Fort Frances council prepared with five-year plan

During its regular meeting Monday night, Fort Frances council approved the town’s five-year capital forecast.
Although it is subject to change, the document outlines capital expenses over the next five years in order of priority.
“I think we all have to understand this is a guide and as circumstances change, the guide will change, but it’s a heads up for administration as well as council,” Coun. Deane Cunningham noted during the committee of the whole meeting earlier Monday.
The forecast–compiled by treasurer Diane Pearson–will be reviewed twice a year and includes all town costs from administration to operations, equipment, and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Fort Frances also is closer to a tiered response agreement between the town’s fire department and ambulance service after council endorsed the proposal.
Once passed in bylaw form, the agreement will allow both ambulance and fire crews to rush to any emergency scene in order to ensure prompt emergency service.
Council also approved an application from resident Gordon McBride to take the final spot on the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee.
But many other vacancies remain, including seats on the Business Improvement Area Board, Committee of Adjustment/Property Standards, the Friends of Animals Foundation, Museum and Cultural Centre Advisory Committee, Planning Advisory Committee, Tomorrow Strategic Planning Action Committee, and the Traffic Safety Committee.
Council also received a report recommending staff and councillors be appointed to fill the five vacant Centennial Celebration Advisory Committee vacancies.
During the regular council meeting, Gord Witherspoon, owner of St. Jude’s Gourmet Coffee, made a plea to council to provide a split utility bill for businesses that are run out of the home.
Witherspoon noted although income taxes and property taxes only tax his property as 25 percent commercial and 75 percent residential, his utilities are charged at 100 percent commercial rates–an increase of about $100 a month on his utility bill.
“It may not sound like much but that’s $1,200 a year and for a new business, that’s no small charge,” Witherspoon argued. “As a proposal, what I’d like to see is a fair rate on a percentage of the building. There are others like mine in Fort Frances.
“It would go a long way in proving that you want to promote development of small businesses in the community,” he added.
The proposal was referred to committee level for consideration.