Stop up and close
The Northeast Town council carried a motion to pass bylaw 2015-38 to “stop up, close and sell a portion of public road not travelled, being described as that portion of the Water Street Road allowance immediately beneath the building located at 1 Water Street West, under the following conditions: the property in question must be added as a lot addition to the adjacent property; easements must be provided to enable access to any infrastructure within the portion of the road allowance being transferred; all costs associated with the stop up, close and transfer are borne by the property owner, including advertising and all legal fees associated with this transaction; that the costs be established at $1 per square foot in addition to all other costs; and all other terms and conditions of the stop up an close policy in effect on the date of property transfer shall apply.”
Council also carried a motion pass bylaw 2015-39 to “stop up, close and sell a portion of public road not travelled, known as 3 Water Street and being described as Part 4 31R3214, as per the attached survey and under the following conditions: the property in question must be added as a lot addition to the adjacent property; a letter of agreement from any mortgage holder who has self-identified with the municipality; easements must be provided to enable access to any infrastructure within the portion of the road allowance being transferred; all costs associated with the stop up, close and transfer are borne by the property owner, including advertising and all legal fees associated with this transaction; that the cost be established at $1 per square foot in addition to all other costs; and all other terms and conditions in the stop up and close policy in effect on the date of property transfer shall apply.”
Road allowance
deputation
John Skilling and Stephen Rolston made a deputation to council regarding the purchase of a road allowance.
Mr. Rolston explained that the road allowance is unopened and doesn’t lead anywhere. He also requested that council consider a different cost model than the town’s $1 per square foot policy for the purchase of road allowances as it would cost $96,000 in this case, which is high considering the type of land, he said
Northeast Town Mayor Al MacNevin explained to the gentlemen that the matter would be discussed at the next council meeting (Tuesday, December 15), as per council’s policy regarding deputations.
Request for signage
Council carried a motion based on a recommendation from the community services and public works committee, authorizing the placement of an International Library sign on Meredith Street East.
Council also reviewed a letter from Judy Ferguson requesting a ‘hidden driveway’ sign by her home on Townline Road.
“I am writing in concern about the road in front of my said address; there is poor visibility and I would like a sign stating ‘hidden driveway’,” said Ms. Ferguson in her letter, also noting that she was recently hit by an approaching vehicle.
“This seems pretty standard,” said Councillor Michael Erskine in support of the request.
Council carried a motion to erect a ‘hidden driveway’ sign at the road in front of Ms. Ferguson’s driveway.
There was a third request for signage from Gordon and Brenda Fraser, who wrote council asking permission for the installation of a street number sign at the entrance to their home on Campbell Street East.
The couple explained that the area in front of their home is “very dark” and the numbers on their garage are only standard size.
Town CAO Dave Williamson explained that 911 signs are for rural areas, and that if the couple would like to they could place a sign, but it would have to be on their own property.
Council directed staff to reply to Mr. and Mrs. Fraser.
New street light
Residents of Bay Estates wrote council asking for the placement of a street light at the corner of Cricket Hill in Bay Estates. Council carried a motion to grant the request.
Council donates to Lions
The Northeast Town council carried a motion to donate $200 to the Little Current Lions Club Winterfest Hockey Tournament on February 5 to 7.
Council also carried a motion to designate Winterfest weekend a “community festival.”
Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund
Council received a letter from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing notifying the municipality that it would be receiving $83,000 less than last year in funding.
Mr. Williamson told council that this was $24,000 less than what council budgeted for when preparing the draft 2016 municipal budget.
Accounts receivable
Town Treasurer Sheryl Wilkin presented the accounts receivable to council for taxes and sewer and water.
She reported that there were $172,662.39 made in payments in November. She also noted that 76 letters had been sent out for accounts that were three years in arrears. A few individuals contacted Ms. Wilkin, leaving 72 property owners in the Northeast Town on the cusp of having their properties placed into registration as of January 2, 2016. Ms. Wilkin said she placed a notice in The Expositor, urging these individuals to contact the town to make payment arrangements before the town is forced to place the properties into the tax sales process.
“The key here is that people need to come and talk to us so we can work with them,” added Mr. Williamson. “They need to take a chance because once they are registered, they have to pay the owning balance in full; there is no ability to pay partial payments.”
For water and sewer, Ms. Wilkin said that there were $38,052.52 made in payments in November.
She also said that there were currently 20 accounts over the $500 limit, of which four had been disconnected, two of which were due to penalty applied for November and 14 could receive disconnection notices.
