The regular meeting of the Blackville Village Council met in the Council Chambers at 19:00hrs October 14, 2021 with Mayor Fortune presiding.

BRING MEETING TO ORDER:

The Mayor brought the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

GUESTS:  No guests.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

It was moved by Councillor Underhill & seconded by Councillor D. Brennan to approve agenda as circulated. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Councillor Underhill, seconded by Councillor Ross adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting October 14, 2021.  MOTION CARRIED

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

NIL

ATTENDANCE

All in attendance. 

CORRESPONDENCE

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

BILLS & ACCOUNTS

Moved by Councillor Ross second by Councillor A. Brennan that the bills in the amount of $37,630.46 be paid. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: ALL REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

SENIORS:  Councillor Ross reported she completed a survey with a rep for the University of Moncton on age friendly communities for seniors.

BY-LAWS:  Councillor Ross and council agreed that reviews of bylaws will cease for now as they may be changing as the amalgamation comes into effect.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councillor Ross gave fire report for September 2021. Total manpower available (19), Call responded to within village during month (0), call outside village (1), training session held (3); New equipment: NIL; Equipment Not in Service: Hurst jaw cutter

RCMP: Councillor Underhill reported that she asked for a member to be present at the meeting if possible.  The RCMP were very appreciative of the village donation to the first annual Stuff A Cruiser Food Drive.

EMO:  Councillor Ross had nothing to report.

DOG CONTROL: Councillor D. Brennan reported that there have been 3 dogs running loose around the village.  Dog control officer will be contacted.

STREET LIGHTING: Councillor Ross reported that all lights are working and those that are not have been reported.

LEISURE SERVICES: Councillor A. Brennan had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor D. Brennan reported that the rink and ball field are both closed.  Mike McLaughlin replaced the thermostat in the upstairs of the rink. The heat is now working upstairs.  There is some more work to be completed in the following weeks by Danny Underhill.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor D. Brennan reported that the staffing in Blackville has been good.  The competition for the RRU has been awarded to a advanced care paramedic.  This means there will be a full-time paramedic working the RRU on a 4 day on / 4 day off basis.

TOURISM Councillor Underhill reported that there are no updates on the tourism project.

JULY 1:  Councillor Underhill had nothing to report.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor A. Brennan reported that the wreaths are up and look great.

PARK: Mayor Fortune reported that the park has been decorated for Christmas.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Underhill reported that there has been no response to the letter sent for a property owner on Main Street.

FINANCE: Mayor Fortune reported that the 2022 budget has been sent in for approval.

BUILDINGS: Councillor A. Brennan reported that we are still waiting on a part for the heat pump that controls the GED side of the community centre.  A small heater was purchased for the room.

SEWER:  Councillor A. Brennan reported that there were no issues during the month with the system.

STREET & PUBLIC WORKS Mayor Fortune reported ditching has been done on Underwood Drive.

Regional Service Commission: Councillor Denver Brennan reported that discussions have started about the local governance reform.  The service commission will be our main point of contract when we have questions regarding the LGR.  Information will be shared as it becomes available.

Publicity & Promotion:  Mayor Fortune reported that the village hosted a meeting on November 29 with the local service reps that we are to be amalgamated with to discuss the reform.  He attended another meeting in Renous on December 7 to discuss the local governance reform.

NEW BUSINESS:

9.1 Local Governance Reform

A discussion was held on the local governance reform.  Council is concerned with the large area that we will now cover but feel with no MLA representative we have little voice on this matter.

9.2 Soil Excavation

Permission will be given to the regional engineer for the Water Survey of Canada to enable site access for minor soil excavation by the shelter of the hydrometric station located at the Southwest Miramichi River.

Moved by Councillor Ross to adjourn the meeting at 20:05 PM hours.