Official Plan
The Northeast Town council held a public meeting last week for municipal residents to weigh in on the proposed new Northeast Town Official Plan (OP).
Sarah Vereault of J.L. Richards and Associates, who is preparing the OP for the town, explained that she had received a few more submissions from residents since the last OP meeting in September 2015. She also noted that she had received comments from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and partner ministries regarding the draft OP recently and that she would be sorting through them to determine which are easy editorial changes and which will need to be brought back to council.
Mac Sinclair, representing the owners of LaCloche (the Fielding-Wallace families), raised concerns regarding the wording of the OP, which could affect Fisher Harbour. He also submitted a written comment to Ms. Vereault regarding the concern.
Ms. Vereault explained that the next step of the OP would be to bring a copy back to council on February 25 with the suggested changes (incorporating government and public suggestions) for council’s consideration.
A final revised copy of the OP would then be ready for council’s review by March 8, with the adoption of the plan slated for later in the month.
New doctor
Council presented new Little Current Medical Associates doctor Kathleen MacKeracher with a cheque for $5,000, the municipality’s physician relocation grant.
“We would like to offer this token of appreciation for choosing to come to our community,” said Mayor Al MacNevin.
“Thank you very much,” replied Dr. MacKeracher. “This is unexpected and generous.”
Dr. MacKeracher added that she was very pleased to be settled in the community and to be making Manitoulin her home.
Refugee donation
Council discussed the donation request, which Linda Erskine presented through a deputation to council last month for $2,000 to help cover expenses for refugee families that are relocating to the Island.
Councillor Marcel Gauthier proposed a $1,000 donation, rationalizing that the donation was for five families and that the municipality normally donates $200 per request. He also noted that both Central Mantioulin and Assiginack council’s donated $1,000 to the refugee families.
Councillors Bruce Wood, Laurie Cook and Dawn Orr all noted that they felt it was a good cause, but couldn’t rationalize donating such a large amount of the 2016 donation budget.
The motion was defeated, but Councillor Cook put a second motion on the table to donate $300, which was carried.
Increased rates
Council carried motions, based on recommendations from the community services and public works committee. The first was to increase the gate-opening fee from $40 to $60 at the landfill outside of normal operation hours and second, to increase the water valve turn on or off rates from $30 to $50 during regular business hours and from $90 to $100 after hours.
MICA request
The Northeast Town council reviewed a letter from the Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates (MICA) asking the municipality to pass a resolution to protect public road allowances and trails.
Council discussed how it was a complex issue and that a blanket resolution wouldn’t be practical.
Council directed staff to contact MICA and notify them that council couldn’t support the request.
Council supports Manor board
After reviewing a letter from the Manitoulin Centennial Manor board, council carried a motion to support a resolution from the board calling on the provincial government to increase funding to long-term care facilities.
