Batchewana First Nation - Band of Indians

Operations & Maintenance

_{Operations & Maintenance Department}

_{The Department has the following staff:}

_{Agnes Lidstone- O & M Coordinator

O & M Band Maintenance Workers – 2 full time and 1 seasonal worker

Custodians – 2 full time and 2 supply personnel

Caretakers – 1 full time Goulais Complex, 1 full time Old Hall

O & M Office Assistant – 1 contract position

Casual Labour – as required}

_{The Operations & Maintenance Department manages the daily operations of the Public Works Department. Batchewana First Nation encompasses four reserves: Goulais Bay Reserve, Rankin Reserve, Obadjiwan Reserve and Whitefish Island Reserve; and due to our composition all of the Reserves are serviced through varied arrangements}

_Roads

_{Road maintenance for Rankin Reserve is done by the O & M Department. These services include seasonal maintenance such as grading, patching, pot hole repairs, ditching, brushing, culvert installations etc. and winter control operations. Any major repairs are contracted out.}

_{The seasonal and winter control operations for Goulais Bay Reserve and Obadjiwan Reserve are handled through arrangements with the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO). Culvert installations are contracted out. The local members of the Goulais Bay Reserve complete the annual brushing and cleaning of the ditches.}

_Water

_{Goulais Bay and Obadjiwan are serviced through private wells and septic systems.}

_{Rankin Reserve is connected to the water and sewer systems of the city of Sault Ste. Marie.}

_{Sanitation

All of the Reserves have curbside waste collection through private contractors. The contractor fees are based upon a fixed rate and/or the population base. Recycling services are not available.}

_{Fire Protection}

_{Batchewana First Nation contracts fire protection under Municipal Transfer Agreements. The fees are based upon a fixed rate and/or the population base.}

_{Rankin Reserve is serviced by the city of Sault Ste. Marie}

_{Goulais Bay Reserve is serviced by the Goulais Bay Fire Department (volunteer)}

_{Obadjiwan Reserve is serviced by the Batchewana Bay Fire Department (volunteer)}

_Cemeteries

_{INAC does not provide funding for cemeteries. BFN assumes this responsibility under the Public Works Department which has no budget allocation for on going maintenance. Cemetery upkeep is largely dependant upon volunteers.}

_{Goulais Bay Reserve has a general and traditional cemetery. Both cemeteries need to be restored and expanded. Obadjiwan Reserve has no cemetery; however many of our members are interned at the Batchewana Bay Village Cemetery. The cemetery needs restoration and there is no room for expansion. Due to the high water table at Rankin Reserve a burial ground is not possible. BFN has a Cemetery Agreement with Garden River First Nation to allow internment at Garden River for an annual fee of $2,000 per year.}

_{Capital Facilities/Public Buildings}

_{The O & M Department is responsible for the maintenance of the Capital Facilities/Public Buildings. These include: Administration Building, Health Centre Section, Public Works Garages (2), Police Building, and the Nog-da-win-da-min Facility.}

_{The O & M Department also manages the Old Hall and the Chii-wii-kwe-Dong Community Centre (Goulais Complex). These buildings are available for rental purposes and operate various programs daily such as the After School Program, Summer Day Camp, Yoga courses, Meals to Wheels, Healthy Babies, Crib Night etc.}

_{The Old Hall is located at 220 Gran Street, the rental fee is $15 per hour and is available for about 40 people. The Goulais Complex is located at 2811 Goulais Mission Road, Goulais Bay Reserve and the rental fee is $15 per hour.}

_{For rental and program information please contact the O & M Department at the Batchewana Band Office 759-0914 extension 201.}