Duane Hicks
Town council has identified its next top infrastructure priority for possible future funding under Phase II of the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative Capital Program.
The next critical section of sanitary sewer piping to be replaced is a trunk section of 450 mm diameter, which runs along Second Street East from Mowat Avenue to Central Avenue, and Mowat Avenue from Third Street East to Second Street East, Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown noted in a report received by council last night.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.271 million.
The town is preparing an asset management plan, in accordance with Ministry of Infrastructure guidelines, as the first step to possibly receive a steady funding source from both the provincial and federal governments at help pay for capital projects.
The ministry has requested the town submit an expression of interest for critical infrastructure projects in 2013-14, and the town will submit the Second Street East project mentioned above.
The province has earmarked $51 million to complete these infrastructure projects across Ontario.
If the town gets funding, it will have to pay for one-third of the project cost, with the other two-thirds being footed by the provincial and federal governments.
Also at last night’s meeting, council approved a report to rescind the previously-approved two percent pay increase for the town’s management non-union (MNU) employees in 2013.
Given the current economic climate, and pending decision regarding the reassessment of the mill property here, MNU staff agreed to forego their pay raise as a cost-savings measure.
Other town employees will be approached to consider doing the same.
Council also formally recognized Ken “Kenno” Christiansen as Fort Frances’ “Citizen of the Year” for 2012 last night.
“Kenno” has been an assistant coach of the Muskie boys’ hockey team for 49 years.
Terry Ogden, a long-time coaching associate of Christiansen, and “Citizen of the Year” committee member Linda Hamilton each gave brief speeches about “Kenno,” who then received a plaque from Hamilton.
Mayor Roy Avis also congratulated Christiansen on his years of coaching the Muskies, noting he has touched the lives of many.
