Assiginack Library celebrates 75 years
Assiginack council noted the upcoming celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the Assiginack Public Library taking place on Tuesday, July 22 at 7 pm, following the next meeting of council.
The event will also be the last to be celebrated in the current library before it moves to its new home on Arthur Street in early fall.
The party will include refreshments and cake as well as a trip down memory lane through old photographs, documents, memories, stories and more.
Cardwell Street update
Reeve Brad Ham told council how the Cardwell Street reconstruction project is moving along well, with the exception of the wayward hydro pole that, for the time-being, has been left in the tri-intersection of Meredith, Cardwell and Arthur Streets. As Hydro One cannot replace the pole, which also doubles as a utility pole, Interpaving, the construction company, made the decision to pave around it until the pole is removed and replaced, leaving the small section of paving to be done by municipal staff, with asphalt provided by Interpaving.
The engineers have formulated a traffic management plan in the meantime, the reeve continued, and despite the end of the project, the area will still be classed as a construction zone until the pole is removed.
Council agreed that while this was not an ideal situation, it was the best thing to do considering their options.
Policing Advisory Committee minutes reviewed
Following the review of the Community Policing Advisory Committee minutes, council noted the recent bike safety event held by Constable Rob Mellan, which saw him take a group of children on a bike tour of the town, including some off-road biking too. The event was well attended, Councillor Les Fields noted.
Council also noted the police presence seen on Lake Manitou earlier this month.
Council also received its municipal performance measurement from the OPP for 2013. The statistics show that there were eight violent crimes, six of which were solved, a success rate of 75 percent. Twenty property crimes occurred in Assiginack, seven of which were solved for a success rate of 35 percent. One crime fell into the category of ‘other,’ but was not solved. The total rate of crimes successfully solved in the municipality is 44.8 percent.
Council was pleased to see that the rate of crime was quite low in Assiginack.
Cheque registry passed
Council approved the account for payment of $441,362.94, general, and $41,440.21, payroll.
Council noted the hydro bill for the water treatment plant was finally received to the tune of $20,000 and dated six months.
“God bless Deb,” Councillor Fields said, referencing Deb MacDonald, municipal treasurer.
Councillor Fields spoke of how the phenomenon of late billing is happening all over the province and to individuals who don’t have a Deb to budget accordingly. It was also noted that the Ontario Ombudsman has bolstered his team to strictly look at Hydro One problems.
Council approves McLean’s Park
bike race
Council has again lent its support to the fourth annual mountain bike relay race at McLean’s Park on August 24, coming on board as an official sponsor along with Lightfoot Bikes.
Weighted Vote motion
Council passed the following motion regarding its support to the Northeast Town’s proposed weighted vote system at the Manitoulin Planning Board level: “That we inform the Manitoulin Planning Board that we have no objection to the Weighted Voting Proposal being reviewed, as long as the board has received confirmation of its legality through the board’s solicitor and as long as all member municipalities continue to follow a common Official Plan.”
Suggestion for improvement to water treatment plant
Council reviewed a note from Keith Stringer, operations manager for the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) regarding the Manitowaning Water Treatment Plant and the number of high cost call-outs OCWA receives.
Mr. Stringer suggests changing the style of pumps to a peristaltic pump, which would cost approximately $5,500.
Council wondered if it was as a result of Phil Blake’s homework and questions, and the subsequent Expositor article that caused the email from Mr. Stringer, for which they were grateful.
Summerfest a community festival
Assiginack council officially named the Southeast Manitoulin Lions Club’s annual Summerfest, July 18 to 20, as a community event/festival.
The Lions also requested the use of the fairgrounds and the arena for the event, as well as the in-kind donation of public works equipment and staff time.
Bylaws passed
Three bylaws were passed during the last meeting of Assiginack council: bylaw 14-17 to govern the authorization of tendering, by law 14-18 for the creation of a purchasing policy and bylaw 14-19, to allow a vote by mail option for the 2014 municipal election (this is the third election for which Assiginack has had a vote by mail option and over 50 percent of residents use it).
Canada Day celebrations a success
Council remarked at how successful the Canada Day celebrations in Manitowaning were. Reeve Ham said there were a record number of hot dogs barbecued and attendees there to celebrate. Councillor Fields thanked the recreation program leaders for their hard work on the event.
