THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STRONG

COUNCIL MEETING – MARCH 10^TH 2009

Held at the Township office at 5:30 pm

Attending: Council: Chris Ellis; Vi Montpetit; Merlyn Snow; John Newstead Absent: Stephen Rawn, Holidays

Staff: Dave Pringle;

Guests: Charles Wager; Gary Benedet

There were no pecuniary interests declared

Vi Montpetit – Merlyn Snow

Be it resolved that this council does hereby appoint Chris Ellis as Presiding Officer for the March 10^th meeting. Carried

John Newstead – Merlyn Snow

Be it resolved that this council does hereby adopt the following minutes of meetings as circulated:

• Council meeting of February 24th 2009; Feb 27^th and Mar 2/09
• Sundridge-Strong Union Library Board Meeting Jan 8/09 – no quorum
• Central Almaguin Planning Board meeting of Feb.18.09
• Central Almaguin Economic Development meeting of Feb.19.09
• Central Almaguin Recreation Committee meeting of Feb.2.09

· Joint Building Committee meeting February 26^th 2009 Carried

Merlyn Snow – Vi Montpetit

Be it resolved that this Council does hereby Petition the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Province of Ontario:

WHEREAS Economic Development is the engine that drives the economy in this area of Almaguin and

WHEREAS the four laning of the number eleven highway through our area is closing all accesses except at interchanges which will have a detrimental effect on our businesses and consequently on our economy and

WHEREAS the reduction in traffic and trade may cause some businesses to fail and

WHEREAS every effort the municipalities can make will be beneficial to the sustainability of the economy and

WHEREAS five municipalities in the Almaguin Area (Strong, Machar, Joly, South River and Sundridge) own a small airport in Joly Township located in Lots 7 and 8 on the thirteenth concession and

WHEREAS when this property was transferred to the Village of South River in the early 1980’s all of Lots 7 and 8 on the thirteenth concession were not transferred, only the runways and a piece of property where the terminal is located, and

WHEREAS there has been increased interest in the airport through an aggressive committee and private investors and

WHEREAS these remaining portions of Lots 7 and 8 on Concession 13 are of little use to the Ministry of Natural Resources or the Province of Ontario (Crown Land) and

WHEREAS it is most important this property be transferred to the South River, Sundridge District Airport for future development and to assist in these tough economic times to ensure the survival of these municipalities and

WHEREAS the Province of Ontario seems to want to work with and assist municipalities whenever possible this is a perfect opportunity to do so and

WHEREAS this transfer of property would cost the Province absolutely nothing now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Township of Strong hereby petition the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Province of Ontario to transfer the remaining portions of Lots 7 and 8 Concession 13 Township of Joly that are currently not part of the runways at no cost to the South River, Sundridge District Airport and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Townships of Machar and Joly and the Villages of South River and Sundridge for support and further that their supporting resolutions along with this resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Natural Resources the Honourable Donna Cansfield Carried

Merlyn Snow – John Newstead

Be it resolved that this Council does hereby approve payment of the February 2009 invoices: Roads $45,861.20; General $64,158.47; Payroll $37,108.04 Carried

Vi Montpetit – Merlyn Snow

Be it resolved that this Council does hereby approve payment of the invoice submitted by Sundridge Aggregates & Stone Ltd. In the amount $19,600 + GST $980 - $20,580.00 to complete the washout repairs on the Machar Strong Boundary Rd. Carried

John Newstead – Vi Montpetit

Be it resolved that this council does hereby adopt the “Company Safety Policies” as submitted by Sylvie Nickerson with an amendment to #8 to read: Circle Check Test. Final Policy shall be signed by all employees of the roads Dept. and a copy kept in the employee file Carried

Merlyn Snow – John Newstead

Be it resolved that this Council does hereby enact by-law #2009 – 1585 being the 2009 tax ratios for Municipal purposes and having read the by-law the required readings. Carried

Vi Montpetit – Merlyn Snow

Be it resolved that this Council does hereby go into “Committee of Adjustment” to deal with Minor Variance #A26/09 and all members of the Committee signed the Decision for the Minor Variance. Carried

Correspondence reviewed by Council: MTO re B23-101; Overtime – roads dept; Health Unit; Eastholme; David Apramian; Community Telecom; Parry Sound Municipal Assoc with 6 attending the Spring Meeting; United Church – hydro bill; North Bay – Mattawa Conservation Authority – Source Protection Authority – meetings for 2008; AMO Municipal Action on Bottled Water; Town of Kearney – Official Plan Amendment Public Meeting; Fire Marshall;

Merlyn Snow – John Newstead

Be it resolved that this Council does hereby approve to install the Fax Machine in Copier at a rate of $795 by Better Business Systems Carried

John Newstead – Merlyn Snow

Be it resolved that this Council does hereby agree to Purchase a Legend Building for Land Fill #1 - approx. 62’ x 96’ per quote #TS100309 with Foundation, 3 sides & Open front for $181,032.38 plus GST 9051.62 = $190,083.62 less discount $7836.00. Carried

Vi Montpetit – Merlyn Snow

Be it resolved that this Council does hereby adjourn at 9:20 pm to meet again on March 24^th 2009 at 5:30 pm or at the call of the Mayor Carried

Diana Georgie, Clerk Chris Ellis, Presiding Officer