The town still may reconstruct Front Street after most councillors last night voted in favour of sending the matter back to several committees for recommendation despite its potential $1-million-plus price tag.
“It’s bad, it’s one of the worst roads in town. Worst to look at, worst to travel,” Mayor Glenn Witherspoon said at Monday night’s council meeting.
“If we don’t do something, we’re going to make this part of town our masterpiece [the La Verendrye Parkway] for our centennial year and people are going to have trouble even driving on it,” he remarked.
While all councillors agreed Front Street is in very poor shape, Coun. Roy Avis asked how could the town go ahead and do the reconstruction when there clearly was no money in the budget and no plan of action to get it done in time for the official opening of the parkway July 1.
Coun. Deane Cunningham also voiced concern the project could have hidden costs, such as engineering work, and that perhaps only a portion of Front Street should be reconstructed, or else previously budgeted road work in other parts of town be put on hold.
CAO BIll Naturkach noted the only way the matter could be reconsidered by council is if:
•the Administration and Finance executive committee makes a funding recommendation;
•the Operations and Facilities executive committee determines whether the job should go out to tender or be considered an extension of work on the waterfront by George Armstrong Co. Ltd.; and
•a public meeting is held regarding the proposed budget change to allow for the expenditure.
Between now and the next meeting of council (April 14), this issue will be discussed by the aforementioned parties. The public meeting also will be scheduled for April 14.
The request to reconstruct Front Street came from John McTaggart, chair of the La Verendrye Parkway Advisory Committee, after that committee passed a resolution at its March 19 meeting.
The vote to reconsider the reconstruction saw Mayor Glenn Witherspoon, Coun. Cunningham, Coun. Sharon Tibbs, Coun. Struchan Gilson, and Coun. Neil Kabel in favour.
Coun. Avis and Coun. Dave Bourgeault voted against it.
Also Monday night, council was asked to reconsider a request from resident Joyce LaFreniere for a stop sign at the corner of River Road West and McIrvine Road.
After receiving a unanimous vote in favour, this matter will be referred to the Traffic Safety Committee for reconsideration.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council passed a bylaw to authorize proposed budget changes for sewer and water rates.
These will see residential water rates set at $19.08 per residential unit per month and sewer rates at $25.18 per residential unit per month. For other rates, contact the Civic Centre.
Also Monday night, council:
•heard an update on upcoming centennial events from co-ordinator Marla Simpson;
•passed a bylaw to assume, stop up, close, and sell a part of Sinclair Street;
•agreed to send an application for funding to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. for the Northern Networks trade conference coming here Sept. 25-27;
•approved a bylaw to approve an amendment to an agreement with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. for financing of Phase II of the La Verendrye Parkway;
•approved a break open ticket licence application from the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau for the Makabi Inn (March 1, 2003-March 1, 2004) to be processed in conformance to provincial regulations;
•referred a letter from David Clink regarding traffic flow on Central Avenue and Scott Street to the Operations and Facilities executive committee for recommendation;
•received a letter from local MP Robert Nault regarding his support of the “Re-Inventing Fort Frances” final report, but consideration will be deferred until after a meeting this evening with the “Re-Inventing Fort Frances” committee; and
•agreed to support a request from the City of Sault Ste. Marie for a meeting with the provincial finance minister regarding the Municipal Property Assessment Corp.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
