burning wood In an 8-2 vote Council approved the changes to the burning by-law.

This falls under the Community Services Committee and Chair Mark King was one of the two who did not approve of the changes.

He says he has concerns on the cost to the Fire Department and some health concerns with open-air burning.

Although, he says now that everyone has to buy a permit that will be some added revenue, and he says he hopes that can off-set the costs to the fire department.

The changes include dividing the city into a settlement area and a rural area. The settlement area is the majorly populated sites where burning can only occur if you use a commercially prepared burning device. As well, in the settlement area you will be required to burn with an 18-foot clearance.

 

Council approves water rates

water tap faucet

Meantime, we know for sure now how we’ll be paying for water in North Bay.

Whether you’re a homeowner or business owner, everyone will be charged 99 cents per cubic meter.

As for the fixed cost, that will depend on the size of your pipe.

Those recommendations were approved by the Council.

Chair of the Water Rates Committee George Maroosis says this is set for 2016, but is open to revisiting those numbers for 2017.

He says at that point they will have had more experience in dealing with the water meters.

He says right now a lot of what they have set is based on theory.