The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs, July 9, 2025, with Mayor Russell presiding.

BRING MEETING TO ORDER:

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

COUNCIL ATTENDANCE: All in attendance. 

GUESTS:  Jacques Bossy requested to speak with council regarding the property next to his that has been proposed for housing development.  He questioned why it was not made public?  Why he didn’t have the opportunity to buy it?  Why council would give the property away?  He commented that he used the property for years as a garden space and maintained the property.  He asked that council reconsider using the property for development or at least use only the back piece on Cripps Street rather than both pieces of land.

Council explained that they were not interested in selling the property to an individual but interested in providing space for a housing developer in the community since housing is an important issue that they were committed to working on.  It was also explained that following the local governance act, a council meeting or a committee of council meeting may be closed to the public for the duration of the discussion if it is necessary to discuss the proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

It was moved by Councillor Croft & seconded by Councillor Hare to approve agenda as circulated. MOTION CARRIED.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Councillor Brennan declared a conflict of interest on agenda item number (10.3) Sewer line issues.

Jennifer McLaughlin declared a conflict of interest on agenda item number (10.5) Recreation Council Funding

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor Hare to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting June 10, 2025.  MOTION CARRIED

It was moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Gillespie to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Special Council meeting June 23, 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 Hare, seconded by Councillor S. Vickers that the bills in the amount of $41,913.43 for the month of June be paid. MOTION CARRIED

COMMITTEEREPORTS: REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

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

RCMP: Councillor M. Vickers reported that she received the following information from Jason Leblanc: I will be away from the office from July 5^th until August 19^th, 2025. Below you will see the two members that will take over while I am gone.

Cpl. Keith Gill acting OPS from July 7^th until July 17^th

Cpl. Regan O’Keefe acting OPS from July 21^st until July 25^th

Cpl. Keith Gill acting OPS from July 28^th until August 8^th

Cpl. Regan O’Keefe acting OPS from August 11^th until August 17^th

EMO:  Councillor Croft had nothing to report.

ANIMAL CONTROL: Councillor Paula Hare submitted June reports provided by Animal Control Officer.

MEDIA:  Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan reported that Blackville Days are July 24-27.  Everything will be finalized this week and flyer will be sent out.  Sunny Corner Days will be this weekend.  Nothing new to report for Renous.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie reported that the RRU is now in Miramichi.  Blackville will be in base more but with vacation time there will be less ambulances.  NB government is offering free scholarship for tuition at college in Miramichi.

TOURISM:  Councillor Brennan reported that the Whooper Play is going well.  A like and share contest giving 2 tickets away each week will begin this week.

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan reported that the fireworks were awesome.  Canada Day parade was well attended, and parade route change was well accepted.

WELLNESS:  Councillor Brennan reported a meeting was held regarding the Blackville clinic.  We want to show our support for the workers and voice our concerns.  An email will be sent to the V.P.

UMNB:  Councillor Brennan reported that a zone meeting will be held July 16.  We need another chair for the committee.  Resolutions close for the conference on July 31.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that two benches and two garbage cans have been purchased to place around Blackville. 

ENVIRONMENTAL:  Councillor Paula Hare reported that she received a couple of calls regarding burning.  There wasn’t a no burn ban on at the time but the material being burned was toxic.  The RCMP were unsure if this was an issue for them.

PARK: Councillor Brennan reported that there have been four new solar lights installed, speed bumps and signage.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Gillespie reported that we continue to work on a property on Oxford Lane, Digby Street, and in Derby.

STREETLIGHTS:  Councillor Gillespie reported that a discussion on date for the meeting will be held under new business.

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

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that radon testing needs to be done at the RCMP office in Sunny Corner.  We have this issue under new business.  Rent is behind for the bays at the old fire hall in Renous. They have been contacted and asked to bring payments up to date.  There was a water leak from the mini split at the firehall in Sunny Corner.  Grey Rock was contacted and quickly came out to fix the issue.

