Honouring Assiginack athletes
Councillor Leslie Fields noted that there will be a special celebration of Assiginack Special Olympians Kelsey Mellan and Matthew Bedard on Sunday, February 5 from 2 to 3 pm at the Assiginack Arena.
Coffee and cupcakes will be available for the entire community to come out and wish the athletes well as they prepare to participate in the World Winter Games in Austria.
“We should be proud of them, that’s for sure,” said Mayor Paul Moffatt.
Library renos complete
Following a review of the library board minutes, Councillor Brenda Reid spoke of the “new, gorgeous library” thanks to the recent renovations, which are now complete.
“It’s open, it’s spacious, it’s inviting,” added Councillor Hugh Moggy.
Councillor Fields suggested council meet for a tour and a virtual reality demonstration.
2016 building permit report
Council reviewed the 2016 building permit report from Chief Building Officer Gerry Strong.
In 2016, 18 permits were issued for a total building permit revenue of $10,226.55 and a total value of construction of $1,123,425.
The breakdown is as follows: new homes, one; new cottages, three; residential renos and additions, seven; cottage renos and additions, three; institutional and commercial renos, two; and demolition, two.
Accounts for payment
Council approved the following accounts for payment: general, $283,265.34; and payroll, $36,369.04.
New policies for Assiginack
Council reviewed three policies at the January meeting: one for concussion prevention and management, another for a criminal record check policy and one for volunteer management.
Services Board request
Council reviewed ministerial request from the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board (DSB) for one Central Ambulance Communication Centre (CACC) rather than three.
The DSB operates across over 45,000 square kilometres with dispatches coming from three separate CACCs.
“A resolution to request the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to migrate the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB within a single CACC would effectively improve the DSB’s ability to ensure its employees are safe and operate in an efficient manner,” a report to the board states.
“I think that makes sense,” responded Councillor Hugh Moggy.
MHC physician recruitment
Council received a letter from Manitoulin Health Centre CEO and president Derek Graham regarding Assiginack’s continued assistance with its physician recruitment program.
Assiginack’s allotment will again be added to the budget, it was noted.
Bylaws
Council passed two bylaws: Bylaw 17-01 to provide for an interim tax levy and to provide for the payment of taxes and to provide for penalty and interest of 1.25 percent; and Bylaw 17-02, to authorize a lease renewal agreement with the Canada Post Corporation.
