Chapleau Council Considering 2023 Budget

Chapleau Town Council is considering adopting this year's budget.

The Township says Council's holding a special meeting tonight, as it intends to adopt the 2023 Municipal Budget.

Council looked at the draft budget in May, but - after that meeting - Mayor Ryan Bignucolo told JJAM FM News that Council had asked managers to review it.

It's unclear what changes have been made since, but Mayor Bignucolo had noted inflation was a major part of the problem.

The special meeting begins at 4:30 pm in Council Chambers, open for the public to attend.

Results In From 15th William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament

Organizers are thanking the community for supporting a local golf tournament.

The 15th annual William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament was held in Wawa on Friday, and organizer Danette Mathias thanks businesses that have long supported the tournament.

Mathias reminds the tournament supports local students.

137 golfers participated in the tournament, with four teams going home winners: for the Men's Division, Taylor Dumoulin and Brandon and Bradley Vachon-Case; for the Ladies, Toni Rutland, Gwen McKnight, and Lise Noel; for the Mixed Division, Butch and Marcelle Terris and Jarett Asselin; and for the Seniors, Tony Thomas, Vic Sillanpaa, and Paul Bernath.

New Ontario Health Team to Serve Chapleau & Cochrane Area

The Ontario government's approved the formation of a new "Ontario Health Team" in the region.

Health Minister - and Deputy Premier - Sylvia Jones has announced three new "Ontario Health Teams" in Northeastern Ontario, including the "Équipe Santé Ontario Cochrane District Ontario Health Team", which is noted to serve "Chapleau, Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, Hearst, Hornepayne, Missinabie, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, and Timmins".

The other two are the "Sudbury Espanola Manitoulin Elliot Lake Ontario Health Team" and the "Timiskaming Area Ontario Health Team".

This brings the total number of Ontario Health Teams to 57, including the "Algoma Ontario Health Team" approved three years ago - which includes Algoma Public Health, Sault Area Hospital, the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District, Algoma Family Services, and medical groups, clinics, and a few other facilities in the region - as well as the "Maamwesying Ontario Health Team", which is affiliated with Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services, which has services along the north shore of Lake Huron and other parts of northeastern Ontario, including a clinic at 3 Maple Street in Wawa.

15th William G. Rose Golf Tournament Arrives

Wawa golfers are hitting the greens for an annual tournament this afternoon.

Organizer Danette Mathias explains the William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament is here.

Mathias reminds the tournament does support local students.

Mathias also reminds there are hole-in-one and other prizes, touting the support of businesses that have long supported the tournament.

Tee-offs for the 15th annual William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament begin at 1 o'clock this afternoon.

Wawa Library Launches Family Photo Scavenger Hunt

The Wawa Public Library's encouraging families to take some photos in a special scavenger hunt.

Head Librarian and CEO Sue Jarrell explains the "summer reading fun" organized by the library includes the popular event kicking off today.

Jarrell notes the library's Bingo Reading Summer Challenge is also underway - for children and for adults - while a Story Walk has been set up around the Town Hall building, the TD Summer Reading Club is underway, and in-house programming is also happening at the local library.

The Wawa Public Library's Family Photo Scavenger Hunt continues to July 24th, though participants will have until 4 pm on July 25th to submit their entries.

Nominations Accepted for Chapleau's "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award

Chapleau wants to hear about volunteers in the community.

The Township's inviting nominations for the "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award, which honours individuals who've made "an outstanding contribution to the community over a period of years" - it notes "consideration will be given to individuals who have served the community through a non-profit or service organization, made significant contributions to local programs or services, been a leader and innovator with community volunteers, have given of their time, knowledge and skills to achieve a goal for the community, or have contributed to the community in spite of barriers or personal circumstances".

Nomination forms - in English and French - can be found at the Civic Centre or the Municipal website, and must be submitted by 4 pm on Friday, July 21st.

Small Forest Fire Confirmed in Wawa District

A small forest fire's been confirmed in the Wawa district.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says "Wawa 9" is located one kilometre east of Obakamiga Lake and two kilometres west of South Vision Lake - it was 1.3-hectares in size when the Ministry's report was issued, but was considered "not under control".

