The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs, May 6, 2025, with Mayor Russell presiding.

BRING MEETING TO ORDER:

The mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

COUNCIL ATTENDANCE: Councillor Sharon Vickers was absent. 

GUESTS: Mr. Bursey who was on the agenda did not attend.

RCMP member, Keith Gill came to distribute the quarterly report and discuss any issues within the Miramichi River Valley.  Discussion was held on new members joining and members leaving.  Also, discussed crime and drugs in the area.

Some members of the community attended the meeting to voice concerns over the community garden as this item was on the agenda.  It was explained that you do need to put in a written request to council to speak at a meeting. Although procedure was not followed, Mayor Russell allowed Patricia Underhill to speak. The community garden was added to the agenda to discuss the request from the garden committee to have a letter drafted in regards to boundaries and usage of the property.  Council agreed to provide a letter as per their request.  The concerns some committee members had of losing the garden were addressed and they were assured this was not happening.      

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

It was moved by Councillor Gillespie & seconded by Councillor M. Vickers to approve agenda as circulated. MOTION CARRIED.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Councillor Brennan declared a conflict of interest on agenda item number (10.1) Street Sweeping.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Councillor Croft, seconded by Councillor Brennan to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting April 1, 2025.  MOTION CARRIED

It was moved by Councillor Hare, seconded by Councillor Brennan to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Special Council meeting April 22, 2025.  MOTION CARRIED

It was moved by Councillor Croft, seconded by Councillor Gillespie to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Special Council meeting May 1, 2025.  MOTION CARRIED

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

NIL

CORRESPONDENCE

Council has received all correspondence either through email or hard copy in their mailboxes.

BILLS & ACCOUNTS

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Brennan that the bills in the amount of $28,085.10 for the month of April be paid. MOTION CARRIED

COMMITTEE REPORTS: REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

BY-LAWS: Councillor M. Vickers had nothing to report.

RCMP: Councillor M. Vickers reported that she has received the quarterly report from the RCMP.

EMO:  Councillor S. Vickers had nothing to report.

ANIMAL CONTROL: Mayor Russell had no report from the Animal Control Officer.

MEDIA:  Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan reported that Renous Days will be held August 11-16.  Sunny Corner Days will be held July 10-13.  The parade will be on July 10 with a rain date of July 11.  There will be a ball tournament, breakfast held and roller skating.

The lights have been installed at the Blackville ballpark.  The washroom upgrades have begun.  There will be a ball league starting on June 3 and lots going on throughout the summer.

Blackville Days will be held on July 24-27.  We are planning to have a supper, ball tournament, washer toss, family day and the Whooper play will be happening in the park.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie reported that there will be a paramedic course starting in September in Miramichi.  This will hopefully help with the short staffing as we hope to maintain some of the new paramedics to our area. The Rapid Response truck will be moved from Blackville to Miramichi. The unit will be used for lower acutie call so that ambulances will be available for higher priority calls. They also will do coverage when out lining ambulances are on calls. We were told this will see Blackville’s ambulance in our base more. This will be monitored and will report on any issues.

TOURISM:  Councillor Brennan reported that she met with Les to go over the website information on tourism that he has been working on.  It is nearly complete and looks great.

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan reported that she continues to work on July 1 events.  Prizes for best floats will be $400 1^st, $300 for 2^nd and $200 for 3^rd.  Hopefully better prizes will entice more people to participate.  The CWL will be hosting a breakfast.

WELLNESS:  Councillor Brennan reported that a meeting will be held on May 8.  A tentative schedule for the markets is in the works for the summer.  Plans for an Old Fashion Christmas event is also taking place.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers had nothing to report.

ENVIRONMENTAL:  Councillor M. Vickers reported that she has been in touch with Devon Matchett and they will be viewing the construction dumpsite in Strathadam next week.  There are no issues.

PARK: Councillor Brennan reported that the park workers started on May 6.  There is plenty of work to do in the park, cleanup, assemble new playground equipment, and install 3 or 4 new lights along the trail.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Gillespie reported that she has a list of unsightly properties to work on.  There are many unsightly properties in the municipality, but not all would fall under the legislation to have them cleaned up as they may not be dangerous to the public.

STREETLIGHTS:  There will be a public meeting held at the Millerton School on May 15 to discuss installation of streetlights in Derby.

FINANCE: Mayor Russell reported that the treasurer, Jennifer McLaughlin is to present a monthly financial report.

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that Dwayne will get the measurements for the rooms that need flooring at the RCMP building. It’s very difficult to get in there now without clearance.  I would’ve liked to had this done, but hopefully Kathy will be able to get the proper measurements, and we need three-quarter or at least 5/8 inch plywood on the floor for support. 

