THE VILLAGE OF BURK’S FALLS
COUNCIL MINUTES

The first regular meeting of 2004 was held on Tuesday January 27 at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers.
Present were Reeve Ron Russell and Councillors Bruce Campbell, Lewis Hodgson, Rex Smith and Cathy Still.

Guests attending this meeting were Staff Sgt. Bill Ayotte and Mary Connolly and Village Foreman Len Hall.
Stf/Sgt Ayotte of the Almaguin Highlands O.P.P. Detachment brought copies of the statistics for the Village for 2003 and had the 2002 statistics for comparison. They showed that the overall calls for service were up from 468 in 2002 to 639 in 2003, an increase of 36.5%. He informed Council that the 24 hour service remained at the status quo and consequently any expansion or building was on hold until a decision is made.

Village Foreman, Len Hall, informed Council of the number of water main and service breaks and the number of frozen lines he has had in this cold spell. Len reported that his asphalt saw was broken and that it was probably more feasible to purchase a new one than to try to repair this one. He had quotes on a new saw.

The following Resolutions were passed:

Rex Smith- Cathy Still:
That we adopt the Minutes of the December 3, 2003 and December 16, 2003 meetings as circulated.

Rex Smith - Cathy Still:
That as per the Municipal Act. S.O. 200a c.25 as amend, p.239(2) Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls enters into a closed meeting.

Rex Smith - Lewis Hodgson:
That as per the Municipal Act S.O. 2001 c.25 as amended p. 239(2) Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls exits from a closed meeting.

B. Campbell - Lewis Hodgson:
That the Village purchase a new 272 Husquevarna Saw from Gib Lane for the price of $ 950.00 plus tax.

Rex Smith - Cathy Still:
That we support the nomination of Bill Core as our representative on the Muskoka Parry Sound Health Unit Board.

Rex Smith - Lewis Hodgson:
That we support the nomination of John Newstead as our area representative on the Eastholme Board for a further 3 year term.

B. Campbell - Cathy Still:
That the Village of Burk’s Falls appoints Lewis Hodgson as our representative on the Almaguin Highlands Strategic Plan Implementation Committee.

Lewis Hodgson - B. Campbell:
That we have seen policy CP97266 for Bond Coverage for employees in the amount of $1,000,000.00 as per Section 287(1)(b) as per S.O. 2001, c.25.

Rex Smith - B. Campbell:
That by S.O. 2001, c.25 as amended, Section 284(1) the treasurer of a municipality shall in each year on or before March 31 provide to the council of the municipality an itemized statement on remuneration and expenses paid in the previous year to: each member of council in respect of his/her services as a member of the council or any other body, including a local board, to which the member holds office by virtue of being a member of council; each member of council in respect of his/her services as an officer or employee of the municipality or other body described in clause (a); and each person other than a member of council, appointed by the municipality to serve as a member of any body, including a local board, in respect of his/her services as a member of the body. And that By-law 4-2003 identified the remuneration to be paid to council members as per S.O. 2001, c.25 Section 284(2).
Council Arena Board
Joe Van Gaal $7175.00 Karl Crozier $ 1000.00
Bruce Campbell $5300.00 Mileage
Alex Miller $6100.00 Alex Miller $323.37
Rex Smith $5400.00 Bruce Campbell $ 49.79
Cathy Still $5375.00 Cathy Still $ 59.50
Ron Russell $ 600.00
Lewis Hodgson $ 475.00

We have seen the itemized statement for Councillors for the year 2003.

Cathy Still - B. Campbell:
That Council is aware that the Village received some invoices that must be paid prior to Council meetings because of penalties for late payments. Council is also aware that the Treasurer pays for janitorial services bi-weekly and employees wages every second Friday. The Council authorizes the Treasurer to issue cheques for the above as and when required throughout 2004. The Council also authorizes the Clerk/Treasurer to purchase necessary stationary supplies, printing supplies and other office materials that are required to efficiently operate the Municipal Office from day to day throughout 2004.

Lewis Hodgson - Cathy Still:
That we have read the application by the Village of South River and PARC for a Youth Intern Project to work on events and festivals for the Almaguin Highlands. The Village of Burk’s Falls supports this application in principle.

Lewis Hodgson - Cathy Still
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls supports the Almaguin Highlands Strategic Plan Implementation Committee’s proposal to promote the Almaguin Highlands;
And that Council donate $100.00 towards the cost of the promotion.

Lewis Hodgson - Rex Smith
We have no objections to the Almaguin Bowlers Association conducting a Nevada Lottery as presented provided all regulations are adhered to.

