On behalf of Council Mayor Losier congratulated the Pee Wee AA Baseball Team on winning the Silver Medal at the Pee Wee AA Baseball Championships recently held in Newfoundland.

Mayor Losier also announced that the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield was the proud winner of the National Communities in Bloom Trophy in the Population Category of 3001 – 5000.
 

All members were in attendance.
 

Councillor Day moved to adopt the agenda of September 24, 2001 as presented.

 Seconded by Councillor Calvin.  Carried.
 

None
 

None
 

Minister Sherwood, Minister of Public Safety, MLA, and Terry Andow, Executive Assistant spoke on the following subjects:

1) By-pass on Highland Road

Minister Sherwood noted that Brian McEwing from the Department of Transportation (DOT) met with Bruce Gault, Town Works Commissioner and DOT considers that the By-pass on the Highland Road is a chicken and egg situation – DOT will not put the entrance and exit ramps in unless the Town commits to build the road infrastructure, and it seems that no one has a specific time frame or goal in mind.  It was noted the ballpark cost for everything is $1.5 million.  It was also noted DOT will not create a firm costing unless the Town commits to constructing the road.

2) Designated Highway Program

Minister Sherwood noted that improvements to the upper half of Nerepis Road are over half finished and the other half will be finished next year.  It was noted that there is a white shoulder line on only one side of Nerepis Road - Minister Sherwood’s office will look into this matter.

3) Infrastructure Program

Minister Sherwood noted that the Town did not receive approval for Infrastructure Funding for 2001, however he will work to seek approval for funding for next year.

Minister Sherwood commented on the Town’s Environmental Trust Grant application for $20,000 and noted he will contact Town staff to address our latest application.

4) Standard Investment Property – Contaminated Site

Minister Sherwood noted that a proper clean up has been done on the Standard Investment Property and that water monitoring will continue in the area to ensure that migration is not occurring.  The Minister’s office will determine if the area will be paved.

5) Westfield Wharf

It was noted the $15,000 from the Provincial Government remains available, upon turn over of the wharf by the Federal Government.

Minister Sherwood’s office will determine the status of the Town’s requests to DOT and Natural Resources regarding acquisition of properties in the area of the wharf.

6) Task Force on Volunteer Fire Services

Minister Sherwood noted that the Province has the Fire Services Report and the Fire Marshall’s Office is reviewing it.  The Minister’s Office will inquire about a copy of the report being provided to the Town. 

7) Town Boundary Line to Workers’ Rehab Centre

Mayor Losier noted that it may be beneficial to have the Town line located on the other side of the Rehabilitation Centre.  Minister Sherwood advised he would determine when the line was changed and if the Provincial Government would consider re-locating the line.

8) Minister’s Roundtable on Local Governance

Minister Sherwood advised that the Provincial Government will not force amalgamation on municipalities.

Deputy Mayor McGowan thanked Minister Sherwood for the recently installed mile markers.

Minister Sherwood advised speeding is occurring along River Valley Drive and it was noted the RCMP would be notified.  The Minister expressed concerns about the lack of a crosswalk in the area of his offices on River Valley Drive, ATVs, and traffic flow on River Valley Drive – these matters will be referred to the Town Works Commissioner.

Minister Sherwood advised a copy of the current Service New Brunswick budget would be requested for the Town.

 Minister Sherwood noted the ATV Task Force is proceeding and his office will provide a copy of the Task Force’s recommendations to the Town.

Councillor Day moved to receive and file September 24, 2001 list Re: Various Government Matters.

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.
 

Chris Lowe, Project Manager for the Municipal Plan Review introduced Jeff Ward and Mark Reid.  Copies of the SGE presentation were distributed.  Three topics were discussed: 

1) fiscal consideration and regional development with insight as to where the market is going and what the capabilities of the Town are in the future to capitalize on opportunities as they emerge;
2) growth options based on information collected to date that have identified three potential growth options for the Town;
3) infrastructure related matters.

 The presentation was followed by an open discussion.  It was agreed a further meeting would be held to address the presentation.

SGE Group advised they would provide Council with data regarding the consultation process for the Review and specifics concerning the summary of their consultation findings.

Deputy Mayor McGowan moved to receive and file the presentation data submitted by the SGE Group.

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.
 

 Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.
 

Councillor Day moved to receive and file the minutes of the Planning Advisory Committee meeting of September 4, 2001.

 Seconded by Councillor Calvin.  Carried.
 

Councillor Calvin moved to receive and file the minutes of the Emergency Measures Organization meeting of June 19, 2001.

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.
 

Councillor Calvin moved to receive and file Tender Notes of September 19, 2001 Re:  Unity Park Phase 1 Site Preparation.

 Seconded by Councillor Silliphant.  Carried.
 

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.
 

Councillor Day moved to receive and file the following Consent Agenda items:

a) Westfield Volunteer Ambulance Accounts Payable Information Listing of September 24, 2001
b) Fire Chief’s Report of September 18, 2001 Re:  Recruitment and Retention

 Seconded by Councillor Calvin.  Carried.
 

None
 

None
 

None
 

 None
 

None
 

Councillor Day moved to approve the Westfield Volunteer Ambulance Service Financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31, 2001 as presented with authorization for appropriate signatures.

Seconded by Councillor Silliphant.  Carried.
 

Councillor Day move the Town release the amount of $10,500 to Wayne MacLeod for the 15% warranty hold back held for the development of Valley View Estates Phase 9, Stage 1 in the form of cheque #323953190-054 from the Royal Bank of Canada.

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.
 

Councillor Day moved to receive and forward to the Tourism Committee the letter of September 10, 2001 from the River Valley Chamber of Commerce Re:  Reports from Visitor Information Centre. 
 

Seconded by Councillor Calvin.  Carried.
 

Councillor Silliphant moved to authorize appropriate signatures on the Ambulance Services Agreement for the period of April 1, 2001 – March 31, 2002.

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.
 

Councillor Day move to concur with the recommendation of the Development Officer dated September 17, 2001 and reject the bid received from Richard & Co. Architecture Inc. Re:  Request for Proposals 2001-OR1 for Renovations to Municipal Administration Offices within the Community Centrum Building and to direct staff to proceed with the tendering of revised Request for Proposals 2001-OR2 for Renovations to Municipal Administration Offices within the Community Centrum Building, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield.

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.

Councillor Calvin cast a dissenting vote.
 

Councillor Calvin moved to receive and file letter of September 6, 2001 from Neill and Gunter Re:  Water Quality Monitoring – Round 7 – August 2001.

Seconded by Councillor Day.  Carried.

It was noted that based on analytical data provided, neither groundwater nor surface water is seriously degraded by previous activities at the Grand Bay disposal site.
 

Councillor Day move to proceed on behalf of Town of Grand Bay-Westfield and nominate the Neighbourhood Watch Committee for the Department of Public Safety Certificate of Recognition Award.

Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGowan.  Carried.

It was noted that the Town has established a Book of Condolences on behalf of the community which will be sent to Mayor Guilano of New York City, and that over 1300 signatures have been collected to date.
 

Seconded by Councillor Silliphant.  Carried.
Time: 10:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Sproule
Assistant Clerk

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