A report of what local residents can and cannot dispose of during “Pitch In Canada Week” (April 21-27) was sent back to committee for further discussion Monday night as some councillors felt the list was too restrictive.
“I always thought, when Walter Horban had it, they would pick up just about everything,” said Coun. Struchan Gilson. “That’s not what this is.”
The report in question—from Operations and Facilities manager Pat Hickerson—stated that for the period from April 19-26, tipping fees should be waived at the town landfill in an effort to encourage residents to clean up for the centennial year.
But the suggested materials which can be disposed during this time included only garden and yard waste—and nothing else, noted Coun. Gilson.
“There should be a time to get all of the old stuff out of your yard,” he added. “I think we should be doing a lot more.”
“That’s what I thought, too. But the way it was explained to me, it’s very difficult to police,” said Coun. Dave Bourgeault.
He added the biggest problem is the potential for abuse not by residents, for instance, but the commercial sector which may want to get rid of large quantities of materials or particularly bulky machinery, such as washers and dryers .
“The other thing is my understanding this is for ‘our’ centennial,” said Bruce Spottiswood, superintendent of Public Works (Facilities).
“When we did have the open days, not including Walter Horban’s cleanup, we had people from everywhere—not just Fort Frances—dropping stuff [at the landfill],” he added.
“There’s got to be a way to do this,” said Coun. Gilson.
Coun. Bourgeault and Coun. Deane Cunningham agreed Hickerson’s report should go back to the Operations and Facilities executive committee for reconsideration.
While the Economic Development Advisory Committee originally requested April be “Amnesty Cleanup Month,” Hickerson reported the costs to provide free tipping fees for a one-month clean-up could be up to $14,000.
Also Monday night, council heard a presentation by Susan Bodnarchuk, chairperson of the “Re-Inventing Fort Frances” committee, regarding a resolution to open negotiations to build a new Ontario Travel Centre here.
Council agreed to support the resolution in principle, but will not meet with the Ministry of Tourism or the Ontario Realty Corp. until it first approves the final draft of the “Re-Inventing” feasibility study.
This, council agreed, would not happen before it meets with the “Re-Inventing” committee to discuss the final report at a special meeting slated Tuesday, March 25.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•heard an update from centennial co-ordinator Marla Simpson regarding plans for the April 11-13 weekend celebration;
•referred the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board’s 2003 budget to treasurer Diane Pearson and the Administration and Finance executive committee for a recommendation;
•referred a request from the Muskie girls’ hockey team for an in-kind donation of five hours of ice rental for the Gavin Davy fundraiser March 15-16 to the Community Services executive committee;
•referred an invitation from the Winnipeg Foundation for 2003 grant submission to the Moffat Family Fund to CAO Bill Naturkach to initiate the process and organize a meeting of the community fund sub-committee;
•referred a request for financial assistance from the FFHS Athletic Department to help send the Muskie boys’ curling team to the all-Ontarios in St. Thomas on March 17-21 to the Administration and Finance executive committee for a recommendation;
•referred an invitation from the Nuisance Bear Review Committee for submissions of information related to the nuisance bear issue in Ontario to the Planning and Development executive committee; and
•passed a bylaw to assume, stop up, and close a part of the road allowance abutting the west boundary of parcel 9979 (this road is located between the Town of Fort Frances and the Township of Alberton).
Fort Frances Times
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