The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs, March 4, 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: Jaclyn Gilchrist who is a grade 12 student is required to complete a CAP Stone project for her Essential Skills class.  She would like to plant seeds and then the flowers within Blackville this summer.  Council thanked her for her idea, and they look forward to seeing her project completed.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

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

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

No conflicts declared.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor M. Vickers to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting February 11, 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 Brennan, seconded by Councillor M. Vickers that the bills in the amount of $19,728.86 for the month of February be paid. MOTION CARRIED

COMMITTEEREPORTS: REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

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

RCMP: Councillor M. Vickers had nothing to report.

EMO:  Councillor S. Vickers reported that a meeting was held on March 4 with Emergency Measures to start work on our emergency response plan.

ANIMAL CONTROL: Mayor Russell had nothing to report.  No report submitted by the Animal Control Officer.

MEDIA:  Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan reported that family day events were cancelled due to the storm.  Sunny Corner and Renous did host their planned events the next weekend.  The cakes were delivered to the rec centres as it was too late to cancel them.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie reported that the new CEO had a meeting to discuss the dynamic deployment vs mutual aid.  They are currently using the dynamic deployment but feel the mutual aid program would work better.

TOURISM:  Councillor Brennan reported that she is working with Character Matters on having the Whooper Play performed from July 5 to August 30 in the municipal park.  It would start at the tourism building and cost $15 per person.  They may need to store props in the building in the park. 

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan reported that she is working on plans for Canada Day.  Shawn with Character Matters has agreed to join us on our float.  We are looking at increasing the cash prizes for floats as this may get more organizations involved.

WELLNESS:  Councillor Brennan reported that a meeting with be held on March 8.  Memorial signs for the garden area are being made more permanent.  Bee training and suits have been purchased. 

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers had nothing to report.

ENVIRONMENTAL:  Councillor M. Vickers had nothing to report.

PARK: Councillor Brennan had nothing to report.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Gillespie reported that the process in having 3 Oxford Lane cleaned up is ongoing.

FINANCE: Mayor Russell reported that the treasurer, Jennifer McLaughlin is to present a monthly financial report. Jennifer was absent and no report was submitted.

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that she has contacted three companies to have the flooring replaced at the Sunny Corner RCMP building.  To date, only one quote has been received.

The thrift store had plumbing issues.  The flush has been replaced, and a cheater vent will be installed tomorrow.  A new hot water heater has been installed. 

WASTEWATER SYSTEM: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that the lagoon and regular testing is being done, and levels are normal.  A sewer cover on MacLaggan Drive was hit by the snowplow.  It has been flagged and marked.  Ronnie Underhill will fix asap.  We will add this to projects to be fixed in the spring.

PUBLIC WORKS: Mayor Russell had nothing new to report.

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

• Jan 13, GMSC Dillon Consultants 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. 

Other meetings.

• Feb 6, Atlantic Intuition Meeting.
• Feb 8, Miramichi River fan fest.
• Feb 10, Moncton United Way Meeting.
• Feb 10, CBDC meeting.
• Feb 11, MRV Council meeting.
• Feb 18, SCFD meeting.
• Feb 24, MRV Office, Meeting with Active Solutions.
• Feb 24, Housing meeting with David Donahue.
• Feb 25, MRV Office, Housing Meeting.
• Feb 25, CBDC Meeting.

FIRE SERVICES:  Director of Fire Services, Dwain Hallihan reported that he training is going well with all three departments.  All departments are involved and showing interest.

One of the trucks in Renous requires 6 new tires and an oil change.  This work will be completed.

The fire department in Renous will be hosting a BBQ on March 8 from 12:00 – 3:00 for March Break. 

Dwain spoke with DTI in regard to the speed limit coming into Blackville.  It goes from 90 to 50 km/hr and this needs to be changed.  DTI will look into having it adjusted to go from 90 to 70 and then 50.

NEW BUSINESS:

(10.1) Rental Policy

A review and discussion were held on the rental policy for the Blackville Community Centre.  All groups or individuals that rent the space and are not a nonprofit organization are required to pay the fee as set out in the policy. 

(10.2) New Computer

Moved by Councillor S. Vickers, seconded by M. Vickers to purchase a new computer and have it set up from Adaptive Office Solutions in the amount of $1981, plus taxes.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.3) Character Matters

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Brennan to pay the invoice from Character Matters in the amount of $12,000.  MOTION CARRIED.

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers to adjourn the meeting at 19:40.