Council Minutes
Regular Meeting February 20, 2006

Present:

Reeve Aus Hunt, Councilors Sharon Alkenbrack, Margaret Tuomi, John Bright and Keith McKeen.

STAFF:

Clerk Treasurer Kathy McDonald and Public Works Superintendent Garry Miller.

MEDIA:

Tom Sasvari, Manitoulin West Recorder

06-040 Tuomi Bright

BE IT RESOLVED THAT this regular meeting of the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Billings be opened with a quorum of members present at 7:30 p.m. with Reeve Austin Hunt presiding in the Chair. Carried

06-041 Bright Tuomi

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the February 7, 2006 regular meeting of council be accepted as presented. Carried

06-042 Bright Tuomi

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township of Billings will use the services of the area weed inspector for the District. Carried

06-043 McKeen Bright

WHEREAS capital costs associated with the construction of new water filtration plants as mandated under the Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act, as well as increasing maintenance costs required to sustain these sophisticated plants are having a detrimental effect on small northern communities where the users are very small in number. AND WHEREAS this new Legislation is creating considerable hardship for small communities where there is high unemployment due to the seasonal tourist industry. AND WHEREAS it is imperative that the Provincial Government revisit the issue of the current funding structure for capital projects and consider a possible funding subsidy for the legislated mandatory water testing for small communities which are being adversely affected by these imposed regulations. AND WHEREAS the Federal Government consider implementing supplemental funding through FedNor similar to the funding currently received through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for capital projects. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Township of Billings approves of the efforts of the organization Residents against Water Bill (RAWB) regarding the concerns with issues relating to the Safe Drinking Water Act legislated by the Province of Ontario. FURTHER THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Billings will assist in the joint lobbying effort being organized by this group of citizens as we must ensure Ontarios water system is financially sustainable and affordable for all communities. FURTHER THAT THIS RESOLUTION be forwarded to the Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Hounourable Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance, the Hounourable Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, the Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Laurel Broten, Minister of the Environment and to our local MP and MPP. Carried

06-044 Tuomi Alkenbrack

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorizes the following accounts for payment:    General Accounts     $ 44,911.69    Public Works            $ 11,261.24    Water Capital           $289,926.42 And that the Reeve and Treasurer be authorized to sign cheques #5337 to #5384 and water capital cheques 35 and 36, as described in the attached register. Carried

06-045 McKeen Bright

BE IT RESOLVED THAT this meeting be adjourned from our regular meeting until our next meeting of March 7, 2006, or Call of the Chair. Carried

_______________________________
Aus Hunt: Reeve


_______________________________
Kathy McDonald, Clerk Treasurer


21/02/06:km

These minutes have been prepared but are not considered official until approved by the Council at a subsequent meeting.

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