Lewis Hodgson - B. Campbell
We have no objections to the Burk’s Falls Figure Skating Club conducting a Raffle Lottery provided all regulations are adhered to.

B. Campbell - Lewis Hodgson
We have no objections to the M.A. Wittick School Advisory Committee conducting a raffle lottery provided all regulations are adhered to.

B. Campbell - Lewis Hodgson
Whereas the Parry Sound Muskoka region is an economically depressed area of the Province; and
Whereas In order to attract business, reasonably priced high speed internet service is necessary; and
Whereas the Province signed an agreement with the Muskoka Community Network on May 5, 2003 to commit funds towards a project to provide high speed internet for this region; and
Whereas no funding has been received to this point;
Therefore the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls urges the Province to commit funds for this project as soon as possible and to inform us as to where the project stands at present;
And that this resolution be sent to Norm Miller, Mpp, Parry Sound/Muskoka Joe Cordianno, Minister of Economic Development & Trade, Ray Bartalucci, Minister of Northern Development

Lewis Hodgson - Cathy Still
We have read and approve By-Law No. 1-2004 being a by-law to authorize the borrowing from time to time meet current expenditures during the fiscal year;
And that we authorize the Reeve and the Clerk to sigh this by-law and affix the Seal of the Corporation thereto.

Rex Smith - B. Campbell
We have read and approve By-Law No. 2-2004 being a by-law to provide for interest to be charged for overdue payments-Tax Arrears and we hereby authorize the Reeve and the Clerk to sign this by-law and affix the Seal of the Corporation thereto.

Rex Smith - Cathy Still
We have read and approve By-Law 3-2004 being a by-law to establish a charge for interest for non-payment of current taxes;
And that we authorize the Reeve and the Clerk to sign this by-law and affix the Seal of the Corporation thereto.

Rex Smith - Cathy Still
We have read and approve By-Law No. 4-2004 being a by-law to provide for an interim tax levy and the payment of Interim taxes for the year 2004.
And that we authorize the Reeve and the Clerk to sign this by-law and affix the Seal of the Corporation thereto.

Rex Smith - B. Campbell
Councillor Cathy Still will attend the Northeastern Fire Education Conference in North Bay on April 1, 2, 3,
& 4th, 2004.

B. Campbell - Lewis Hodgson
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls purchase a 1/8 sized ad in the Almaguin News “Yours for Fun” in the amount of $102.00 for the Theatre.

Cathy Still - B. Campbell
We donate $500.00 to the Burk’s Falls & District Foodbank as our annual donation.

Rex Smith - Cathy Still
We approve the payment of the annual membership fees to the Parry Sound Municipal Association in the amount of $150.00 per year.

Rex Smith - Cathy Still
We pay the annual membership fee to the East Parry Sound Veterinary Unit in the amount of $40.00.

Lewis Hodgson - B. Campbell
We approve the annual grant to the Huntsville Branch of the Salvation Army in the amount of $50.00 for 2004.

Rex Smith - Cathy Still
We approve the annual grant to the Burk’s Falls Cemetery in the amount of $150.00 for the year 2004.

Lewis Hodgson - B. Campbell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls supports the East Parry Sound Regional Science Fair with a donation in the amount of $100.00.

Rex Smith - Lewis Hodgson
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls approves the yearly contribution in the amount of $1,000.00 to the Town of Perry for the operation of the Almaguin Highlands Information Centre.

B. Campbell - Lewis Hodgson
We have read the Resolution presented by the County of Oxford regarding OSTAR percentage of funding from both the provincial and federal government for water system upgrades;
And that the increased expenditures that are facing municipalities to comply with the Ontario Drinking Water Standards are going to impact dramatically the ratepayers of the municipalities;
Now therefore our resolution of support requesting the Provincial and Federal governments commit their fair share of the funding of capital upgrades be sent tot the County of Oxford for their presentation and collection.

Lewis Hodgson - B. Campbell
We have the resolution as presented by the Municipality of West Elgin regarding the omitted assessments for trailers for the 2001 and 2002 taxation year.
And that our resolution be sent to the Municipality of West Elgin for their collection and presentation.

Rex Smith - Lewis Hodgson
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have no objection to the Burk’s Falls Trappers Council conducting a raffle lottery provided all regulations are adhered to.

Rex Smith - Cathy Still
We approve the Accounts Payable as presented up to and including January 27, 2004 in the amount of $66,043.51 and hereby authorize the Clerk/ Treasurer to issue cheques for same.

Lewis Hodgson - B. Campbell
We do now adjourn at 11:00 p.m. until the next regular meeting of Council on February 25, 2004.

Jarvis Osborne
Clerk
 

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