It's one of 30 active fires in the Northeast - the only considered "not under control" - while there are 44 active in the Northwest.

The fire hazard's mostly moderate to high for this region.

Special Meeting Called for Chapleau Council to Consider Budget

Chapleau Town Council will look at adopting this year's capital budget next week.

A special meeting's been called for Tuesday, July 18th, with the Township saying Council intends to adopt the 2023 Municipal Budget - they had looked at the draft budget in May, but - after that meeting - Mayor Ryan Bignucolo told JJAM FM News that Council had asked managers to review it.

It's unclear what changes have been made since.

Tuesday's special meeting will be held at 4:30 pm in Council Chambers, open for the public to attend.

PHSD Recommends Waiting for Fall for COVID-19 Booster

Health officials are recommending another COVID-19 vaccine shot for the fall - but not yet.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts notes Ontario's Ministry of Health recently updated vaccination guidelines, recommending all eligible individuals in need of a booster dose consider waiting until the fall to receive it, so it'll "provide greater protection before the typical increase of respiratory illnesses in the fall and winter months", though it says individuals can choose to get the booster dose earlier, based on health status and personal situation, recommending you speak to your health care provider to determine if you should.

Wawa Council Declares Community Safety Zones Around Schools

Wawa Municipal Council's declared areas around local schools as "Community Safety Zones".

The move was approved in last night's Council meeting - more than a month after it was initially proposed - with Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall explaining in last night's Committee of the Whole meeting that staff launched a survey and held an open house, receiving feedback overwhelmingly in favour of the idea, which would Weatherall previously explained would see the zones established around the Churchill school zone, Sir James Dunn, and Ecole l'Escalade, to address concerns about speeding.

Weatherall told Council ahead of their vote that approving the by-law would mean staff would proceed with signage to install for the upcoming school year in September, accompanied by an educational campaign for drivers.

OMNRF Lifts RFZ, Burning Permits Still Required Locally

Ontario's lifted a ban on open air burning in place for more than a month.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says the Restricted Fire Zone that was in place for the entire fire region of Ontario - which includes most of the province, including the entire North - was lifted at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon - it was initially implemented for much of the province on June 1st, and expanded days later, amid hot and dry conditions and a number of forest fires, which was straining provincial resources and contributing to smoke that caused air quality issues for much of the country.

While it has lifted the RFZ, the Ministry urges Ontarians and visitors to "continue to use extreme caution and follow Ontario's Outdoor Fires Regulations when having an outdoor fire", emphasizing that lifting the restrictions "does not mean we can let our guard down when it comes to preventing human-caused fires".

Locally, the Municipality of Wawa and Township of Chapleau have both announced an end to their bans on open air burning, which had suspended burning permits - Wawa's ban stemmed from the RFZ, while Chapleau's was implemented days before, due to the hot and humid conditions, as a small forest fire was burning just outside the community - both communities remind permits are required and applications will now be considered.

Only one new fire was reported across the North on Tuesday - southeast of Dryden - and it was called out, leaving a total of 83 "active" across the North - 31 in the Northeast, 52 in the Northwest - while the fire hazard ranges from low to high for much of the North.

Wawa Council Considering Municipal Accommodation Tax

The Municipality of Wawa's looking into a new tax on short-term accommodations.

In last night's Committee of the Whole meeting, CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill explained a "Municipal Accommodation Tax" is recommended by the Municipality's Strategic and Tourism Plans, noting a number of other communities have implemented one - including Chapleau, Marathon, Sault Ste. Marie, Greater Sudbury, and Thunder Bay - commonly set at 4%, though Council could choose a different rate.

O'Neill noted preliminary estimates suggests the tax could bring in about $500,000, further explaining that - under provincial legislation - 50% of the funds raised go to municipal coffers.

O'Neill explained the other half of the funds would need to go to a third party who would use it for tourism purposes only, though she noted there are a number of possibilities on that front, including a destination marketing organization - which Council could establish - though she also noted Chapleau's partnered with the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation to distribute those funds.

