Hilton Township Council Minutes |
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Regular Council Meeting November 14, 2002 - 9:00 a.m. Council met in the Meeting Room of the Municipal Building on the above date. Present were Reeve Rod Wood and Councillors Pat Garside, David Leask and Jim See. Councillor Annette Fischer was absent with notice. Lyn Garside, Road Superintendent, attended as well. Councillor See asked that council discuss the recent situation of OPP patrols on township roads for the purpose of checking for firearm licenses. Moved by David Leask 2002-116 Seconded by Pat Garside Resolved that we do accept the Agenda, as amended. Moved by Jim See 2002-117 Seconded by Dave Leask Resolved that we do approve the Minutes of the meeting of October 9, 2002, as presented. The Clerk advised council that while it has always been the practice to provide the names of land owners to anyone who made such a request, municipal clerks have been directed by the Assessment Office that this information should not be released under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The names and mailing addresses of property owners are included in the Assessment Roll and the Roll remains available in every municipal office and open to public inspection. Clerks have been advised, however, they are not to assist anyone in finding a specific landowner. Similarly, the practice of making assessment maps available to the public for reference purposes is to be discontinued. Much of this goes against the principle of being of assistance to our ratepayers but the rules will be adhered to unless a different response is received from the Freedom of Information Branch in Toronto. A year-round resident of Haight Road attended the meeting to request the Township assume responsibility for plowing the section of Whybourne and Haight Roads that has been done for the last few years for an annual fee. Years ago, some developers were allowed to proceed with subdivision plans that did not provide for the new roads being brought up to municipal standards. Accordingly, the municipality does not maintain some of the older subdivision roads in our township. The section of Haight Road involved in this request is the section that was built in recent years and constructed to municipal standards. Nevertheless, this same area was zoned seasonal residential which entitled the residents to summer road maintenance only. For the past few years, winter maintenance has been provided at the request of a year-round resident for an annual fee. The current request was that the annual fee be waived in recognition of the recent increase in development along the road, translating to additional taxes being paid to the municipality. While any increase in assessment also translates into increased costs for the municipality (ie social housing, welfare, homes for aged, policing, assessment, etc), council members agreed that this subdivision road stood apart from others. It is a fully serviced area that was constructed to municipal standards and poses no problem for maintenance by the township roads equipment. A by-law to add winter maintenance service to the section of Whybourne and Haight Roads presently maintained by the municipality on a fee for service basis will be passed at next month’s meeting. Lyn Garside, Road Superintendent, advised council that a representative from the Ministry of Labour, Occupational Health and Safety Division had dropped by for an impromptu inspection of the office, garage and fire hall. Minor suggestions were received and have already been effected. A request was received from the owner of Lot 10, Concession 13, to purchase the unopened road allowance between Lots 10 and 11, Concession 13. Council agreed that while this road allowance may not seem of great importance to anyone now, it did not want to establish precedents involving the sale of such road allowances and denied the request. The formal contract was received from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation regarding the capital assistance program for 2002. Moved by David Leask 2002-118 Seconded by Pat Garside Resolved that we do give first and second reading to By-Law No. 759 being a by-law to enter into an agreement with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for the provision of financial assistance under the Capital Assistance to Enhance Northern Communities Program. Moved by Pat Garside 2002-119 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do give third and final reading and pass By-Law No. 759 being a by-law to enter into an agreement with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for the provision of financial assistance under the Capital Assistance to Enhance Northern Communities Program. The status of the Tenby Bay Subdivision was discussed. Council is waiting for the outcome of a meeting between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the developer before it makes any decision as to what it will accept in terms of parkland or cash-in-lieu. Councillor See questioned the presence of the OPP on Base Line and P Line and various other areas of the township, checking to see if persons carrying firearms had valid POLs or PALs. Council’s understanding of this issue is that it is to be regulated by the RCMP and wants to confirm that the Township is not being billed for the hours involved in this enforcement. As a result of Bud May’s retirement effective October 31st, 2002, the following resolution was passed appointing Randy Gardner, on a probationary basis, as the building inspector/by-law enforcement officer for the municipalities of Hilton Township, Jocelyn Township and the Village of Hilton Beach. Moved