Some local property owners may be opening their wallets later this year after two bylaws to replace 14 sidewalks passed first and second reading at Monday night’s council meeting.
But whether or not the town goes through with the work depends on reaction from the affected residents, CAO Bill Naturkach said.
“We’ll advertise it in the paper and write letters to property owners letting them know what we want to do,” he noted.
“We’re only going to do a first and second reading tonight. Then we’ll give residents until a certain date to get back to us. After that, we’ll make our final decision,” Naturkach explained.
That decision will be based on the number of objections from affected residents.
The cost of the replaced sidewalks is split roughly 50/50 between the town and the residents, with the town paying a little more due to the fact some areas repaired are not necessarily owned by a specific property owner.
The locations of improvements under Bylaw 19/02, and their costs, include:
•Mowat Avenue (east side) from First Street East to Second Street East ($23,000);
•Third Street East (north side) from McKenzie Avenue to Victoria Avenue ($14,500);
•Third Street East (south side) from Mowat Avenue to Portage Avenue ($29,400);
•Victoria Avenue (west side) from Third Street East north to CNR property ($19,800);
•Christie Avenue (west side) from Fourth Street East to Fifth Street East ($12,000); and
•Armit Avenue (east side) from First Street East to Second Street East ($12,800).
The locations of improvements under Bylaw 20/02, and their costs, include:
•Third Street West (south side) from Holmes Avenue to Wright Avenue ($15,300);
•Third Street West (north side) from Holmes Avenue to Wright Avenue ($13,100);
•Third Street West (south side) from Webster Avenue to Lillie Avenue ($23,800);
•Third Street West (north side) from Webster Avenue to Lillie Avenue ($25,100);
•Second Street West (north side) from Holmes Avenue to Wright Avenue ($12,800);
•Second Street West (south side) from Holmes Avenue to Wright Avenue ($12,800);
•First Street West (north side) from Holmes Avenue to Wright Avenue ($13,500); and
•Mosher Avenue (east side) from Front Street to Nelson Street ($6,600).
The first set of improvements was factored into the 2000 budget while the second was budgeted in the 2002 one. The estimated lifetime of any work done is 15 years.
Also Monday night, council refused to award a contract to consulting firm Hilderman, Thomas, Frank and Cram (HTFC) as requested by the “Re-Inventing Fort Frances” committee.
This decision was based on the fact there’s been no confirmation yet of funding from either FedNor or the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp.
Council also received an update from Pam Hawley, chair of the Fort Frances Centennial Celebration advisory committee, on events being planned for the town’s centennial in 2003.