The Cornerstone FEBRUARY 2019 Township Of O’Connor Emergency Contacts: Medical Emergencies: 911 Please note that the Township Office will be Closed: Fire: 911 Monday, February 18th for Family Day. Police: 911 Lakehead Regional Conservation Authority 2019 calendars are available Municipal Office Hours at the township office during regular business hours. Monday through Thursday: 9:00 am to Noon & 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Fridays: 9:00 am to Noon SPEED LIMIT: LOOKING FOR RESIDENT’S INPUT Office Phone: 476-1451 The Township of O’Connor Council are currently looking for resident’s input. Fax: 473-0891 Council are currently considering lowering the speed limit on Cronk Road to Garage: 476-1453 60 km per hour. They are looking for input on this possible change from the Community Centre: 476-1452 residents on Cronk Road, as well as the general public. Council will be discussing Website: www.oconnortownship.ca E-mail: [email protected] this further at their Council meeting held on Monday, March 25, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to express your opinion on this change, you may attend the Disposal Site Hours: meeting in person or submit your written comments to be read at the meeting. Winter Hours (Sept 1 - Mar 31) For more information you may contact the Clerk-Treasurer, Lorna Buob at Tuesdays 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm 476-1451 during regular office hours. Saturdays 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Summer Hours (Apr 1 to Aug 31) Tuesdays 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm NOTICE Saturdays 9:00 am to 3:00 pm O’CONNOR COMMUNITY CLUB Dog Control Officer: David Frowen 707-3148 Annual General Meeting Building Permits: Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 By-law Number 2016-12, passed June 27, at 7:00 pm 2016, being a by-law respecting in Construction, Demolition, Inspections, and to set out the rates for permits within the O’Connor Council Chambers Corporation of the Township of 330 Highway 595 O’Connor states that building permits will be required for the construction, Volunteers are needed to join the O’Connor Community Club for 2019. erection, alteration, repair, removal, Volunteers assist with and lead engaging activities for residents and surrounding relocation and change of use of all communities. Without the volunteer base to organize and operate events and buildings or structures within the activities, these events cannot occur. Have an impact on your community and Township of O’Connor. If you are consider joining our team of dedicated volunteers and become a regular building anything larger than 108 square Community Club member. feet or a building with heating, you are Volunteer opportunities vary and may include: required to apply for a building permit. For • Organize community events such as the Christmas Potluck, Strawberry more information please call the Township Festival, or children’s events Office or the Township’s Chief Building Official, Gordon Cuthbertson, at • Organize fundraisers to raise funds for programs to benefit our community 708-7548. • Assist at and/or bake for funeral luncheons Applications available on the Township • Assist with neighbourhood clean up website or at the office. • You may also bring your own ideas with you! We love to hear ideas of how Oliver Paipoonge Library Hours: you think you can help make a difference in our community! (Use of both branches is free for Contribute to your community in a positive way, meet great new people, build up residents of O’Connor) your resume and network. Women and Men of all ages welcome! Watch for upcoming meetings in the Cornerstone. For more information about volunteer Murillo Branch (935-2729) opportunities or to sign up for a volunteer position please call Lorna at 476-1451 Monday - 10 - 8 pm or send an email of interest to [email protected]. Wednesday 10 - 8 pm Saturdays 10 - 2 pm PLEASE REFER TO THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE AT Rosslyn Branch (939-2312) www.oconnortownship.ca FOR DETAILS ON THE Tuesday 10 - 8 pm TOWNSHIP SKATING RINK ICE CONDITIONS. Thursday 10 - 8 pm Saturdays 1 - 5 pm We are still looking for volunteers to help keep the surface clear of Email: [email protected] snow. Those interested in operating the Township’s snow blower www.olsn.ca/oplibrary are asked to contact Kelly Johnson at the O’Connor Municipal garage at 476-1453 or the Municipal office at 476-1451. 