The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs December 12, 2023 with Mayor Russell presiding.

BRING MEETING TO ORDER:

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

COUNCIL ATTENDANCE: Councillor Sheasgreen and Councillor Gillespie were absent.

GUESTS: Patty Gallan requested that council consider putting a sign at the end of the road showing where the community garden is. Council agreed with her proposal and a sign will be ordered.

Shelly Williams discussed with council the options for garbage collection throughout the Miramichi River Valley.  A quote will be provided by Joe’s Garbage Collection for garbage collection each week during July and August and recycling for only one week during those months.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

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

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

No conflicts declared.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Brennan to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting November 7, 2023.  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 Brennan, seconded by Councillor Hallihan that the bills in the amount of $83,797.07 be paid. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

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

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councillor Hallihan reported that Sunny Corner fire department needs a generator.  Waiting on the quote to come in. 

Continue talks with Metal Fab over new fire truck specs for RQFD. 

Regular training continues and block C exams completed. 

One new firefighter in Renous, Justin Hare.

A smoke alarm campaign will be held in the new year.

Ordered 10 pair of new boots for firefighters at a cost of $595.  Original price was $795.

A mutual aid agreement is needed for MRV.

RCMP: Councillor Sheasgreen reported that the quarterly report is being sent separately from my report, No issues or concerns from them.

EMO:  Councillor Hallihan had nothing to report.

ANIMAL CONTROL:  Councillor Sheasgreen had nothing to report.

STREET LIGHTING: Councillor Gillespie was absent.

LEISURE SERVICES: Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan reported that she attended a meeting on December 3 with Renous Recreation Committee.  They received funds to fix roof and entryway of the Rec Centre. The Blackville Rec Council held a meeting to discuss the outdoor rink, not much interest but will see if that gets better as the winter goes on.

On December 1 there was a tree lighting, carol sing and bonfire. There was a good crowd but perhaps having it on the same night as the parade might bring out more people.

The Sunny Corner Rec continues work on pickleball court, fencing to be installed in early January.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie was absent.

TOURISM:  Councillor Sheasgreen reported: 

No work has been ongoing on the tourism building; we may have to decide on if we want to go a different route to get this building finished up within a timely manner. Most of the work to finish is exterior work beside the basement and a small bit of electrical on the interior. We should decide if we want to put the exterior work on hold until the spring as during the cold months it will be slow going and not beneficial to continue exterior work.

Brock and Neil are working on handrails and basement of the building and were given permission to get a new stove for the basement, then they can start building the counter and shelves around it.

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan had nothing to report.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that the Christmas wreaths are up and look beautiful.  The tree at the tourism building is lit and has had lots of positive comments.

PARK: Councillor Brennan reported that the park needs additional signage, “no dogs in splash pad”, “no overnight parking”.  Extra garbage cans throughout the park are needed as well as a dog droppings bags.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Gillespie was absent.

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

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that there was a problem with the heat at the municipal building.  Tina looked after it and fixed immediately.  Peter has cleaned the rink building so it’s ready for skaters when ice is in.

Councillor Vickers has received numerous complaints regarding the service at the Blackville Health Centre.  Would like to see it open as an after-hours clinic with a nurse practitioner.  A meeting will be set up with MLA Mike Dawson to discuss.

Councillor Vickers also reported that the wait time with SNB for a driver’s test is months long.  Need better service.

WASTEWATER SYSTEM: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that all levels at the lagoon are normal.  No issues.

PUBLIC WORKS: Councillor Hallihan reported that he spoke with Ronnie Underhill regarding more ditching work on the Lockstead Road as the water issue continues to be a problem.  A culvert will need to installed.

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

Nov 9, GMRSC community development meeting.

Nov 20, GMRSC Board budget meeting.

Nov 27, GMRSC community development meeting. 

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

Publicity & Promotion:  Mayor Russell reported that he attended the following events during the month.

Nov 7, MRV Council meeting.

Nov 11, Remembrance services in Blackville and Sunny Corner.

Nov 15, MRV office – Fire Dept Budgets Meeting.

Nov 16, MRHA Housing conference.

Nov 17, MRHA Housing conference.

Nov 21, MRV Budget meeting.

Nov 24-26, UMNB conference in Fredericton.

Nov 28, MRV meeting with CAO.

Nov 28, MRV in Camera meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

(10.1) RCMP Lease Agreement

An email has been sent to the RCMP regarding the lease agreement.  It was forwarded to their counterparts for discussion and no response has been received to date.  

(10.2) Sharon Smith Property

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor M. Vickers to proceed with the transfer of property from Sharon Smith to the Miramichi River Valley.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.3) Christmas Holidays

The municipal office will be closing on Dec 22 and reopening on January 2, 2024.

(10.4) Blackville Clinic

Councillor Vickers has received many complaints / concerns from citizens regarding the lack of service at the health centre in Blackville.  Waiting weeks to get an appointment and not being able to speak with someone when calling is an issue.  A meeting will be requested with MLA Mike Dawson to discuss.

(10.5) Christmas Checks

Checks in the amount of $50 will be given to full time Miramichi River Valley employees.

(10.6) Yearbook Donation

Ads will be placed in the Blackville and Sunny Corner year books.

(10.7) Garbage collection

Shelly Williams with Joe’s Garbage collection will provide council with a price on weekly garbage collection and one week of recycling for months of July & August.  Once the quote is received council will meet to discuss options.

(10.8) Permit for 1373 Howard Road

More information needs to be provided.  We will discuss at the council meeting in January.

(10.9) Budget Update

Clerk gave an update of the budget.  Budget is nearly complete, waiting on audited financial statements.  Hope to have all numbers required by the end of the month so we can submit the budget.

(10.10) Insurance

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor Hallihan to approve the 2024 Municipal Insurance renewal proposal provided by Intact Public Entities.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.11) Street Light

Moved by Councillor S. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Brennan to approve the addition of 2 streetlights in Lower Derby.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.12) Eclipse

Councillor Brennan reported that in the new year, plans on eclipse to happen in April will begin.  Miramichi is hosting a lot of things to celebrate this occasion.

Moved by Councillor Brennan to adjourn the meeting at 19:55.