The Business Improvement Association will get a limited exemption on monthly bills for electricity supplying the outlets located on the lampposts and trees in the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Scott Street.
Town council made the decision Monday night after approving a report from the Administration and Finance executive committee recommending the BIA be exempt for these charges up to a limit of $500 per year.
This will be in the form of a grant to be applied for an annual basis.
Council received a letter from the BIA at its June 25 meeting, at which time the BIA reported its annual power costs for the lampposts and lighted trees was $740.76 in 2005, $708.98 in 2006, and $338.48 to date in 2007.
In its request for an exemption, the BIA noted the sole purpose of these outlets is to supply power to the Christmas rope lights and decorations for the downtown over the winter months.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•directed that Traffic Control Bylaw 10/03 be amended to provide a six-metre “no parking” zone on either side of the entrance to the laneway on the south side of the 300 block of First Street East (this is to address visibility concerns);
•agreed to allow the relocation of an existing building from 1244 First St. E. to 1005 Crowe Ave., subject to the receipt by the town of signed undertaking, acknowledgment, and indemnification from Heikki Lampi;
•approved a $500 allotment to Bruce Caldwell and Willie Pruys for the purpose of attending area fly-ins on behalf of the town on a one-time basis, accompanied with a follow-up report;
•approved purchase card expenses for CAO Mark McCaig in the amount of $1,301.91; and
•approved travel expenses and a per diem claim for Mayor Roy Avis in the amount of $211.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
