The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs, November 5, 2024, 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: Kylan Sherrard, Bylaw Enforcement Officer for the Miramichi River Valley came to introduce himself and make council aware that he is available to address any concerns they may have.

Kylan will be appointed the new bylaw enforcement officer for the Miramichi River Valley under new business.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

It was moved by Councillor M. Vickers & seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen 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 M. Vickers to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting October 8, 2024.  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 S. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Brennan that the bills in the amount of $40,247.34 for the month of October be paid. MOTION CARRIED

COMMITTEE REPORTS: REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

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

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councillor Hallihan reported that he attended a fire prevention session at the Millerton School. 

Smoke alarms were passed out at the firehall in Renous, more alarms have been requested.

The cost for medical first responder course has increased to $9400.  We are going to request money from the province for this course.  If there were ambulances available to respond our volunteer fire department members would not have to do so.  If we are going to be responding to medical calls the province should be paying for the training.

RCMP: Councillor Sheasgreen reported that the RCMP were in contact and are using the Sunny Corner Firehall for training on November 22nd, Chief Mike Jardine is aware.  The Survey that was sent out on behalf of the RCMP about what is top priority for our area was completed and sent in.

EMO:  Councillor Hallihan had nothing to report.

ANIMAL CONTROL:  Councillor Sheasgreen reported that the animal control officer tender has been posted with the required 

information for those wishing to put their bids in.

Animal Control Officer, Tony LeBlanc submitted his report.

MEDIA:  Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan had nothing to report.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie had nothing new to report.

TOURISM:  Councillor Sheasgreen reported that Character Matters is having a show at the Folklore Park in Renous. 

I will be meeting with HarleyAnn and Krista Chase later this month to discuss future Tourism Projects.

Councillor Brennan reported that there are a couple of vendors that need to be contacted to pick up their products.  The markets this summer were a great success.

WARD 1 ISSUES:  Councillor Sheasgreen reported that:

A retired volunteer firefighter texted wanting to know if he could come back as a firefighter trainer, I met with Chief Mike Jardine on Oct 29^th to discuss if this was possible to make this happen. The situation is the Retired Volunteer has had some health issues, and it was determined that with the issues he has we would not be able to cover him under our insurance due to the issues. I talked with the Retired Volunteer about the outcome, and he questioned if we could chat with the insurance company about what he would need to be able to do the job. With heavy lifting and stairs being a big part of such a role is not something we can look at doing as of the moment. I told him that if he can get a letter from his doctor stating that he is fully capable of doing the role and that the Dr would clear him for regular duties then we would look at the need for a trainer at that time.

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan had nothing to report.

WELLNESS:  Councillor Brennan reported that that a breast cancer walk was held in October.  There were 75 participants.  A paint your pumpkin pink event was also held.

A meeting will be held on November 6 with Vanessa Green who works for Canadian Mental Health Association to discuss programs offered to the community. 

A meeting will be held on November 7 to discuss the plans for next years “Old Fashioned Christmas”.  Tree decorating, sleigh rides, vintage costumes, choir, etc.

The Annual Christmas Parade will be held on December 7 at 4:00.  There will be a breakfast held that day as well.  A tree lighting, bonfire and music will be held following the parade at the tourism information centre.

The Community Garden has received funds to help start a bee keeping area.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that the Remembrance Day flags are up, and she has received many compliments on how they look.  When the flags come down the Christmas wreaths will be going up.

ENVIRONMENTAL:  Councillor Sheasgreen had nothing new to report, he will be visiting the dumpsite in Strathadam before the end of November, he will be visiting every 3 months to keep track of the progress and to reassure residents that everything is above board.

PARK: Councillor Brennan reported that the park workers are now done for the season.  Peter Jardine has been hired through the Workplace Essential Skills Program.  He will take care of handyman duties.  Ground prep for the new playground equipment has been started and it will be installed in the spring.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Gillespie will work with Councillor Morgan Vickers on unsightly properties. 

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

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that we need a meeting with Darcy Colepaugh to discuss the snowmobile club using the second bay at old Renous fire hall for their groomers. 

The contract for the thrift store has been delivered and signed. I told the ladies they are to confine their materials to that area. 

Mike Dawson has moved his materials out of the building. 

Mike McLaughlin installed two 20-amp exterior receptacles at the tourism building. During the markets, the breakers were kicking off, being overloaded.

