The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at 7:33 p.m. with Mayor Losier presiding.
 

Sandra Gautreau, Town Manager/Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Councillor Elect Brenda Murphy.
 

 The following statement was read by the Town Manager/Clerk:

I, Sandra Gautreau, Town Manager/Clerk for the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield, hereby state, for the record, that the Oath of Office as required per Provincial Statute has been administered to the following duly Elected Official on this date at the Council Chambers, 609 River Valley Drive:  Brenda Murphy for the Office of Councillor.
 

All Members were in attendance.
 

Councillor Day moved to add the following item to the agenda as 5.9:
 

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried unanimously.
 

Councillor Little declared a conflict of interest with the following item from Bills for Ratification:

             Firm                           PO #         Department            Amount
24 Light Shoppe Inc., The     730                 Rec.                   $15.53
 

Mayor Losier also stated that this is the last opportunity for the public to speak either for or against the proposed Municipal Plan and proposed Zoning By-laws.  Jeff Ward of SGE Acres was present to answer any questions.
 

Deputy Mayor McGowan moved to receive and consider the e-mail from Kathleen Martin Re:  Shopping Centre (Proposed Municipal Plan By-law No. 100/Proposed Zoning By-law No. 101).

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.
 

Jeff Ward of SGE Acres advised the Plan is a document that provides guidance to the Municipality as to how it would like to see the area developed.

Councillor Day moved to receive for consideration the letter received October 23, 2002 from Joe Young Re:  Proposed Municipal Plan By-law No. 100/Proposed Zoning By-law No. 101.

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.
 

Why the need for an interchange on the Highway?

Jeff Ward, SGE Acres noted that the interchange would provide additional access to the community; as the community expands there would be more roadway congestion, and this access would serve as an appropriate tool to relieve traffic congestion.

Does Street B on the Plan create a good, safe, traffic flow for the proposed access at the south end of Town, where there are multiple road entrances now?

Jeff Ward, SGE Acres advised that the proposed Street B will bring the bulk of the traffic down to the centre of the commercial area so it actually enhances the commercial core, and it brings traffic down through a more concentrated area of residential development, to serve a growing area of the community.

Mr. Evans commented on other matters as noted in his correspondence of October 15, 2002.

Councillor Day moved to receive for consideration letter of October 15, 2002 from James Evans Re:  Proposed Municipal Plan By-law No. 100/Proposed Zoning By-law No. 101.

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.
 

Mr. Chapman also noted that PAC is very pleased with this new document and admires its proactive approach and its positive statement about the direction the new amalgamated Town will take. 

Deputy Mayor McGowan moved to receive for consideration memorandum of November 7, 2002 Re:  Request to Speak at Public Hearing Re:  Proposed Municipal Plan By-law No. 100/Proposed Zoning By-law No. 101 – Larry Chapman, Chairperson, Planning Advisory Committee.

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.
 

1. RR Zone Agriculture, Forestry as well as Single Family Dwellings on a minimum of 3 Acre Lots requiring on-site septic systems;
2. new proposed road system - from June Avenue to Highland Road in an “S” with up and down grades on the hydro line;  Mr. McLeod commented the Town should put in major arteries and let the developers work off the arteries.

Jeff Ward, SGE Acres spoke regarding Mr. McLeod’s concerns noting that the Proposed Municipal Plan and Proposed Zoning By-law are conceptual to serve as a future guide.

Deputy Mayor McGowan moved to receive for consideration letter of October 31, 2002 from Michael McLeod Re:  Proposed Municipal Plan By-law No. 100/Proposed Zoning By-law No. 101.

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.
 

Jeff Ward, SGE Acres spoke regarding Mr. Snodgrass’ concern noting that the road would not go through his property unless he was willing to sell it.

Lori Snodgrass also spoke noting her concerns regarding the recreational area zone that would require three acres for a septic system.

Councillor Silliphant moved to receive for consideration letter of October 14, 2002 from Harold and Lori Snodgrass Re:  Municipal Plan By-law No. 100/Proposed Zoning By-law No. 101.

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.
 

The Town Manager read a letter received November 12, 2002 from Edward Powell stating his appreciation for the time and thought that went into the proposed Municipal Plan By-law.

Councillor Silliphant moved to receive for consideration letter received November 12, 2002 from Edward Powell Re:  Proposed Municipal Plan By-law No. 100/Proposed Zoning By-law No. 101.

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.
 

Diane Bormke, representing the River Valley Chamber of Commerce, distributed a letter to Council from The River Valley Chamber of Commerce noting their concerns and commented to Council about the contents of the letter.

Mayor Losier and Jeff Ward, SGE Acres spoke on some of the issues the Chamber of Commerce had with the Proposed By-laws.

Wayne Chapman spoke in opposition to the by-laws and noted his concern regarding the proposed road joining the Highland Road.

Bruce McCanse spoke in opposition to the proposed by-laws and noted his concerns regarding R2 and R2A zoning, particularly the increased size for lot front widths.

Doug Smith spoke in opposition of the proposed by-laws stating certain concerns regarding proposed streets and commented the Town should not tell a developer where to put a street. 

