The Cornerstone AUGUST 2017 Township Of O’Connor Emergency Contacts: Medical Emergencies: 911 Fire: 911 Police: 911 The Township of O’Connor office will be closed Monday, August 7th, 2017 for Municipal Office Hours the Civic Holiday. Also note that the Municipal Office will be closed on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: Wednesdays for the month of August. 9:00 am to Noon & 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm (Closed Wednesdays) Fridays: 9:00 am to Noon O’CONNOR COUNCIL & STAFF WISH Office Phone: 476-1451 Fax: 473-0891 EVERYONE A FUN & SAFE Garage: 476-1453 CIVIC HOLIDAY Community Centre: 476-1452 MONDAY, AUGUST 7TH Website: www.oconnortownship.ca E-mail: [email protected] Disposal Site Hours: FIRE PERMITS Summer Hours (Apr 1 to Aug 31) FIRE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL BURNING Tuesdays 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Fire permits are required during the fire season which runs from April 1st to Saturdays 9:00 am to 3:00 pm October 31st as per the Forest Fire Prevention Act. A permit is required before Winter Hours (Sept 1 - Mar 31) starting a fire outdoors, including the burning of grass, brush and the use of Tuesdays 3:00pm to 6:00 pm fireworks and incinerators. Fire permits are valid for 15 days and an incinerator Saturdays 9:00 am to 3:00 pm permit is valid for the entire fire season. Permits may be revoked at anytime at the absolute discretion of the Township’s Fire Chief Henry Mattas. Building Permits: By-law Number 2016-12, passed June Small fires for cooking or warmth do not require a fire permit. 27, 2016, being a by-law respecting Fire and Incinerator Permits can be picked up at the O’Connor Municipal Office, Construction, Demolition, Inspections, 330 Hwy. 595 during regular office hours or from Fire Chief Henry Mattas at and to set out the rates for permits within 741 Barrie Dr. (please call first) 473-9511. the Corporation of the Township of O’Connor states that building permits will be required for the construction, Dogs Running at Large erection, alteration, repair, removal, A friendly reminder to please keep your dogs under relocation and change of use of all your control and in your own yard. If you use a dog buildings or structures within the shock collar please check the batteries. Township of O’Connor. If you are If you are having trouble with dogs running at large, building anything larger than 108 square please contact David Frowen, the Township of feet or a building with heating, you are O’Connor’s Dog Control Officer, at 707-3148. required to apply for a building permit. For more information please call the Township Office or the Township’s Chief Road Construction Building Official, Gordon Cuthbertson, at Culvert replacements and temporary road closures continue 708-7548. Applications available on the throughout the summer. The Township continues to update the Township website or at the office. website of these closures, so please stay informed and check for Please note: New Building Code construction schedules at www.oconnortownship.ca or call the changes effective January 1, 2017. If Township office at 476-1451 for more information. Possible culvert you are building a new home, please ensure you are aware. replacements coming up this month could take place on Broome Road, Smith Road and Garbutt Road. Oliver Paipoonge Library Hours: A kind reminder to slow down and drive with caution around the construction Use of both branches is free for sites. Slow down for the work crew and give them space. The road crew will O’Connor Residents be will doing their best to keep the conditions of our roads safe. Thank you for Note reduced summer hours your patience and cooperation during this time. Murillo Branch (935-2729) Monday - 10 - 8 pm Council Meetings Wednesday 10 - 8 pm The regular meeting for Council will be held on Monday August 14th. The Saturdays closed for July/August meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers located in the Municipal Rosslyn Branch (939-2312) Tuesday 10 - 8 pm Office located at 330 Hwy 595. Thursday 10 - 8 pm Saturdays closed for July/August Council welcome your involvement and interest in Council meetings and municipal issues. Email: [email protected] Mayor Jim Vezina—577-6735 www.olsn.ca/oplibrary Councillors: Chantal Alkins - 577-8038 Jerry Loan - 768-0947 Kevin Foekens - 577-1698 Bishop Racicot - 577-2215 O’Connor Community Club Celebration of Life The O’Connor Community Club would like to thank everyone who supported and attended the Canada 150 BBQ & Strawberry Festival. Prize donations were greatly A celebration of life appreciated from Shannon Vanlenthe, The Squash Queen, service for the late for the hanging basket and Fran Platnick for the lawn ornament. The funds raised from the Strawberry Festival Dorothea M.A. Case will help support the O’Connor Community Club and the will be held at the community programs and funding they support in our Kakabeka Falls Township. Legion on Monday, A very big thank you to all the volunteers who organized this special day and to all the volunteers that made it happen the August 14th at 11:00 a.m. The service day of the festival. These wonderful volunteers are what will be followed by a luncheon at make events like this possible. 