LoW council asked to reconsider recycling program there

By Ruth Brett
Contributor

The regular meeting of the Lake of the Woods Twp. Council was held on Jan. 8th at Bergland with Mayor Pizey, Councillors J. Moen, N. Gate, C. Fadden, and T. Sepers, Clrek-Treasurer P. Giles, and Fire Chief S. McNally present. Visitors were G. Armstrong and F. Sheppard from the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Services.
Sheppard and Armstrong presented a proposal from the Town of Fort Frances offering services which, if accepted and carried out by the LoW Fire Dept., would ensure that the Fire Dept. was compliant with all legislative requirements for fire depts.The proposal included,among other things, training of personnel, records management (documentation is vitally important) and equipment and vehicle maintenance.
Fire Chief McNally gave a brief update on the Fire Dept. and discussed the Fort Frances proposal. Council has agreed to proceed with the proposal for a period of 1 year. An agreement for services is to be developed and presented to Council for adoption.
Bill for the month of December in the total amount of $47,177.94 were approved for payment
Council members continued with their ongoing reviews of the Official Plan (OP) discussing Section 3.1 to 3.3.
Council asked Clerk Giles to advise Road Supt. Pearson to ensure that all vehicles with lugs,
ie: the snowmobile groomer, not travel on the Twp’s surface treated roads and that a “No Lugs” sign be again placed on Pioneer Rd.
Clerk Giles reported that the OPP levy for 2008 is down to $45,401 from $57,170; WSIB levy is up to $1.65 from $1.61; MPAC levy is up to $25,056 from $23,196; NWHU levy remains the same as 2005-07 at $54.33 per capita; OMPF funding remains the same at $413,242.
Clerk Giles reported that there has been no futher action on the fire agreements with the First Nations.
Mayor and Clerk signed the annual engagement letter for the audit.
Court proceedings between Roma Insurance Program Inc., Ontario Municipal Insurance exchange and LoW Twp. are being settled. Clerk Giles is authorized to do all necessary paperwork and disburse the required money to Guy A. Wainwright, Barrister and Solicitor in trust.
Council authorized the renewal of insurances through AOL Reed Stenhouse Inc. with no optional coverage and a premium of $20,327 plus taxes. Mayor Pizey, Councillors Moen, Gate and Sepers and Clerk-Treasurer Giles were authorized to attend the annual RRDMA convention in January in Rainy River and a donation of $100 was authorized for support of the convention.
Council will consider an application to the $300 million Infrastructure Ontario program for funding for 2 possible projects - water treatment for the community halls and/or the creation of a new beach front park.
Councillor Moen asked Council to review LoW Twp. options for recycling. The Town of Rainy River is now offering that service to it’s residents. LoW Council members will discuss the service with RR Council members.