Council to hire four extra men for sewer project

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River Town Council made an uncomfortable decision Monday evening to hire four people, on short notice, to work on the town's much needed sewer lagoon project.
Town Foreman Bob Jenson spoke to council informing them that he plans to start working on the project next week, "but we need extra help... I figure four guys."
Jenson admitted that he should have come to council sooner with the request but said, "I have been busy."
Since he needs the help next week, they are unable to follow a standard hiring process where they would advertise the positions. So council told Jenson to find some workers and bring the names before a hiring committee of council this week.
Mayor Debbie Ewald said, "I am not very comfortable just hiring this way." But in the end council unanimously agreed to let Jenson do it this way.
Councillor Brent Anderson noted that it is only for 30 days. "It is not like we are hiring them forever and need to do interviews."
Council urged Jenson to ask the two other candidates already interviewed recently when they hired Mike Scott to work on the town crew. He agreed to do that and said he had a couple of others in mind as well.
Other business
•Councillor Brent Anderson asked questions about the October financials that could not be answered as CAO Veldron Vogan was not present. So the financials were tabled.
•Council agreed to apply for a Build Canada grant to replace about 500 m of sewer lines on Atwood Ave. The cost of the project would be about $2 million.
•Council extended Community Coordinator Anthony Mason's contract for six months.