Sheguiandah First Nation notifies Northeast Town of Additions to Reserve Process
Sheguiandah First Nations Lands Manager Cynthia Behm attended the Northeast Town council last month to notify the town that the First Nation “will be utilizing the Additions to Reserve Process (ATR) as implemented by the Government of Canada.”
“One of the conditions under this policy is to consult with the local municipality to ensure that they have no outstanding areas of concern,” explained Ms. Behm. “Chief and council aren’t sure if they want to move ahead with the process but they want to start on the initial steps.”
Council supports FREC ME EDM Festival
After hearing a deputation from Flat Rock Entertainment Centre (FREC) Electronic Dance Music (EDM) organizers Kelly and Craig Timmermans last month, the Northeast Town council reviewed their requests and carried a motion to amend their site plan agreement with the town to allow noise levels in excess of 80DB on the weekend of the EDM (June 27 and June 28) until 1 am, declare the event of municipal significance and donate $200 to the festival.
Northeast Town amends road use agreement with wind company
The Northeast Town reviewed a letter from McLean’s Mountain Wind Limited Partnership requesting an amendment to its road use agreement with the town, extending the construction completion date from June 30 to September 30.
Town CAO Dave Williamson explained that due to the wet spring weather the company was unable to complete the construction by June 30. A number of councillors asked the opinion of the public works staff who responded that there was “no physical way” the construction could have been completed because the half-load restriction was still on for the roads covered in the agreement.
Council carried a motion amending the road use agreement, moved by Councillor Paul Skippen and seconded by Councillor Dawn Orr.
Council approves shoreline road allowance restoration
Maurice and Huguette Bedard sent a letter to the Northeast Town council, asking for the town to approve the restoration of the shoreline road allowance adjacent to their property at 2138 Bay Estates Road North.
“Since the construction of our new home and the shore wall in 2010, silting in the water happens regularly as a result of the disturbed clay and runoff water,” the couple wrote to council. “In order to stop this silting, we have sent in a permit application to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to fill the land with the suggested materials. Since most of the work will be done on the town’s shoreline road allowance, the MNR permit is pending the town’s approval.
Council agreed to carry a motion approving the project, subject to MNR permits, but after viewing future plans the couple included in their diagram, which included a sauna and patio on the road allowance, council added a stipulation to their motion stating “council does not approve the construction of any structures on said road allowance.”
4elements receives donation from council
The Northeast Town council reviewed a letter from 4elements Living Arts regarding its Bonnie Blink project.
“4elements hosted a very successful project in 2012 that brought 24 geography students from Queen’s University, visiting artists Michael Belmore and Lupe Perez together with local artists and community members for the Bonnie Blink project,” explained Sophie Edwards, 4elements executive director. “The two weeks were jam-packed with programming: artist talks, workshops for adults and children, school visits, talks by archaeologists, historians, geographers and artists, as well as community story-sharing events.”
Ms. Edwards concluded her letter by asking council for a donation. A motion was made by Councillor Skippen and seconded by Councillor Marcel Gauthier to donate $200 towards this year’s Bonnie Blink exhibition.
Council supports Haweater
Little Current Lions Club President and Haweater Chair Bruce Burnett wrote council last month, requesting permission to use Low Island Park and the Lions Pavillion for the annual Haweater baseball tournament, beach volleyball tournament and the soccer tournament, in addition to permission to close off the main street (Water Street) to traffic from 6:30 am on Sunday morning until after the fireworks later Sunday evening. He also asked that the Lions be able to use the Nolan Sisson Park for an event and for a motion from council, deeming Haweater Weekend as an event of municipal significance. Council carried a motion granting all of the Little Current Lions Club’s requests. Council also carried a motion donating the annual amount of $4,000 towards Haweater Weekend, as well as supporting and donating $200 towards the 12th annual Haweater Cruise-In.
Downtown merchants to once again host Canada Day celebrations
The Northeast Town council reviewed a letter from the Little Current Business Improvement Area (BIA) requesting permission to close Water Street form the Anchor Inn corner to The Expositor office for the annual Canada Day celebrations. The letter from BIA Chair Deborah Turner noted there would be children’s games, a craft fair and musical entertainment. A motion of support was carried by council.
