'That boat has to go,' mayor says of Norgoma (6 City Council briefs)

Mayor Christian Provenzano served notice tonight that he wants the M.S. Norgoma moved out of Roberta Bondar Marina and out of downtown Sault Ste. Marie.

"It's a long time. That boat has to go," the mayor said.

"I personally believe that boat has to leave the downtown area."

City Council has reviewed the fate of the rusting package freighter/passenger ferry several times but always decided to give the 67-year-old vessel another chance.

From 1950 to 1963, the Norgoma transported passengers and freight along the 'Turkey Trail' between Owen Sound and Sault Ste. Marie

When the Trans Canada Highway was finished in 1963, the Norgoma was converted to an automobile ferry and ran between Tobermory and South Baymouth until she was replaced by the Chi-Cheemaun in 1974.

Mayor Provenzano's comments were made at the conclusion of a council discussion tonight about priorities for the 2018 capital budget.

The Norgoma wasn't on the list of 31 priorities prepared by city staff.

"Obviously this isn't going to be budgeted for 2018," Provenzano said.

"I'll bring a resolution but I think staff has to be empowered to look at the costs of that and we have to consider that at some point."

Other news from tonight's meeting:

• councillors agreed to provide $50,000 more for outside legal help in the Essar Steel tax case. That will bring will the total spent trying to collect $32 million in property taxes owed by the steelmaker to $475,000
• a surplus management policy specifying recommended spending for any future budget surpluses was approved
• the Essar Centre will be allowed to set aside up to one dollar from each ticket sold for an event development fund aimed at attracting better shows
• Steelton Senior Citizens Centre 235 Wellington Street West was declared surplus to the city's needs and will be offered for sale. Permitted uses of the property include a medical centre, a bingo hall, apartments, a place of worship, a residential care facility or a parking lot
• council established priorities for next year's road reconstruction projects, including replacement and up-sizing of a trunk storm sewer from Poplar Park northerly to the north side of McNabb St.; replacement of underground services and road structure on Simpson St. between Queen and Wellington; full reconstruction of Bruce St. from Queen to Wellington including underground services; widening of Black Rd. between McNabb and Second Line; rebuilding the Black Rd. and Third Line corridor from McNabb to the hospital entrance; replacing the aqueduct along Wellington St. from John to Carmen, and northerly along Carmen to the open channel portion of Fort Creek; and reconstruction of Bay St. from Andrew to Pim subject to available funds and a decision that Bay St. remain one-way