The Town of Fort Frances will not reduce the age of seniors under 65 for the purposes of discounts, town council decided Monday night after approving a report from Community Services manager George Bell.
Bell noted resident Anna McNay had written the town expressing concern over the town’s policy of defining a senior at age 65 when some other organizations define a senior at age 55.
While the Community Services executive committee understands the concern for the ability of seniors to pay for services, its members “feel that since we do not provide a discount based on income status for our users that maintaining the age of 65 is an acceptable practice,” said Bell.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•passed a bylaw to appoint Debbie Scofield as deputy treasurer for the Town of Fort Frances;
•passed a bylaw authorizing the entering into of a communication services agreement with the Dryden Police Services Board with respect to emergency services fire dispatch coverage;
•passed a bylaw to authorize the signing of an agreement with T. Martin and CUPE Local 65, thereby ratifying terms of settlement of grievance;
•approved a report indicating council doesn’t support the enlargement of a school bus loading zone at St. Michael’s School as it would lead to increasing child safety there (instead, the Planning and Development executive committee recommended the Northwest Catholic District School Board make changes to its bus loading policy);
•agreed to a recommendation of the Administration and Finance executive committee and contribute $100 as a sponsor of the Fort Frances Aquanaut Swim Team banner;
•agreed to a recommendation of the Administration and Finance executive committee that council not endorse the rental or rental purchase proposal for the town-owned property at 319 Third St. W.;
•agreed to a recommendation of the Administration and Finance executive committee to not purchase an advertisement in the Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc.’s patient services directory;
•agreed to a recommendation of the Administration and Finance executive committee to support the Forum North Health and Safety Conference and Trade Show by attending the conference (this takes place Nov. 7-9 in Thunder Bay);
•received, with appreciation for service, a letter of resignation from the Fort Frances Public Library board from David Schwartz;
•referred a nutrition initiative funding request from the Robert Moore school council back to the Administration and Finance executive committee for further consideration; and
•authorized the purchase of 100 stacking chairs for the Sister Kennedy Centre from Howarth’s Home Centre at $259.95 per chair.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
