Emo council still pursuing traffic lights for intersection

The effort to improve traffic safety at Emo’s major intersection has completed another phase.
At last Thursday’s meeting of Emo council, Coun. Ken Fisher submitted a petition signed by fellow school bus drivers calling for the installation of traffic lights at the corner of Queen Street and Colonization Road, adjacent to Highway 11/71.
Some time ago, Coun. Fisher expressed his concerns regarding the safety of school buses and other vehicles trying to cross that intersection during peak traffic periods.
A number of options were under consideration but it appears Emo council now is contemplating the installation of lights triggered by photo-electric cells instead of timers.
It’s thought this would be more convenient and efficient than conventional traffic lights.
Coun. Gary Judson noted he had observed these lights in operation in Kenora during the recent NOMA conference there and suggested Emo council seriously consider such lights.
Council agreed to look into the matter further.
Also at last Thursday’s meeting, Roads Superintendent Dan Wilson gave his report on the status of spring projects, noting that the docks are all in and ready for the Emo Walleye Classic later this month.
Other spring projects are on schedule and the township’s roads appear to have survived the winter in good shape, he added.
But Wilson did report that as of last week, one culvert was still partially blocked by ice from the winter.
Wilson then asked council when it would be prepared to take its annual tour of the township’s roads. Council tentatively set May 17 as the date.
In other news, Eldon Mose of Asselin Transportation made a pitch to council to provide recycling services for Emo. He said he is prepared to make a bid for the collection of cardboard, paper, aluminum, and steel.
Upon questioning from council, Mose conceded he is not equipped to deal with plastics.
Council later took the matter in-camera for further discussion.
In other business last Thursday night, Emo council also:
•submitted the names of Coun. Judson, Coun. Fisher, clerk/treasurer Brenda Cooke, and Wilson to the Emo Municipal Health and Safety Committee;
•passed a resolution authorizing payment of the second quarter billing to the Municipal Property Assessment Corp. in the amount of $4,480.87;
• passed a resolution authorizing payment of the May, 2005 invoice to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board in the amount of $17,187.83;
•authorized the payment of the March, 2005 policing services invoice in the amount of $11,457;
•donated $300 to Donald Young School for its community pitch-in project earlier this month;
•made a $250 donation to the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal;
• made a $100 donation to Fort High’s “chem-free” graduation party coming up next month;
•purchased an Aboriginal Day (June 25) ad in the Wawatay News for $122;
•approved a request from the Emo Walleye Classic committee to close off Front Street for the parade of boats on May 26 and also accepted an invitation to participate;
•agreed to send Reeve Russ Fortier, Coun. Judson, and Cooke to the Rainy River District Municipal Association’s general meeting May 18 in Atikokan;
•accepted an invitation to attend the 35th-annual Manitou fish fry on May 20;
•agreed to send Cooke to a Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing seminar on May 25 in Thunder Bay; and
•agreed to send Cooke to the annual general conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario slated Aug. 14-17 in Toronto.
Emo council also took action on the following resolutions passed by other municipalities:
•supported a resolution from the City of Ottawa requesting the provincial government reverse its decision to prevent the severing of active farm properties so the owner can retire on the farm;
•supported a resolution from the County of Prince Edward which asks the province to reconsider its policy to stop using controlled hunts to check the wolf population there;
•supported a resolution from the City of Timmins recommending the provincial government put in place a physical fitness program in all Ontario schools to encourage a healthy and physically fit lifestyle; and
•supported a resolution from the United Steelworkers that the province actively involve itself the design of programs and policies that will provide employment for workers, profit for companies, and a sustainable future for all northern communities.
The next meeting of Emo council is slated for Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the municipal office.