THE VILLAGE OF BURK’S FALLS
COUNCIL MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Burk’s Falls Council was held on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers. All members of Council were present. Delegations and their purpose for attending were as follows:
Terri Clark – Manager of the Welcome Centre
- she gave a report on the summer months – approximately 1000 visitors per week
- would like to operate it for another year

Judd Lee – a very avid rail traveler
- would like to re-establish a train station in the village
- he is gathering ridership numbers and the necessary numbers required by VIA Rail
- this would be a long term goal incorporated into a tourism plan for the Village and area

Brian Darnbrough – By-Law Enforcement Officer
- gave his report and answered questions from Council

Len Hall – Village Foreman and Water/Wastewater Operator
- gave his report and discussed the bucket truck; chainsaw equipment and courses; and monitoring requirements at the pump house.

Jill Latendre – a concerned citizen
- her concerns included very limited downtown parking; the empty buildings on Ontario St. and their conditions
- would like to put up Santa Clauses on the street light poles at Christmas; pumpkins and corn stalks for the fall
- had a sketch for a Welcome garden at the north end of the Village

Ralph and Cathy Snell – Rick and Michelle Tamblyn – Debbie Gould – Ethel Demain – Jim Shaw and Elwood Addison – a contingent from the 1st Burk’s Falls and Area Scouting
- Elwood Addison acted as their spokesperson
- He informed Council that 2007 marked the Centennial Year of Scouting world-wide and 75 years in the Village
- Would like to dedicate a plaque and perhaps a tree in the spirit of scouting
- Placed either at the Welcome Centre or Stan Darling Park
Council gave them permission to pick a site at the Welcome Centre that the security cameras would be able to cover and then contact Village personnel regarding the placement of the plaque/tree.

Council went into a closed session to discuss personnel issues.

The following resolutions were passed:
2007-148
Ron Russell – Rex Smith
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls adopts the Minutes of the August 28, 2007 meeting as circulated.
2007-149
Rex Smith – B. Campbell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls accepts the application for a ticket raffle from the Almaguin Minor Hockey Fundraising Committee provided all regulations are adhered to.

2007-150
Lewis Hodgson – Ron Russell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read and approve By-Law No. 14-2007 being a by- law to exempt properties from taxation for the general portion of the taxation levy;

And hereby authorize the Reeve and the Clerk to sign this by-law and affix the Seal of the Corporation thereto.

2007-151
B. Campbell – Lewis Hodgson
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have reviewed the Expression of Interest to the Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program - Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal;

Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls hereby authorizes the Clerk/Treasurer to submit this application on behalf of the municipality.

2007-152
Rex Smith – Ron Russell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution presented by the Town of Smiths Falls regarding certain reforms of the assessment system during the current re-assessment freeze;

Whereas the intent may be to apply the current commercial/industrial/multi-residential capping system to residential rate payers when the freeze is over;

And Whereas it is commonly recognized that the capping system has numerous flaws that result in numerous unfair situations;

And that the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls supports the concerns expressed in this resolution and forward our support to the Town of Smiths Falls for their presentation to the Premier for consideration.

2007-153
Ron Russell – Rex Smith
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution from the Corporation of the Nation Municipality concerning Lead Sampling in Private Homes;

Whereas O.Reg 399/07 (amending O.Reg. 170/03 made under the Safe Drinking Water Act) requires that a municipal operating authority sample and test the plumbing in private homes for lead.

And whereas the cost of this procedure must be paid by the users of the whole system

And whereas the Provincial Government has not provided any funding sources to municipalities for paying the cost of this sampling and testing.

Therefore be it resolved that the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls petition the Ministry of the Environment to change the responsibility for said sampling and testing to the local Health Unit.

2007-154
Lewis Hodgson – B. Campbell
As per the Municipal Act. S.O. 2001, c. 25 as amended, 239(2) Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls enters into a closed meeting at 20:29 pm.

2007-155
Lewis Hodgson – Rex Smith
As per the Municipal Act S. O. 2001, c. 25 as amended, p.239(2) Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls exits from a closed meeting at 20:43 pm.

2007-156
Rex Smith – Ron Russell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls approves the Accounts Payable as presented up to and including September 25, 2007 in the amount of $187,942.73 and hereby authorize the Clerk/Treasurer to issue cheques for same.

2007-157
Lewis Hodgson – B. Campbell
That we do now adjourn at 10:28 until the next regular scheduled meeting on October 23, 2007.


Jarvis Osborne
Clerk/Treasurer