Bigger council discussed Monday

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River Town Council held a public meeting Monday evening to allow for dialogue on its proposal to go from four councillors and a mayor to six councillors and a mayor.
Only two councillors, Larry Armstrong and Ashley Stamler and the Mayor, Deb Ewald and Town Clerk Veldron Vogan and one member of the public attended.
Norma Blight was the loan taxpayer to attend. She had several questions and comments.
Blight questioned why there is a need for two more councillors.
Mayor Ewald said it comes down to workload. "We have to wear a lot more hats than we would if there were more of us. We can not always follow through with things that need to be done... things slip through the cracks."
"Wasn't that clear when you ran for council... that you would have to wear more hats? asked Blight.
Councillor Armstrong noted that having served on previous councils that had six members, he feels that committees got more done.
"We used to do committee work and bring it back to council. Now we do everything at committee of the whole. Sometimes we are just spinning our wheels. There is no personal sense of accomplishment as there is when a committee brings their work to council and it is approved."
He noted that while they do have committees on this council it is very difficult to meet as the mayor is on every committee and likes to be at every meeting. With more councillors he feels committees could be structured so they could have more meetings and get more done.
Blight asked about the town hiring another intern to relieve the workload, but Vogan noted that the last time they advertised for the position no one who applied met the criteria for the grant.
Armstrong said that he feels the hiring of a one year intern is not the answer. "But having more councillors to work with an intern could boost their production."
Blight also asked what will two more councillors cost the taxpayers.
Ewald said it is about $6,600 or as Vogan put it, "Less than $10 per property in Rainy River."
Vogan also pointed out that when it was reduced from six to four about eight years ago that it was thought that it would save the town a lot of money as people would go to less meetings.
However, many of the meetings that involve district organizations need to be attended. So there are still the same number of meetings but, "It seems like it is always the same person going. People are getting burned out," said Vogan.
Ewald and Armstrong also said that without working committees, extra work often falls on the town hall staff.
Blight wondered how Emo does it with only four councillors?
Vogan said Emo has four full time staff members and RR only has 2.5.
Blight corrected her, "They have 3.5. I checked."
Even so Vogan said one more full time person makes a difference.
Blight's final query was when will the decision be made to leave things the same or increase council.
Ewald said they have to have a motion passed by Dec. 31, 2013 to make the change effective for next year's municipal elections. So they hope to vote on it no later than December's regular council meeting.
Armstrong also noted that with four there is a scenario that could be very bad for the community. "If three councillors got together they could run the council. With more councillors that would be harder to do."
Regular Council meeting
Susan Carpenter arrived at 6:55 p.m to join the other two councillors and mayor for the regular meeting. Councillor Gord Armstrong was not present at either meeting.
Council had a fairly light regular agenda.
•October 16 and 19, 2013 were declared free dumping days for residents of the Town of Rainy River to allow for fall clean up.
•Motions to send two public works to water related conferences with expenses paid on Oct, 23, 24 and 25th were passed.
•Council proclaimed Oct. 21-27, 2013 as Waste Reduction Week.
•Clerk Vogan reported that work on First St. is going well. "As of today they only have one more service to connect and one more hydrant to install. Then they will prepare for paving which if the weather holds will happen in the next two weeks."
•Council approved the application of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters for field advertising.
•Council donated $100 to the Bancroft and Hastings Disaster Relief Fund.
•Councillor Armstrong reported that the condition of the CNR crossing in the west end is in dire need of repair. "We need to report this to someone at CN so it can be repaired."
•Council agreed to send Armstrong and Vogan to a meeting on Oct. 30, 2013 in Fort Frances. The meeting is to discuss a new funding model being proposed by the Ontario Provincial Police.
•Mayor Ewald will attend a meeting with MNR this week regarding the future of the Patullo tower which the fire departments rely on.