MINUTES
Regular Council Meeting
May 1, 2002 - 7:30
p.m.
Council met in the Meeting
Room of the Municipal Building on the above date. Present were Reeve Rod
Wood and Councillors Annette Fischer, David Leask and Jim See. Bud May,
Building Inspector, attended as well. Councillor Pat Garside was absent
with notice. Lyn Garside, Road Superintendent, was training with the Fire
Department and advised he would arrive later.
Moved by Annette Fischer
2002-49
Seconded by Jim See
Resolved that we do accept
the Agenda as amended.
Moved by Jim See 2002-50
Seconded by Annette Fischer
Resolved that we do approve
the Minutes of the meeting of April 9, 2002, as presented.
A number of individuals
attended the meeting to discuss the draft by-law proposing changes to
entrance permits. The general terms and conditions of the by-law had been
advertised both through newspaper articles, as well as the Minutes, and
this led to many questions and concerns. Road Superintendent, Lyn Garside,
arrived while the discussion was ongoing. Council was asked to reconsider
the two separate fees for temporary and permanent entrances, proposed as
$100 and $200, respectively. Many in attendance felt the $100 fee should
be more than adequate. The proposal that a $1000 deposit be paid ahead of
time to the municipality, when commercial use was involved, was also
questioned. Council confirmed it intended such a deposit to be mandatory
for each such entrance, whether one contractor was operating out of a
single site or several. Those present argued this could
require a significant cash outlay for an individual. Reeve Wood stated it
could also result in numerous municipal roads sustaining potential damage
and cost general taxpayers significant dollars in repair costs. Council
agreed to further discuss the concerns and questions raised by those
attending before any by-law was passed. Reeve Wood emphasized that the
council had both the right and the obligation to ensure municipal roadways
were protected from damage and that where any such damage was caused, it
should be remedied by those responsible and not the general public.
Council reviewed a request
from an individual for an extension to a temporary entrance permit on X
Line. It was decided that more than sufficient time had already been
allowed and the Clerk was asked to advise the individual to remove the
culvert by May 31, 2002.
Road Superintendent, Lyn
Garside, confirmed that the excavator and float had been purchased and
delivered. When reviewing the proposed construction projects to be
performed with the aid of the $100,000 Capital Assistance Grant, it was
clear that both the grant dollars and our own municipal contribution will
accomplish considerably more by utilizing our own equipment.
Rick Gadde, resident of
Hamilton Drive, was present and spoke to council regarding the need for
area councillors to band together to challenge the provincial government
on any further downloading issues. Mr. Gadde alluded that many residents
may not be aware of the significant financial demands facing
municipalities as the result of recent years’ transfer of
responsibilities from senior governments. He was personally concerned as
to how much more residents might be expected to contribute through
property taxes should the downloading be allowed to continue. Council
agreed that while it, and many other municipalities, many significantly
bigger than us, have challenged the new responsibilities, there has been
little effect in changing the outcome. The delivery of many services
(police/ambulance/social services) is now the responsibility of local
government. Nevertheless, as a result of our low assessment base, we
remain largely dependent on senior government funding to meet these new
responsibilities.
Building Inspector, Bud May,
confirmed that draft plans for a residence had been received from the
owner of Lot 11 Part, Concession W but a building permit had not as yet
been issued. The following resolution was passed.
Moved by David Leask 2002-51
Seconded by Jim See
Resolved that we do
authorize the home occupation use to continue on a temporary basis for the
property located on Part of Lot 11, Concession W. This authorization is
dependent on the issuance of an Algoma Health Unit permit and a building
permit for a new residence on the same property. This extension will be
reviewed again at the next meeting of Council, June 5, 2002.
The results of the
amalgamated tender were reviewed and Road Superintendent, Lyn Garside,
noted that the surface treatment price was exceptionally good.
Moved by Annette Fischer
2002-52
Seconded by David Leask
Resolved that we do accept
our share of the amalgamated tender calls as follows:
Surface Treatment Greenwood
Paving $ 23,514.32
Calcium General Chemical $
10,385.26
Blades Carriere Industrial $
2,695.94
Paper & Office Supplies
Grand & Toy $ 670.39
Council was provided with a
by-law outlining a scale of costs to be charged by the municipality’s
solicitor for the purpose of municipal tax collection. The solicitor would
only be retained for such purpose when the municipal office staff was
unsuccessful in collecting overdue taxes. Currently, when taxes remain
owing for a period of three years (two years for vacant land), property
owners are notified by registered mail that they are in jeopardy of having
a tax arrears certificate registered against their property and the
formal, costly tax registration process may then begin. Council accepted
the clerk’s recommendation that, at that point, the time-consuming tax
registration process be delegated to their solicitor.
Moved by Jim See 2002-53
Seconded by David Leask
Resolved that we do give
first and second reading to pass By-Law No. 754 being a by-law to affix a
scale of costs to all documentation processed under the Municipal Tax
Sales Act.
Moved by David Leask 2002-54
Seconded by Annette Fischer
Resolved that we do give
third and final reading and pass By-Law No. 754 being a by-law to affix a
scale of costs to all documentation processed under the Municipal Tax
Sales Act.
As the result of discussion
at the annual joint meeting of Island councils, the issue of civic
addressing signs was reviewed. The merits of double-sided signs mounted
perpendicular to the roadside was accepted as ideal, especially in the
expansive rural areas. The main purpose of the signs is to aid emergency
vehicles in reaching those in need and currently, the placement of many
signs does not achieve that. Staff was requested to research the costs
involved in the municipality signing the rural areas in the recommended
manner and the matter would be reviewed at budget time.
Council gratefully accepted
the offer from Liz MacDonald to represent Hilton Township on the Hilton
Union Public Library Board.
Moved by David Leask 2002-55
Seconded by Jim See
Resolved that we do support
the appointment of Liz MacDonald to the Hilton Union Public Library Board.
In response to a request for
support from the Township of MacDonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional,
the following resolution was passed.
Moved by Annette Fischer
2002-56
Seconded by Jim See
Resolved that we do support
the resolution of the Township of MacDonald, Meredith & Aberdeen
Additional and request the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association
re-consider their recommendation to not allow rabies clinics in Rural
Northern Ontario.
Moved by David Leask 2002-57
Seconded by Jim See
Resolved that we do approve
the payment of Township bills for the month of April 2002 in the amount of
$57,334.09 as per Voucher No. 04-02. The bills were made up of the
following: Administration - $3,762.84; Building - $304.37; Fire - $375.00;
Miscellaneous - $3,129.01; Roads - $49,341.17; Workers’ Compensation -
$421.70.
Moved by Jim See 2002-58
Seconded by Annette Fischer
Resolved that we do adjourn,
Council to meet again on June 5, 2002 or at the call of the Reeve.
_______________________________
Rodney I. Wood, Reeve
__________________________________
Valerie Obarymskyj, Clerk Treasurer
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