Council to get info on trail plan

As a follow-up to the draft report presented at an open house here back in October, town council will receive a presentation from Heather Cram, of consultants Hilderman Thomas Frank and Cram, regarding an active transportation plan for Fort Frances at its regular meeting tonight
While Cram was here for the public information session in October, tonight’s presentation specifically will give council the opportunity to ask her any questions.

As previously reported, the consultants were retained to look at what is needed to develop a plan for a trail system throughout the community, as well as linkages between the waterfront and the community’s north- and west-end residential areas.
This would include on-road bike paths, off-road paths for cycling, walking, and in-line skating wide enough for two-way traffic, clearly marked and safe crosswalks, safe and secure places to park bikes at destinations, and signage to indicate routes and trails.
The active transportation plan—the aim of which is to help people integrate physical activity into their daily lives—also would include an education component, including bicycle and small wheel safety courses, road sharing information, and promotion of health, wellness, and the environmental benefits of active transportation.
Ideally, the implementation of an active transportation plan would help improve the health of Fort Frances residents, increase the quality of life, enhance the tourism experience, and achieve other environmental and socio-economic benefits.
Tonight’s council meeting is scheduled to start at 6:20 p.m. It will be preceded by the committee of the whole downstairs, which starts at 5:30 but will be in-camera until about 6 p.m.
Other business at tonight’s meeting will include:
•a police services activity report from OPP detachment commander Insp. Dave Lucas;
•a report on the Ontario Good Roads Association conference in Toronto (Feb. 24-27);
•a report on the J.W. Walker School fire;
•a resolution from the Township of Chapple regarding the sustainability of Ontario’s forest communities;
•a bylaw to authorize the town’s participation in additional public transit funding as committed to under the 2007 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review by the Minister of Transportation (the funding is in the amount of $35,997);
•a reserve fund transfer for the Sister Kennedy Centre;
•a BIA request for weekly curbside collection of recycling materials;
•Northern Ontario Youth Internship & Co-op Student Wage Subsidy;
•financial requests from the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and the Rainy River District Festival for the Performing Arts; and
•travel expense and per diem claims for CAO Mark McCaig, Mayor Roy Avis, and Couns. John Albanese, Paul Ryan, and Sharon Tibbs.