Council to look at user fees for library

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Despite the inclement winter weather Rainy River Town Council met Monday night to its regular business.
Staff Sgt. Steve Shouldice sent is regrets to council noting that due to the weather he would have to postpone his meeting with them until next month.
The rest of the meeting was very light in nature. The following business was completed:
•Council hired Neil Robert's firm Infrastructure Solutions Engineering Inc. to study the town's asset management at a cost of $8,000 plus tax. Councillor Larry Armstrong noted that the town received funding to conduct the study.
•Council wrote a letter of support to Riverside Health Care Facilities for their efforts to bring an assisted living facility to the RR District. Mayor Deb Ewald said this new facility would not affect Rainy River's existing Assisted Living Facility (located in Riverview Apartments).
•Council discussed the possibility of charging membership fees at Rainy River Public Library. However, council did not have concise information on such a change and will look at it at future meetings.
•Rainy River Future Development Corporation will receive $6,062 or $7 per capita (based on a Rainy River population of 866) for 2013-14 fiscal year.
•A letter of support was passed for Rainy River Gold Corp to help ensure their environmental assessment process is efficiently and effectively managed and that the project moves towards construction in 2014.
•Council purchased a book of 10 circus tickets, for $40, from the LoW Women of Today to be donated to the library who will distribute them.
•Mayor Ewald reported that the appliances for the Locum House have not arrived as of yet.
Acting town clerk Julie Tiboni reported that the phone and internet will be installed at the Locum House this week with Satellite tv to soon follow.
•Council authorized the Rec. Board's efforts to apply for a grant from the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund.
•Councillor Gord Armstrong, who was absent from Monday's meeting, was appointed to represent Rainy River on a local governance networking group.
•Councillor Ashley Stamler said she will be spearheading a youth fire program this spring and fall.