Kings Landing will be in touch with Tina to receive the last piece of Folk art, for now we could store them in the upstairs of the fire hall until we get them in shadow boxes or something for a display. That’s an area that isn’t being utilized and could be used for that purpose unless somebody else has a better idea. 

WASTEWATER SYSTEM: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that the new computer is in; waiting for a technician to come and install. David says he will make himself available any day except Thursday morning. They are going to raise the computer a few feet so this doesn’t get flooded again. 

PUBLIC WORKS: Mayor Russell reported that there was a call from Mr. Burns on the street going up to the high school looking to have the ditch dug out. Tina called and spoke with Ronnie Underhill and he is going to have a look at it and try to give us a price.

Had communication with Darren Matchett at DTI and he is going to come with me and have a look at storm drain issue on Main Street and give me an idea of what we need to have done. I have also reached out with contractors to see if I can get some prices from them to do this job. 

Regional Service Commission: Mayor Russell reported that he attended the following:

• April 7 – GMSC Mayors breakfast in Neguac.
• April 8 – GMSC/RCMP Meeting.
• April 22 – PRAC Meeting.
• April 23 – GMSC Board Meeting.

All Agendas and minutes are forwarded to Council as they are received.

Publicity & Promotion:  Mayor Russell reported that all promotional postings are on social media or sent out by email.

He attended the following events during the month. 

• April 1 – MRV Council Meeting . 
• April 1 – CBDC Meeting.
• April 4 – MRV Office.
• April 4 – Amanda’s Fathers Wake.
• April 5 – Tuadook Lodge Supper.
• April 7 – MRV Office/ Fire Chief Hare Meeting.
• April 8 – Save the Salmon Meeting.
• April 23 – MRV Office/ Thrift store.
• April 29 – CBDC Meeting.
• April 30 – MRV Office/ Meeting with Gary Bateman.
• April 30 – RQFD/ Dwain Hallihan Presentation.
• May 1 – Meeting with Jake Stewart.
• May 1 – MRV Office/ Swearing in new councillors.

FIRE SERVICES:  Director of Fire Services, Dwain Hallihan had to leave due to a fire call, no report was given.

NEW BUSINESS:

Councillor Brennan removed herself from the meeting as she declared a conflict of interest on the Sweeping of Streets.

(10.1) Sweeping of Streets

Moved by Councillor Croft, seconded by Councillor M. Vickers to accept the bid from William Hackey Inc.in the amount of $3500 plus HST to sweep the streets in Blackville with the condition that the equipment used vacuums the dirt up and not just push it to the side.  MOTION CARRIED.

Councillor Brennan rejoined the meeting.

(10.2) Park Workers

Moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor Hare to hire an additional park worker for the 2025 season.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.3) Building in the Park

A discussion was held on the old tourism information building located in the municipal park. We will look into renovating the building.

(10.4) Camera System Sunny Corner Fire Hall

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Brennan to hire Security Works to install a door access control system and install a camera system in the Sunny Corner fire hall in the amount of $9,161.83 plus HST.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.5) Foam Machine

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor M. Vickers to purchase a foam machine in the amount of $1645 Plus HST.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.6) Harassment Policy

Moved by Councillor Croft, seconded by Councillor Brennan to approve the harassment policy as presented.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.7) Lagoon Fence

Clerk will get quotes on having an additional gate installed in the lagoon fencing.

(10.8) Bursaries

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Gillespie to provide two bursaries to Blackville School and two bursaries to Sunny Corner School in the amount of $100 each.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.9) HR Covered

Moved by Councillor Croft, seconded by Councillor Brennan to pay the invoice from HR Covered in the amount of $999 Plus HST.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.10) Canada Community Building Fund

A discussion was held on the Canada Community Building Funding for 2025. A meeting will be held to discuss plans for funds.

(10.11) Community Garden

Moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor M. Vickers to draw up a letter with specifications on usage and dimensions for the community garden.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.12) Cleaning Ditches

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Croft to approach the Blackville, Sunny Corner, and Millerton schools to see if they are interested in cleaning the ditches in their area.  A payment of $700 for each school will be provided for the service if they accept.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.13) Street Paving / Patching

Mayor Russell will reach out to have quotes submitted on repairing necessary streets within Blackville.

(10.14) Summer Hours

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor M. Vickers to approve closing the municipal office at noon on Fridays for the months of June, July and August. Staff will take a 15-minute lunch break as opposed to an hour to compensate for the hours. MOTION CARRIED.

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers to adjourn the meeting at 19:50.