ST. IGNATIUS — New council member Mack McConnell joined incumbents Charley Gariepy and Rod Arlint when all three took the oath of office at the first St. Ignatius Town Council meeting of 2010.

All three men were elected in November.

Mack McConnell took the place of Mary Klawitter, who was appointed by the council to complete former-council member Amy Miller’s term.

Also at the meeting, Fred Phillips, of Great West Engineering, announced that approximately $265,000 of Rural Development grant money from the United States Department of Agriculture has not been spent. The grant money was used to improve the town’s aging water system.

The council gave Mayor Gariepy permission to write Rural Development if the town could use the remaining funds on needed sewer collection improvements. The improvements were originally part of the water system project, but were scrapped when costs became a concern.

The Planning Board also announced that St. Ignatius would like to follow in the footsteps of Polson and Ronan, and perform necessary planning duties within the town.

The Planning Board also wants the planning millage remitted to the town. Arlint and councilman Ray Jensen moved and seconded a motion to send a letter to the Lake County Commissioners requesting the change.