Straight off the Family Day long weekend, Wawa Municipal Council's holding back-to-back meetings tonight.
First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which will include delegations on handicap parking and the THM reduction program, as well as discussion on the draft water meter by-law and monthly reports from department heads.
That will be followed by a regular meeting of Council, which includes a resolution supporting Missanabie Cree First Nation's "Bear Train" proposal, as well as a resolution to write-down debt expense for the Michipicoten Golf Club.
There's also a single "closed session" item, a legal issue involving the Ministry of Labour.
Not included on either agenda: discussion about the draft capital budget, presented to Council on Thursday - plans are to gather public input before bringing it up for Council approval on March 4th.
Aside from the "closed session" portion, tonight's meetings are open to the public, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers.
Wawa Council Presented Draft 2020 Capital Budget
Wawa Municipal Council has had its first look at this year's proposed capital budget.
The municipality's department heads each outlined projects planned for the year - or next few years - with CAO/Treasurer Maury O'Neill noting Council had directed staff to keep the operating budget increase to no more than the annual cost of living increase, maintaining expenditures at the previous year's level - adding an increase to fund capital projects - with plans to continue building reserves and work on long-term budgeting.
In total, nearly $6.4-million in projects were outlined, though much of that would be covered by outside funding, with only $314,000 to come from taxation and a further $1.3-million from reserves - the rest would be covered by another source, which includes grants, donations, or - in the case of water and sewer projects - water and sewer user fees, as O'Neill noted provincial law requires those fees to cover the costs of the system, a goal Wawa has not yet met.
Many of the projects outlined have already been approved to some extent, including the finishing of the Waterfront Project and work at Scenic High Falls Park, the replacement of the arena condenser, the purchase of a new fire pumper/tanker for the fire department, the Connecting Link project, the landfill expansion, the LNG study, and the wrapup of the THM Study - though next steps for that will need to be determined.
Other projects outlined include a service delivery review, Broadway Avenue street furniture, arena truss painting - noted to be required this year - an air compressor for the fire department, a computer software upgrade, airport gas tank replacement, a sewer jet and vacuum trailer, and water main valve installation.
Also highlighted was school zone road work, noted to be dependent on government funding.
Plans are to gather public input on the draft capital budget - with the presentation to be made publicly available - then bring it up for Council approval on March 4th, before moving on to the operating budget April 7th.
Valentine's Day Draw Winner for MVFA Cash Draw
A very lucky Wawa resident is $1000 richer, after this morning's Valentine's Day draw from the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighter Association.
Nellie Harvey's ticket was drawn this morning, earning her the second $1000 prize from the fundraising campaign, after Josee Rioux won the Early Bird Draw in December, though both tickets are back in for the remaining draws - there are three more $1000 draws to be made at 5pm Sunday, March 8th, at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby, along with the $10,000 grand prize draw.
Captain Craig Spooner says sales are "in line with" this time last year, encouraging everyone to get a ticket.
Spooner reminds proceeds from the draw help the Association offer two annual bursaries to local high school students pursuing a career in emergency services - and the funds also help with public education, and training and equipment for the local firefighters.
Chapleau Winter Carnival Weekend Begins
Festivities are ramping up for Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival, as the weekend arrives. Chapleau's Leisure and Cultural Services Director, Rejean Raymond, says several events are happening tonight, including a dodge ball tournament.
Raymond notes more is planned for the weekend, including dog sled rides and various kids activities tomorrow.
The carnival runs through Sunday, when Chapleau Cree First Nation will be holding its 26th Annual Youth Fish Derby - starting at 10:30 am at the Fox Lake Beach Gazebo Area - followed by Family Day festivities. The full schedule's on the municipal website, chapleau.ca. Carnival wristbands are needed for most events, available today at the Civic Centre and over the weekend at the AW Moore Arena.
Wawa Winter Carnival Launches
Wawa's annual Winter Carnival is promising a weekend of fun activities, encouraging everyone to "explore the north". Several events are planned - with the parade changed to a "Northern Lights Walk" from Queen's Park to the Community Centre starting at 6 tonight, followed by a bonfire, fireworks, free skate, and family dance - and Wawa EDC Administrative Assistant Isabeau Allard highlights a few more of the weekend's events.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson reminds there will also be the usual Rotary pancake breakfasts over the weekend, events at the Legion, and more, continuing to Family Day.
