The Township of Emo is off to an early start to make sure its bills are paid on time even though a formal budget for 2004 has yet to be finalized.
At its regular meeting last Thursday, Emo council passed resolutions to make the first quarterly payments to the two district school boards and also increase the Emo Volunteer Fire Department workers’ compensation coverage by $1,200 per firefighter.
Council approved the first of four cheques in the amount of $62,087.54 to the Rainy River District School Board and one of $7,293.75 to the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
Meanwhile, the compensation package will increase the payment to an injured firefighter from a maximum of $65,600 to $66,800.
In addition, Emo council passed a resolution authorizing payment of $17,092.35 to the Ministry of Natural Resources for costs incurred during the fire season last year.
Council also is looking into generating revenue, too.
Proceedings began against two township properties that have been in tax arrears for three years. Emo intends to sell those properties at auction to recoup the tax bills owing if full payment is not made before the sales go through.
It also was decided Reeve Russ Fortier will attend a meeting in Fort Frances today (March 31) to address the financial situation regarding Rainycrest Home for the Aged.
In addition, Reeve Fortier, Coun. Gary Judson, and clerk Brenda Cooke plan to attend the 58th-annual general meeting and conference of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) on April 28-May in Thunder Bay.
“There are several serious issues we need to address,” Reeve Fortier told council. “We have a shrinking population base throughout the district.
“Why are people still leaving when there are good jobs available in fields like public health?” he wondered.
Reeve Fortier noted several provincial cabinet ministers will be at the NOMA conference and he intends to raise these questions with them.
Reeve Fortier said he also has written a letter to minister of state Joe Comuzzi requesting a roundtable meeting to discuss a proposed bio-mass waste disposal/recovery project for the district.
He also mentioned he’s not yet received a reply to an invitation he sent to Prime Minister Paul Martin several weeks ago to drop by Emo for a “coffee shop” chat.
In other business last Thursday, council:
•approved a request from the Emo and District Hospital Auxiliary for a tag day during Emo Spring Fever Days (April 16-17);
•passed a resolution proclaiming June as Seniors’ Month;
•declined a request from the Rainy River Watershed Program for a $2,000 contribution towards the Household Hazardous Waste Day 2004, opting instead to consider holding a similar event in Emo;
•approved a request from the Alzheimer Society to hold a Walk for Memories on Sunday, May 30 at 1 p.m.; and
•supported a resolution by the Township of Terrace Bay protesting the discriminatory admission practices of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre regarding out-of-town patients.
The next regular meeting of Emo council is slated for Thursday, April 8 at 7 p.m. in the municipal office.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
