Schreiber Strategic Plan and New Recycling Programme Highlighted at Town Council Meeting

The Meeting opened with a message from the Mayor about the recent problems with the office phone lines and then he presented the land acknowledgement. Minutes from the previous meeting were then approved. 
Committee of the Whole portion of the meeting opened with an approval of the expense and renumeration report from the year end. All debit orders and cheques and accounts payable were approved and ratified. 
There was no unfinished business of other business reported.
First up on the Committee of the Whole portion was the report from the Director of Operations. The old Handi transit vehicle was put up for sale and a discussion around the selling price occurred. The current bids have all been lower than expected and it is hoped a higher bid will be approved. 
The water tower will need to be repaired after an inspection revealed the glass lining is deteriorating and the hatch door needs insulating.
The Blue Box transition report was discussed. In July a new bylaw with regards to recycling will take effect. 
Filter screens at the lake supplying the town with water will need to be replaced. Last year the dam was repaired at the source but the screens will have to wait until the summer.
The sewer plant treatment report was presented.
Old chairs from the municipality will be donated to the church.
The yearly Drinking Water report was presented. It is available for the public at the municipal office. The report did not show any problems at this time.
The Fire Department report showed the amount of calls and responses to emergencies. Fire chief Morrison updated council on the status of equipment and recalled the house fire in January that put the team to the ultimate test as they battled freezing temperatures and searing heat at the same time. Staffing is becoming an issue as four of the firefighters also worked at the mill and have left the area to find employment leaving a gap in the volunteers.
There were also many road accidents during the first 2 months of the year and the fire department is always called out to these situations. Discussions took place around a communication to the township in the form of a letter of support for fire departments and emergency crews.
The CAO report focussed on the Hall rental and Parking bylaws. Winter Parking is always an issue as the current bylaw doesn’t take into consideration the actual time of snow removal crews and what happens if people are attending an event that goes past the specified time.
The Police Report brought up the changes to the new Policing Act and service boards that need to be established. A discussion centred around the role of the Police Services Board.
The Special Projects report talked about financing and scheduling for a study to complete the new strategic plan. 
Communications has a scheduled meeting with various stakeholders regarding the mill closure. MPP Lize Veaugois will be in the Schreiber area for a few days to talk with affected residents.
Council will add their support for increasing funding for libraries through available grants.
Unfinished Business lead to a discussion around insurance costs and liabilities and how fire departments can receive rebates for services related to individual calls. Costs paid out are based on a rating system that doesn’t represent all communities.
The meeting was then moved in camera to complete an earlier closed meeting session.