Patterson also notes transit bus service will be offered during the Carnival - free for seniors, discounted for adults and children - with transportation available for the Monday snowshoe hike. The Carnival schedule's available at the Wawa Recreation Facebook page and at the Community Centre, which is where carnival buttons can be found. JJAM FM will be broadcasting live from the Carnival, 10 am to 2 pm Saturday.
3rd Annual Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby Arrives
Anglers will be hitting the ice this weekend, for a local derby. The 3rd Annual Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby is coming tomorrow, featuring a registration skill prize of $5000 and prizes for the top five fish caught, as well as a $1000 early bird prize, for those who registered by January 18th. The derby runs from 8 am to 4 pm tomorrow.
Good news for participants: starting Saturday, Canadian residents can fish without a licence for the weekend, including Family Day Monday. Anglers are reminded to check ice conditions before heading out, and reminded - even without a license - they must still follow rules in the Fishing Regulations Summary.
Chapleau Council Still Seeking New PHSD Representative
Another attempt will be made to find a new Chapleau representative at the local health unit. While Council recently discussed the vacancy on the board of Public Health Sudbury and Districts - the former Sudbury and District Health Unit - no new representative was appointed in Tuesday's meeting, with a third "invitation" for expressions of interest expected. The previous local representative, Rita Pilon, retired in December, after eighteen years in the role.
Traction for Chapleau's Proposed Formal Complaints Policy
Chapleau Town Council's close to a implementing a formal complaint policy. Mayor Michael Levesque says Council followed up on last month's discussion about the idea in Tuesday's meeting.
While Council appears to be moving forward on the policy, Mayor Levesque says it hasn't been finalized, with a final presentation expected at the next Council meeting.
Time Almost Up To Buy Tickets for MVFA Cash Draw's 2nd Prize
Time's almost up to get a ticket ahead of a big draw. The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association annual cash draw's Valentine's Day draw will see a lucky ticket holder win $1000 tomorrow, though Captain Craig Spooner emphasizes purchasing a ticket supports a few causes.
While tickets are available in some local stores and from firefighters, Spooner warns they'll be pulled later today so the can be included in tomorrow's draw, which will be held at 8:20 am live on JJAM FM.
Chapleau Council Starts Look at 2020 Budget
Budget discussions have started in Chapleau. During their finance meeting Tuesday night, Chapleau Town Council received a finance update on the "2019 Actuals" and the draft 2020 operating budget, though Mayor Michael Levesque explains Council didn't finalize anything about the budget.
Mayor Levesque won't say what change to tax rates may be on the way, as that is "still too up in the air" at the moment, with further budget discussions to be held.
Wawa Council Holding Special Meeting to Discuss Capital Budget
Wawa Municipal Council is taking a first look at the municipal budget this afternoon. A special Corporate Planning meeting has been called for the presentation of the 2020 Capital Budget - this will only be a look, as it would need to be confirmed at a regular meeting of Council, and it will only cover capital projects, with the operating budget to be presented at a later date. The meeting is open for the public to attend, starting at 2 pm Thursday.
Many Local Schools Closed Amid Multiple Teachers' Strikes
Many local schools are closed today, amid a pair of teachers' strikes. After two days closing their elementary schools due to strikes by the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, the Algoma District School Board is closing all of its schools today, over a targeted strike by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation. That targeted strike also includes the other three local school boards, though the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board assures its schools are open, as the OSSTF only represents noon-hour aides with the board. The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon and Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario are both closing their schools today, due to a strike by the AEFO, which represents teachers with public and Catholic French-language boards. All local schools are expected to be open as normal tomorrow.
MVFA Cash Draw's 2nd Draw Approaches
A lucky supporter of Wawa's firefighters will soon be $1000 richer. The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association is preparing for its annual cash draw's Valentine's Day draw, the second of its $1000 draws held during the fundraiser - Josee Rioux won the first back in December. Noting sales are in line with last year, Captain Craig Spooner encourages everyone to get a ticket.
Spooner reminds proceeds from the draw help the Association offer two annual bursaries to local high school students pursuing a career in emergency services - and the funds also help with public education, and training and equipment for the local firefighters. While tickets are available in some local stores and from firefighter, Spooner warns they'll be pulled later today so they're included in tomorrow's draw, which will be held at 8:20 am live on JJAM FM.
Chapleau Winter Carnival Continues
Festivities are ramping up for Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival. Leisure and Cultural Services Director Rejean Raymond reminds tonight's event include the annual torch light parade by the Chapleau Arctic Watershed Snowmobile Club.
