Public input on budget urged

Town council will begin its 2013 budget process tonight with an open meeting to get input from the public, and citizens are encouraged to come out and give their two cents.
Only Fort Frances Meals on Wheels is on the agenda to share its ideas as to what they’d like to see in the budget. But clerk Glenn Treftlin said it’s not too late for the public to have their say.

“We certainly encourage them to come out,” he noted Friday afternoon.
“It’s quite a big deal and I don’t think people realize just how big it can be,” Treftlin added.
“The turnout has never been what we hope for,” he admitted. “People have lots to do, I guess.”
While the town prefers if delegations get on the agenda ahead of time, town council still will allow residents not on the docket to step to the microphone this evening to offer their input.
Presentations will be limited to 10 minutes each.
The public meeting regarding the 2013 budget is scheduled to start at 6:20 p.m.
The public portion of this evening’s committee of the whole meeting is scheduled to start at 6:10 p.m.
It will meet in-camera first starting at 5:30 p.m.
Other business on
tonight’s agenda includes:
•an appointment to the Kiwanis Sunny Cove Camp Advisory Committee;
•a report re: funding applications to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada;
•a recommendation re: an amendment to the joint-use agreement at the St. Francis Sports Fields;
•a report re: the Fun in the Sun steering committee;
•the August, 2012 Drinking Water Systems Monthly Summary Report;
•a request from Ontario Region North Lands, Economic Development Aboriginal Affairs, and Northern Development Canada re: the Fort Frances Airport;
•a report re: Occupational Health and Safety Supervisor Responsibility Policy;
•a request for exemption for an over-height fence at 833 Portage Ave. N.;
•an entertainment expense claim for Coun. Andrew Hallikas;
•a per diem claim for Coun. Sharon Tibbs for attending the Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Workshop on Sept. 10;
•a letter of resignation from C. Cuthbertson from the BIA board;
•a financial request from the Rainy River District OPP re: Sunny Cove Camp rental fees;
•a joint request from the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care and Canadian Union of Public Employees to proclaim Oct. 24 as “Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a bylaw to approve certain airport hangar lot lease renewal agreements; and
•a bylaw to accept a proposal/contract for services from Tetra Tech WEI Inc.