Fort Simpson (May 21/04) - At Monday night's meeting, council passed the first and second readings of a bylaw to forgive approximately $49,000 in property taxes owed by close to 35 "squatters."

The arrears are strictly for the year 2001. Grants in lieu for those properties were not paid by the government because the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs turned the land in question over to the federal government that year, according to Bernice Swanson, the village's senior administrative officer. Neither government has since taken responsibility for that year's grants.

The arrears -- ranging from $616.77 to $5,041.72 -- and the names of those who owe the outstanding amounts will be publicly posted prior to third reading of the bylaw, according to Swanson. Ministerial consent will be required to officially forgive the debts.

Clean up your act

An unsightly property bylaw was also given first and second readings. Councillor Bob Hanna asked who will judge whether a property is considered unsightly. Swanson replied that it will be based on complaints of properties in disrepair or containing junk such as wrecked vehicles. She noted that the bylaw officer has already take pictures of some sites. She will write the owners a warning letter once the bylaw is in place, she said. The fine for violating the bylaw is $250 for a first offence and $500 for subsequent infractions.

Nothing to say

Two agenda items went without any discussion at Monday's meeting at Mayor Raymond Michaud's insistence. He said both matters are potential legal issues, therefore they should only be addressed in camera. The first was a request for $20,000 in compensation by resident Dwight Sloat, who was injured in a fall more than two years ago. The other was a request by resident Ken Lambert to have his municipal taxes waived due to flooding on his property along the Four Mile Access Road. Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche wrote a letter of support on Lambert's behalf. Menicoche was also present at Monday's council meeting to speak to the issue, but council chose not to hear him out.

Still dogged

Councillor Kim Squires brought up the loose dog issue, which was also discussed at the previous council meeting.

"It's not getting any better," Squires said.

Swanson replied that the village's dog catcher caught one canine each of the past two weekends. However, she said she would hire an additional dog catcher.

Hanna said, "This has been going on forever." He swore that unrestrained dogs could be found in front of his house at 7 a.m. every morning.

Michaud said he hopes the situation gets resolved before a child gets hurt.

That was quick

Monday's council meeting, which started at 7:30 p.m. as usual, adjourned at 8:05 p.m.