Lake of the Woods Twp. decides against recycling

By Ruth Brett
Contributor

The Lake of the Woods Township Council held their regular meeting on Feb. 5th at Bergland with Mayor Pizey, all Councillors, Clerk-Treasurer P. Giles, Road Supt. E. Pearson and visitor OPP Inspector D. Lucas present.
Inspector Lucas presented the OPP Annual Report in which was noted that 80% of property crimes(Break & Enters) that were committed in earlier years, had been solved in 2006.
The District wide R.I.D.E. program saw 134 roadside tests and 32,263 vehicles checked. Inspector Lucas told Council that there are new teams in place for the District Traffic/Marine and Trails (snowmobile) Unit. He said that they have lobbied the MTO to cut back the brush and tall grasses on the sides of the highways since 70% of vehicle accidents were “animal strikes”. Council members discussed a number of questions regarding service in the Twp. with Inspector Lucas and Mayor Pizey thanked him for coming.
Bills for the month of January in the total amount of $121,665.70 were approved for payment.
Road Supt. Pearson discussed his report and questioned which roads, if any, would be oiled this year. He was asked to submit a list of his priorities for work in 2008 in his next report. Council will make a decision on the priorities and surface treatments at the March meeting. Fire Chief report was not available.
Clerk-Treasurer Giles gave a budget update, with year end figures, which was reviewed. He reported that there is no progress on the fire agreements with the First Nations as they do not have their fire numbers in place. He reported that the first OMPF payment of $103,311 was received. He advised Council that an application has been made to the Gas Tax Program for an exemption from a formal audit for 2007. Council will review their priorities for the Twp. Strategic Plan at the next meeting. By HR Policy 24.0, Compensation and Benefits, Council has authorized an increase of 2.1% for wages and salaries,being the CPI increase for 2007, effective from January 1st, 2008. The fire chief position has been exempt from this policy. Any adjustments in wages,etc, will be dealt with by council resolution.
Clerk-Treasurer Giles has been authorized to arrange to have the Twp. website updated to include the establishment of the new Spruce Creek Golf Course.
The 75th Anniversary of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland, celebrated this summer, will also be added as a community event.
Council has asked Clerk Giles to respond to a letter, which was received requesting action regarding a 15 year old situation, which Council cannot do anything about now.
The Clerk will check with Howard Hampton regarding support needed for the Ainsworth mill in Barwick.
Council is not proceeding with recycling for the Twp. at this time, after having reviewed the service and cost proposal from Asselin Transport.
Council has decided to take no action on the request for funding from the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition.
Council was copied on a letter from G. Fisher of Grassy Narrows Lodge to Councillor T. Sepers regarding his recent comments about the rules for entry into Canada at the borders.
The Clerk-Treasurer is to seek suppliers for the point of service water treatment systems for the Morson and Bergland community halls.
Council completed their informal review of the Official Plan and will begin the formal review process. A public meeting will be held regarding the Official Plan in the summer.
Councillors C. Fadden and N. Gate will attend a meeting in Rainy River on March 3rd to discuss the much needed access to bus service in the west end of the District.
Council passed By-Law # 208, being the by-law to to authorize Clerk Giles to submit an application to the Ontario Infrastructure Projects Corp. for funding from the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative to construct a road and parking lot for a beach front park.
Council passed By-Law #209, being the Stintzi Drain 2006 Cost Amending and Levying by-law
The next council meeting will be on March 4th in Bergland.