Notice: Disposal Site
Search: news
Upcoming Council Meetings:
All meetings are held in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Office located at 330 Hwy. 595. Council welcome your involvement and interest in Council meetings.
FLOOD NOTICE
June 6, 2019 - Blaikie and Diana Road will be reopened at 6:00 p.m. tonight
June 5, 2019 - update as of 2:00 p.m.
Harstone Road is now open. Blaikie Road and Diana Road will remain closed until Thursday afternoon.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019 - Update as of 9 a.m.
Blaikie Road & Diana Road remain under water and will remain closed until further notice.
Harstone Road - water has receded however the Road Department will be doing repairs and the road will remain closed until late afternoon.
The LRCA Flood warning has been terminated as of 8:45 a.m.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
PLEASE NOTE: BLAIKIE ROAD IS CLOSED BETWEEN HIGHWAYS 588 AND 595 AT NOON. WATER IS OVER THE ROAD BETWEEN EMERGENCY NUMBERS 72 AND 141 ON BLAIKIE ROAD.
THE HARSTONE ROAD IS ALSO CLOSED AS OF 5:00 P.M. BETWEEN 1502 & 1654 HARSTONE ROAD DUE TO FLOODING.
LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY. Please do not attempt to drive through the water! You do not know whether the road surface below is safe.
PLEASE DRIVE WITH CAUTION AS SEVERAL AREAS IN RURAL THUNDER BAY ARE EXPERIENCING FLOODING.
The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority has issued a Flood Warning for the Lakehead Region including: Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge, Municipality of Neebing, Township of O'Connor and Township of Gillies.
Update 3:15 p.m. - over 90 millimetres of precipitation has been recorded on the Whitefish River gauge in Nolalu in the last 24 hours; however higher levels are likely in isolated areas of high intensity precipitation.
The Whitefish River and tributaries in the area are continuing to rise and will likely not peak until later tonight or tomorrow. Additional precipitation is forecasted over night with the potential for thunderstorms.
11:45 a.m. - The Whitefish River is rising at a rapid pace and will likely continue to rise over the day. Reports of roads overtopping in the general area have been reported. The Village of Hymers is experiencing flooding. Additionally, other tributaries in the area are also reacting to the recent rainfall.
The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority advises that approximately 17-32 millimetres of precipitation has been recorded overnight, with the higher amounts recorded on the Whitefish River and Township of O'Connor. Additional precipitation may occur over the next 24 hours.
A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
The public is advised to exercise caution in and around area waterways and remove stored items adjacent to stream banks to higher ground. Parents and caregivers advised to keep children away from all waterways.
For more updated information please go to www.lakeheadca.com
Welcome to O'Connor Township
Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to Noon, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fridays - 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Summer Hours (July and August) :
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to Noon, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fridays - 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Please note that the office will be closed Wednesdays during the summer.
PLEASE NOTE: The Township office will be closed on Monday, July 1st for Canada Day.
Council Meeting
The next regular meetings of Council will be held on Monday, June 24th and Monday, July 8th. Both meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers located at 330 Highway 595.
A Lakehead Police Service Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 24th at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. (See Cornerstone to inquire on how to serve on the Lakehead Police Service Board)
Regular meetings of Council shall be held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m., except for the month of December, when the meeting will be held on the first Monday of the month. A meeting of Council shall be held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. except during the months of July, August and December. Only during the month of December, a meeting will be held on the third Monday. Where any of the meeting dates fall on a statutory holiday the meeting will be held on the Tuesday of that week at 7 p.m.
FIRE PERMITS
As of Monday, April 1st, Fire Permits are required prior to ALL outdoor burning during the fire season running from April 1st until October 31st as per the Forest Fire Prevention Act. Small fires for cooking or warmth do not require a fire permit. Fire and Incinerator Permits can be picked up at the Township Office during regular office hours at 330 Highway 595 or from Fire Chief Henry Mattas at 741 Barrie Drive (please call ahead at 473-9511).
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION
STRUCTURAL INSPECTION - (Awarded to WSP)
The Township of O’Connor was looking to retain an Engineering/Consulting firm to conduct a complete Structural Inspection of Two Concrete Box Culverts, Two Large Galvanized Steel Culverts, and One Corrugated Steel Arch Culvert all within the Township of O’Connor. Sealed quotations clearly marked as to contents, will be accepted by mail to the Township of O’Connor, 330 Highway 595, RR #1 Kakabeka Falls, Ontario P0T 1W0 or at the Township of O’Connor municipal office, 330 Highway 595, during regular office hours until 4 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2019. The quotations will be opened at the Council meeting later that evening. Click on the links below for complete request for quotation details, as well as the structure locations.
Structural Inspection - Request for Quotations May 2019
Structure Inspection Locations 2019
ROADSIDE GRASS AND WEED CUTTING - (Awarded to A & L Auto Service)
The Township of O’Connor was requesting quotes to cut the grass/weeds on the sides of 65 km of roadway, being 130 total cutting kilometres, within the Township. Cutting is to be done between mid-July and be completed mid-August, 2019.