WASTEWATER SYSTEM: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that there are no issues with the lagoon. 

PUBLIC WORKS: Councillor Hallihan reported that brush cutting has not be done on the exits in Renous as requested. 

Quotes will be obtained on having the storm drain on Main Street fixed.  If possible, the storm drain will be fixed this fall. 

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

• Oct 7, GMSC Special Meeting.
• Oct 21, GMSC Community Dev Meeting. 
• Oct 23, GMSC Board Meeting.
• Oct 24, GMSC Waste Reduction/ Recycling Meeting.
• Oct 30, GMSC Budget Briefing 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. 

• Oct 2, Derby Seniors Meeting.
• Oct 3, RSC Health Care Forum.
• Oct 4, MRV Office.
• Oct 6, St Bridget Church Supper.
• Oct 8, MRV Council Meeting.
• Oct 9, MRV Office, GMSC 2025 Budget Presentation.
• Oct 10, Priemer Higgs, Minister Savoie.
• Oct 15, Camp Cole Re-Dedication.
• Oct 17, MRV Office/ NBEMO Meeting.
• Oct 18, Wilson Bell Retirement.
• Oct 23, MRV Office. Legion Poppy Presentation.
• Oct26, Salmon Museum in Doaktown, Byzie Coughlan.
• Oct 27, 28 & 29 ICF Institute Canada/ Fredericton
• Oct 31, MRV Office.

NEW BUSINESS:

(10.1) Tractor

Councillor Hallihan is obtaining quotes on a tractor for the Renous/Quarryville Fire Hall.  They will be doing their own snow removal this winter.

(10.2) Insurance

Clerk gave an update on the insurance quotes.  We received the quote from Canoe Insurance and still waiting on quote from Heustis Insurance.  Once both quotes have been obtained, we will review.

(10.3) Bylaw Enforcement Officer

Moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor Sharon Vickers that:

WHEREAS in accordance with Section 72 of the Local Governance Act, SNB 2017, c 18, Council may appoint By-Law Enforcement Officers for the Local Government and determine their mandates.

BE IT RESOLVED that the following persons be individually appointed as a By-Law Enforcement Officer for the Local Government:

1)   Kylan SHERRARD.
2)   Jordan Euclide NOWLAN.
3)   Jordan LANGLOIS.
4)   Keith PICCO

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the By-Law Enforcement Officer (Officer) is employed for the preservation and maintenance of public peace.

AND THAT the duties, powers, authorities, and immunities of the Officer are as follows:

• The Officer has the powers as defined by Section 14(3) of the Police Act, SNB 1977, c P-9.2.

• The Officer has the duty to enforce all the By-Laws of the Local Government.

• The Officer has the lawful authority to investigate violations, perform inspections, enter lands, buildings, and other structures, issue tickets, lay information, serve documents, issue demands, orders and perform all other duties and tasks, in accordance with all the applicable Sections and Regulations of the Local Governance Act, SNB 2017, c 18 and as established by By-Law.

• The Officer is authorized to exercise discretion in the course of their duties.

• The Officer is an officer acting under the law and is protected in accordance with the Protection of Persons Acting Under Statute Act, RSNB 2011, c 210.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the above-mentioned appointments continue as long as the Officer is employed or retained by the Local Government.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.4) Remembrance Day Ceremonies

A discussion was held on who will be attending Remembrance Day services.

(10.5) Storm Drain on Main Street

Councillor Hallihan is going to obtain quotes on having the storm at 168 Main Street repaired. 

(10.6) Budget Meeting

We are waiting on the audited financial statements and a few numbers from the province.  Clerk is working on the budget and our first meeting will be held on November 19.  A second meeting to discuss the budget has been scheduled for Nov 26.

(10.7) Christmas Dinner

The Christas Dinner has been scheduled for Nov 28 at the Renous Recreation Centre.

Councillor Dwain Hallihan declared a conflict of interest and removed himself from the meeting.

(10.8) Cleaning of Renous / Quarryville Fire Hall

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen to hire Kathy Hallihan to clean the Renous / Quarryville firehall at a cost of $400 per month.  MOTION CARRIED.

Councillor Hallihan rejoined the meeting.

An in-camera session was called to discuss staff salaries. 

Jennifer McLaughlin and Tina Hayes left the meeting while the discussion was had.

Jennifer McLaughlin and Tina Hayes rejoined the meeting.

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers to adjourn the meeting at 20:05.