Council cautious over use of tower for antennae

Fort Frances is taking its time to decide on a policy-setting fee for a local businessman to install antennae on the municipal water tower.
Discussed a year ago, the request to put an antenna on the water tower here was renewed by Jam Net 21 Internet provider Dave Ashworth at a council meeting earlier this month.
The Operations and Facilities executive committee came back with a suggestion that council require $300 a month for use of the tower.
Concerned the fee may be too high, council gave Ashworth the chance to come up with a counter-proposal and more information by tabling the issue until the next council meeting.
“All he’s asking for is tower space, and he would like to do a little more digging and would like to come up with a policy that would reflect better his spending costs,” Coun. Dave Bourgeault said during Monday’s committee of the whole meeting.
“He did mention that the city of International Falls offers that to their businesses free of charge,” added Coun. Roy Avis.
Also during the committee of the whole meeting:
•councillors received a request for retirement from municipal planner Ted Berry, which was later approved by council;
•Coun. Struchan Gilson voiced concern Blue Box pickups here by the Northwestern Ontario Recycling Association (NORA) have been erratic.
Coun. Deane Cunningham noted NORA is considering a study of the whole area, which would look at a local transfer station and other alternatives to alleviate aging trucks and substantial mileage which has been affecting regular pickup;
•approval was authorized of the payment of the 2001 per capita levy of $10 requested by NORA, which was later passed by council;
•an agreement was authorized with Gavel & Sons Ltd. Tire Recycling Services for removal of tires from the landfill site; and
•a feasibility study on improving the Portage Avenue subway north of Third Street East should include adding depth as well in order to allow trucks to pass was discussed.
The study was referred to the Operations and Facilities executive committee for review.
During the regular council meeting Monday night, Coun. Sharon Tibbs announced the Fort Frances OPP had spent roughly $106,000 less than budgeted for the year 2000.