The successful applicant must provide proof of minimum $1,000,000 liability insurance and have the Township of O’Connor listed as an additional insured under their policy, have a tractor with a minimum cutting width of 8’, have a 360 degree amber beacon mounted on their tractor and must provide and wear a safety vest while operating the tractor.
Quotes are to be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Grass/Weeds Cutting” to the O’Connor Municipal office, 330 Hwy 595, by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 10th, 2018.
The quotes will be opened by Council at their meeting held later that evening.
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
The O’Connor Community Club is once again hosting, with O'Connor Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, O'Connor's Annual Strawberry Festival. Come out and enjoy a bowl of ice cream topped with delicious strawberries, tea and coffee, penny auction and various draws. To see poster, click on the link below.
Friday, July 5th
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
O’Connor Community Centre, 330 Highway 595
CASUAL SUMMER EMPLOYMENT
The Township of O’Connor will be hiring a casual administrative summer employee. This position is also open to students. Applicants will be required to be available for the months of July and August. Applicants must have knowledge of Microsoft Office. Resumes to be submitted by Monday, June 24th and can be brought in to the municipal office during regular office hours at 330 Hwy 595 or emailed to twpoconn@tbaytel.net. For more information, please contact the O’Connor Municipal office during regular office hours at 476-1451.
O'CONNOR CEMETERY WORK BEE
Thank you to all who attended the Township of O’Connor Cemetery workbee Saturday, June 1st. Your community spirit is inspiring!
TOWNSHIP OF O'CONNOR - OFFICIAL PLAN
January 30, 2019, the Township of O'Connor's new Official Plan was approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with some modifications and has come into effect as of January 31, 2019. A Office Consolidated copy will be made available in the near future, on-line, as well as hard copy from the office, if requested.
TOWNSHIP OF O'CONNOR - ZONING BY-LAW
The Township of O'Connor Zoning By-law will now be updated to incorporate the new Official Plan. A Public Meeting will be held in the near future for review of the proposed Zoning By-law. A draft copy of the document will also be available in the near future.
Council
Council for the 2018-2022 term has been set. Congratulations to our new Council members.
Mayor Jim Vezina (middle), Councillors (from left to right) Jerry Loan, Wendy Handy, Alex Crane and Bishop Racicot.
2018 Election results for Council
Thank you to everyone who came out and voted and to Jonathon Hari for also putting his name forward.
Thank you also to Kevin Foekens, the outgoing Councillor, for 4 years of dedication and service to the Township of O'Connor as a Council member.
For School Board results please go to www.elections.ontarioschooltrustees.org or go to the City of Thunder Bay website.
In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, the Clerk as Returning Officer conducts elections for the offices of one Mayor and four Councillors. The term of the new office commenced Monday, December 3, 2018 and serves for four years.
O'Connor Township News
2-Bit Auction
The O'Connor Community Club will be hosting a 2-Bit Auction on Saturday, May 25th in the O'Connor Community Centre. Please click on the link below for more information. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Please contact the O'Connor Municipal office for more information or to reserve tickets.
Clean Water Waste Water Fund (CWWF)
The Township of O’Connor was fortunate this year to receive funding from the Clean Water Wastewater Fund (CWWF), through both the Federal and Provincial governments, to replace several road culverts throughout the Township. This fund covers 50% of the total cost of the project.
To cover the Township’s share of the project we will also be using funds from the Federal Gas Tax Fund (FGT) and the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) to change approximately 60 culverts in our road system.
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has developed communications material to promote awareness of the change to income thresholds under Seniors Co-Pay Program (SCP) and encourage eligible seniors to apply.
Updated income thresholds:
- Single senior - an income of less than or equal to $19,300; or
- Senior couple - a combined income of less than or equal to $32,000.
Patient benefits:
Eligible seniors:
- Can save an average of $130 per year in out-of-pocket drug costs
- Pay no annual deductible and a co-payment of up to $2 for each prescription.
To find out more go to Ontario.ca/SeniorDrugSavings
NorWest Community Health Centres – Mobile Health Services
New Hours for the Norwest Community Health Centres - Mobile Health Services
Please note: The New Hours for the Thursday Clinics at the O'Connor Community Centre - 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The clinics are every second Thursday at the O'Connor Community Centre - 330 Highway 595. They are also here on the third Wednesday of the month by appointment only. See events calendar for dates. For more information or to make an appointment please call 626-8474.
A video produced by the Canadian Institute for Health Innovation and funded by the Ontario Government was filmed in the Township of O'Connor and surrounding area. This video details the need for their mobile service and the services they do provide. To view this video please click on this link. Password is "thunderbay".
Service Ontario Launches Not-For-Profit
Service Ontario has launched a new section for not-for-profits in Ontario making it faster and easier for organizations to get the services and information they need to start, operate and grow their NFPs.
The new site features information on government open call programs for funding, ideas on how to start and manage a not-for-profit organization, a section to help organizations understand the laws that affect the sector, research about the sector, government initiatives that support the sector, and much more.
Please follow the link to visit this new resource: www.ServiceOntario.ca/NotForProfits