12:00 p.m. Anyone wishing to remember The winners of this years prizes were: Dorothea is welcome to attend. First Prize (Bistro Set): Donna Busch Dorothea was a long time resident of Second Prize (Hanging Basket): Bill Zschetzsche Third Prize (Lawn Ornament): Harold Hunt Oliver and Paipoooge Townships. Congratulations!!! In later years, she was a resident of Come join the O’Connor Community Club as we are always Waterloo where she lived with her looking for new volunteers to become members. youngest son and his family. If you are interested, please call Lorna Buob or Linda Racicot at the O’Connor Municipal Office at 476-1451 for more information. ONTARIO RENOVATES PROGRAM If you are unable to commit to meetings, but are able to donate baking and/or occasional hours to help with funeral AFFORDABLE HOUSING luncheons or to aid the Community Club in their efforts to Since 2003 the provincial and federal governments have help support the community, please call the number above provided significant investment in new affordable housing and show how much you care! Every little bit helps. programs. Through partnerships with the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) Come be a part of your community! these programs provide a wide variety of choice: The O’Connor Community Centre Forgivable loans to homeowners to repair their homes and When planning your next special occasion please keep in mind bring them up to health and safety standards and improve that the Community Centre is available for rental. The Centre's accessibility for persons with disabilities capacity is 132 people when a liquor license is required. Maximum capacity is 162 people. Please call the Municipal Office at 476-1451 for more information. Down payment assistance to eligible families that would O’Connor Hall Rental Fees: otherwise not be able to afford homeownership $50.00 damage - Social with Liquor - $150.00 deposit may be - All day rental no liquor - $100.00 required. Capital funding to develop rental at affordable rates - 1/2 day or evening - $50.00 - Use of Kitchen - $25 (May 1st - October 31st) Capital funding for essential repairs and renovations that - $50 (November 1st - April 30th) improve the health and safety of residents living in social housing Rent supplements Grants to assist households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with rent and utility arrears Affordable housing programs that are currently available include Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) for Ontario and Ontario Renovates (formerly Northern Home Repair). If you have questions about the program please contact Jennifer Jones, Housing Programs Clerk at 766-2111 (ext. 4091) or via email [email protected] or check out their website at www.tbdssab.ca. Fire Department News Disposal Site Since the last newsletter the O’Connor First Response Team has responded to 2 medical related calls and the The O’Connor Fire Department Auxiliary has set up Pop Fire Department responded to a call involving a tree on a Can, Beer and Liquor Bottle bins at the O’Connor Disposal hydro line. Site and Fire Hall and in the village of Kakabeka Falls. Upcoming Events: Please separate your pop and beer cans, beer and liquor bottles from your regular recycling and drop them off at October 21st, 2017 - Vacation Raffle Draw (Lottery any of these bins instead of throwing them in the recycling Licence #M709282) in support of the O’Connor Fire bin at the Disposal Site. Department Auxiliary - must be 18 years of age or older to participate); The Township will save money by reducing the number of times the Recycling Bin needs to be emptied by Recool, 1st Prize: Two tickets anywhere WestJet flies (some and the Fire Department raises funds by collecting restrictions apply) cans/bottles and recycling them. 2nd Prize: OpenBay Lodge ice fishing weekend for two plus $100 grocery voucher (Lac Des Mille Lacs, some Should you have any immediate questions as to how you restrictions apply) can help us recycle your waste items, please call the 3rd Prize: Overnight stay at NorWester Best Western O’Connor Municipal Office at 476-1451. Plus Hotel & Conference Centre including breakfast Lakehead Light Horse Association Inc.(LLHA) Tickets are $5.00 or 3 for $10.00 and are now available at the O’Connor Municipal Office at 330 Highway 595 during 2017 is our 62nd year and it will be an exciting one! With business hours or you can call Cheri Biloski at 475-8263 or an eager and determined executive board, 2017 promises any of O’Connor’s Fire Department members.