Randy Struthers spoke regarding the access road to the Highland Road and commented regarding his courier service operating from Sobeys Plaza.

David Calvin spoke regarding his concerns on how the Proposed Municipal Plan By-law was developed and questioned if volunteers could have done it.

Mayor Losier noted there is a a requirement for the Town to have a “planner” and the Town was required to have the planner sign for the new Plan.  Since the Town does not have a planner on staff, it was a requirement to hire one, i.e. SGE Acres. 

David Calvin also spoke regarding an interchange and how it will take business out of the community.

Clifford Shaw spoke against the proposed roads as referenced in the Proposed Municipal Plan By-law.
 

Mayor Losier called for three times those people wishing to speak in favour of the Proposed Municipal Plan By-law 100/Proposed Zoning By-law 101.  The following persons spoke in favour to the Proposed By-laws:

Deputy Mayor McGowan departed the meeting 8:58 p.m.

Deputy Mayor McGowan rejoined the meeting 9:03 p.m.

Andrew Shaw spoke in favour of the Proposed By-laws, however he also noted his concerns about the access road joining June Avenue.

Steve Carson, General Manager Enterprise Saint John, the Town’s Economic Development Partner spoke in favour of the Proposed By-laws and noted that communities that have well thought out Municipal Plans attract new families moving into the area, tourism, and commercial development.

Erica Kelly spoke in favour of the Proposed By-laws and noted that her husband Bill Kelly was also in favour of the Municipal Plan but could not attend due to family commitments.  Mrs. Kelly stated she does not look at the Plan as a criticism to what was done in the past noting it just doesn’t work anymore.  She commented the proposed Plan has suggested ways to keep the Town growing, keep it maturing, and adjusting to what its needs are today, next year, five years, and ten years from now.

James Evans spoke in favour of the Proposed By-laws noting the Plan contents are not set in stone, but are conceptual.
 

Mr. French presented the proposed budget for 2003 for Enterprise Saint John noting that Core Funding in 2003 will remain the same as 2002 level. 

Councillor Day moved to refer the proposed budget for 2003 for Enterprise Saint John to the Town’s 2003 budget session with thanks to Mr. French and Mr. Carson for their presentation.

Seconded by Councillor Silliphant.  Carried.
 

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.
 

Councillor Day moved to receive and file the minutes of the Planning Advisory Committee meeting of October 21, 2002.

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.
 

Councillor Little departed the meeting due to a stated conflict of interest.

Councillor Day moved to approve the following item from Bills for Ratification:

                Firm                      PO #     Department       Amount
24 Light Shoppe Inc., The     730           Rec.              $15.53

Seconded by Councillor Sillipihant.  Carried.
 

Councillor Day moved to pay the Bills for Payment enbloc for a total of $6,273.25 and approve the remaining Bills for Ratification for a total of $18,927.84, Grand Total $25,201.09

Seconded by Councillor Silliphant.  Carried.
 

Deputy Mayor McGowan moved to receive and file the following Consent Agenda items:

a) Building Inspector’s Report for October 2002
b) Dog Control Report for October 2002
c) Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department Report for October 2002
d) Works Department Report for October 2002
e) Westfield Volunteer Ambulance Accounts Payable Information Listing of November
    12, 2002
f) Recreation Department Report for October 2002

 Seconded by Councillor Silliphant.  Carried.
 

a) Regular Council Meeting Minutes of October 28, 2002

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Seconded by Councillor Silliphant.  Carried.
 

Seconded by Councillor Murphy.  Carried.
 

Seconded by Councillor Silliphant.  Carried.
 

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.
 

Seconded by Councillor Silliphant.  Carried.
 

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.

Councillor Little suggested that a letter be forwarded to the Hardman Group Limited noting that if the Town received early notification for 2003 they would consider participating in the Festival of Trees event.
 

i) revisions to the Final Subdivision Plan to show the increased area of the proposed lot on the eastern boundary line by approximately 15 m to a total area of 1.46 ha;
ii) utility easements for Lot 2002-1 to be reviewed by NB Power and NB Tel and recorded on the Final Subdivision Plan as required;

prior to Final Approval of the Subdivision Plan by the Development Officer.

Seconded by Councillor Silliphant.  Carried.
 

Councillor Day moved to receive and file letter of October 31, 2002 from John R. Simson, Councillor, Town of Rothesay, Chair, Greater Saint John Regional Facilities Commission Re:  2003 Budget Requests.

Seconded by Councillor Murphy.  Carried.
 

Councillor Silliphant moved to appoint Joannah Lang and Roberta Murphy to the Tourism Committee as voting members effective immediately.

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.
 

Councillor Day moved to cancel the second regular Council meeting of December 23, 2002 with a Special Council Meeting(s) to be called as required.

Seconded by Councillor Murphy.  Carried.
 

Seconded by Councillor Little.  Carried.
 

Deputy Mayor McGowan moved to adopt Various Town Fees dated November 4, 2002 as follows effective January 1, 2003:

2003
VARIOUS FEES

 Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.

 Time:  9:51 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted,
 

Judy Sproule
Assistant Clerk