The restructuring proposal to have two parcels of land–one in Alberton and one in Miscampbell–moved within the boundaries of Fort Frances was approved by town council Monday night and now will be sent to the province for consideration.
“Last night was the last report I made to council concluding negotiations. I’ll be packaging up the whole [proposal] and sending it to the ministry,” Fort Frances CAO Bill Naturkach said Tuesday morning.
After months of negotiations, the town agreed on a deal with one of the two municipalities included in the proposal.
“We did not reach one with Alberton but we did with Miscampbell,” noted Naturkach.
During an in-camera session of the committee of the whole Monday, council accepted a deal with Miscampbell based on four items:
•that the proposal not include land not owned by Fort Frances;
•that the town continue to maintain a section of road shared by the two municipalities;
•that Miscampbell residents have continued, status quo access to the Fort Frances landfill site; and
•that Fort Frances make a payment equalling four years of taxes, or roughly $3,500.
Although only two of the three municipalities agreed with the restructuring proposal, they formed the two-to-one majority necessary to pass it.
Alberton had turned down the proposal based on concerns residents there would not have access to the landfill site if its population reaches more than 1,500.
Also during Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, councillors approved a 90-day trial period for Jam21 owner Dave Ashworth to place antennae on the town’s water tower.
Ashworth and Pat Hickerson, manager of Operations and Facilities, also were to work out the financial terms of a lease to follow the free 90-day trial period.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