by Pat Garside 2002-120 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do give first and second reading to By-Law No. 758 being a by-law to appoint, on a probationary basis, a building inspector, chief building official and by-law enforcement officer. Moved by David Leask 2002-121 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do give third and final reading and pass By-Law No. 758 being a by-law to appoint, on a probationary basis, a building inspector, chief building official and by-law enforcement officer. A donation for the Hilton Union Fire Department was received from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 374 Ladies Auxiliary. Information was received from the Board of Management for the Algoma Manor advising council of a meeting to be held in Sault Ste. Marie on November 14th, 2002, that would address the redevelopment plans for the facility. The proposed plan involves retrofitting the existing building to create a 64 bed Home for the Aged (downsizing from 108). The anticipated construction would require relocating the existing residents to the FJ Davey Home in Sault Ste. Marie for a period of up to eighteen months. The municipal share of the re-development would be three million dollars. It is proposed that the area municipalities would provide a one time capital grant in an amount equal to 11 times the 2001 operational levy. This would equal $43,817 for Hilton Township. After making this capital payment, each municipality would be released from its obligation for any future levy claims to support the long-term care facility. Council will be expected to make a decision regarding the matter before the end of this year. The status of the Milford Haven Rest Area was discussed. Reeve Wood advised the concrete pad was down and the blocks have been delivered. It is anticipated some volunteers from the St. Joseph Island Voyageurs Club and the Township will work towards erecting the building. The Clerk summarized the recent workshop she had attended providing more information on the new Municipal Act. Accountability to the taxpayer is of paramount concern with the new Act. There will be many items that require adequate notice be given to taxpayers before a decision can be made by council (ie. annual budget, agenda items, road changes, procedural by-law changes). The Township of MacDonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional (Echo Bay) requested area councils petition the Provincial Government for compensation regarding the excessive costs incurred by municipalities in training their staff on the new Municipal Act. Moved by David Leask 2002-122 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that: WHEREAS numerous changes have evolved since 1997 and continue to evolve, especially with the new Municipal Act, 2001, and that these changes were made by this government in order to save taxpayers money; AND WHEREAS in order for staff to do their jobs efficiently continuous training and education is a necessity; AND WHEREAS the Government of Ontario continues to provide training to staff, the cost of this training, as well as travelling expenses, is absorbed by the individual municipalities which is impacted most in Northern Ontario due to the vast distances; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Ontario provide funding to Northern Ontario municipalities to enable them to send their staff to be trained on the many changes implemented by the government in order to be in compliance with their numerous Acts and Regulations and that this resolution be sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, M.P.P., Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, Algoma District Municipal Association and all Northern Municipalities. The performance evaluations for the Clerk were reviewed and the following resolution passed. Moved by David Leask 2002-123 Seconded by Pat Garside Resolved that we do authorize Valerie Obarymskyj, Clerk-Treasurer, move from Level 6 to Level 7, according to the scale adopted in 2001, and that this change be retroactive to January 1, 2002. Information was received from a union representative of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) concerning the restructuring program taking place within that organization. Council directed the Clerk to contact the management of MPAC and request its comments before passing a resolution in support of the union’s position. Correspondence was received from St. Joseph Township regarding board representation on the Algoma District Municipal Association. Correspondence was received from the Township of Thessalon regarding the recruiting of family physicians. Council was advised that effective October 24, 2002, all 9-1-1 calls would be answered through the OPP Emergency Response Service. Moved by David Leask 2002-124 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do approve the payment of Township bills for the month of November, 2002 in the amount of $70,246.33 as per Voucher No. 11-02. The bills were made up of the following: Algoma District Social Services - $35,792.00; Administration - $9,178.18; Algoma District Homes for Aged - $995.45; Assessment - $3,418.91; Building - $324.83; Fire - $8,042.30; Miscellaneous - $2,994.32; Parks - $254.63; Police - $2,778.00; Roads - $6,467.71. Moved by Pat Garside 2002-125 Seconded by Annette Fischer Resolved that we do adjourn, Council to meet again on Wednesday, December 4, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. or at the call of the Reeve. _______________________________ Rodney I. Wood, Reeve _______________________________ Valerie Obarymskyj, Clerk Treasurer |
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