Emo council is preparing to take aim at those who cause fires that require the assistance of the Ministry of Natural Resources to extinguish.
The issue was raised at the regular council meeting last Thursday night as the result of two fires last summer which required the assistance of MNR waterbombers to bring them under control.
In both cases, the fires were started by people who allowed them to get out of control.
The township subsequently was served with a bill for the MNR’s service totalling more than $181,000. And as a result, council now will consider drafting a bylaw making such people financially accountable in the future.
“When you light a fire that gets away, you’re going to be held responsible,” warned Coun. Geoff Pearce.
In other news, Emo taxpayers may have to wait longer to have their roads cleared of snow if the Public Works department there doesn’t get more funding, council learned last week.
Public Works superintendent Dan Wilson told council a shortage of staff and the unusually heavy snowfall this winter have left some residents complaining about delays in snow removal.
“We’re definitely going to need more help,” said Wilson. “The last time we had this much snow, we had more staff.”
Wilson reminded council he now only has two full-time workers to keep the streets clear and take care of all the other jobs required. He also noted the new heliport alone requires at least an hour to clear.
Another point he raised concerned difficulty in seeing fire hydrants because of the unusual amount of snow that has piled up. He suggested council consider some kind of tall marker so the snow plow operators can safely avoid them.
Otherwise, he feared, there’s the possibility some could be struck—resulting in considerable expense to the town to repair them.
Wilson was relieved to report his department won’t be recommending any township roads be surface-treated this summer, thereby saving considerable money.
Instead, he urged council to invite tenders for a gravel contract. He estimated roughly 10,000 cubic yards will be required this year.
Council took his recommendations under advisement.
Prior to starting regular business, council took time for a special presentation from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office.
Fire Protection Advisor John Hanna presented Fire Chief James O’Sullivan with a certificate of compliance in recognition of the township’s success in meeting provincial standards in the areas of public education, inspection, and prevention procedures.
Coun. Ken Fisher also accepted the award on behalf of the township.
Also last Thursday, Reeve Russ Fortier served notice he will be taking the provincial government to task regarding health care funding at the Rainy River District Municipal Association’s annual meeting Jan. 31 in Devlin.
The Northwestern Health Unit is seeking a substantial increase in the municipal levy to meet rising costs due to provincial downloading and that is unacceptable, said Reeve Fortier.
“We’re short-changing our people,” he charged. “My opinion is the funding formula doesn’t work in rural Ontario and the difference should not come out of the municipal tax rate.
“Even at the levy they’re [the health unit] asking for won’t give us the minimum standard,” he stressed.
“I’m prepared to take on the province on this one,” Reeve Fortier vowed.
In other business, Emo council:
•passed a bylaw prohibiting overnight parking on Front Street between midnight and 8 a.m. from Nov. 1-April 30;
•prepared to set a date with Fort Frances Fire Chief Steve Richardson to conduct a mock emergency to test the township’s evacuation plan;
•deferred the matter of a street light at the corner of Queen Street and Colonization Road for further consideration;
•passed a resolution to apply three delinquent snowplowing accounts to property taxes and serve notice the township will discontinue plowing those lanes until the bills are paid;
•agreed to leave the municipal mileage and meal allowances at their current rates;
•applied to Heritage Canada for a $5,000 grant for the purchase of fireworks for this year’s Canada Day celebrations;
•endorsed a request from the City of Sarnia to petition the McGuinty government to review the current property value assessment practices; and
•supported the efforts of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters to petition the McGuinty government to reconsider its position on the spring bear hunt.
The next regular meeting of Emo council is slated Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at the municipal office.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
