Yellowknife (Aug 25/06) - Village council is moving forward with the project to build an extension on the fire hall. Dillon Consulting has been engaged to complete Phases 1 and 2 of the project.

Phase 1 will include developing a feasibility plan. Phase 2 involves creating a detailed design and tender package including architectural drawings. At the village council meeting on Aug. 21, council voted to set a Sept. 15 deadline for the completion of Phase 1.

Cleaner plant

The village's sewer treatment plant might soon be getting a chopper pump. Village council granted approval for Tom Matus, the senior administrative officer, to apply to the Innovation Fund, a partnership between the Government of the NWT and Infrastructure Canada. The pump will save wear and tear on the other equipment in the plant, said Matus. The village will be required to match any federal and territorial contributions to the project.

Scholarship granted

Jessie Loutit was awarded the high school scholarship award of excellence from the Village of Fort Simpson. The scholarship is worth $1,000 to be used towards post secondary education.

Smaller road

In order to make room for a new four-plex, part of a municipal road is being closed. Village council voted to pass a by-law to close a portion of the road adjacent to Lot 73 on Antoine Drive so a proposed four-plex will legally fit on the lot. There is already one four-plex on the lot.

Dirty village

Coun. Bob Hanna is concerned about the amount of litter that can be seen around the village. There is garbage all over the place, said Hanna and no reason it should be there.

"I've been to different parts of the world and you never see anything like it," he said.

Hanna suggested that the RCMP should be giving out tickets for littering. The mindset of the community also has to be changed, he added.

Campground gone

Coun. Candy Brown is upset about the removal of the campground on the far side of the ferry crossing.

"I think it's terrible the campground was taken out," said Brown.

Coun. Bob Hanna agreed that the campground provided a handy place for people to go for picnics and short trips. The campground was run by the territorial government.