems Inc. in the amount of $7,495. This membership allows three separate users to access grant and funding searches and will provide certification training to tow members of the town.
Metasoft's website says, "Foundation Search is North America's leading source of fundraising information for non-profits and charities. Our online resource includes more than 120,000 foundations, representing billions of dollars in annual granting, and includes tools to locate grants by type, value, year, recipient, donor and historical giving trends, and much more."
•Application to the Healthy Communities Fund for equipment and staffing at the Rec. Centre was approved.
•A request for Local Initiatives Funding from the Rainy River Future Development Corporation for an "event enhancement tent and other promotion items" will be made.
•The 4008 Heritage Square Museum, RR Public Library and the Rainy River Activity Depot were added to the Town's accounting system.
•Long time garbage collector in Rainy River had his contract renewed with the town for four years. It begins Mar. 1/12 and runs to Feb. 29/16.
•Council granted the Northwestern Health Unit a charitable property tax rebate. Mayor Deb Ewald, who works for the NWHU, declared an conflict of interest on this motion.
•A motion to support Ainsworth's drive to have stumpage fees reduced for white birch and poplar was passed.
•Mayor Ewald proclaimed May 6-12, 2012 Emergency Preparedness Week in Rainy River.