Fort Simpson (Jun 23/06) - Village council is seeking legal advice about the current garbage pick-up contract.

The decision followed a debate by council about the level of service and whether the latest changes in the pick-up schedule meet the original contract awarded to Xah Ndah Resources Ltd.

"I have been getting it every time I poke my head outside," Mayor Duncan Canvin said, about the frequency of residents with complaints over the garbage service.

Canvin said the village has been putting up with the service for a long time.

"It's getting ridiculous," Canvin said.

Tipping fee imbalance

Council is discussing possible changes to tipping fees at the landfill site.

Coun. Bruce Thomas noted that he has to pay the full tipping fee, even if he's only taking a bit of garbage because he only has a one-ton truck.

Currently, there are no tipping fees for vehicles under one ton. Many construction companies take their building garbage in half- ton trucks to avoid the fee, Thomas said.

Coun. Bob Hanna, who was part of council when the tipping fees were introduced, said they were put in place because of construction garbage from the major work on Thomas Simpson school and Bompas elementary school.

"It was never meant to hit the little guy," Hanna said.

Council plans to continue discussions on the issue at a later meeting.

Silence at noon

Senior administrative officer Tom Mattus confirmed the order has been given for the fire siren to be turned off.

The siren, however, will not be disconnected so it will remain functional.

Reprieve for dogs

Owners of non-neutered dogs in the village are getting a break in licensing costs.

Council approved a grace period where the licensing fee will be dropped from $50 to $25. Owners have until Sept. 30 to take advantage of the offer.

The reduction was one of the suggestions made by Betty Hanson on behalf of Cause for Paws at the June 5 council meeting.

Incentive to pay

Home owners in Fort Simpson can look forward to a grant again this year if they pay their property taxes in a timely manner.

Council approved this year's home owner's grant, allowing for a maximum of 50 per cent of property tax to a maximum of $300 if taxes are paid in full by Aug. 31.

The amount of the grant decreases by $100 per month in September and October.