Staff
The town is applying for money under the new Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) to reconstruct Second Street East between Mowat Avenue and Portage Avenue next year.
If the application is successful, the federal government will pay for half of the $1.277-million project, with the province and the town each picking up 25 percent.
The reasons why this project has been suggested include:
•the sanitary sewer main along this section of roadway has a “poor” condition rating as outlined in the Town Asset Management Plan;
•the watermain was installed in 1913, which means it will be 104 years old in 2017; and
•the asphalt driving surface has deteriorated to a point that replacement is necessary in the next two-five years.
The length of the project is roughly 203 metres. It would entail tearing up the street, replacing the sewer and water piping, and then rebuilding a new road.
But the project will not proceed in 2017 unless funding from the CWWF program is obtained.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•agreed to adopt a 1.5 percent user fee increase for 2017, which is in line with the Ontario Consumer Price Index inflationary increase (this does not include water and sewer rates, which are determined separately, and will be brought forward for consideration by council in January or February);
•agreed to place the IT manager position on the salary grid at Point Band 9 (based on a 40-hour work week) and further directed town administration to begin advertising for this position, with an anticipated start date of Jan. 3;
•received a budget allocation request from “Meals on Wheels” and referred it to the 2017 budget process (the group is asking for $19,000 to cover operating costs, an amount that’s been the same since 2014);
•approved the request from Dialog Ontario Inc. regarding an encroachment for the purpose of an accessibility ramp for 343 Scott St. (RBC);
•agreed to purchase 10 tickets, in the total amount of $300, for the Friends of the Museum’s fifth-annual fall soiree and fundraising gala Nov. 3;
•received the advertisement request from the Royal Canadian Legion Manitoba/NW Ontario Command’s “Military Service Recognition Book” and decided that no further action be taken;
•agreed to contribute Town of Fort Frances promotional items for attendance draws to the Retirement Planning Committee for the CUPE 65 annual retirement dinner Nov. 29;
•agreed that the request for partial compensation for the works completed by Pryde’s Plumbing and Heating at 509 Victoria Ave., after a sewer backup, be accepted in principle (further consideration will be given to the value once an invoice is submitted);
•agreed to award the supply of the 2017 flowers to Lowey’s Greenhouse for a total cost of $11,645.41, including the town’s portion of the HST;
•agreed to authorize the purchase of a rescue utility vehicle for the fire department from Dryden GM in accordance with the tender process; and
•received a letter of resignation from the Committee of Adjustment from Vik Nowak, with appreciation for service.
