Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Nil Doucet, Councillors, Hector Thibault, Danny Hill, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, Eric Pothier and Yvon LeBlanc.
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr; Administrative Assistant to the CAO, Alain Poirier, Director of Finance, Connie Saulnier
Public: Julie Oliver – CDÉNÉ and Roland LeBlanc – Salmon River Salmon Association
ABSENT:
1)Call to order
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) (a) Approval of the agenda
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the proposed agenda be approved as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) Declaration of conflict of interest
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.
None declared
3) Presentations
3.1 Julie Oliver: CDÉNÉ (at 6:00 pm)
Julie Oliver provided Council with an overview of the many services provided by the CDÉNÉ.
3.2 Roland LeBlanc: Salmon River Salmon Association
Mr. Roland LeBlanc provided an overview of the Salmon River Salmon Association`s proposed lake water quality testing project and requested a letter of support for said project from Council.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend issuing a letter of support to the Salmon River Salmon Association for their lake water quality testing project.
4) Staff reports
4.1 Financial Update – Director of Finance, Connie Saulnier
The Director of Finance updated Council as to the Municipality’s financial position. (Available at the Municipal Office)
5) Business arising from previous meetings
None.
6) New business
6.1 Meteghan Park Development Association
The CAO informed Council of his meeting with Mr. Harold Boudreau of the Meteghan Park Development Association. The park is extensively used by residents of all ages and is now in need of repairs and renovations, as well as new additions to its existing infrastructure. Contributions have been received from the private sector for this effort and the Association is moving forward with an application to the Community Health Board Wellness Fund in the amount of $3,000. A request in the amount of $5,000 is also being sought from the Municipality. Support for this request was unanimous. As such, Council passed the following motion to recommend
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend contributing an amount of $5 000 to the Meteghan Park Development Association, in support of its park renovation project, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s 2017-2018 budget.
The Warden reminded Council that this park is located on municipal property and that if the Association were to no longer manage the project, responsibility for this site would fall on the Municipality. He also praised the Association for their excellent work and noted that since the park’s opening, Council has only received one other request for funding from the Association to aid with developmental/renovation costs.
6.2 Concerns expressed during the 2016 Election Campaign
The Warden offered the newly elected councillors an opportunity to share with Council any concerns that were expressed to them during the 2016 election campaign.
Councillor Danny Hill mentioned that the biggest concern in his district was in regards to doctor recruitment in Weymouth
Councillor Carl Deveau mentioned that people expressed concern about the quality of roads (particularly back roads). Although a valid concern, the Warden explained that these roads are owned by the Province and not by the Municipality. Councillor Deveau also mentioned that many residents still have the old civic numbers which aren`t visible at night for the emergency team responders and asked if an effort could be made to bring awareness to this issue.
Councillor Eric Pothier mentioned concerns raised by residents living on the d’Entremont Road regarding the need for lighting at the intersection. Another safety concern was raised by residents of Meteghan around the accumulation of ice on the sidewalks. A third common concern was raised regarding erosion at the old dump site in Meteghan. Although not a concern, residents from both Meteghan Center and Meteghan River proposed erecting a commemorative wall dedicated to past and present residents of Clare that have made an important contribution to the community. It was agreed that this project concept would be forwarded to the Department of Community Development for further review.
Councillor Yvon LeBlanc was approached with many questions regarding the Internet. The Warden mentioned that the rural broadband project is a huge undertaking and the Municipality`s intention is to pursue the advancement of the file. An all-council meeting will be held in Caledonia on November 16th, with both provincial and federal representatives in attendance, to discuss possible next steps.
Concerns were also raised about the future of the Salmon River Elementary School. The Warden addressed the school issue by informing Council that Pam Doucet will sit as a non-voting member of the CSAP`s School Evaluation Committee. Mrs. Doucet will be able to provide information to Council as to the evaluation process. If schools are to close, the Municipality is obligated to take possession of the buildings. Councillor Yvon LeBlanc was also approached regarding the old dump site in Meteghan as well as drought problems (i.e. dry wells) this past summer. On the subject of dry wells and/or a lack of water, the CAO spoke regularly with the EMO Coordinator on this issue. Although well-aware of the problem, neither received any reports, requests or expression of concerns from the public regarding this subject.
Councillor Nil Doucet mentioned that some of his constituents asked if funds could be secured to dredge the wharf in Belliveau Cove. The Warden suggested contacting Colin Fraser, MP for West Nova, since this was in fact a federal responsibility.
7) Question and comments from the public
Germaine Comeau inquired as to whether the Municipality was planning to connect the sidewalks throughout Clare and if so, what were the expected timelines. The Warden messaged to Mrs. Comeau that this subject will be considered at a future date.
8) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics discussed:
- 8.1 Villa acadienne
- 8.2 Riverside Lobster International
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend appointing Mrs. Angeline Thimot as the new community member on the Villa acadienne Board of Directors.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend contributing up to 25% of the costs of extending the current sewer system in Meteghan towards the shore, along the John Thibodeau Rd.
MOTION CARRIED
9) Date and time of next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on December 7th, 2016 at 7:00 PM.
10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:19 PM