1 COUNCIL MEETINGS Groundhog Day - The next regular meeting of Council will be held on Monday, February 11th & Monday, February 25th. The Saturday, February 2nd meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers Groundhog Day always falls on February 2. located in the Municipal Office located at 330 Highway 595. This traditionally marks the midpoint between Council welcome your involvement and interest in Council the winter solstice in December and the spring meetings and municipal issues. equinox in March. According to legend, if a groundhog sees Council welcome your involvement and interest in Council its shadow on this day, there will be six more weeks of winter; meetings and municipal issues. Join the meetings and if it doesn’t, then spring is right around the corner. stay informed on what’s happening in your municipality. Happy Groundhog Day!! Draft agendas can be found online Friday afternoons prior From O’Connor Council & Staff to the Monday meetings or pick one up upon attending the meeting. Mayor Jim Vezina - 577-6735 Councillors: Alex Crane - 473-9420 Jerry Loan - 768-0947 Wendy Handy - 344-2523 Bishop Racicot - 577-2215 SILVER MOUNTAIN FOOD GROUP Attention People of the Northwest who are interested in good quality food: Winter brings snow and snow brings out the plow trucks. Please use caution and slow down when approaching plow Silver Mountain Food Group is currently accepting trucks on Municipal roads and on Provincial highways and let new members. them do their job to ensure roads are clear and safe to drive. We are the largest volunteer driven food buying club in When plowing and shoveling snow from driveways, residents Ontario, focused on providing members access to are reminded that it is illegal to push the snow across a “good quality food in bulk.” roadway. Ridges that are left behind can cause a potential hazard to motorists. Be cautious in inclement weather, slow Ordering twice per year with an emphasis on organic and down and always be aware of other drivers. conventional food basics like flours, gluten-free Drive safe. alternatives, oats, baking supplies, grains and legumes, as well as local goods. Snowmobile Safety and Trespassing We will be hosting an open house A reminder to all snowmobile riders to be responsible by April 6th - 7th respecting landowner rights. This respect starts with NOT 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. entering any private land without permission. at the Kakabeka Legion. Unauthorized entry of private land can lead to trespass Come and check us out. charges. Snowmobilers and parents of snowmobilers are asked to For more information or to join: remember or remind their children to Email: [email protected] drive ONLY on the snowmobile trails Facebook: or on their own private property https://www.facebook.com/groups/314659995829212/ (depending on their age and type of driver’s licence). BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT AT THE O’CONNOR COMMUNITY CENTRE! Celebrate Valentine’s Book your special occasion at the Day with those you O’Connor Community Centre. The Centre's capacity is 132 people when a liquor license is love on Thursday, required. Maximum capacity is 162 people. Please call the Municipal Office at 476-1451 for more information or to book your event. February 14th. O’Connor Hall Rental Fees: Happy Valentine’s - Social with Liquor…………. $200.00 Day. - Hall Rental No Liquor………..$75.00 - Use of basement Kitchen…….$50.00 (A $50.00 damage deposit may be required.) From O’Connor Council & Staff Hall rental applications can be picked up at the O’Connor 2 Municipal Office during regular business hours. Fire Department News Disposal Site Since the last newsletter the O’Connor First Response Team Goal have responded to 1 call. To progress towards zero waste through an Make sure YOUR household is safe from carbon integrated waste management approach. monoxide poisoning. Homeowners and landlords are responsible for ensuring Why it matters their properties have working carbon monoxide (CO) As a whole, we throw away the equivalent of millions of alarms. This includes: barrels of oil per year, with significant economic, social, Testing: environment, and cultural impacts. When reused or recycled, there is potential for waste to be useful. • It is recommended that carbon monoxide alarms be There are significant costs that come with waste tested monthly or in accordance with the collection and disposal, as well as the creation of manufacturer’s instructions. greenhouse gas emissions and toxic substances. Batteries: Litter in our community can affect our quality of life and • Replace batteries in carbon monoxide alarms once a economy. Education and proactive measure can help year or whenever the low-battery warning sounds. prevent litter. • Know the difference between a low-battery warning and Fluorescent lights, electronic waste, and similar materials an emergency alarm – consult the CO alarm contain toxic chemicals which pose health and manufacturer’s instructions. environmental risks. Replace CO alarms: Visit thunderbay.ca/en/earthcare.aspx for proper disposal • In accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. instructions. • Know what the “end-of-life” warning sounds like – You can help reduce waste by choosing items with less consult the CO alarm manufacturer’s instructions. packaging and avoiding items in single use plastic Landlords: container (i.e. bottled water, plastic bags).