MV Council clips from July 23 meeting

Here is a brief summary of some of the business conducted at the Township of Madawaska Valley Regular Council meeting on July 23:

How to vote in the October 22 municipal election:

• Vote By Mail By-Law 2018-89 was passed. In order to vote in the October 22 election, click HERE to check that you are on the voters’ list  or call 613-756- 2747 and speak with the Returning Officer or designate. Revisions to the voters’ list may be made between Sept. 4 and Oct. 22. Anyone on the list at Sept. 14 will be sent a Vote By Mail Kit. After Sept. 14 you may pick up your Vote By Mail Kit at the municipal office. It is your responsibility as a voter to return your ballot to the municipality before the close of the poll at 8:00 p.m. on October 22, 2018.
• On October 22, the Voting Day Ballot Return Station is at the municipal office, 85 Bay Street, Barry’s Bay from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and for the convenience of the residents of Valley Manor at 88 Mintha Street, Barry’s Bay from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Full details available from the municipal office.

Municipal lawyers:

CAO/Clerk Sue Klatt received approval from Council to contact reputable law firms and ask them to submit their areas of municipal expertise and costs. Council also authorized Klatt to recommend which firm to be used on a case by case basis depending on subject matter, time sensitivity and expertise required. Her report said this would demonstrate accountability and transparency, and that the review would ensure the type of service relevant to the municipality’s need would be retained. This follows the budget workshops in June which revealed that last year MV paid four times the budgeted amount for legal services — the sum of $80,678.82.

Vacancy for MV Treasurer:

An amendment to the Agenda included a letter from Acting Interim Treasurer Ross Jeffrey stating he will leave the Township of Madawaska Valley on July 27 to become Treasurer for the Town of Gravenhurst. Members of Council expressed thanks to Jeffrey for his work, noting the improvements he has brought to the department, and wished him well in his new endeavours. CAO Klatt announced MV will begin the recruitment process for a new Treasurer.

Recreation news:

Interviews for a new Recreation & Community Development Coordinator will be held the week of July 23 2018. CAO Klatt will conduct interviews without the involvement of any member of Council. The municipality has not had a Recreation & Community Development Coordinator since Council terminated the employment of Paul Nopper without cause on July 28 2017.

Council passed By-Law 2018-91 to establish a Terms of Reference for the Lakeshore Tennis Club Committee.

Access to increased internet services:

Council authorized the CAO to negotiate an agreement with Northern Rural Network (NRN) for installation of an 88-foot communications tower behind the Water Tower in Barry’s Bay. It will be used for increased internet service. Jason Peplinski of NRN wrote to Council saying the towers they use are not comparable to cell phone towers and their frequencies are extremely low. He says they are within the specs and do not require any licensing.