WASTEWATER SYSTEM: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that levels at the lagoon are fine.

PUBLIC WORKS:  Councillor Croft reported that he needs to meet with Mayor Russell to get up to date on public works issues.  Mayor Russell reported that he has met with DTI to discuss storm drain issues on Main Street.  MacLaggan Drive and North Bartholomew roads have been patched.  Four new culverts have been placed on the North Boom road. 

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

• June 16, GMSC Audit meeting.
• June 19, GMSC Waste reduction meeting.
• June 25, 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. 

• June 2, MRV Office meeting with by- Law officer.
• June 5, CBDC AGM.
• June 10, MRV Council Meeting.
• June 16, Atlantic Institution.
• June 17, CBDC meeting.
• June 17, MRV Office Special meeting.
• June 18, MRV office Michelle Scott meeting.
• June 18, MRV office Housing meeting.
• June 19, Home Hardware Grand Opening.
• June 21, PSW Graduation.
• June 24, MRV Special meeting.
• June 26, Alternative Route meeting at Kin center.
• June 27, MRV Office Housing Meeting.
• June 27, Thomas Dunn Tournament.
• June 28, Boiestown 200th Anniversary.

FIRE SERVICES:  Director of Fire Services, Dwain Hallihan was absent from the meeting.  No report.

NEW BUSINESS:

(10.1) UMNB Conference

The early bird deadline to register for the UMNB Conference is July 31.  Tina asked that anyone who is planning to go, please reach out before the deadline so they can be registered.

(10.2) Date for Street Light Meeting

Another meeting will be held on September 11 at 6:30 pm at the Millerton school to discuss adding streetlights to Derby.  Tina will contact the school to book a space for the meeting and flyers will be distributed to the area advising them of the meeting.

(10.3) Sewer Line Repair

Councillor Brennan removed herself from the meeting as she declared a conflict of interest on the Sewer Line Repairs.

There was one quote submitted for the sewer line repair. 

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Croft to accept the bid from 685794 NB Inc. in the amount of $4200 plus HST to excavate and replace approximately 60’ of sewer pipe with SDR pipe.  MOTION CARRIED.

Councillor Brennan rejoined the meeting.

(10.4) Cameras for Community Centre

A discussion was held on placing cameras in the municipal office and council chambers.  We will request quotes from two businesses on having this installation completed.

(10.5) Blackville Recreation Council Funding

Jennifer McLaughlin removed herself from the meeting as she declared a conflict of interest on funding for the Blackville Recreation Council.

Moved by Councillor S. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Brennan to lend the Blackville Recreation Council $10,000 and give them an additional $10,000 to cover the costs of the new washrooms and canopy.  MOTION CARRIED.

Jennifer rejoined the meeting.

(10.6) Tourism Building Usage

A survey will be conducted and posted on our website asking people from the community would like to see in the downstairs of the tourism building.  We have had 6 inquiries since we posted that it was going to be available for rent.  The deadline to submit your suggestion will be July 18.

Moved by Councillor Croft, seconded by Councillor Hare to set the monthly rental fee for the downstairs of the tourism information centre at $500.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.7) Property Development Notice

This item has been tabled.

(10.8) Property Development Agreement

This item has been tabled.

(10.9) Dog Park

Councillor Croft is obtaining quotes on having a dog park added to the municipality.  This item will be discussed further when costs and more information is available.

(10.10) Storm Drain Repair

A storm drain on Main Street needs repair.  We want to ensure that it is done properly as this has been repaired at least two times in the past. Tina will look into what type of repair was completed last time and forward to Councillor Croft.  More inspection and investigation into the problem is needed before repair can be completed.

(10.11) Radon Assessment

Moved by Councillor Croft, seconded by Councillor S. Vickers to hire Enviroporta Inc. to do a radon assessment of 30 Tozer Lane in the amount of $675.00 Plus HST.  MOTION CARRIED.

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers to adjourn the meeting at 19:30.