Postal woes, fire hall expansion, and traffic disruptions on the agenda
The District of Carleton North regional municipality met on June 24 to discuss several issues.
Rural mail services and possible strike
Mayor Andrew Harvey relayed correspondence to the council from Eugene Verdon, President of the Maritime Branch of the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA).
In his letter to the council, Verdon expressed the need for unity and steadfastness regarding rural mail services.
“The loss of a rural post office is more than an inconvenience – it’s the loss of a community hub, a reliable job and access to vital services… The identity of the town fades. We’ve seen it happen. Your support is critical… Let’s keep the heart of rural Canada beating.”
Contract awarded for firehall expansion
Following a public tender for bids in June, a $393,300 contract has been awarded to E. Cummings Contracting, Inc., for the Glassville Fire Hall expansion.
The project will address issues with storage space for apparatus and equipment, and increase overall efficiency and functionality for the Fire Hall and community.
Health partnership
Community sessions have been held in the District, in partnership with Rivervalley Strategies and West NB Services Commission, to bring awareness and to assist residents in signing up for NB Health Link.
According to the website, NBHealthLink.ca, the service will “help connect patients registered with the program to the health care they need, with in-person, telephone or online appointments in the official language of their choice, while they wait for a longer-term placement with a family physician or nurse practitioner.”
The sessions were attended by members of the council and were considered a success. More sessions will be held around the community in the future.
Traffic disruptions
Bridge closure dates and times were announced for the Florenceville-Bristol bridge on Route 130.
For five weekends, July 18 to 21, July 25 to 28, August 8 to 11, August 22 to 25, and October 17 to 20, the bridge will be closed from Friday at 6 p.m. to Monday at 6 a.m.
The closures are necessary to accelerate work for a two-lane opening this winter.
Student bursaries
The District of Carleton North student bursaries were awarded to the following students:
Emma Gibberson (Ward 1)
Mariah Downey (Ward 2)
Karamia Butterfield (Ward 3)
Jennifer Andrews (Ward 4)
Alanna Cullins (Ward 5)
Nolan Rutter (At Large)
Congratulations to all the recipients!
Journalist remembered
Mayor Harvey attended the celebration of life for Western New Brunswick journalist Jim Dumville in Woodstock on June 22.
Dumville served the region with the Bugle-Observer before the River Valley Sun, covering events in the western valley for 31 years.
“He mentored a lot of people, he trained a lot of people… and he was a great guy. Fair and honest. It was a really nice celebration of life. I’m glad I had a chance to go,” he told councillors.
