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Council okays memorial bench program

Midway council wrapped up their meeting last Monday in less than half an hour. With two members absent, things were referred to next meeting
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Midway Council logo

Councillor Dick Dunsdon was sitting in the mayor’s chair at the Oct. 7 meeting while Mayor Randy Kappes attended the rural fire protection public meeting in Rock Creek. Councillor Marguerite Rotvold was also away from the meeting.

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Council agreed that members of the Kettle River Museum board of directors would be invited to the next council meeting as a delegation to discuss their financial situation.

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Final adoption was given to bylaws exempting taxation on land and improvements at King of Kings Church, Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses, curling club and the ambulance bay.

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Village Administrator Penny Feist reported that no properties went to tax sale in Midway this year as taxes were paid prior to the sale date.

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Feist reported that the Midway Trails Society (MTS) has received word from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations that they would like to finalize a partnership agreement for management of the trails with BC Parks and Recreation.

“As the Midway Trails Society does all the planning, construction, maintenance and upgrading he asked if the MTS would be willing to hold the agreement.”

Feist reported that Elliott said it makes sense that they hold the agreement for the hiking-biking trails.

MTS would have direct contact with the Ministry of Forests (MOF); it would supply annual reports to the ministry and the village. All planning would be done with ministry staff and the village other than minor stuff or annual maintenance. The benefits are that the MOF will take over insurance liabilities providing $2 million third party liability insurance. The MOF will also supply maintenance materials.

Two questions were put to council: would they like to place the Hiking-Biking Trails under agreement; and would they like to place the River Trails under agreement providing it would revert back to the village if the society ever folded?

It was decided to refer the matter to a later meeting to gather more information and to give Kappes and Rotvold the opportunity to comment as well.

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Council voted to increase Riverfront Campground rates to $20 and an additional $3 a night for power.

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Council passed a motion to have an Adopt-a-Bench program for some 17 existing benches presently along the trails in the community. Funds raised would be designated for maintenance or replacement of the benches.

The Midway Trails Society has agreed to look after maintenance.

The cost for five years is $750 plus taxes. The original owners would have first option on renewal of $250 for a further five years.

Further information is available at the village office.