Dismantling of important communications tower on hold

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River Town Council held a short, but regular monthly meeting Monday evening with all of council present.
Most of the items dealt with were housekeeping items. They included:
•Approving the use of a town lot adjacent to Wayne McCarthy's property at 318 Fourth St. Council granted permission for McCarthy to use the lot in July while reroofing his building.
•Purchasing a presentation projector from Epson at a cost of $669 plus tax.
•Closing Fourth St. on Sat. July 21, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Railroad Daze functions.
•Renewing the Landfill Caretaker Contract with Dwight Hanson at rate of $12.50 per hour.
•Sending Councillor Gord Armstrong and Town Clerk Vel Vogan to the Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference in Thunder Bay, Sept. 26-28, 2012 with expenses paid.
•Sending Councillor Gord Armstrong to a meeting with Rainy River Resources and Chapple Township, in Chapple on July 11, 2012 to discuss the mining company's plans to relocate Hwy. 600.
Other business
•Clerk Vogan told council that the new sewer lagoon project will be all done today (Tuesday July 10, 2012).
•Public Works Chairman Larry Armstrong noted that the town crew has constructed a temporary ramp so that Long Term Care patients can more readily board a pontoon boat next week. Larry suggested that the town apply for a grant to make a more permanent ramp part of the landing.
•Mayor Deb Ewald said that there are "issues with the door at the medical centre that need to be dealt with sooner rather than later.
•Ewald also reported that the proposal to dismantle an old MNR fire tire in Patullo Township has been put on hold since she spoke to MPP Michael Gravelle. The tower houses the area's fire radio repeaters. "We are looking at alternatives such as going on Tbaytel towers."
•Councillor Gord Armstrong reported that he has been working with the Chamber of Commerce to try and get the former Ontario Travel Information Centre for a dollar and convert it to a Chamber office, possibly staffed by an in turn. It would also house tourist information for businesses and resorts in the region.
•Mayor Ewald reported that the library hired a new relief librarian, Jody Budreau, who will replace Shirley Arnould.
Ewald also said that Librarian Michael Dawber reported that usage of the library is up by more that 40% over last year at this time.

•Council declared July 7-15th Ontario Family Fish Licence Free Week.
•Council went in camera to discuss a personnel issue at 7:31 p.m., thus ending the public portion of the meeting.

The next regular meeting of council is Aug. 13, 2012 and the public is welcome to attend.