OCWA Presentation to Schreiber Council Highlights Water Quality.

The first regular Schreiber Council meeting for March was preceded by a special council meeting the previous week. Council has been very busy for the past few months as it prepares a roadmap for the next 4 years. The town faces some serious challenges ahead so all decisions are being well thought out and discussed to help with the way forward. One of the biggest challenges of course is costs for water and sewer upgrades and after the initial business there was a presentation from OCWA on the current state of affairs.

First up, the minutes of the previous meetings were accepted followed by Committee of the Whole recommendations.
The Council expense and renumeration report for the previous year was accepted.
The OCWA fees were accepted and put forward for payment.
The Lake Superior North Shore Tourism Initiative fee for the year was approved.
Council and Mayor payments were approved and ratified. 
All checks issued and bank debits were also approved after a short discussion regarding amounts going to certain departments.

Unfinished Business:
Capital expenses for water and sewage maintenance costs to OCWA prompted a discussion about what exactly was included in the price. 
The Arena project was updated.There was further clarity on how much the project could cost and what the contribution would be from the township. The infrastructure of the arena is overdue for an update after 20 years of operation. A funding application request for the updates was approved.
The final reading of the bylaw to keep the current tax ratios in effect for another year was heard and carried.

Other business:
Surplus assets for sale include the old 2008 loader which needs to be replaced and the sale of the old one would offset the cost for the newer model. 

Committee of the Whole:
The Works department updated the Ontario street reline project, which is on schedule.
The Handi transit vehicle is currently undergoing repairs but might end up being sold to offset the new vehicle cost.
The Seniors Centre update highlighted past events and new programmes that are being implemented. There are currently over 300 members enrolled in the centre which represents nearly 30% of the total population.
Bylaw officer report made mention of an ongoing situation that is being resolved in court. 
Beautification Committee has ordered flowers ahead of the spring season for the outdoor planters. 
The Community Economic development committee report discussed the future goals of the committee and a proposed meeting to get feedback from local businesses.
Patrick Couture, from OCWA, presented an informative slide show to council and went into depth about maintaining water quality and the importance of the Clean Water Act for municipalities. The report highlighted the need for more stringent maintenance routines.

Communications:
The Hydro poles once again were front and centre as there are many poles that need replacing. A recent power outage highlighted the importance of upgrading the poles around town. Another factor placing importance on the state of the poles revolves around fibre internet in the town. It has been determined that underground cables are not practical and the hydro pole would be the best choice for the fibre cables but only if the poles are upgraded to meet the standards of the fibre optic installation.
Another communication concerned the increase in insurance costs for municipalities. 
Finally the AMO conference was discussed. A small delegation will be attending the event this summer in hopes of connecting with Ministers and other municipalities in regards to addressing the many challenges that small communities face.
The meeting was then adjourned.