Councillor Mitch Hatfield questioned how the Municipality would know about local B&Bs, with O'Neill acknowledging there are tracking issues but staff have a list and have been watching online postings - supplemented with local knowledge - further encouraging those local to self-identify or report.

In last night's regular meeting, Council approved a resolution directing staff to continue exploring the business case for implementation of the tax - including meeting with stakeholders and looking into what entity would receive half of the funds raised, possibility of rebates, and a potential appeal process - then report back to Council to consider whether to move forward and in what form.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, None for PHSD

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting four over the last week - three in the Sault Ste. Marie area, another in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases are down slightly, to six, with two in hospital, one in an ICU.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting no new cases since Friday, with known "active" cases down to ten - the health unit now only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed three cases in hospital.

Chapleau Looking Into Heating Project

The Township of Chapleau's looking into a potential energy project.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains Chapleau Town Council's approved a $13,400 contribution toward the feasibility study for the "Chapleau District Heating Project".

The "partner" referenced is Commercial Bioenergy Inc., with whom the Township's signed a memorandum of understanding - the resolution passed Monday also noted CBE will be applying for funding through the Green Municipal Fund.

Mayor Bignucolo notes Council on Monday also approved a zoning by-law amendment to permit the conversion of four residential units at 49 Monk Street into five units with reduced parking requirements, and a more than $63,000 purchase order for a new Breathing Air Compressor.

Chapleau Area Forest Fires Now "Under Control"

More progress has been made on a couple forest fires in the region.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is now showing the 3916 hectare "Chapleau 3" fire - located two kilometres south of October Lake and 2.5 kilometres west of Vichaw Lake - and the 1229 hectare "Chapleau 6" fire - located 2.5 kilometres west of Morin Lake and one kilometre east of Bolkow Lake - are now considered "under control" - neither fire has grown in about four weeks, and were reclassified as "being held" last week, with access and travel restrictions around "Chapleau 3" lifted last Wednesday.

As of Monday night, there were 32 active wildland fires in the Northeast - only one considered "not under control" - with 56 active in the Northwest - six "not under control" - while the fire hazard's mainly moderate to high across the North.

The Restricted Fire Zone banning open air burning - and suspending burning permits - remains in place for the entire fire region of Ontario, with no indication when it'll lift.

Wawa Council Holding Back-to-Back-to-Back Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a trio of meetings tonight.

That includes a Committee of Adjustment meeting to address an application for a minor variance, as well as a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will include monthly reports from department heads, an update on the Community Safety School Zone, and discussion on a memorandum of understanding on a Goose Nest mural, firefighter protocol for funeral service, a municipal accommodation tax, and a municipal SUV purchase.

The latter two will be followed up in tonight's regular Council meeting, which also include a resolution relating to a funding application for the Michipicoten Golf Club, by-laws appointing a new deputy clerk, adopting a citizen complaint policy, and adopt the designation of Community Safety Zones around local schools, plus five "in camera" items: one a personnel issue, the other legal issues relating to an outstanding property taxes issue, a property standards complaint, an offer to purchase property, and marina divestiture.

The meetings will be held back-to-back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

15th William G. Rose Golf Tournament Nears

Golfers will hit the greens later this week for an annual golf tournament.

The 15th annual William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Friday, honouring the late longtime Wawa police chief - teams of men, ladies, mixed, or seniors will participate, with hole-in-one and other prizes.

Those looking to join in can call the pro shop at the Michipicoten Golf Club - at 705-856-7409 - to get a tee-time - they start at 1 o'clock Friday afternoon.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Heating District Project, Zoning By-Law Amendment

Chapleau Town Council's set to meet tonight.

Included on tonight's agenda are resolutions: approving a purchase order for a new breathing air compressor for the Fire Department; authorizing a $13,400 contribution toward a feasibility study on the Chapleau Heating District Project; and amending the zoning by-law to allow the conversion of four existing residential units into five.

There's also an "in-camera" item, relating to CAO recruitment.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight, in Civic Centre Council Chambers, though details on accessing it electronically can be found on the Township's website.

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