Council authorizes voting by mail for 2014 municipal elections
The Northeast Town council carried a motion passing bylaw 2014-16 “to authorize voting by mail for the 2014 municipal elections and the entering into of an agreement with Canada Post to provide vote by mail services.”
Council sells land
After an in camera session, council rose and reported that they had carried a motion accepting an offer for purchase from Adam Callaghan and Susan Miray on lot 23 in the Hayward Subdivision in the amount of $27,500.
Northeast Town accepts financial reports
Last month at the community services/public works committee meeting the Northeast Town committee accepted the financial reports as presented by town treasurer Sheryl Wilkin.
Ms. Wilkin reported that for water/sewer accounts receivable there had been $101,559.77 in payments made. She also noted that there were 57 accounts over $500, including four that had been disconnected, three cases where individuals had made arrangements and 50 that were due to the recent billing due of April 30.
For taxes, Ms. Wilkin reported that there had been $538.074.88 in payments made in April and that arrears notices would be sent out in May.
Community services and public works reports
Reid Taylor delivered the community services report to committee last month. He said that the Sea Cadets program was completing at the recreation centre, but that it was still busy with minor lacrosse and spring weddings.
As for the marina, Mr. Taylor said that Spider Bay Marina opened for business on May 15 and that the Little Current docks were being installed. He also noted that the public washroom at the Market Garden Pavillion is open and being maintained.
“Low Island Park is open and being maintained,” Mr. Taylor continued. “All other washroom buildings will be open shortly and the parks are being maintained as they dry out.”
Gary May delivered the public works report beginning with the municipal roads.
“Grading of roads is being done as the weather permits,” said Mr. May. “Patching and culvert repairs are also being done as required. Also, street sweeping and sidewalk cleanup has begun.”
As for equipment, Mr. May said that the new six-ton plow truck has been ordered and the new trackless has arrived.
Councillor Christina Jones thanked Mr. May and his staff for the new playground in Sheguiandah.
The building controls/bylaw enforcement report was presented to council by Brock Sanftenberg. He noted that to date 14 permits with a construction value of $283,336 had been issued.
Mr. Sanftenberg also said that parking was being monitored and tickets issued as required, adding that seven tickets were issued last month.
Two hour parking limit removed on section of Water Street
After several discussions on a request to remove the two-hour parking limit from the town parking lot next to the post office, council finally made a decision earlier this month, passing a motion to leave the post office parking lot as it currently stands (with a 24 hour limit on the north side of the parking lot and a two-hour limit on the south side), but to take the two-hour limit off street parking along Water Street East from 24 to 38 Water Street East.
Council donates $1,625 in dockage for North Channel Regatta
The Northeast Town council carried a motion based on a recommendation from the community services/public works committee, donating $1,625 to the Little Current Yacht Club for dockage for the new North Channel Regatta this summer.
Traffic and parking bylaw “cleaned up”
Based on several recommendations from town staff, council carried a motion to amend the Northeast Town traffic and parking bylaw to “clean up wording.” Changes included the addition of skateboards to the pedestrian rights and duties portion of the bylaw, restricting municipal parking to a maximum of 24 hours (beside designated parking lots) and inserting the addresses of homes that are specifically named in the bylaw (opposed to referring them to the home’s owner).
Council approves tax levy
The Northeast Town council carried a motion approving bylaw 2014-19, adopting the tax rates for 2014.
End of year financial transferred approved
Council carried three motions based on recommendations from staff, the first to transfer the 2013 surplus in the amount of $184,480 to the working capital reserve account and the second to withdraw $22,922.88 from the working capital reserve account to cover the actual 2013 operations deficit. Lastly, council approved the withdrawal of $7,632 from the working capital reserve account to cover marina dredging from 2013.
Municipal landfill report
Town CAO Dave Williamson reviewed the 2014 landfill report with council. He was pleased to say that the report concludes that the life of the landfill will exceed its 40-year expectation. A motion was carried to accept the report as presented.
$500 donation made to the Manitoulin Navy League
Instead of the average $200 donation to community organization donation requests, the Northeast Town council donated $500 to the Manitoulin Navy League.
“There are so many cutbacks to programs like this (the Sea Cadets),” said Councillor Michael Erskine. “We should help them however we can.”
Council Gauthier noted the benefits of the Sea Cadets program throughout the year and all that it does for the Island’s youth.
Council also discussed making it an annual donation line item to ensure that council continues to support the program.
