At Monday night’s council meeting, Coun. Dave Bourgeault suggested council look into sending financial assistance to the victims of the fires in British Columbia.
“There are all sorts of people who lost homes who aren’t insured,” Coun. Bourgeault said. “I just wonder if there’s anything we can do as a municipality.”
Council agreed that the matter was worth looking into. “I think it’s an excellent suggestion,” Coun. Struchan Gilson said.
CAO Bill Naturkach said he would find out what organization was taking care of the people left homeless from the fires, and would refer the matter to the Administration and Finance Executive Committee for recommendation.
Council also agreed to remove two of the four existing bicycle stands on Scott Street, pending approval of a report from the Planning and Development Division on what by-law revisions are required to make the changes.
The proposed bicycle stands to be removed are located in front of the Fort Frances Museum and in front of the Royal Bank.
The Business Improvement Association requested the stands be removed and developed into additional parking spaces.
The town will have to ensure the signs and markings are adjusted where appropriate.
The Ministry of the Environment recently issued an order to the Town of Fort Frances to remove refrigerants from the refrigeration equipment at the town’s landfill site.
Also, the town will have to set up a procedure for handling refrigeration equipment brought to the site in the future.
Doug Brown, Manager of Operations and Facilities, suggested in his report that the town set a $25 fee for the proper disposal of refrigerants.
The town also has to begin covering waste at the landfill site regularly. The MoE recommends covering once a week in summer and once a month in winter.
“Also, the public will be directed to drop or tip their waste at the toe slope,” rather than at the crest of the slope, Brown wrote in his report, which council approved.
In recognition of his years of service to the town of Fort Frances, an “Appreciation Roast/Toast” dinner will be held for Mayor Glenn Witherspoon on Saturday, Oct. 18.
The time, location and ticket price are still to be determined.
Plans for a new Nor-West Animal Clinic are on hold “at least until spring,” Dr. Dan Pierroz said Monday night, after learning council could not immediately promise tax relief on the proposed clinic.
Drs. Pierroz and Chris Cannon had requested property tax relief on a new veterinary clinic they proposed building at 1321 Kings Highway.
The estimated taxes on the new property are three times higher than what the Nor-West Animal Clinic pays now, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of dollars required to build the new facility.
Council decided to defer the request for tax relief until the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved the Community Improvement Plan.
Council welcomed new treasurer Margaret “Peggy” Dupuis at last night’s meeting, during which her employment contract was approved.
Dupuis is filling the vacancy left by Diane Pearson who left the job July 11.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
