Minutes of a Special Meeting held in the Council Chambers, 937907 Marsh Bay Road, Coleman Township, on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
There were present:
Township of Coleman Mayor: D. Cleroux
Councillor: S. Cote
C. Marcella
L. Perry
Clerk-Treasurer: C. Bigelow
Works Foreman: D. Dufresne
Clerk Intern L. Belanger
Fire Chief: D. Laitinen
Deputy Chief: Martin Cook
Present: Doug McLeod
Motion 11-03-08 MOVED BY Cathy Marcella and SECONDED BY Susan Cote: WHEREAS Section 239 (2) states that a meeting or part of a meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered is:
(b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council agrees to reconvene in closed session at 7:05 p.m. to discuss the following matter:
a) Coleman Fire Department Executive Carried.
Motion 11-03-09 MOVED BY Lois Perry and SECONDED BY Susan Cote:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council agrees to reconvenes without a report at 7:05 p.m. Carried.
A discussion was held regarding the cleaning of snow at railway crossings. Work Foreman Dufresne will contact Ontario Northland Railway for assistance with the removal of snow at the crossings where visibility is hampered.
Coleman Fire Department
Chief Laitinen advised the 2011 Air Compressor agreement is being re-negotiated and should be received in the near future.
Discussions were held regarding the following concerns with fire protection in the municipality:
1. The ability of providing fire protection to residences at locations that do not front on a public road.
2. Fighting a fire when only a minimum of volunteers can attend.
3. Leaving the municipality to attend an occurrence in another municipality.
Chief Laitinen advised policies will have to be put in place in order to provide direction to the Volunteer Firefighters. He will research other municipalities’ fire suppression by-laws in order to get some insight on the process. The Coleman Fire Department executive will review by-laws, operational guidelines and rules and bring their recommendations to Council.
Chief Laitinen advised the Township of Coleman and the Town of Cobalt fire departments will join together for emergency preparedness programs this year. He assured fire prevention will be done more efficiently in the future.
The next meeting will be held April 12th, 2011.
Break Discussions
– SMC (Canada) Limited donated a chimney to Bass Lake Park.
– Dogs are not allowed at Bass Lake Park – there should be better signage.
– Net revenue on Bass Lake report incorrect as Municipal Labour was not included.
Bass Lake Park
Mayor Cleroux opened the discussion by asking each member of council what to voice their vision of Bass Lake Park. He felt the park has been managed properly as far as the person managing the park. Perhaps the park should be surveyed and lots sold to replace the cost of the original purchase.
Councillor Perry
Bass Lake Park is the only park, the recreational facility in the Township of Coleman – the main tourist attraction.
The trailers near the lake should be moved to the top
The cabins are not a problem as not everyone can afford a cottage
The road crossing at the tracks should be straightened as the crossing is very unsafe due to poor visibility
Municipal property should be developed on the road leading to the park in order to have access to revenue
Councillor Cote
The park should be developed on the top and at the bottom to accommodate residents who leave for the winter months.
The road is a problem and should be relocated.
The beach should be kept and the area become a kid’s park, perhaps a volley ball field – all recreation
We need a new change room and shower facility
The ball diamond should be left as is – no back stop or bleachers
Councillor Marcella
Trailers should be moved from the bottom lots to the top lots
Develop and user payment scheme
Grant money should not be used for the park development as the park should sustain itself – grant moneys should be reserved for roads/infrastructure.
By-laws will have to be developed to control development and proper standards.
There should be a residential component – to accommodate “snowbirds” or smaller homes.
Douglas McLeod
The beach should remain a beach
The top portion requires planning with respect to seasonal or year round accommodations
A formal plan must be developed indicating water services, electricity, plowing etc.
The park must pay for itself and decisions must made with respect to full time residences.
There should be a fee for year round use of the lot.
Clerk-Treasurer
There should be some order with the location of the trailers at the top
Work Foreman
The water lines will have to be replaced in the near future
The concession stand is needed
A park manager is required to run the park
Questions that arose from the discussions
1. Do we have to pay for hydro?
2. Do we sell or lease lots?
3. Do we provide garbage collection for full time residences?
4. Should we have permanent homes or seasonal trailers?
5. What about grey water?
6. Do we maintain the cottages?
7. Do we continue with non serviced lots?
8. Do we add a year round fee for trailers left on the lots during the winter months?
Decisions
1. Council agreed that, while we are in a transition period, they don’t mind running at a loss
2. Trailers located at the bottom, near the beach, will be re-located to the top part of the park this year. The Clerk-Treasurer to advise trailer owners a.s.a.p.
3. Chief Laitinen will conduct an inspection of the cabins, concession stand and trailer locations – if the cabins are not to code, they will not be rented.
4. Trailers will no longer be permitted to construct sheds/storage buildings or store their fishing shacks on site.
5. Council will visit the site as soon as weather permits.
6. A meeting is scheduled for April 12th, 2011 to further plans for Bass Lake Park.
7. The Clerk-Treasurer to request a quote for a survey of residential lots on Bass Lake Road.
8. Work Foreman will request a quote for the installation of a water line
9. Mrs. Belanger will prepare an order for playground equipment – funding provided by the Hydro One grant.
Topics of discussion for the next meting:
1. Rates for trailers and cottages
2. The Fire Chief’s report and fire protection policy for the park
3. The future of the cabins
4. Water lines, change rooms and bathrooms
5. Picnic tables and umbrellas in the beach area for visitors.
6. Respond to Mrs. Cheryl Gagnon’s request for a trailer site.
Motion 11-03-20 MOVED BY Lois Perry and SECONDED BY Susan Cote:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this meeting do now adjourn. Carried.
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CLERK-TREASURER MAYOR
