Library to purchase early learning station
The Northeast Town council approved a request from the Little Current Public Library board to remove up to $3,145 from the library’s reserves to use toward the purchase of an early learning computer station for the facility.
“The early learning station is for the use of our youngest patrons,” explained a letter from library board chair Marian Barnett to council. “This is a learning device consisting of a 20-inch touch screen, pre-loaded with over 65 software titles that span all curricula areas. This special workstation for children contains all the programs needed for two to eight-year-olds to interact and engage in learning fun right at the library.”
“We are hoping to fundraise for some of the costs, but I would like to ask for up to $3,100 of the cost in case the library doesn’t raise as much as they hope,” explained Councillor Christina Jones, council’s representative on the board.
“I think early childhood literacy is incredibly important,” said Councillor Dawn Orr, “and it is great that they are trying to raise some money as well.”
Council carried a motion, allowing the library board to use up to $3,145 from its reserves for the new station.
Manitoulin Streams donation request
Council received a donation request from Manitoulin Streams asking for council to match its $5,000 donation to the organization from last year. Council decided to defer the request to its budget discussions later this fall.
“I am very much in support of this organization and the work that they do, but it should be looked at as part of our (2015) budget,” said Councillor Michael Erskine.
Council supports Manitoulin cycling
The Northeast Town council carried a motion to donate $200 towards the Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates (MICA) trip to the 29th annual International Bike Show in Toronto where the organization will be promoting Manitoulin Island as a cycling tourism destination.
Council also agreed to send a letter of support to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports regarding MICA’s funding application for bike route signs.
Northeast Town objects to Saturday closure of LC post office
Council directed staff to send a letter to Canada Post objecting to the closure of the Little Current Post Office on Saturdays after reading a letter from Canada Post informing council that it could be a possibility in the future.
Financial reports
Town treasurer Sheryl Wilkin reviewed the financial reports with the administration and finance committee. After going over the municipal vouchers for September, she explained the accounts receivable for water/sewer.
“There were 21,098.04 payments in September,” said Ms. Wilkin. “Currently there are 14 accounts over $500, of those, five were due to penalties applied for September and there have been nine disconnections.”
As for taxes, Ms. Wilkin noted that there were $591,656.71 in payments made in September.
OPP Billing
The Northeast Town council reviewed its 2015 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) bill which the town had recently received. Council was pleased to learn that their bill had dropped under the new model (being introduced in 2015) by $107,000.