Raymond notes - once the two groups arrive at the arena - there'll be the lighting of the carnival bonfire by the Chapleau firefighters. More events are planned for the weekend, with the full schedule available on the municipal website, chapleau.ca. Carnival keychains are needed for most events, available until the weekend at the Civic Centre and over the weekend at the AW Moore Arena.
ONTC Bus Service Expanding from White River to Thunder Bay
Bus service is expanding across Northwestern Ontario.
Energy, Northern Development and Mines Minister Greg Rickford's announced the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission is launching a new bus route between White River and Thunder Bay, to provide six-day-per-week return service.
Ontario Northland most recently added a 15-community Manitoulin Island route in April 2018, after expanding to Wawa and White River that January.
The new service schedule is set to begin in April.
Chapleau Winter Carnival Events Begin
Festivities are getting underway today for Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival.
Leisure and Culture Services Director Rejean Raymond reminds the big event of the night gives a chance to get artistic.
Raymond reminds that things will ramp up Thursday night, with the annual torch light parade and a Northern Lights Walk, both of which will wrap up at the arena for the carnival bonfire.
A full schedule of events is available on the municipal website, chapleau.ca.
Carnival keychains are needed for many events - including tonight's Paint Night - and are available at the Civic Centre or - over the weekend - at the AW Moore Arena.
Wawa Winter Carnival Approaches, With Change to Parade
Wawa's preparing for carnival weekend - reminding there's been a change to an annual event.
EDC of Wawa Administrative Assistant Isabeau Allard says the Friday night parade is being replaced with a "Northern Lights Walk" that night.
Allard says floats are still welcome - for those who'd already started working on them - though they'll be at the end of the walk, for safety reasons.
The Northern Lights Walk will kick off the Wawa Winter Carnival at 6 o'clock Friday night, followed by a bonfire, fireworks, and more.
Schedules should be in mailboxes, but can also be found on the Wawa Recreation and Winter Carnival Facebook pages.
ADSB Elementary Schools Remain Closed For Local ETFO Strike
The Algoma District School Board's elementary schools remain closed today, for another teachers' strike.
Following yesterday's province-wide strike, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario members with the ADSB are walking out today, keeping the board's elementary schools closed.
They'll stay closed tomorrow, as well, as the ADSB will close all of its schools during a targeted strike by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.
That targeted strike also includes the other three local school boards, though the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board assures its schools will stay open, as the OSSTF only represents noon-hour aides with the board.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon is closing its local schools tomorrow, due to a strike by the AEFO, which represents French-language teachers, while the Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario will also close amid tomorrow's strikes.
Chapleau Council to Focus on Budget and Other Items, But Not Drag Races
Chapleau Town Council's meeting on a different day than usual, to discuss finance and other items.
Included on tonight's agenda is a by-law for a formal complaint policy, as well as resolutions opening and recording bids for a 4-Wheel Drive Rubber-Tire Loader and appointing a local representative to the board of Public Health Sudbury and Districts.
Council will also discuss proposed amendments to the Township's procurement by-law, and the treasurer will present Council with the 2019 finances and the draft 2020 operating budget.
Not included on the agenda: any item directly relating to the Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race, after the CRDC - which organized the event - announced last week that a second race was not expected to happen, as no agreement with the Township was reached by their January 31st deadline, though both race Chair Richard Bignucolo and Mayor Michael Levesque told JJAM FM News on Friday that they aren't entirely ruling out a potential deal, though the two sides appear far from one, with disagreements on multiple items, including liability and how the CRDC and Township interact - the Township prefers negotiations through their executive representative, the CAO, while the CRDC wants a committee formed with three Township staff - they prefer the Economic Development Officer, Recreation Director, and Assistant Airport Manager.
The event's received strong support on social media: an online petition with more than 2000 signatures calls for a municipal by-law making the drag races an "endorsed annual event to be held at the Chapleau municipal airport to be organized under the direct oversight of the CRDC".
Tonight's meeting is open to the public, starting at 6:30 in Civic Centre Council Chambers.
Wawa Council to Hold 1st Budget Meeting of 2020
Wawa Municipal Council will look at their budget this week.
A special Corporate Planning meeting has been called for Thursday, February 13th, with the presentation of the 2020 Capital Budget the sole purpose of the meeting.
The meeting is open for the public to attend, starting at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon.