During the Nov. 17 meeting of the Nackawic-Millville Council, Deputy Mayor Greg MacFarlane proposed a motion to contact project partners and other levels of government after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the New Brunswick Sisson Mine was chosen as one of Canada’s nation-building projects.
The proposed tungsten and molybdenum mine, to be developed by Northcliff Resources, will be located 50 km from the municipality. Nackawic-Millville’s council wants to capitalize on the project.
MacFarlane wants the council to write letters to proponents, inviting them to meet, so the municipality can offer support and showcase the community’s assets.
“We welcome working with them on housing employees in our community. They will need places to house people,” said MacFarlane.
It is estimated that the project will require 500 jobs to build the mine and 300 full-time jobs to operate it for an estimated 27 years.
“This is a huge opportunity to get out in front of. We could be the hub for Sisson. We could house folks who are going to work there. This includes the Millville ward as well,” stated MacFarlane.
He pointed out the community’s proximity to the highway as another selling factor.
Council agreed unanimously that this is an opportunity to get behind and go after.
MacFarlane also proposed that the council reach out to AV Nackawic, which owns land in the industrial park, to see whether it would be interested in selling the land to the municipality.
“It is critical that we have an industrial park where people can build their companies that support the mine,” said MacFarlane. Council agreed unanimously.
Proposal to rename Nackawic Walking Trail
Council reviewed a letter from Nackawic resident Steve McCutcheon, who proposed renaming the Nackawic Walking Trail to the Cronkhite Walking Trail.
“In recognition of the fact that all of the land upon which the Nackawic Walking Trail is located was once owned by members of the Cronkhite family, I would like to suggest that council consider renaming the trail to the Cronkhite Walking Trail,” wrote McCutcheon.
As you walk along the trail, you come to two potato houses that bear signs with the Cronkhite name. The letter stated that the land on which Nackawic is built originally belonged to the Cronkhite family.
“In short, I think it would be appropriate for the town to honour the family by assigning the Cronkhite name to the walking trail,” concluded McCutcheon.
The letter also suggested that the council consider establishing a charitable foundation to fund the maintenance of this walking trail. McCutcheon said he walks the trail frequently and knows that maintaining signage, boardwalks, and tree clearing is always required. He feels that it would be good to have dedicated funds for this purpose.
Mayor Tim Fox said the council’s role would be to help guide the process and have a councillor sit on the board as a director. Council agreed to pass the information on to the Recreation Committee so they could give their input.
Bear Island Community Hall ceiling replacement
Council approved a motion to repair the ceiling at the Bear Island Community Hall.
The work includes: removal of ceiling tiles from the main hall; supplying and installing a plastic vapour barrier to the entire ceiling with acoustic sealant; installing a new T-Bar drop ceiling in the kitchen; installing a new T-Bar drop ceiling in two bathrooms, the hall, and the entry; and removal and disposal of all debris.
The work will be completed by On the Bend Contracting Ltd. at a total cost of $22,507.63.
Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. in Nackawic. Residents are asked to meet at the Nackawic Lions Club at 6:45 p.m. From there, participants will walk to the municipal hall for the tree lighting.
