Councillors discuss waterfront nuisance and other issues during April 20 meeting
Paul Sherman, Nackawic-Millville’s Director of Recreation and Parks, presented a geese management plan to the council on Monday evening, April 20. Goose droppings have been a persistent issue along the waterfront for many years.
He recommended purchasing a Goosinator, a remote-controlled vehicle that looks like a natural predator. He said the Goosinator can go on water, ice, snow, concrete, and land. It is durable and well-made, and can travel 10-15 miles per hour (16-24 km/h). Sherman said it is the most humane method to try.
His plan is to use the Goosinator for a couple of hours every day at different times. The department will also place smaller decoys around the waterfront.
Sherman suggested purchasing lights from Away with Geese. These flashing lights encourage geese to go elsewhere. He said the department will use these at night to keep them away from the docks and where they like to sleep along the cove.
Sherman also told the council he would like to purchase these items immediately so they can start using them in mid-May. He also pointed out that they wouldn’t use them when the little ones can’t fly.
Sherman said the summer students spend a lot of time during the day cleaning off the docks and the area around the marina. He also mentioned that they hope to bring back baseball this year, and that last year, the baseball fields were really bad with goose feces.
Deputy Mayor Greg MacFarlane said he’s had numerous people complaining to him that they couldn’t bring their kids down there. He felt the products were worth trying.
Councillor Nozzolillo agreed, saying it was an innovative idea. A motion was passed to purchase one Goosinator, five Goosinator decoys, and two Away with Geese lights, for a total cost of $9,500, including tax.
New subdivision lots for sale in Nackawic
Council discussed ways to advertise the building lots for sale in the new subdivision located in Nackawic.
Information can be found on the Destination Nackawic website at: destinationnackawic.ca, where interested buyers can check on lot availability.
CAO Kathryn Clark said she would get quotes for a billboard showing a map of the lots still available and those that have been sold. The website is updated weekly.
Drop-in ball hockey starts at the Nackawic Arena
Paul Sherman, Director of Recreation and Parks, told council that 27 participants attended the first night of ball hockey.
Ball hockey will run every Monday for eight weeks at the Nackawic Arena, concluding on June 15.
Divisions include ages 5-10 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and ages 11-15 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. He asks that all players wear gloves and helmets and bring their own stick. Shin protection is also recommended.
Participants are encouraged to wear their favourite jersey. Teams will be picked weekly based on participants.
New Voyent Alert Information System
Residents can now sign up for the Voyent Alert Information System. Users can receive alerts via smartphones, email, text and phone calls. The new system will offer notifications for emergency events, special events, and daily operations, such as garbage pickup delays. CAO Kathryn Clark said it will be a really useful tool for the community. She added that residents can choose which types of emergency alerts they want.
Clark also pointed out that once a household is registered, it can follow other municipalities that have the same system in place. She said this would be great for those who have family members in other communities.
A flyer describing the system and how to register has been mailed to every household in the community. Residents can sign up via the website or by phone, and staff will help anyone needing assistance with registration. Information will also be published on the Nackawic-Millville Rural Community Facebook page.
